Some Assembly Required

Each time I counted the gifts in my closet and agonized over whether what the kids were getting would make Christmas "special enough" Chris reminded me: "They're getting a swing set and a kitten, no other gifts will matter."

Thanks to Baba and Nana, the kids got a faboo swing set this Christmas that is just the right size for our petit backyard. But as anyone who has ever had one of these things knows, it doesn't come preassembled.

The first step is lugging the 200 pound box (previously adorning my living room) outside. Luckily we had some muscle hanging around the house.

The instructions said it would take two men 6 to 12 hours to assemble, depending on their ability. This was Day One, Hour Two.

By the end of Day One it looked like this!

Day Two, Hour Ten.
Although it was an arduous chore, there is a small part of Chris that enjoyed it.

End of Day Two, Hour 14.
The guys completed the job just as the sun was going down.

The next morning we had two happy little girls and a yard that has been transformed into a playground. Perhaps next we can download some blueprints for a do-it-yourself playhouse or kids picnic table? Because how awesome would that be?

Comfort and Joy

Christmas if over until next year. The last of the chocolate treats have been eaten, the leftovers crowding the fridge have been tossed, the house is oddly quiet and I'm filled with a lovely warmth, tired but happy, and popping the buttons of my jeans.

It was an awesome Christmas, relaxed, easy and full of family and joy. Like the last two Christmases, my family came to us and the traditions were strengthened.

Just like the last two years, Yiayia made the traditional French Canadian Christmas Eve meal of Ragout and Tortierre.

Followed by a homemade Buche de Noel, which made Athena and Zoe lick their plates.

The table was set with the fancy silver, holiday tablecloth and homemade place cards.

Before dinner we went to the candlelight service at our church

then posed the little girls in front of the Christmas tree (the Dude wasn't having any part of it).

After a delicious meal and dessert, everyone was allowed one present. New jammies mostly.

And some personalized towels for Baba and Nana.

In their new Christmas PJs, the worn out girls left milk and cake for Santa and then didn't wake up until past 8 on Christmas morning. We got up at 6:15 to prepare for the morning and then waited around, drinking coffee, until the sun hit their rooms in the right way and they finally woke up.

We used the early hours of the morning to get to know the darling present Santa left.

Finally awake, the kids jumped on their Santa toys. Zoe just knew she was getting a kitten, she was certain of it as Santa had promised her last year, so there wasn't that much surprise on her part, just joy. Athena was thrilled with her Rapunzel dress and stuffed animals and the Dude would not let go of his Batman car.

Fresh, homemade cinnamon rolls were prepared while the kids played. Mmmm.
PopPop consumed some coffee (in his Christmas jammies).

But we couldn't linger too long as there were many, many presents to get to.

It took the better part of the morning to get through everything under the tree and we were all spoiled beyond belief.Lots of Giants gear, Tangled items, a swingset!!, wonderful clothes, princess stuff, Sing-a-ma-jigs, toy cars, etc...

But some special gifts outshadowed all others.

It was truly joyful celebration!
Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Totally 80's Outtakes

Totally 80's Christmas Music was the theme of our Christmas CD this year. We fashioned the minis like 80's rockers and attempted a group shot...which is, of course, impossible. I forgot about the chocolate trick! Instead I just barked orders to stay still and look at the camera and hold your brother and stop moving - which is always so effective. In the end we had to go for the trio collage cover, which worked out perfectly.

Next year, we'll have to have a back cover to include all the great pictures we didn't use.

Zoe says "Merry Christmas and Rock on!"

Yiayia's Here!

Yiayia came for her annual Christmas visit last week.
She volunteered at Athena's school one day and went grocery shopping the next.

Bringing home more treats than our pantry has seen in a year.

So if you hear me yelling "Who gave the baby a chocolate donut!!???"
at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, one thing is for certain.

Yiayia's here!

Happy Birthday Mimi

Yesterday was our Mimi's birthday and we celebrated today with a birthday breakfast and mimosas and an incredibly yummy red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting...

and, of course, there were presents. Athena and Zoe's card said (in Athena's writing) "Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Mimi. We will do spa to you."

So immediately after breakfast, the girls brought Mimi her robe and led her to the living room where they soaked her feet in a salad bowl and put a warm towel on her face, smeared lotion all over her, put cucumbers on her eyes and brushed her hair - inspired by a Fancy Nancy book we read last week.

After a good soak, Athena painted Mimi's nails while Zoe painted her toes.

Even the Dude got into it and squeezed some lotion on her.

The girls finished her off with a truly lovely makeover and she left refreshed, rejuvenated and only slightly greasy. Luckily, her card also came with a gift certificate for a few real spa services to clean up ours. Only the best for our Mimi!

Christmas Stars

Athena had her school Christmas program tonight and it was lovely. But its not about the actual performance is it? It's about the deliciousness of the season. The reds and the blacks and the reason to dress your child in taffeta and velvet - I just love the ritual. The performance itself is secondary.

In fact, we couldn't even see her. She was lost somewhere in the third row behind much taller children.

Luckily I got a few shots of our star before her debut.

And her sister posed while we waited for the performance to begin.
To me, this is pure scrumptiousness. Yum.

First Santa Sighting

We went to see Santa over the weekend. Athena jumped right up, chatting away about the Rapunzel dress she wants with the wig, Jack was oblivious and Zoe wanted nothing to do with him and his creepy sleigh. But she had something very important to ask him, so she gathered her courage and with my hand in hers we approached him so she could tell him her Christmas wish.

At first she didn't say a thing to him, but he coaxed it out of her. "Do you want a Barbie Dream House?" he asked. She shook her head and after a few more questions she finally whispered "A real kitty!" He barely heard her, but looked at me to make sure it was okay, I nodded.

He talked about the responsibility of getting a kitty of your very own and somehow he got her to sit next to him for a picture and even hold his hand. They both " meowed" at the camera.
He was a very good Santa.

Angels and Sheep

There is so much going on, I just can't keep up. I've been instructed to just post the pictures already and keep the commentary to a minimum.

Here is my second attempt this year of getting all three dressed up children to look at the camera and smile at the same time. God help me.

We went to Zoe's Christmas program, she was the cutest sheep in the manager.

And the tallest, Zoe is several inches taller than her two best buddies of the same age.

The Dude looked absolutely delicious all dressed up for his sister's performance.

As did my other little darling.

Next my girls were angels in their Sunday school performance.

The Dude is their biggest fan.