Build an Igloo

More snow to help us fill our calendar with activities! There was so much snow at our house when we woke up this morning that we almost could not believe it! It kept snowing all day so there was no driving anywhere.

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We all went for a walk in the morning through the forest and down to the mall for hot drinks. When we came back for lunch and naptime - Ethan and dad stayed outside and built an igloo. They were outside until after Beckett woke from his nap at 2!

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The igloo was impressive - about 5 feet tall. They dug out a door and a big hole to climb inside. Then a tunnel was built through it and stairs overtop. Hours of fun!

Preschool Christmas Party

This was a blast! They had snacks, songs, Tickles the clown and even a visit from Santa! Imagine about 50 kids plus their little brothers and/or sisters running around a gym jacked up on treats and the idea that Christmas is only a few days away.

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Crazy - but entertaining.

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I'm always amazed at how teachers and child care givers can get these wiggly chaotic little bundles to sit still on a magic carpet to listen to a story or sing songs. Ethan was mesmerised by the clown and the introduction to Santa. I would love to know what he is thinking in his little head when things like this are going on - you can almost see the wheels spinning as he takes it all in.

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Beckett was spellbound as well. He had a look that was a cross between wonder and concern while he sat still for 10 or 15 minutes just watching the clown. When Santa was introduced and sat down - Beckett went wandering up in front of him and pointed and said "DAN-ta". I guess he is feeling a little more confident about him since our trip to the mall. His eyes were so wide and he didn't blink - then he put his little hand up and did his funny palm-facing-in mini-wave. So cute.

Present Wrapping

For this one we waited for Beck's to be sleeping. He is not helpful and enjoys ripping and crumpling paper and looking for things he is not supposed to touch. Like Mama's big scissors (see wreath making).

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Ethan enjoys the cutting with his special little scissors and the taping. It is really tempting to open the gifts once they are done - but he understands that they are for our friends and family so he has some restraint. Beckett does not and so the presents can not be placed under the tree.

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Like that is a surprise...

Christmas Present Shopping

Today we braved downtown and the mall as a family. Up until now we had only gotten a couple of presents - so we have a ways to go with only one week left until Christmas...but had a surprisingly productive day.

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After shopping we even decided to go out for a bite to eat. Denny's has chicken nuggets that are shaped like stars and rocket ships...

Snow Day

We were a bit short on items for the calendar - so luckily it snowed and we got to add that in like we planned it! This morning Ethan and Troy and the dog headed to the park at the end of our road and went sledding down the little hill and then for a walk in the snowy forest.

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When Beckett woke up from his morning nap we got bundled up and rushed out to the park to meet them. Beckett was entertained by the snow for a couple of moments. Then his mitten came off and he fell over. He was not pleased with the cold of the snow on his hand and immediately held his arms up to request a lift from Mama. For the rest of the trip outside.

Kids Christmas Party

Today my work had a Kindergym Christmas Party at a rec centre for the people in my office with kids. There are many young families at my work - so there were tons of kids to play with which the boys are always thrilled about.

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They also got to eat ju-jubes and chips for lunch, and got presents. Good day all around!

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When it was time to have a seat and listen to where Santa left the presents Troy had placed Beckett in between Ethan's legs. I was thinking it would turn foul for sure, but Ethan was so enthralled with the story that he jut sat there stroking Beckett's head and hair. So sweet - little angels...for at least that moment.

Christmas Cookie Baking

The best part of making the shortbread stars was watching Ethan put on the green sprinkles with a tiny teaspoon. He was so careful and the portions and distribution had to be just so...

Beckett was happy to have a spoon to lick and hit things with. Today he audibly said "DAN-ta" several times while pointing at a picture of Santa. Hopefully he is not permanently traumatized by our trip last week and identifying the icon fondly. But either way, clearly - GENIUS!

Christmas Music

Today's calendar present was a gift. I found a small case with two CD's and two little activity books in it at Winners for $6 so it had to be bought. It is fun to have the carols - Beckett dances and Ethan sings along to some that he has learned in preschool.

Christmas "Classics" (if you were born in the 70's)

Today's Christmas activity was for Ethan to see a couple of old Christmas classics during Beckett's nap. I recorded "Frosty the Snowman" and "Charlie Brown's Christmas Special" on the PVR this past weekend and today we watched them together.

I remember really looking forward to and enjoying the Christmas specials on TV when I was little. I still want to record "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and "Rudolf" - those are my two all time favourites.

I'm not sure who enjoyed today's activity more...

