Holidays are Exhausting!

Mama, why can't every day be Christmas vacation?  Because it would be exhausting, that's why.  

We had another lovely and busy day of holidays today complete with a backyard campfire, cotton candy making, and a 9 km forest hike.  Keeping our Christmas holidays active and exciting!

We ventured a little bit off trail to find a hidden homestead.

We also came across a multi-coloured tepee.

Early Birds are Picky Birds

We are feeling a bit under the weather today (not covid-related but I think Ali passed along his generic daycare germs) and the kids were still up very early.  This was not appreciated when all I wanted to do was sleep in. Sigh.  On the plus side, I got to witness a beautiful sunrise during animal chore time.

We had so much time this morning we decided to get out early to visit Stoney Swamp to feed the chickadees.  We brought the wrong bird seed though and the birdies were not interested in our offerings.  Apparently early birds only eat black sunflower seeds.  Regular bird seed doesn't cut it.  Now we know.

Our afternoon was spent watching Charlotte's Web and baking cookies.  Liam's cookies are as good as his loaves so he has been promoted to family cookie and loaf baker.

Dinner was homemade spaghetti and meatballs.  We are all still stuffed up but at least we got in some family bonding time.

Getting Outside!

Kids hyped up on sugar and trapped inside is a recipe for disaster.  The solution: fresh air!  We took the family to visit the Mill of Kintail today for a short hike.  It was a lovely trek and the boys got to try out the new ice cleats that they got for Christmas.

 

Glad Tidings & Great Joy

We had a truly excellent Christmas this year; one for the books, to be sure.  Thank you to the Grandmas for being part of our special day.  We had a good family visit, good food, and lots and lots of good gifts. 

Daddy, get up!  Can we go downstairs yet?
It is 5:30 am!

Ali's ride on train won Christmas.

Lots of sweets and treats were found in everyone's stockings.

French toast casserole for breakfast.

Ali's new scooting safety gear.

Dinner was farm fresh shake and baked chicken
(yes, Pecky Becky escaped yet another holiday season).

We baked angel food cake for dessert.

Our extra special Christmas treat was chocolate fondue.
It was epic.

Days like this remind Ian and I how lucky we are.  We are truly thankful for our wonderful life.

Wishing you all glad tidings and great joy on this special day.

Ho Ho Ho Hello!

Ho, Ho, Ho.  Hello there!  I had a wonderful visit to the lovely Gael Glen Farm tonight on my way through Carp.  It was jolly good to have time for a visit to your new hens - what a nice, clean coop they have!  Good job Liam.  And I fit in a quick snuggle with Pecky Becky.  We had not seen each other for a whole year!  You are taking excellent care of her Seamus.

I hope you don't mind but I couldn't resist taking a quick spin on your new scooters.  They are great fun!  You are going to be zooming around faster than my sleigh on those things.

I am glad all three of you boys made it on to my Nice List again this year.  Your wish lists arrived to the North Pole just in the nick of time.  I hope you like what I brought all of you.  The train is for you Alistair.  Enjoy being a conductor of a very useful engine.  

Charlotte and Emily promised to guard the treats I left for you in your stockings.  I told Charlotte not to sneak any chocolate and definitely not to eat any candy wrappers like she did at Halloween.

Keep up the good work Liam, Seamus and Alistair and remember - always be kind to one another.  Tell Pecky Becky that I'll be back to see her again next year and that if she needs to reach me before then, the Canada geese can pass along a message.

Your friend from the North,

Santa Claus

Our Toes Froze but our Hearts were Warm

Our Christmas Eve Day was very fun.  

We started off savouring the last treat in our Advent calendars. This was Ali's jam!

Next our little Santas marched around to all our neighbours spreading holiday cheer in the chilly -16 degrees C morning air.  Our toes froze but our hearts were warm.

We then gifted the farm animals with nice, clean barns.  After finishing his farm chores, Seamus and Daddy headed off for their first ice fish of the season.  Seamus brought home the largest perch we have even seen!

Once we were all home again, we had a Christmas Eve pizza feast, set out treats for Santa and called it a day.  Got to get to bed early.  Santa Claus is coming to town! (And who knows when the boys will wake up?!)

Merry Christmas everyone!