Merry Christmas!

Here is the Merry Christmas post I started on Christmas! Merry Belated Christmas - as Luke would say...

The boys were super excited and were spoiled as usual. They got a Wii which was really the only item on their minds the last few months. It seems to be less addictive than the D.S. (so far) and we have played lots of family games: bowling, dancing, cycling, archery, ping pong and Toy Story. In fact, with the boys having to "earn" their Wii time by practicing, doing homework and exercising etc. - they actually seem to do more of that with less of a fuss, which is nice for us.

Grace, of course, knew something was different and exciting and had a great time playing with the wrapping paper and with her new toys. She also enjoyed a full turkey dinner with a Christmas cracker crown and all.

Here are some photos. The first one is of Liam doing his Dance Revolution moves with Dad as Luke (chilling out) and Grace watch. It is just like Guitar Hero but with dance moves. Very fun and a pretty good workout for a -20 day when you don't want to go outside for a walk. The bottom photo is of the kids with the beautiful stockings Aunt Kathy made. Luke is putting on a camera face...pretending he is not excited for Santa to come.

Photos with Santa

I have lots of half written posts that I've started and have yet to finish... I am in major sleep deprivation mode - kind of like how a brand new Mom should be. We were lucky that Grace started out as a fairly good sleeper but she has continuously become worse except for the odd night once or twice a month when she sleeps through...We've been trying to do the cry it out method but it really is terrible. Between Luke's school and hockey issues and less than 25 hours of sleep in the last 5 days (yes, I counted!) I feel headed towards a little - or big - meltdown. At least in a week Dan will be home for the holidays. He does have a paper to write though...

Grace took to Santa the way I expected (though she did love the Merry-go-round). I remember Liam having the same reaction...

Christmas Photo Shoot

Grace modelled one of her three Christmas outfits in a photo shoot this afternoon - despite her red eyes and runny nose (from her most recent cold). She enjoyed rocking along with the music from the snow globe, playing peek-a-boo with the tissue paper and was very cute as she kept calling the nutcracker "baby."

We will attempt to get the three kids in a holiday photo this weekend. I like to use the front porch so no flash is necessary. Here is a sneak peak for any blog readers we may have out there!

Visiting Mema

Mema (my mom's mom) is moving. She has sold 420 Bishop Street in Beaconsfield. We spent every other Christmas and at least a week each summer there for many years so I have lots of memories of that house. A few weeks ago we went to visit Mema and introduce her to Grace. The boys had a great time seeing the blue bathroom, the basement where Kathy and I used to play Barbies for hours, the driveway and backyard where we used to play on the monkey bars and stilts, the family room where Santa would leave all his goodies, the living room where the Christmas tree used to be (with presents filled to the doorway!) and the closet where we used to play Candyland with Lori and Carol. Good luck with the move, Mema!

The Santa Picture

Last night we went to Papa's annual Christmas party at Woodbine Mall's Fantasy Fair. The boys got their picture with the real Santa himself. When pushed for what they want they both said, "I forgot." I hope Santa got their letters and has the resources to secure 2 Nintendo DS systems.