Touque and Mittens

Today's calendar item was a prize instead of an action. The boys go to bed really early so it is hard to fit in any activity after I come home after my office day on Tuesdays.

Trip to the Post Office

Today we took a trip to the post office to send a package to my Mormor (grandma) in Norway and buy stamps for our Christmas cards. Ethan was keen on giving the package to the lady behind the counter - holding the waxy envelope full of stamps and putting the cards in the mailbox "mouth" when they were done.

Hot Chocolate and Christmas Lights

Later this afternoon we went on a walk through the forest to Starbucks to get hot drinks and then we strolled home on the roads to check out the Christmas lights in the dark. We have some pretty good displays in our neighborhood - especially on our road.

Not very different from a regular Sunday afternoon for us - but the lights at night sure make things magical.

Oh Christmas Tree!

Early this morning, Ethan and Troy hopped into the truck and drove off. Beckett and I got dressed and took Kobe out for a walk and when we got home there was a big beautiful tree getting the stand put on it on the front porch.

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Decorating it took much of the day. We put tons of lights on it. Ethan was methodical about carefully putting the ornaments on by stringing the loops of string over the needles. Beckett was reckless ripping them from the branches with both fists. Kobe tried to eat anything that fell on the ground. Four ornaments on...three off. Four more ornaments on...three more off. Hours of entertainment!

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Aside from the occasional wrestling matches over the ornaments - the boys really enjoyed themselves. When Beckett had his nap after lunch, Troy took Ethan out to get a few more outside lights to finish the project and I finished off the tree.

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The next time Beckett saw the tree - three more ornaments were pulled off...

Decorating

Today was the day for pulling out the "tickle trunk" of decorations for Christmas. We hung up stockings, and the Christmas card holder and the balls for the dining room curtain rod. We separated the house decorations from the tree decorations (guess what we are doing tomorrow...)

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The house is a disaster because we have to move things around to fit Christmas stuff in and the decorations can't all be put in an afternoon so it is everywhere. The dog and Beckett playing with it and chewing on it. Ethan and I trying to organize it and make sure it doesn't get wrecked.

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Beckett enjoyed taste testing all of the objects, and Ethan was diligent about taking everything he touched away from him. I can not count how many times I heard, "NO Beckett."

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Mama's littlest helper...

Gingerbread Sugar Rush

Today - while Becks had his nap - Ethan and I decorated a gingerbread house as per the "Christmas calendar prescription for day 4". Pretty much we ate as much candy as we put on, and we had a great afternoon together.

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When Troy came home from work Ethan was hopping to show him what was in the kitchen. Of course Troy made his best amazed expression for Ethan and said something along the lines of ,"Wow you made that?!"

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Then Ethan said, "Yes I made it all by myself and with my helper, Mama."

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When Troy suggested he should give me a kiss he came running over with his lips puckered up and said, "Thanks for making a gingerbread house with me, Mama." Then I let him eat candy for dinner because how sweet is that?

Sittin' (or not) with Santa

Today's calendar item was a visit with Santa!

Ethan...happy about Santa.

Beckett...happy about his sandwich.

Ethan ran right up to Santa and smiled wide for the lady with the camera and was chatting and wriggling. Becket was not interested in having that crazy looking man in the red suit come anywhere near him.

So this year's Santa picture of the boys has only Ethan in it. I thought it would be kind of awesome and funny if we had a picture with Beckett in there screaming but it seemed too cruel to abandon him on Santa's lap just for our entertainment.

Conversation on the way to the car after our visit.

Troy: Ethan did you tell Santa about all of the things that you wanted for Christmas?

Ethan: Yes I DID!

Troy: I bet on Christmas you will get some nice presents. But if you're not good you might get a lump of coal in your stocking.

Ethan: What's a lump of COOL???

Day 2 Prize 2

Today we did a hunt for another present...I know, I know - two days in a row with the presents! But this is another situation where you want to put a lot of time in with the present leading up to Christmas and not afterwards.

"Look in the oven and you will find something good to read!"
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Santa's Littlest Helper
A story about how even someone really small can make a big difference. We will read it every night this month and then I will not want to see it again until Christmas 2009.

Prize #1

Today's prize was a hunt to find a present...

Christmas PJ's! I figured we should do this one early to get the full months wear out of them. These boys grow so fast that if we saved them for Christmas they might not fit anymore.

Plus it is more fun to be Christmas-y leading up to the holidays and kind of bunk to be afterwards.