a lovely x-mas

Grandpa Jim takes photos of his triumphant win in Connect 4.

Sylvia enjoys a bottle with her mama.

Ice storm

The trees in downtown Toronto.

holiday card

This is the holiday card that Lillian made for us this year!

Lillian's first recital (Hip Hop)

getting ready

Anna and Peter helped Lillian put her make-up on for the recital (notice the purple eye-shadow).

More holiday activities

This evening we made holiday cookies from scratch - thanks for the recipe, Alexandria!

higher and higher

Earlier today, Lill climbed higher than ever before!!

simple pleasures

sometimes, all you need to have fun is a roll of toilet paper

Morning brain exercise

Lill couldn't stop playing with her Imaginets this morning (she also sang French songs while she ate and played).

Screw drivers and magnets

Today, we took an early bath and then re-upholstered our dining room chairs.















Lill has been wearing her new blue knit dress for two days straight, and had informed me earlier today that if her favorite color wasn't purple, then it would certainly be this blue.






After the chairs were done, we made animals and people out of Imaginets (magnets of different shapes).


We finished the day by singing funny French songs.

Oh, and we had lots of delicious sushi for dinner.

Tree decoration

This weekend, we finished decorating our tree, and attended two awesome parties: Artie's birthday and Aija's tree trimming.

Fit Friday

Every week now, Lillian's school has Fit Fridays, days when the girls wear sport clothes with Branksome logos and do lots of athletic activities.  Today was also the day for Student-Led-Conferences, when parents come to school for about an hour or two and the girls show their family everything that they've been doing in each subject.

Fortunately, Fit Friday coincided with Student-Led-Conference and we got to do a lot of "fit" activities as a family.

Before school, Lillian started her day with yoga (on her new yoga mat).

While Latham and I loved to hear about Math, French, and Language Arts, in the spirit of Fit Friday, we spent the majority of our time at the gym, dunking ....

... and playing London Bridge is falling down with Sophie and her dad.





When we got home, we put up our purple Christmas tree and ended the day the same way we began it ... doing yoga (under the tree).

More holiday fun

Today, Lillian had dinosaur club after school; and when I got there to pick her up, we stayed to watch the "Mama Mia" musical by Grade 5 Branksome Girls; and when we got home, we made beaded snowflakes after a very warm and relaxing bubble bath.

Gingerbread house

This is our first gingerbread house.

Thank you to the NICU

Every year, after Lill's birthday and before the winter holidays, Lillian and I bring a basket of goodies to the doctors and nurses at St. Mike's NICU to thank them for the work that they do.  

Back in Canada

Upon Lillian's return home to Toronto, we lit Hanukkah candles ...

... did a remake of Katy Perry's "Roar" video ...

... practiced hanging spoons from our cheeks ...

... and enjoyed a beautiful view from our window.