January's roses

It snowed last night and again this morning. I love how it muffles the busy neighbouring street and turns our denuded working class block into a fairyland of lights and brights. I warm to our sweet neighbour who most mornings, shovels our pathway along with his and then still is promptly outside at 7.30 waiting for his lift to work as Seb crunches off to the school bus.

Oh, and how the chill brings the prettiest roses to bloom on Sophie's cheeks.

Maybe they are right

In the past few months, we have been given some beautiful pottery mugs. The sort of pottery that you don't put in a dishwasher. That you have to wash by hand. A task that you pass at great peril to young children - so you don't.

These kind gift-givers must sense that we are emerging from the intensive child-rearing years. Activities become optional(swimming lessons vs. diaper-changing for example); some tasks (setting the table, sorting laundry) can be delegated; and children can take care of themselves in various ways (less parental gallops to the loo, for example).

They must be right, those gift givers. So right that M is signing up for tennis and I am searching for a choir to join.

Santa escapades

I am not sure if Santa is breaking into an abandoned house or rescuing someone from a fire or doing daredevil acrobatics. But this is what young man conjured up. And he doesn't steal any sweets (My son that is. I can't vouch for Santa)

A family that skies together (2011 version)

We hit the trails en famille on Sunday. Most stunning sort of day to ski. Clear, crisp but not cold, lots of snow and happy ski bunnies who just hopped along to their lessons. Their parents had a chance to ski together and chat and at the end of the afternoon, we did a short ski all together, which I hope is just a taste of things to come.

Big mister broke in his new skate skis - and traveled about twice as fast as I did... Little mister was not put off by having forgotten his waterproof mitts at school. Young Ms. was radiant, jubilant, thrilled with her time out on skis. She had a huge grin on her face every time I saw her. Meanwhile, I rejoiced in the beauty of the setting, the weather and my family's health and happiness.

You all know that my first post-retirement port of call will be Marrakech. My better half hankers to spend the following year (or winter) a 10 minute drive from groomed trails.

Until then, every Sunday till the end of February, all or most of the family will be heading north for the day - and a few weekends - for some skiing. Lucky, lucky us.

How to give thanks for what we have (part 1)

I shall not wish the days away. Already we are 10 days into January.

Quick trip to St Lawrence market

and you can pick up some delicious fixings.

Lovely snap by Zia Lynn

When Lynn zipped through town with Vince and Leo in tow, she took this lovely snap of us but we failed to get one of them. Enjoy anyway!

They must be over

The holidays must be done because the closet where the knapsacks and work bags are stored is fairly empty today and because my scissors have made it back to my desk and are no longer buried under mounds of wrapping paper and ribbon.

Despite all the work and the flu bugs, we had a marvellous time - first cover to cover read for Seb, late nights, dvds, skating, theatre (Tea at the Palace by extraordinary Puppetmongers and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by two talented teens), relatives and out of town friends, big meals, grazing (check out the gorgeous gingerbread house), phone calls, presents (a baby doll! a foosball! magic sceptres?! vintage lego), board games (more presents!), pyjama mornings (and afternoons), fairy lights, purple hair, short hair, velvet, traditions (new pjs), hockey, love and laughter too.

Here are some of the best snaps.

Irresistible

New snow. Who knew?

It's out!

After almost 5 months of wibbling and wobbling, Seb's first tooth came out this afternoon. It was ferociously worked back and forth by his tongue or finger all day. He said he was going to sleep on his side so he wouldn't swallow it. But no need as it came out at home with the help of an apple.

It's a bit strange because there is no gap there, as his second row are looming (and crowding out his mouth...).

Our seven year old is definitely suspicious but oh-so-wants-to-believe in Santa, in tooth fairies, in magic (that benefits him). He asked me if I have put money under his pillow but since he asked in the wrong tense, I dodged it.

He popped the tooth under his pillow and fell asleep surprisingly quickly this evening. Unfortunately, about 60 mins later his sister woke up with a burning thirst and awoke him too. 10 minutes later, he trailed down the stairs in tears. The tooth fairy hadn't come yet....

So what do you think the going rate should be for a first tooth and how long do you keep up the charade???