sledding

Daring and adventurous are not adjectives that we would use to describe either one of our kids.  Jacob falls squarely into the careful, cautious and circumspect category; so it comes as no surprise that he doesn't like sledding downhill.  At my urging, he's doubled with friends a few times and it went as expected.  I find him at the bottom worried or near tears.  One time he went down smiling, so I think by next winter his slow-to-warm-up-to new-things personality will be ready to embrace sledding.     

He still loves being in the snow and at the sledding hill at fountain park.  He likes to go down - without a sled - and loves climbing back up.  He's all smiles once you take the sled out of the equation.  

 Avery doesn't like going downhill either.  She likes to stand at the top - perfectly still - bundled up like a puffy pink marshmallow.

She's still warming up to the sled all together.  She doesn't like being pulled around in the sled but hasn't figured how to bail-out of it quite yet.  She just sits really still, really awkwardly, looking unimpressed and sometimes cries.

Somehow, by complete miracle, I got her into the sled and pulled her all the way to Jake's school.  We enjoyed coffee and banana bread (definitely a bribe) at the coffee shop until 11:15 and then picked Jacob up.  Then I got both of them onto the sled, pulled them to fountain park and we played on the hill.  Pushing my luck ever further, I then loaded them both up again and pulled them all the way home.  

On the way back we had 4 kids and 2 sleds and there were definitely a few moments where I thought we might not all make it home.  

                

Jake had a blast and Avery just gave in.  My friend had to carry one child and pull the other for a while but luckily her house wasn't as far.  (This was a motion shot because there was no way we were going to stop and risk having someone jump out).    

big white

Although it's now our second winter at home we finally made our first ever trip out to Big White.  Billy's office put on a family day that included tubing, skating, a bonfire and hot chocolate.  It's a much bigger ski hill than I imagined and it was so beautiful coated in fresh, sparkling snow. 

Our drive up was as pretty as could be.  

The closer we got; the whiter the trees became.   

We packed the kids into the sled along with our skates, helmets and snacks and were greeted by one of the skating rinks.

We started out with tubing, kind of .  They called it Mega Snow Coaster Tubing and that pretty much summed it up perfectly.

It was instantly clear that Jake was never getting on one of these tubes and flying down the runs.  The tube park consisted of giant rubber tubes, a lift where one of the attendants attaches your tube and zips you up the hill, and your choice of five groomed runs that are steep and fast.  At the top another attendant gives you a push and will ask you if you want them to spin you (no thanks).  All children must go down on their own tube (!) but you can go beside your child and hold on to their tube.  They spread hay down at the bottom to help slow you down.  It was impressive and intimidating.  Billy and I took turns.  We each only went once - Ha.  

   Next up was skating.  Jake eagerly started out but a runny nose soon had him in tears and that was it.  He was cold and done.  

Look at the beautiful view from the small rink!

At this point Jake was melting down in the sled and firmly said NO to a family portrait. We warmed ourselves by the fire and enjoyed a much needed snack and hot chocolate for Billy and I.  I have no idea why our kids don't like hot chocolate! 

Bill modified the tube ride for Avery.  She wasn't impressed.    

Before heading back, we took the gondola up to the village and shared some pizza and doughnuts.  It took a little to convince these tired (and cold) kids that the gondola was a good idea but it was a definite highlight and the perfect way to end our Big White trip.

lately

Jake is loving preschool and is so full of 'why' questions.  Here are a few things that are on the mind of a 3.5 year old...

Why do I have two legs?

Why do hockey rinks have sides?  And why football has no sides?

Why do birds like to fly?

Why when parents get older their socks don't have grips?

Why does weather change?

Why is your [Billy's] mouth so big?

and on and on... 

He is unrelenting with his wonders.  Some questions are so observant and clever and some are downright funny.  These have been the few examples I have managed to write down.  The best always seem to come during walks or card rides.  

Jacob is pretty serious about the rules.  He is all about safety and quick to notice when Avery has broken one.  He is filled with worry when a friend doesn't listen to their mom and is just finally starting to let Avery up the stairs without his help. 

