Costco

My friend and I have started the habit of going to Costco after MOPS.  It's pretty handy, the three kids distract each other and we can actually shop in peace.  Sophie decided that she wanted to ride in my cart and would not move for anything.  Eventually we were just piling groceries on top of her, but she seemed happy with it.

Cecily & Xavi were sharing a smoothie.

These three children have more than enough personality between them, but somehow they all get along amazingly well.

They do get along peacefully occasionally.

Gingerbread house

I don't know what we did before Costco came out with these pre-made gingerbread kits.  I don't even have to buy candy?!  Sold!

Small Group Babysitting

A few months ago, we started a babysitting swap with our small group.  Once a month, one family hosts all the kids (usually about 6-12 total) so the other 5 sets of parents can go on a date.

December was our turn to host.

I didn't get a decent shot of everyone, but they all had a great time.

The house was a disaster by the time they all left, but the kids had a great time, and we've done our duty for the next 6 months.

Snow!

We got a light dusting of snow after the kids went to bed Thursday night, so I took a photo to show the kids since it would be gone by the time they woke up.

Instead...  We were woken by a phone call at 5:30am letting us know that school was cancelled for the day.  Of course, it was the one day of Keith's vacation that we'd plan to actually spend just the two of us, but it's okay, the kids had a great time.

Parker woke up at 7:30. got himself breakfast, got dressed in all his snow gear, and went outside and played by himself for an hour before either of us got out of bed.

Eventually, Keith got up & joined him.

We invited Parker's school BFF over, so Parker & Cecily went out to clean up the driveway for Samuel.

Downtown Adventure Day!

Keith is off for the week, and the kids didn't have school on Monday, so we took the bus downtown for an adventure!

We started with the gingerbread houses at the Sheraton.  They had a Harry Potter theme this year and they were AMAZING!!

Parker is now obsessed with Harry Potter and is REALLY hoping Santa brings him Book One for Christmas.

We stopped by the Fairmont to see the Teddy Bear Suite, but Cecily's favorite part was sneaking into the ballroom for a dance.

They weren't as excited about the actual teddy bears.

Next, the carousel.

After lunch at Keith's favorite downtown restaurant (the Yard House), we took the Monorail over to the Center House to see the trains.

"Mama, can we go climb on the giant chocolate chips?"

We finally got back in the car about 4:30 to head home, I think we wore them out.

Happy Christmas!

"Mama, I don't want to get married when I'm a grown up."
Okay
"And I don't want to have a baby...I just want peace & quiet"
Whatever you say little one.

"Happy Christmas!"
...my children turn very English around the holidays.