Christmas Eve...

The last chocolate in the advent calendar!

We continued our tradition of a big family outing on Christmas Eve.  We went to see the Dinosaur exhibit at the museum with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Greg.

Exhibit was great, however was a bit misleading as the "moving dinosaurs that you can control" were on a screen--like you could do on your iPad.

Kids love the bat cave! This time it was Rose asking to go back in again and again with everyone, as Paige did last time.

After the museum it was a nice pub lunch!

As Rose didn't nap in the car on the way home and we got back around 3, we decided to just skip lunch.  The girls were excited to try their dinosaur digging eggs from the museum.  We had our standard Christmas Eve fare of perogies and salad for dinner.

The girls went to bed with no problems after putting 4 carrots each outside on the front steps (where Scout wouldn't get them), and preparing the cookies and milk.

Snowman fridge!

It's a....

Boy!

 Mike was unable to make it to my ultrasound which was in early December.  I had to tow the girls along which I know the technicians were not happy about (I had called to try to reschedule the appointment as there was no one available to watch the girls, and there was nothing available).  They barely blinked the entire hour as they watched a movie though, and the lady commented that they could come back any time. so there! ha! Anyway, my doctor came in to see how things were going (also to check out the ovary that he had done the surgery on).  The doctor mentioned it looked like a boy, and the ultrasound technician confirmed that it was indeed! 

As Mike wasn't able to make it I wanted to do something fun to tell him the news.  We stopped at a children's clothing store and bought a boys sleeper that we wrapped up with the ultrasound picture on top.  He got to unwrap it to find out the news when he got home.  I was pretty worried that Rose would just blurt it out, so I just encouraged her to keep watching her tv show when Mike got home.

We're excited by the news although it came as a shock at first.  We've often joked that Mike could probably only have girls.  Most things around here are gender neutral anyway, although there are a lot of cute girls clothes that will have to go.  Time to get mentally prepared for all things boy!! Exciting to have both.

Max and Ruby Nutcracker!

Paige and Rose were obsessed with the Max and Ruby tv show.  That's all they would ever watch.  Now the latest craze is My Little Pony Friendship which they have watched in order for the first couple of seasons.  At any rate, there was a show coming to Hamilton Place on December 13 called Max and Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite.  We decided to take a chance and get tickets.  As we were late to order our seats weren't great so I was a bit worried, but the bigger worry turned out to be the crazy traffic on the way there! We made it just in time and the girls thought the show was fabulous.  Paige was commenting on various things and Rose was transfixed barely moving.  When the intermission came she was concerned that it was over and was worried.  Looking around most children were being loud and crazy in our section which was so far back, but our children were well behaved as per usual! We only missed out on the popcorn which was sold out by intermission time.  This was both girls first live theatre experience, besides the shows we have seen at Disney World.

XXXL shirts

Grandma Val decided to use 3XL shirts to protect the Christmas presents that she sent.  They had been ordered for her office by mistake...

A visit with Santa...

When we went to Springridge last year to see Santa, I vowed we would never visit the mall again to see him.  We headed off to Springridge again this year.  Apparently every second weekend he doesn't sit in a chair and just wanders around, but that was just fine.  We found him right away and the girls handed over the lists they had made that morning with pictures cut out of toy catalogues.  Paige's main thing she wanted was Littlest Pet Shop guys and Rose's was a scooter.  It was nice that they had a list as they (especially Rose of course), didn't want to say much to him. 

They also decorated a gingerbread cookie and ate it as their snack.  Mike and I ate lunch which was so difficult as they make my all time favourite sandwich, which I'm not supposed to eat while pregnant--ham, brie, and apple with red pepper jelly.  OMG, my mouth is actually watering right now. 

Putting up the tree...

We really let the girls do whatever they wanted.  Some branches have 4 ornaments on them.  It wouldn't have mattered if it was perfect because Rose has moved them all around again since this day, and Scout's tail has whacked a whole bunch off.

Notice Rose has an Ewok face in this picture:

Terrorizing a tired dog after doggie daycare...

Parent Teacher Interviews

Last week we went for our first ever parent teacher interview.  I wasn't sure what to expect as the teacher hasn't said anything all year, but as soon as we walked in before we'd even sat down she said,
"I have no issues at all with Paige.  She's a pleasure to teach".  Well then, that's a relief! All of her school work is on track too, so I have nothing to worry about.  Paige sometimes comes home with certificates for good listening etc. and I was worried that she was getting them to motivate her.  Her teacher said that she wished she could give her one every day, and that she sometimes struggles to give some of the other kids a certificate at all.  So....off to a good start!!! It was more positive than the observation and small sit down with her teacher last year, but then again, being away from home was new for Paige and she didn't really know the school routine yet.  This year as she is in SK she seems to want to be more of a leader for the JK's and help out by listening, participating more, and doing what she's supposed to do.  Her teacher said she was a good role model.  I was so proud of her.  At the interview her and Rose sat silently on the carpet playing with Lego.  I think Paige was trying to eavesdrop. 

Disney!!!

February 1st! Not much longer to go!  And this time we have an addition to our little trip.  Grandma Val is coming for a week! Grandma Val comes from out west and her flight passes through Toronto anyway, so we'll meet up with her when she lands and continue on together to Orlando.  Woohoo!!! OOOh she's in for a treat.  The warm weather in Orlando (knock on wood) will be a pleasant change from the -22 that is Edmonton.

I am so excited it's not even funny.  Mike was wary to go for 2 weeks as I'm pregnant and I said are you kidding!?? Warm weather, bobbing around like a beached whale in the pool, greasy food, relaxing, no house cleaning???? Um...yes please!!!!

Seriously I do need to double check our insurance though.  I could in theory have a premature baby there and then have to shell out $10k a day in the hospital as it wouldn't be covered under my insurance plan.  Also will get a note from doctor to state that i am only 27 weeks when we travel as I tend to get so big at that time that people say "any day now hey?"

The girls are excited and keep talking about the things they will do with Grandma Val.  Paige is a bit taller this year and will be able to go on some new rides that she's been wanting to try out for 2 years.  We have 1 breakfast booked this time...a Mary Poppins one.  We'd really better watch at least some of that movie.

So yep, every day I'm comparing the weather from here and Edmonton to Orlando.  At this time of year and Febraury the daily lows are about 14 or so, so not hot, but it can get up to 25-30 during the day with the humidity, so that is totally fine by me.  My only issue now is clothing.  My summer maternity clothes are from when I was pregnant with Paige and so so so huge.  I don't think anything will fit.  I grabbed a couple of cheap stretchy skirts and will get a couple of tank tops.  Luckily we have a washing machine in our unit because if it's hot I'll just be wearing the same thing again and again.  The bathing suit I'll buy in January to ensure it fits.  i'm anticipating gaining at least 10 lbs more by then.

Excitement factor through the roof!!!!!