Canadian dreams: December 2011

Sunday, December 18, 2011

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

And so it is Christmas...for us the season has never begun until after the December birthday, and so it was this year. We began with a festive lunch at Pine Ridge Hollow. Grilled cheese and fries topped the "favourite" list, and some purchases were made in the gift shop. We weren't even the noisiest group!

Grandpa and grandson complete some workbook pages, a favourite activity all of a sudden.

This grandson is a regular visitor. He usually looks much happier than he does in this picture. He loves the rocking horse, made by the great grandfather he never met. Thanks Dad! Courage Crafts is still delighting the young ones.

Of course, as the family expands, it gets more and more difficult to find a day that everyone has free, so we can gather to celebrate the season. We were missing a few this year, but got as many as possible together for delicious food, drink and good company. Roxie was quite overwhelmed by the youngest ones in the group. I think she wondered what happened to her nice quiet home.

This one was delighted to show us his latest skill - going DOWN stairs as well as up. These stairs were much safer than are grandma and grandpa's, because he couldn't fall side to side on these.

Grandma and Grandpa spent a lovely afternoon, evening and next morning with good friends. Once again, the food and drink were delicious and the company grand. What a beautiful location and wonderfully warm home. We will miss them for a few months as they head south, but will reconnect in the spring, with more stories to tell.

Grandpa and grandma were pleased to be invited to be part of the annual visit to Santa. As you can see, the two older ones were happy to see the jolly man, while the youngest was not a fan.

He was happier when he was helping us pick out our tree, and loved taking a wagon ride around the block with Jake.

And last night we had a special treat. Two of our five (almost six) spent the night and helped us decorate the tree, read favourite stories, and watch some very old favourites (thank you PVR). They were most interested in the decorations which actually belong to their mother, especially the one that has her picture on it.

Doesn't Grandpa look wise as one of the Kings/Wise Men? Da, da, da, DAH! (inside joke)

Seriously though, the season is really upon us now, with Christmas only a week away. Seems at this time that we miss the ones not here the most, and remember with a few tears Christmases of past years. We do our best to keep those tears at bay, and to remember all for which we are grateful, and what is really important. For me, the Prayer of Confession at John Black Church this morning said it all:

"Unlike Mary, Joseph, shepherds and wise men,
We allow Christmas to be drained of its splendour,
By our endless determination to be in control,
to do the baking, the gift buying, the tree trimming,
the cards, e-mail, partying, the visiting,
arriving at the holy day exhausted, relieved it will soon be over,
or afraid we have forgotten something,
a card, a present, or a salad in the fridge.
God have mercy upon us. Teach us what we have forgotten, to let go of our control and to humbly place our lives in your hands, free of wants and agendas. This is our present to You, it is the only one worthy of You. Glory to You in the highest who is born to us evermore. Amen"

Merry Christmas to all! Blessings of the season be upon you all!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Sleepover

While her mom was helping out at big brother's nursery school, this little girl visited with Grandma and Grandpa, and stayed the night. She was busy the whole time, measuring everything...