The Magic of Christmas

It has been a busy and exciting month...
I have pictures that I will post before the new year.

There has been a bit of angst in our house lately over good list vs. bad list. Dustind has had a challenging SK year in that he has really had to think hard about the difference between a good decision and a bad decision. The other night he told me that he knows he made two bad decisions this school year and reminded me what they were (whew... at least that one stuck with him!) He was very concerned that Santa would put him on the bad list because of these decisions.

Coincidentally... that night he got a 'video message' from Santa assuring him that he was on the good list.

This evening Dustind told me that "When Santa puts your name on the good list he uses permanent marker so he can't take you off unless he rips your name out completely."

He is now feeling better that he will wake to gifts on Christmas morning!!!

Maddy has learned a few new words:
-"Santa"
- "Ho. Ho. Ho"
- "No biting"

What a wonderful and magical time of year - we hope that all of our friends are able to enjoy the pure joy of Christmas through the eyes of a child this Christmas. Truly that is the best present of all for me this year!!!

Guncle's New Toy

Guncle got a new toy - and a good thing he did! Collingwood got more snow than Stoufville and Orillia combined! Plow on Guncle - plow on...














Shot of the front of the house... let it snow!















Diesel in the drive - the finished product - good work Guncle!

Diagio kids Christmas party

Today we went out to the Diagio Christmas party. Upon arrival the kids got gift bags with fun things like teddy bears, colour books, crayons and books.
Then onto the craft table. We made aprons, christmas decorations, placemats and decorated cookies. This is one of me decorating my cookie.













After crafts we had a great lunch. Maddy enjoyed a plate of raspberries and ate one chicken finger - then onto the 'colours' to draw in her colouring book!





















Then onto the entertainment... two women from the Science center entertained us. One of them walked on stilts - the other was a mad scientist. I sat with my arm around Maddy to make sure she felt comfortable with all of those kids!















You would think that the day couldn't get any better... but then Santa came to visit and gave us each a gift. I got my picture taken with him, however Maddy was a bit afraid of Santa and clung to mom like glue.

Needless to say we were a wee bit tired and fell asleep all the way home!

GG's 70th birthday

Grandma Milroy 'GG' turned 70 today. The family went to her house last night to help her to celebrate.
The kids got dressed up in their green plaids.
we attempted to take a family photo... however it is a little challenging with Maddy these days being so busy and Dustind keeps closing his eyes for the camera!

My beautiful family















Me and my girl














One of the attempted family shots














GG with her lemon cakes

Maddy is 18 Months

Maddy is 18 months!
She is stringing three words together to communicate... "sit here mommy"... for when she wants to read a book.... "more cereal please"... her favourite meal of choice at the moment. "ho ho ho" to answer the question "What does Santa say Maddy?"
It has been a busy week - a birthday party for GG and a kid's Christmas party for daddy's work - no chair picture as Mom was out with the girls the night of Maddy's actual 18 month birthday... but following are some shots from the days following



















All dressed up with my winter dress coat on!
Thank you Nana for my beautiful green dress!

Haircuts

Dustind was long overdue for a haircut - just like Mom's hair -they have to cut as much of the volume as they do the length...


Maddy just got her bang's trimmed - mom is too afraid that she will loose the only curl that she has - note on the right hand side of the picture below for record. All signs point to Maddy having Dad's super straight hair!

Halloween

Harry Potter visits Hoover Park Drive with Hedwig!

Professor Mcgonagol showed up as a cat...

Dad as a joker... of some sort

Heading out to trick-or-treat for the first time ever - Maddy made it to one house! Dustind was the king collector of the loot - and the scar stayed on the entire evening thanks to Mom's Mac makeup!

17 Months Old

And it is getting a little more challenging getting Maddison to sit still for her monthly photo! This was taken back on October 24... Mom is a bit late in getting her blog posts up!
Maddison is not only walking but running now... she no longer crawls down the stairs but likes to walk all of the time. She love her 'shoes' and 'boots'.
Her favourite game with dad is to run and jump into his arms - just like Does! Maddison refuses to allow Mom to put anything in her hair at all - no clips, no hair bands no bows!!! But she does love to dress up!

Being Silly

Being little and being silly is so much fun!

Maddy loves a 'hat' and 'boots'!

Playing dress-up!

Trip to the Zoo

All dressed up for a nice fall day at the zoo!!

At the hippo exhibit - the statue was more exciting than the real thing!

Dustind wore both his 'vet' jacket as well as his wizzard outfit

Dustind wanted to dress up like a wizzard to visit the bats at the zoo

Making faces at the tiger

The last day to pet the sting ray!

Maddy loved to put her hands in the water! Dustind didn't want to get stung!

Thanksgiving weekend swim!

heading down to the dock to check out the situation to remove the ramp for the yaer















Nana and Maddison watching the show...


























Dustind slowly removes each piece of clothing as they got wet while playing in the water.














Once the ramp came out - Daddy decided he may as well go for his last swim of the year

Thanksgiving weekend - papa's leaf pile

Fall our favourite time of year