Gingerbread house

I found this cute gingerbread house at the dollar store the other day that I thought would be a fun project to do with the kids, so for an afternoon activity the kids and I put it together . It was a rather sticky messy ordeal as the icing was getting everywhere but the kids had fun placing all the candy around it and then sprinkled some coconut around the house for the snow effect. We enjoyed looking at it for a day or two then the time came to demolish it as some of the candy on it started to mysteriously disappear. So the kids gathered round and I broke it up for all the kids to get a small piece with some coconut sprinkled on top.

Christmas Party

We were able to host a Christmas party for the teens in the area on Saturday night. It turned out real well. Lots of people showed up, We had snacks and drinks (everyone helped out) and we were able to set up our Christmas tree just in time. It had been a real hassle getting it up as we couldn't find any of the lights or decorations from last year. But we found a few and bought a few more...sigh of relief! We had games planned thanks to Abi but ended up playing only one, which turned out to be lots of fun (see pictures below). The rest of the time was spent with just everyone enjoying time together. Thanks to all who were involved in making it happen.

Some of the lovely, crazy ladies

Mike and Amy sharing a moment...
Sonya, Gideon and Amy
Laila and me
Seti and Jack frost???
Game fun.....love the outfit!

Oli showing off his new look

Christmas singing

The kids here have been practicing so hard every day for the last 2 weeks and yesterday was their first show. It was a mad house as we worked on getting last minute things for their outfits, going over their songs, getting dressed, doing hair, bundling up for the cold,  In the end the kids were so sweet and well behaved and everyone had a good time and enjoyed the songs. Then later that day we got a Christmas tree. The man was so sweet and started to giggle as the girls sang a carol for him. He then gave a big Boston Fern tree!So pretty... what a surprise!
Here are some pictures of the kids singing



My little singing man

Check out Devin's belly sticking out and how he's so intent on listening to the little old lady
Here's my cookie monster...yummm COOKIES!





And here's the manger I made from bark,sticks and twigs. I even got to work with some bark that came all the way from Italy (thanks to Sarai) It was a lot of fun putting it up. I placed it on the ledge by our staircase.


Here's more snow!

Let it snow

So I braved the cold yesterday. It was family day and there had been a snow storm during the night so there was lots of beautiful snow on the ground that I just couldn't resist going outside with Devin. After bundling him up to where he could hardly move, I got myself dressed up in the same manner (not so fun). We then proceeded out to the back yard where the fluffy yet cold white snow covered everything and waited for our presence. We then began to make a snow man...I started it off then Devin and his friend Mikey took over once it got to big for me to roll around. The sad thing is we didn't get to finish our poor snow man as Devin and the kids got board of rolling this big ball around and just wanted to run and dive into the snow and do what kids do best....get crazy! Ha! Plus it started to get to cold and we had to hurry inside to the warmth of our home and have some chocolate pudding and pancakes. But all in all he had fun and so did I and I know we'll be able to enjoy more adventures in the snow on a later date.
Oh I also set up a manger scene that day and will post a picture of it soon as I think it came out pretty nice, if I do say so myself!
Here's Devin in the snow

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

24 days till Christmas!

Happy Belated B-day

Last week was Laila's Birthday and we threw a party for her. Had a few friends over, some drinks and dancing. It was also a sad farewell for Thomas and Chantal who will be leaving soon. We'll miss you guys!I didn't blog about this earlier as I didn't get the pictures till now.
This one's of us ladies: me, Chantal, Laila, Abi, Celeste and Marcos who happened to sneak in
uh-hum!



Beautiful Abi

Snow and School

Today Devin got to go out sledding with the other kids. I can remember as a kid I always looked forward to tobogganing, slipping and sliding on the ice and snow. It was so much fun and now it's great that Devin gets to enjoy it. Maybe when I get brave enough to face the cold I'll join the kids and take a few pictures for you all. I did go out the other day to the library that's just two house down the street, it was dusk and as I walked along, the snow seemed to glisten in the streetlights, I breathed in the crisp winter air and enjoyed the sound of the snow crushing beneath my boots. I then realized that winter can be a very beautiful thing and I look forward to many a more winter moments.
As for now tomorrow starts another school week with my kiddos, we've been doing more art projects which I love to do especially this time of year . I love decorating for Christmas time also baking while listening to Christmas music, makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. Ahhh Christmas is here!