* Notice Jake's posture here... looks like a hug but he's really just worried Avery will fall and is trying to keep her in place.  And Avery is as unhappy as could be.  She was so leery of the photographer; if she so much as smiled at her, Avery was near tears. 

  

Avery received a baby doll for Christmas and is obsessed.  She fusses with, and cares for, that baby often.  Lately, she needs the baby to be wrapped in a blanket.  If that blanket falls off, you will instantly hear hear shouting about it.  

If you say no to Avery, she's likely to try it another ten times.  She likes to test her limits and she's all about participating like a big kid.  She's observant and will gladly tag along in the big kids play.  

At night she likes to run straight into Jacob's room instead of her own.  She climbs in, hollers at Jake to get in, snuggles-up and tucks the two of them under the covers.  

They are the sweetest two, even when they're not.  Everything that you hope for when you think of becoming a parent, plus some extra cuteness that you couldn't possible have imagined before they came into your life.   

playing catch-up

Where to begin, really...

Christmas was wonderful!  We were lucky enough to spend time with both of our families; and Jacob was really excited about Christmas this year.  It was the first time he's had a specific gift request, ever. (Prior to this whenever we asked him what he'd like, he would always think thoughtfully and reply "a present").  This time around he wanted a marble maze and when he opened it he kept exclaiming "this is absolutely what I wanted".  

Good work Santa ;)  

Avery received a baby stroller from Santa and that was a huge hit too.  Both items are still in constant use and we were all absolutely spoiled by our families.  We were shocked and thankful as can be for everyones' kindness!   

  Look at that adorable little pony-tail!

Our snow is all gone (for now) but we were happy to enjoy a little sledding and outdoor hockey in the driveway when we could.

The rest of the time has really flown by; a blur of holiday get-together, play dates and birthday parties.  It finally feels like things are slowing down again.  

We couldn't feel luckier about all the love we felt during this holiday season.  We are so blessed with these sweet kids of ours and all of our family - near and far - who are so, so good to us.  A big thank you to everyone!

christmas concert

Jacob had his first Christmas concert on Saturday and as we filed into the room to find seats, I had butterflies in my stomach.  He told me earlier that morning that he didn't think he wanted to sing. I said that was alright; he didn't have to sing but he did have to remember to smile.  He told me later that he learned a "good tip" from his dad, which was to just pretend sing.

He ended up doing a bit of everything: singing, smiling and some very obvious lip syncing.  He also did their little dance moves and shook his Christmas bells while Mr. Andrew played the guitar.  It was the cutest.  My favourite was their warm-up of 'shake your sillies out' and 'we wish you a merry Christmas'.  

After the performance Santa came to say hello.  He talked with Jacob and let him ring his bell before sitting down to hand out presents.  Jacob was thrilled.  Avery sat still for the entire thing.  And we all left bursting with pride and holiday excitement.   

cookie party

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some cookie decorating so we invited some friends over for the festivities.  There ended up being 7 children (ages 4 and under!) and 4 moms'.  It was terribly fun!  And loud too at times.  The kids played and ate sprinkles and decorated some beautiful cookies.  The moms' drank coffee with bailys and doled out the icing.   

Jacob had so much fun he nearly cried when everyone bundled-up to leave.  So it was a success.  The egg nog sugar cookies were devoured and we'll have another cookie party again soon.    

christmas cheer

We finally got our first snowfall - just a skiff, but well take it - and started to spread a few decorations around.  

Most notably, our Christmas tree!  Our first real one.  A douglass fur. My dad and cousin found it and dragged it out of the forest for us.  Thanks, it's perfect!  But honestly, I do feel a teeny-tiny bit bad we chopped the poor guy down.  Hopefully he always dreamed of becoming a Christmas tree.  And the smell of a real tree cannot be beat.  

   

And a few of our most treasured decorations from travels and friends

And a few craft projects too.  We invited a few of Jacob's friends over to make tissue-paper stained glass windows and they turned out perfectly.