Category: Family

We had our final Christmas celebration of the year and some more snow fun up at my parents.  We went up a few days before my brother’s family to get in some extra visiting and snow play.  Elspeth did much better in the snow this time.  As you can see, she actually laughed, walked in it, touched it and rode on a sled.  I think that if I take some snow toys out the next time it snows up here (all of our snow melted while we were up north) she will like it even more.  While Elspeth napped one of the afternoons, my dad drove Katrine and I over to the Wye Marsh.  The trails were not ready for cross country but they let us try out some snow shoes.  Now that was fun.  The woods were gorgeous with chunks of icy snow caking the branches.  It was great exercise and just a wonderful mini-date with my Katrine.

Scott, Sarah and the kids showed up on New Years Eve and after some more outside time we dove into the presents.  It is amazing seeing the cousins admiring what each got and asking to play with this or that.  Katrine’s favourite gifts had to do with skating.  Scott et al. got her a skating ensemble for her new dress up doll.  Of course, Lily had to put it on right away and head out for her first skating lesson.  Did you know that dolls can learn to go forward, backward, jump, spin and spiral the first time that they put on skates?  Kind of makes you wonder why we don’t just have them do the routines.  I mean, think of how much you would save in terms of costumes and skates (they never grow) let alone coaching.  She also got  a Barbie skating costume which was immediately housed in her new Zucca skating bag which was nicknamed Zucci.  I bet that she will be the only skater at either arena with a nicknamed Zucca bag.  Elspeth got the most played with toy though.  Scott et al. got her a simple remote control car.  Well didn’t she and all the rest of them have that thing driving around and smashing into things.  Not sure how long it will survive a two year old but it certainly has made her smile thus far.

Okay, I am so excited that I simply have to share this.  I finally finished the dress for Katrine’s solo.  I had to redo the white parts about three times and then discovered that the sequins looked bad sewn on so picked them off and glued each on individually but I am SOOO proud of it. Now, anyone know where is the best place to get a sparkly red scrunchy?

Now onto the snow.  Today we got enough snow for it to be called a snow day and Elspeth’s first real experience with snow in all of her life (aside from the few minor flurries that we have had).  As you can see in the photos, our playsession got off to a slow start.  Basically fear and a strong need to be held up and away from this wierd cold, white stuff.  By the end of our time outside, she had graduated to walking through the snow to see what Katrine was up to and picking up a kiddie snow shovel.  Not a bad start but we definetely have some work to do.

Merry Christmas to those celebrating.

Round 3:

Katrine excitedly introduced Elspeth in to the world of stockings this morning.  I think that they were as eager to see what each other received as what they themselves got.  Then breakfast (had to introduce Elspeth to the Tomlinson tradition of Stoc**ng Stuffer lottery tickets and peameal bacon…mmmm…nothing says merry Christmas like fried pig in the morning).  Next our own gifts.  Favourites?  Glenn got me a cute stuffed cow as I was born in the year of the cow yet oddly enough did not count a cow among my stuffy collection and my new Dance connection game (I promise to act silly even more and try to get in better shape, anyone want to join in?).  Glenn got two puzzles which the girls had created/coloured.  Katrine is now the proud owner of an ipod shuffle which Santa had loaded, quite miraculously, with most of her favourite tunes…how did he know?. She also loves her new dress up doll named Lily who is currently tucked into bed with her.  Elspeth’s favourite gift today had to be her water table.  Took her a while to figure out what it was and accept that it was okay to get water on the floor but once we crossed those hurdles she was off and running.

After gifts, the girls put on their Christmas dresses which matched at Katrine’s insistance and headed off to church.  The rest of the day was spent playing with our gifts. Decorating Baby Jesus’ birthday cake (have to try and keep the meaning to the day somehow and which kid doesn’t enjoy a good birthday party). And enjoying turkey with Grammy.

Round 4 will be an afternoon party with Glenn’s extended family.  Then we have a few days to rest up…aside from skating of course; before heading to my parents for Hogmany and our final Christmas.  I think that we all need this little break between festivities.

Hope that all of you had a wonderful day.

