So that was Christmas

Posted in Christmas by

Whew! I totally didn’t mean to go MIA for practically two weeks, but Kyle had the week before Christmas off so we got busy enjoying some family time around the holidays and I pushed blogging onto the back burner. (Can you blame me?)

A lot went on so I figured I’d just break down our Christmas holiday time in bullet-form!

  • Kyle’s dad came into town the weekend before Christmas for dinner and to stay the night. Kyle made an amazing roast beef dinner and the girls enjoyed the visit a lot!
  • Kyle and I took Isla to see her first movie in theatre! We dropped Norah off at Kyle’s mom’s and we didn’t tell Isla where we were taking her, other than it was a surprise. She was super excited when she learned we were watching Moana in theatre, and in 3D to boot! She did awesome and loved the movie, so we cannot wait to take her to another one.
  • Isla and I put together a gingerbread house and she really got into decorating it. While I had a method to my “side” of the roof, Isla went more freestyle so the result was pretty amusing ;)

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  • Right before Christmas Norah had her 18-month doctor check-up. While she’s right on target for growth (and tall, even!), she was diagnosed with an ear infection and so she had to start antibiotics. It would explain why she was waking up in the middle of the night and after a couple days of medicine she was feeling much better and getting back to her usual self!
  • Christmas came bright and early on Sunday! Kyle and I actually woke up before the girls and managed to shower before Norah woke up, and then we all had to go get Isla out of bed to open presents because she was still sleeping at 8 a.m.! Santa spoiled us all rotten and it looked like a wrapping paper bomb had gone off in our living room. We hosted Christmas dinner with 10 of us all together, and Kyle put on an amazing spread! I must say, I’m pretty lucky to have a multi-talented husband; I’ve yet to cook a turkey because Kyle always takes the lead. (He’s far better at multitasking than I am!)

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  • Boxing Day was a bit of a relaxing day for us as we didn’t really leave the house. My dad was coming to town to drop my brother off at my mom’s, so they stopped at our house first to have lunch and exchange gifts. Kyle had to go back to work on Tuesday, so it was nice to have a low-key day since Sunday was pretty hectic.
  • I continued on with our Boxing Day tradition of taking down our Christmas decorations. Isla was pretty sad about it, but as much as I like decking the halls, I like having the house back to normal!
  • On Tuesday the girls and I went down to my mom’s to visit some more with my brother. Norah got to play in the snow for the first time ever and her reaction was pretty standard – freak out at first then warm up to it like any Canadian ;)
  • My mom had gotten Isla a pass for a splatter paint session at 4 Cats Studio, so Norah hung out with my mom while Isla and I went to that. Isla had a blast and didn’t want the session to end, but she’s excited to go back and pick up her masterpiece!

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  • We’re now slowly adjusting to our usual schedule since Isla heads back to school and dance next week. I can’t believe that 2016 is almost over! Year in Review posts to follow this weekend.

How was your Christmas? Was Santa good to you??

TGIF v.42

Posted in TGIF by

A high of the week was getting all of my Christmas cookies baked, packaged and delivered! Isla and I made cookies for her teachers at preschool, her dance instructor, and our neighbour, and we delivered them all over the past couple of days. She was very proud to hand them out!

I also got my new tattoo on Saturday, and while it’s gross and flaky and SO ITCHY right now, I’m just in love with it! It’s a little bear in honour of Norah. Last winter when she was still pretty small she had these little hooded fleece onesies with bear ears on top, and Kyle and I would call her NorBear. It kind of just made sense to get a bear tattoo for her since Isla has a chicken. :)

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A low of the week was we’re all getting over colds and Norah is teething (bloody eye teeth) and sleep has been overrated. Isla had a bit of an ear infection along with an awful cold and she shared all that love throughout the house. Hurray! She’s on the mend but the rest of us are just feeling blah.

An internet find I loved was Bruno Mars doing Carpool Karaoke with James Corden. ‘Nuff said:

The best money I spent was $15 on a cool mist humidifier I found on the local mom swap Facebook page. With both girls being under the weather and stuffed up it only made sense to invest in another one, and the one I got just so happens to be the same as the one we already have. No fighting! Yay!

My favourite Isla and/or Norah moment was in relation to Isla’s Christmas goodies for her preschool teachers: She told me she has three teachers, then told me their names, so I made sure that we had cards and cookies for each of them. As it turns out, one of the teachers is actually “just” an assistant who bounces from room to room, but she’s there frequently enough for Isla to recognize her as an actual teacher. Isla gave “Miss K” her present and she seemed so surprised; as I was about the leave Miss K came over to me and thanked me – Apparently because she bounces from class to class she gets overlooked when it comes to Christmas and end-of-the-year gifts, so she was touched that she was recognized. I’m glad Isla helped make her day a bit more merry!

 

A song that has been stuck in my head is “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga. I’ll admit, I wasn’t too keen on “Perfect Illusion” but this one is more my pace. I’ve always been a fan and I’m glad she’s back recording again.

Also, I’m going to hate myself a little for admitting it, but Isla’s been wanting me to play “Let it Go” (yes, THAT song) over and over and as a result it’s stuck in my head too. I get in trouble from Isla when I sing along to it though; apparently it’s only for HER to sing ;)

My meals of the week were a big ol’ snore fest. Sausages, fried chicken, meatballs and I can’t even for the life of me remember what I made on Monday. Ugh.

My plans for the weekend are adulting hard at our financial advisement appointment, visiting with Kyle’s dad who’s coming for the night on Saturday, and relaxing as Kyle starts his Christmas holidays today!

What are your weekend plans?
What’s your favourite Christmastime treat?

Currently

Posted in Currently by

Reading // Nothing. I’ve been busy baking, wrapping presents, and running around like a crazy woman, I haven’t had time to sit down and read at all! Shame on me :(

Watching // A lot of mid-season finales! This is Us is probably my new favourite show. (Sorry, Grey’s, but you’re getting a little repetitive…) And of course, I watched Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life and have so many mixed feelings about it!

Listening to // A little Christmas music here and there! I’m loving Pentatonix’s Christmas album, and of course, Michael Buble is always on my playlist!

Loving // My lovely Canadian Blogger Christmas Swap package that I received from Jenny! I’m looking forward to hanging the reindeer and tree ornaments on our tree once we get it this weekend, and the chocolate is SO good and most definitely needed ;) I’ll probably devour it while putting the face mask to use this weekend. Thanks, Jenny!!!

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Thinking // About some new dinner ideas. I feel like we’re on repeat in the kitchen and it’s hard to find new recipes that meets everyone’s dietary needs and desires.

Needing // Warmth! We’re going to a cold snap right now and it’s ridiculous! As I write this post it’s -14°C/7°F plus a wind chill and it’s no fun. Yuck.

Anticipating // My tattoo appointment on Saturday! Time to get something to honour Norah ;)

Looking forward to // Christmas tree hunting, birthday parties, and family time for the holidays!

What’s one of your family’s favourite meals? Help a mom out! ;)