Holiday wrap-up

Many people's holidays have been over for days, but officially ours ends tomorrow.  Kids are back to school on Monday and Chris re-enters the crazy world of work and travel.  It's been a fantastic 16 day break and I'm sorry to see it end.

2013 now, and I suppose I'm supposed to be making resolutions.  I think I'd rather just keep on with the pledge to organize the house (since it's never been done since we moved in!) and keep things chugging along here.  I don't really understand these amazing working-out-of-the-house moms... I feel like my days are full keeping things organized without working at a job.  Salute to all you heroic women!

Here's a little photo collection from the last 2 + weeks.

Click 'read more' for about a million photos after the jump, if you dare!

Yuletide cheer

It's all systems go on the holiday front here in Po-Ho.  The boys are properly excited about Christmas, without actually caring about presents (yet!).  The weather isn't really cooperating but, there's still time for snow before the 25th.  And, after the awfulness of the events in Connecticut yesterday, we're all just happy to be healthy, happy and together.

Friday was a bonus day for us, as the teacher's were striking in our board.  We went out with signs and treats to show our support.  The kids really liked seeing the teachers "on parade".  haha... Everything is fun for them!

Afterwards we went to our favourite 'cut-your-own' lot and picked out the world's greatest Christmas tree.  I don't want to exhibit excessive tree-pride, or diminish your own personal trees in any way, but it's seriously the best tree ever.  It's about 9 feet tall and bushy and symmetrical and smells amazing.  Just got to keep it alive now!

Here are a few pictures from the last week:

 When you don't have a tree up yet, why not decorate your face??

 Felt Santa face creations.

 Still looking rather green here, but there's time for a white Christmas!

 Of course, the boys wanted the tree that was as wide as it was tall.  No way! 

Look at that tree!  Didn't get this one either, but boy! they have some chubby trees up there!

 See that huge one in the background??  Oh yeah, baby.  That's coming home with me!

 Some quick cuts, and long carry out and TA-DA!  We have a tree!

 Presto!  I wish you could see it in real life.  It's really, really great.  They beauty of an old house is that you can get the biggest tree in the lot and it fits just fine.  Hooray!

Hope you're having fun preparing for your holidays.

Swim fun, wherein Dad = a real sport

The lovely, kind, wonderful neighbours gave us use of their pool for 3 different weeks this summer.  Considering the heat and the fact we don't have a/c, it was the best present ever.

The boys have become quite happy little swimmers because of it, and are now registered for lessons starting soon. 

Chris, aka SwimDad, was around for our last swim.  The boys were kind of excited to have him there and perhaps were a bit vigourous in their love.  He didn't actually drown but there were some moments where the enthusiasm was slightly scary.

 What I love about these jumping shots is that Sam watches his bro so intensely.  They've graduated to jumping in with just a life-jacket now.  So exciting!

Even though we tried to tire them out with the jumping, there was still a lot of energy left for Dad-abuse.  (This next series of photos may cause you to snort and/or chortle out loud.)

 Attempted nose removal

 The wee devil lurking

 So uncomfortable!

 Double attack!

 He goes for the eye!

The menace is flipped over!  (Much to his delight).

Way to go, Dad.  You get a medal for water bravery.

Wonderland!

Took Charley out of school yesterday to visit Canada's Wonderland.  It was super-duper great!

Charley has been having a rough time in school lately and really needed a fun day to recover from the 'torture chamber', ie: time spent with 25 peers.  Give that kid a half dozen adults and a room of science experiments and he would be in his glory.  Don't think that's going to happen though...

So!  In the spirit of my always practical mother, we did the mid-week, spring Wonderland outing.  No lines, no crowds, no waits!  The only way to go.  Weather was perfect and the kids were in heaven.

Uncle Phil was with us too, celebrating his birthday week.  We had the best visit and we were super-sad to see him leave this morning.  He's just part of our family.

Here are a few shots of the revelry. 

Some parts of the park are exactly the same as my last visit.  (It's been over 20 years since I was there!)

 Our first stop: the train ride.

 A classic CW tradition

 Charley meets Charlie

Fear and anticipation before riding the new roller coaster, Leviathan.  It has some pretty impressive statistics!

There's Chris and Phil about to do a 306 foot drop over the edge.  Complete insanity.  They adored it.

I managed to get my 4 boys home safely after a busy day, but no one was up very late last night!

I can't imagine going during the summer... The boys must have been on close to 30 rides yesterday and that would never happen during the summer rush.  We certainly got our money's worth.

If you're from Peterborough...

If you, in any way, hail from Peterborough, you know this hill.  Every kid who grew up in that town has rolled down this hill at the zoo.  My kids are no different.  The minute they first laid eyes on it, they knew this was a hill for rollin'. 

We went for a visit yesterday and it was no different.  Roll, roll, roll. 

When it was time for a breather, I attempted to get a shot of the musketeers together at the top of the hill.

Note to self:  putting Sammy in the foreground is not a great idea.  Giant cannonball head takes over photo...

 Pure cuteness

Also adorable

Henry was in attendance, but hadn't quite made the climb in time for these photos.  He did manage to get his baby limbs going, and ascended the hill eventually. (Impressive!) However, the amount of mucus streaming from his nose kind of erased the cute-factor, and so please enjoy him in the distance here:

Awwww, isn't he cute??

A little colour for your day

1.  Go to dollar store.

2.  Purchase a couple rainbow ribbon streamer thingys.

3.  Give to children in a wide open space.

4.  Joy and hilarity ensues.

Charley and Evy were SO in cahoots this day.  It was the first time ever that Sam was the one 'left out'.  He didn't take it too well, and cried even harder when I said he could play with me instead.  Oh well.  You can't please them all!

Birthday mayhem!

We had the boys combined birthday party yesterday.  We had about 20 kids, various adults, lots of carnival type games and a freeakin' bouncy castle!  Yes, we are crazy.

It was a loud and wild and crazy as you might imagine, but we had a lot of happy attendees.

 Sweaty Sam takes a brief break from the bouncy castle.

 Happy birthday-ing

 The crazy, 6 layer cake that I made for the festivities.  Emily said it was 'super gay pride' and I can dig that!  Based on their reaction to it, I'd say that sugar + food dye = kids happy moments.

 A few of the party-goers gearing up for fun and games!

I couldn't have been happier to have Granny Barbara in attendance.  She stayed late and helped clean up, because that's just the kind of almost-94 year old she is.


We had  a great time.  Having two boys with birthdays 2 years and 7 days apart makes for great combo-parties for a few years still.  ( I hope!)

All done for another year!  Hooray!