The Aftermath

We had a very low-key Christmas, but all in all, it went very well.  The Ducklings were a little overworked (read: overtired, overstimulated, overwhelmed, and just, well, over done) towards the end, but they thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas experience of unwrapping, discovering and playing with their new toys.  We were fortunate to have dinner with my parents on Christmas Eve (followed by church), Christmas Day and Boxing Day, which always serves to reset our mood to "happy" and gives Edward and I a few more hands on deck.

The boys, engrossed

Reading Santa's reply to the letter they wrote to accompanied his milk and cookies.  If I look a little off, it's because I came down with the stomach flu on Christmas Eve, and spent Christmas Day feeling pretty awful.  I'm well on the mend, as is Myriam, who came down with said Plague on Christmas Day.  Fun times.

Evelyn discovers her new wallet and the shopping carts Santa left in the basement.  A total hit!

Everything is back on track at the moment, but we're waiting to see if Edward and Malcolm come down with the Plague.  Perhaps he'll catch it just in time for his return to work next week.  Indeed, after seven months off to help manage the brood, Edward is going back to work next Friday... for a much deserved  rest.... 

The Stockings Were Hung....

We're ready for tonight!

I'm not quite sure how we managed to pull it off - sheer force of will, I guess... although that's pretty much how anything gets down around here - and we still have a few more hours to go.  But.  The tree is decorated, the stockings are hung, the presents are wrapped, and soon (but not soon enough), visions of sugarplums will be dancing in the Ducklings' heads.  I'm looking forward to Nana, Opa, Edward and myself sitting on the couch to unwind with our feet up while kids slumber upstairs.  Of course, this idyllic scene may not play out until next year, or the year after, but we have something to aim for!

One of the perks of the kids being in preschool two mornings a week is the amount of art they bring home.  They are so proud of what they create, and although I have a wall in the basement dedicated to displaying their copious output, I was getting a little swamped towards the end of the term.  Then, the preschool offered the genius suggestion of using the art as wrapping paper.  So this year, the majority of our gifts were wrapped in The Ducklings' creative endeavours.  The colours are a little non-traditional - which is a plus, in my opinion - but it is a pleasure to gaze under the tree and see their handiwork.

On that happy note, we would like to extend our merriest and most heartfelt Christmas wishes to you all.  May our coming days be filled with the joy of celebrating with family and friends, time for the quiet contemplation of our good fortunes, and big dreams for the year to come.

Sigh

This should be enough to strike fear into any parent's heart....

The stomach flu will be visiting our house this Christmas, along with the Jolly Old Elf, it would seem.

So, we do what we usually do when we have kids under the weather:

We stick them in snow banks.  

I firmly believe that a little fresh air (and a TON of newly fallen snow) is one of the best "feel better" medicines out there... with some chicken noodle soup and toast, which is what they're coming in to eat for lunch.

Ah well.

Malcolm and the Advent Calendar

Every year, my Uncle Alois and Aunt Alice in Switzerland send the kids a paper advent calendar.  They love identifying the numbers and discovering the picture under each window.  This year, Malcolm got into the excitement as well, and as you can see, he thoroughly enjoys the experience!

Six Months

Malcolm, aka Mr. Man, is six months old today.

Malcolm enjoys the exersaucer ~ Photo taken by Aunt Jane, who is visiting this weekend

Our Baby Z is a happy, animated and verbose little big boy.  At six months, he is sitting a little on his own (hands on feet for stability), rolling when he deems it necessary, and talking up a storm.  He loves to watch Colin, Keith and Evelyn play around him - this we know not just because he chatters, smiles and gurgles at them, but because he also has a distinctive karate-chop movement he makes with his left arm when he is really chuffed about something.  Every morning, he spends a few minutes basking in Evelyn's devoted attention while lying in her bed.  He looks around excitedly and giggles when you ask him to find Sprocket.  He still loves nothing more than to have a good sleep on Daddy's shoulder.  His siblings are gentle and loving towards him.

He'll soon outgrow his 9 month clothes, and while I grudgingly accept that he's growing up fast, I am in awe of how strong he is, how much is going on inside that fuzzy little head, and how determined he is to be a part of the family life he sees around him.  He is alert, engaged and still quite demanding... but, oh, so cute.  And now I know that one day, he won't fit quite as nicely into that curve under my chin, so I make no apologies for holding him a little tighter and a little longer.

Malcolm, we love you so!

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

We had two kids in the bath who felt like singing, and a baby wearing Rudolph socks....

Overheard At The Breakfast Table

Scene:  Edward and The Ducklings downstairs, the latter having breakfast.  Edward rushing around trying to cater to their whims and demands (ie.  "I want more strawberries in my jam", "I want toast.  No, I don't want toast.  YES, I DO!!", "I want more milk", "Where is the butter on my toast?  I DON'T SEE IT!", etcetera, in stereo, ad nauseum).

Keith is banging the table and howling.

Edward:  Keith!  Stop howling, stop banging the table.  Stop being so loud.  Just be quiet for a minute.

Keith:  (Pause)  Okay.

Keith:  ....

Keith:  (Giggles).   I said "Okay".  Hee hee.

Letters To Santa

This afternoon, we sat at the dining room table and composed our letters to Santa.  We'll mail them at the mall tomorrow and wait (not so) patiently for a reply.

In case they're too small to read above, here's what I faithfully transcribed (from left to right):

"Dear Santa,
 My name is Evelyn.  I am three years old.  For Christmas, I would like a Nana Opa car.  Some clothes for Baby Stella but not anything else.  I would like a Baby Einstein DVD.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Love Evelyn"

"Dear Santa,
My name is Keith.  I am three years old.  For Christmas, I would like a convertible.  A blue Maserati.  And a blue Dodge Ram.  And a blue Bentley.  And a Baby Einstein DVD.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Love Keith"

"Dear Santa,
My name is Colin.  I am three years old.  For Christmas, I would like a Baby Einstein DVD about a horse and a pig and a wood chuck and a raccoon.  And an Engineer for Thomas, and a blue Gordon locomotive with an Engineer.  I would also like Mr. Sun and the letter M.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Love Colin"

Christmas Cookies

This morning, Edward left to play Jass for the day, so the Ducklings and I (and Myriam and Nana) embarked on a project to bake cookies.  It was a great success - they were thrilled with their first experience in the kitchen.  Keith was beyond excited, and was quite vocal about wanting his turn to add and mix ingredients, even if it wasn't his turn.  I think we hit upon one of his interests... all things cars and culinary.  I can see lots of fun times ahead with them in the kitchen!

All present and accounted for, with their lovely aprons (thanks, Merri!)  We made the dough this morning....  *

.... and baked and decorated them this afternoon.  Compliments to the chefs!

* note the vast array of pharmaceuticals to the left of the photo.  All of this belongs to... the dog.  Seriously.