Before any of you get your hopes up, Elspeth has not yet joined the ranks of toilet user.  I thought for a while there that we were making headway by putting Dora underwear under her diaper ( You know, Dora wants to stay dry.) and giving an M&M upon success.  Nope!  We are still at the sit, do nothing, get up and dressed, pee, ask for candy stage.  That said, she has begun to show an interest in mothering her stuffed animals.  As you can see from the photo, it appears that stuffies use the potty in a much different manner than people.

Now about Baby Jesus.  We have a plastic nativity set so that it can be touched, played with and enjoyed.  If we are lucky, it will also translate into some acqusition of the Christmas story but then again maybe not.  As you can see there was some trouble in Bethlehem this afternoon.  A force of nature, hereafter refered to as Hurricane E, joyfully explored all of the wonders that the town offered.  E was unaware of the way that it was changing the natural landscape or disturbing the lives of the people and animals on the nearby land.  Once building escaped damage.  A lowly manger.  Its two inhabitants, a man and woman, were unharmed…as if they were being watched over by an angel.  They were a bit worried though.  It seems that E had scooped up their new baby and taken him off into the wide world.  A gruelling search turned up the child nestled in E watching cartoons on the other side of the basement.

Now please do not worry.  The Baby Jesus was returned safely to his parents and continues to be guarded by both star and angel.  The wise men have resumed their journey and the shepards have sought heavenly protection as they venture back up into the hills with their flocks.  All of the animals are now sleeping having agreed that it was quite a day.

Just wanted to post a photo that captures how Elspeth feels about bubbles.  Enjoy!

Well, as you all expected we have already had Elspeth in skates.  Check out the photos below.  She was thrilled to be on the ice just like her big sister.  Not really going anywhere yet but standing and making ice angels.

Oh ya, she has also gained weight!  20 pounds!!!!! As well as another 2 cm.  Yippee!  If only her feet would grow we could get her single blade skates.

Not much to this post but it should put a smile on your face.  Elspeth showed off a new skill today.  It was long pant weather in the morning but was forecasted to be short weather by lunch so when dressing her I grabbed a pair of shorts and left them downstairs for her to change into.  Well, the picture shows it all.

Today we had the pleasure of celebrating our second Thanksgiving, this time with Glenn’s side of the family.  Of course that meant more turkey and all of the fixings with the exception of pumpkin pie.  Tonight’s dessert instead were the most adorable cupcakes which left our house smelling of cake (this might require me to either go and buy more flour so that I can make Heather-friendly cake or go and buy Heather-friendly cupcakes, it smells that good).  As you can see in the photo below they really are the cutest little panda bears.  All thanks to the creative genius of the other Heather (yes, 2 Heathers, 1 family).  Everyone else loved them…birthday girl, hmm.  Let’s say they faired better than Saturday’s pie.  This time she ate the nose and arms and legs after which she stared at it somewhat suspiciously.  Sigh, I wonder what her reaction will be to the McCains cake she’ll get on Thursday for her actual birthday?  Perhaps, Glenn and Katrine will end up eating most of that cake too.

Elspeth has figured out presents though.  This time when they were put infront of her she dove right in to tearing off the paper.  It  was funny, when she got to the package holding clothes she tore off the corner and then shook her head.  As if to say, if it ain’t toys I don’t want to waste my time opening it.  This weekend she got some lovely things.  She’ll play with them and I will enjoy a wee bit of rest because I will not be dreaming up tons of things for her to do.

How is she doing is a question that we frequently get.  I think that this will sum it up.  Today she got upset when Katrine tried to look at her new birthday toys and covered them with her little arms saying “mine” (well, that was what she was aiming for).  She also saw Katrine hugging Glenn and got quite insistent that he come and give her a hug to.   Aaah, sibling jealousy.  It can only mean that she is getting more attached to us.  We welcome you.

Here are just some photos for you to enjoy.  I had to put up the ones with the do-dads in her hair as this is the first weekend that Elspeth has allowed them to stay in her hair for longer than a few seconds.  Also celebrating the fact that she actually has some hair in which clips can be put.