Christmas Eve

We didn't wait until the absolute last minute, but we did have quite the shopping fun on Christmas Eve.  We went grocery shopping and why do I love the Super Store, because Ken can shop for groceries on one side of the store and I can shop for stocking stuffers on the other side.  Two bird, one stone!

After stocking stuffer and grocery shopping we went for lunch at Swiss Chalet.  And then a few more stores and then the mall.  With shopping complete we headed home and the girls both had naps. 

Next up was the Nativity Pageant that the Newmarket Ward puts on at Fairy Lake, so back to Newmarket we went.  We picked up McDonald's on the way.  We actually made it there on time, we were even early.  Ask Ken, this was an incredible feat.  We got seats on the benches they have set up and it wasn't too cold - we were dressed very warmly and I LOVED IT! 

Christmas is magical because it is spiritual.  The story of the birth of Christ is true and because it is true it is powerful to behold.  The girls of course loved the animals.  We went to see Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus (a doll) when it was finished.  We also went to meet the sheep.  This is the third year in a row we've gone to Newmarket on Christmas Eve to see the Nativity Pageant, but this is the first time we actually got there on time.  I think I like this Christmas Eve tradition very much.

When we came home Kate and Alice both opened a present.  Kate opened the book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".

 Alice opened the movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".  (The original animated version.)

First we read the story, then we watched it.  Alice liked it, but Kate loved it. Then it was finally time to put the girls to bed so we could get everything ready.  I had started wrapping while the girls napped, but didn't finish.  Ken helped with the stockings and it was late, but not as late as in previous years!

The stockings were laid on the couch with care... perhaps someday we'll have a fireplace.  I wonder though if we'll still have believers and a fireplace at the same time?!

 The tree and the presents!

Merry Christmas Eve!!  I'm so excited for tomorrow!

McCartney Family Christmas 2012

I think what stood out to me this year was OLDNESS!  In thinking about our 10th anniversary and thinking about how little all of Ken's nieces and nephews were at our wedding... these same kids (which some of them aren't kids anymore!) are growing up.  It was cute too because we kept (or at least I kept) telling Kate (my Kate) to say such and such to "big" Cait.  I think my little Kate thought that was very cute.  (I think big Cait thought it was cute too.)

 

Alice was 22 months, two days ago... the horror!

I realized at some point in the evening on the Friday that it was in fact the 21st.  I knew the date, I even wrote it on my board in my class room, but somehow I had reasoned that Saturday was the day Alice was 22 months... perhaps it was the 22 that stuck in my brain.  I meant to take a picture of her when I realized that it was "THE" day, but she was a mess, then it was pyjama time and well, it just didn't happen.  I planned to do it Saturday, but it just didn't happen.  I've never been two whole days late before and while it feels slightly illegitimate, I think it's an awfully cute picture of Alice (and Kate too)!

Where is Alice at?  Lately she LOVES being read to.  She can't get enough books.  She is still calling herself Lala and more and more we're all calling her Lala too.  She still loves babies and Ernie (a toy that she has long term borrowed from the nursery at church).  She's very sweet and tender with babies and stuffies.  And her language, her words are getting clearer all the time.  She's still next to impossible to understand sometimes but other times we can understand everything.  It's so exciting.  We just love our little Alice.

Being Sick...

Yesterday marked my 10th sick day of the year (as in the school year... all four months of it).  Can you say ridiculous?!  Between me being sick, the girls being sick and our caregiver being sick, we've all been sick a lot!  I shouldn't complain because they've all been minor illnesses... coughs, colds, stomach flu, and the like.  I'm just worn down and tired and so looking forward to Christmas break.  We've decided officially now, not to go to Connecticut which makes me sad, but we all just need to rest and be healthy.  I am so thankful for our health care system and that we really are well most of the time.

Ken flew down to NYC today for his work party, he flies back tomorrow.  What a jet-setter!  Mom and Dad came up to help out with the girls today as I'm still not feeling 100%.  Alice had fun playing with Grandpa.  Mom and Dad took Kate to Newmarket while Alice slept and Kate got a haircut, a real haircut.  And do I have cute before and after pictures?  Unfortunately no, but I have a cute one of Alice piling toys on Dad. 

Of gingerbread houses and school pictures

Today there was cute play...

The eating of Nana's yummy ginger bread house, well the first few bites at least!

And I received the digital file for the cute photo that Kate had taken at school.  I'm hoping this won't be the only nursery school picture that is taken... I'm really hoping there's a class photo... one of these days I'll remember to ask!

The Tottenham Santa Claus Parade

Last year it was in the morning, this year 3 in the afternoon.  Considering that the parade starts at the other end of town and comes to a finish in our neighbourhood we were able to see most of the parade even though Alice didn't wake up from her nap until after 3.  Next year I want to be there early, it just wasn't the same showing up while the parade was in progress - we definitely lost some excitement.  However, we did still enjoy the parade and the girls were excited to see Santa!