Here's my kids studying hard!

Devin with his owl puppet he made.

Look mom

This morning we woke up to this outside....
Can you say...
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas?"






















Devin is just loving it that it's already snowing, so are all the kids and they can't wait to get outside and play in it. Everyone's a little shock that it's snowing this early but they say every year has been different so it's really hard to say! Mike gets to brave the cold as he goes out today . Hope he won't catch a cold.....poor hunny! But it sure is pretty to look at as long as your inside in the warmth of your house!

Pictures

Here's a few pictures I promised you. The first ones are from a night BBQ we had for Davida who left the area just as I got here, I didn't get to know her so well but she seemed like a sweetheart. She's the last one on the right with the beautiful smile!
The other ones of us ladies are from Gabe and Ali's going away party!



Laila, Abi, Alison and me

C-C-C Cold!!!

It's officially getting VERY COLD here. We woke up yesterday morning to find the balcony covered in a thin blanket of snow, just half an inch...but still..burrr! Then today we had flurry's all afternoon. It's wet and cold and I miss the cool autumn weather. I hope that we can survive the Canadian winter. Ahhh!

I've been keeping myself busy with teaching school to Devin and his new from Laura, their good students and I enjoy it. Also the wonderful Christmas season is upon us and we're getting ready with singing, caroling, baking and decorating etc. I'm thankful for the new place we're in and all the wonderful people we're getting to know.

So little time

There's been a lot going on here that I'd love to blog about but don't have the time to.
Here are some of the highlights:
*Mike and Devin arrived safe and sound
*Been busy unpacking and getting them settled in
*Had a good bye party for Gabe and Alison
*Went out for a Thai dinner with some old friends
*Had a big Sushi dinner with other friends in the area.
I know there were pictures taken so I will do my best to locate some to post for you all.

My health has been making steady progress. I've now gained 20 lbs. since I've moved up here and am hoping for another 20 by New years. It's so wonderful to be up and around, taking care of Devin and living life again. Being sick and in bed for so long sure makes you thankful for all the little things in life that you other wise maybe would not have notice. I still feel weak and go at a slower pace then most but I'm happy with what I can do.
Please do continue to pray for my strength and that I can stick to my diet and gain weight that I need. Love you xoxo

On their way

Today is the day! I'll be seeing my boys tonight...I can't wait!
Mike is not so keen on flying. Pray for him to feel at peace and not to worry and that Devin will be well behaved. Also for their protection and that our luggage won't get lost or damaged. That the boarder crossing will go smoothly and without any complications. Thank you !

Halloween at Woodbridge

The other day there was a Halloween party at a friends house, so I thought I'd tag along just for fun and help with the games. It was also a birthday for Sonya who will turn 17 in a few days. Thanks Woodbridge for hosting a fun party!

The whole gang



Chris, Danny and Jonny

Jonny

Laila, cute bunny

Angelic Alison and random me


Me in a mask
Sonya....Happy Birthday!

Sushi and Catan

I spent the day with Laila, Steve & Abi. And they had the great idea of getting some things to make sushi and making an evening of it, so we went out shopping bought some nice fresh salmon, came home and Steve made some incredible sushi rolls for us ladies as we sat around and played a game of Settlers of Catan. It was such an enjoyable evening with good friends and food. Steve and Abi introduced me to the game "Catan" when I got up here and I've played a few games and have gotten hooked, especially since the other night I won and beat Steve who is always the champ. I still need more practice and help remembering all the rules and work on my strategy but I think I'm getting the hang of it and it's a lot of fun. Today everyone might go out for a game of soccer since the weather is nice and sunny, while I just watch and enjoy the fresh air. Soccer is their passion here and they play almost every day. Laila was able to snap a few shots of them playing which I'll post here for you as well as cute little Jude and the beautiful park we go to that's just around the corner. It's really nice having a park that's walking distance from the house. I've been doing good and feeling healthy,just still working on gaining weight. I believe I've gained 4 more lbs in the last two weeks so that's good! Oh and Mike and Devin will be here in just one week....! That makes me happy! :-)