Family Date Night #2

Family date night almost didn't happen this past Saturday. Our friends were over for an early dinner. At least it was supposed to be an early dinner, but the movie went long and the filet mignon took ages to cook beyond the bloody stage (the vegetarian found this very stressful).

So it was past 10 pm before we could make good on our commitment to the kids to have a family date. One of the fall back options has been "BMV and a coffee". Well, it was too late for coffee (which we had on Sunday instead) but BMV is open till midnight. So off we went and each choose a book as the clock tolled 12. 

No guesses for who will read the "Elite Forces wilderness survival guide"

family ski / hike thwarted...

So a winter Sunday, we should be skiing. But it is mild and there is little snow; the trails that are open are in poor shape. So in a rare move, we decide to x-nay the skiing and do a family hike instead, since that also allows us to head out with the dog.

However the spot we choose is a weird dog park above a water reservoir. It's 20 acres but with few trees and strange green outbuildings all over the place. That plus the fact that M fielded call after call after call as the Ontario PCs purged...

Proof - Sophie playing with dog, Seb playing with stick, their dad on the phone!

Even Darwin got the message

Dad's ON THE PHONE...

Poor fella, he did get some relaxation time with us but not much

Dreaming of Issigeac

It's cold and brown and grey and grim here in Toronto. I cannot wait for the snow to fly tonight! Just in time to greet our French guests tomorrow. In the mean time,I am dreaming of summers in le petit village.

Women's march and festival of light

So, gal pal didn't come to this year's march - acting classes instead but hey, that may help her be an assertive lass

 We did go to the Festival of Lights in the Distillery District with my visiting colleague, Helene.

Gummy bears. Yup, gummy bears

How to warm up in January?

Our annual multi-family bowling party!!

The lighting was awful...

The birthday girl and Sophie's partner in STEM

And rainbows everywhere

Someone we love turned one!

Darling dog turned one on January 16th. He brings us joy and groans (as he whines when we sit down for dinner or rushes a small dog or chews another book to pieces...)

But we love our dear Darwin

 

We love him as much as he loves fresh snow

We love to cuddle up with him - when he sits still that is

We love him so much that a certain 11 year old wanted to throw him a birthday party. One guest only, I insisted. So Max the neighbour and his lovely owner Christine came over. Darwin terrorized little Max for 5 minutes, and so the latter settled in Christine's arms.

 But then the decorated dog biscuits came out...

The humans quickly had some tea and cupcakes. Before it was time to head home with a "loot" bag full of kibble and a collar pin. What a hoot!

It's 2018 - our New Year

Wishing all of you a healthy and happy year - full of good story-telling and views of beauty

A lovely selection of gifts for all family members

This gal bought the perfect gift for dad

And once again, we took no photos of our Open House. It was a slightly small turn but still a lively 50+ people. I tried very hard to get snappy at my loved ones in the hour before the doors were to open - and it mostly worked. The food was only slightly less homemade than usual. M made his great cheesecakes and truffles and quiche. We added an adult punch - with Dominican rum no less - to the drinks menu; but people preferred non-alcoholic or beer!