Trimming the Tree and other Christmas Stuff

Maira's School Concert:  She is attending a French Immersion school about 10 minutes from our house.  They sang several songs in French and in English, including "Frotte les Mains", a song I remember singing when I was in elementary school in Ottawa!

Her teacher, Mlle Forin.  She was filling in for the first half of the year as the regular teacher was on Mat leave.  Maira will miss "Madame" very much in the new year!

One Sunday night, we decorated gingerbread houses.

One night, for Family Home Evening, we went to the Bethlehem Walk at a nearby Christian Alliance church, where hundreds of volunteers reenact scenes from Bethlehem.

For another Family Home Evening, we went to the Legislature grounds.  Uncle Spencer came along too so that was fun.

Checking out the picture of Grandma Jane's father on the wall inside the Legislature.

Last night, we went to watch Hudson perform in his Playschool Christmas Concert.  They sang three songs:  Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the Reindeer Pokey, and We Wish you a Merry Christmas.

Before the concert started, Jess entertained the kids by letting them take pictures with his camera.  Here are some of Connor's shots:

Finally, the concert started.  Hudson was a very cute reindeer.  He had been nervous about having to wiggle his little bum in front of everyone for the Reindeer Pokey song but as you will see in the video at the bottom, he did a wonderful and very adorable job!

At the end of the concert, the kids even got to meet Santa AND Mrs. Claus!

Shae's Birthday

Our sweet little girl Shae is now 14!!!!

We just had a quiet family celebration (as quiet as it can be with 8 kids 8 and under in the house) at home.

She had to undergo painful oral surgery the day before to remove an impacted canine so she wasn't feeling great.  We had soft pasta for supper and an ice cream cake for dessert.

She is growing and maturing every day and I really admire the woman she is becoming.  While she still has her grumpy 14-year old teenager moments (as I clearly remember having plenty of myself), I'm so very proud of her.  She is a kind friend, a talented artist, and she is strongly motivated to do her best at everything, from swimming to cheer to school.  She's a quick learner and responsible, and so funny too!

14 years ago, she made us parents for the first time and I thank God for blessing us with the privilege to love her and parent her, every single day.

Halloween 2012

Winter seems to have come early this year which made for some very cold trick or treating last night.

Shae didn't go trick or treating, instead she spent the night sick in bed.  She did have a pretty awesome costume for school: we coloured her hair bright purple and then she pinned in some multi coloured hair extensions and some blue ears, dressed in blue, and she was Rainbow Dash, one of the My Little Ponies.  But she came home sick at lunch and is still feeling pretty miserable, poor thing.

But the rest of the kids were somewhat healthy and so they got to go out trick or treating and were undeterred by the weather.  Except for some (OK, a lot) of whining about all the layers I insisted on adding under their costumes (Connor: "But I can't move my arms anymore!"  Maira: "But I don't want to wear mittens, they're too big!"), they were excited to hit the streets and collect some candy.

Before they could leave, we gathered them for a picture:

Then after a few shots, I said "OK, pick up your bags, time to go trick or treating".  Check out the pure joy on Maira's face:

See what I mean about a wintery Halloween?

Trick or Treat!

Our four jack-o-lanterns (they were even grown in Grandpa's garden!)

Checking out the loot once they got back: 

Howie even got into the spirit and donned his usual Bat costume and tried very hard not to bark TOO much at all the trick or treaters who came to our door.