if you prefer other peoples' baking

If you dislike baking or are afraid of it yet you still need some holiday goodies to entertain... check out this link: Sugarplum Fairy Homebaking. She is Ottawa based.

I will definitely be getting some of the tourtiere. I can bake cookies... but meat pie? No way.

Snoring is an addiction

"Mom, I hate it when daddy snores. "

"well call him and tell him to stop snoring"

"he can't stop just like THAT mom. You know, snoring is just like smoking! You can't just stop even if you want to."

I guess she is listening when I talk to her about addictions!
(no , we don't smoke)

Good morning kiss

Maelie just woke up (5:40 am) and Bebe lapin was quite happy to see her! I mean, he spent a whole 9.5 hours away from her.

Photo Session

These guys participated very well at their photo session at such a ridiculous hour of the morning.

Here is a sneak peak of a HUGE horkin' sleigh that will soon be filled with a gazillion little chocolates. I have never actually worked with such a big mold. It is a heavy thing once all put together!



Also participating in today's photo session were Rudolph and a Christmas tree, both 3-D, undecorated for now. I haven't decided if I want to decorate the tree with snow, or with colorful decorations. So for now, I tried it plain.



Have I ever mentioned how much I love holidays ? (in general... not just Christmas)

New creation

This is the prize I made for the silent auction at Maelie's school.



It;s a chocolate fireplace with lots of individual chocolates and a bunch of suckers.



The Christmas stuff is coming out...!

Chatting with Michelle

Maelie learned how to chat with her sister Michelle this week on Facebook.

When Michelle typed "Hi Maelie", Maelie started laughing so hard! She thought this was the absolute funniest thing! To type to someone LIVE.... what a concept!

When Michelle didn't respond for about 2 seconds, Maelie typed "Michelle did you frget abawt me?" (she writes by sound. give her a break, she is 6!)

You want your 6 year old to practice typing? Get them chatting! With someone they know of course...

cheese whiz

Yesterday evening, Maelie told me that Daddy was grumpy that morning and that he was bossy.

She added "Mom, I really think he needs to have some Cheese Whiz"

(She has seen the Cheese Whiz commercials... cheese whiz adds ... personality..."



(picture from Kraft website)

Santa's a funny guy

We had quite a weekend. Mix sickness, sleeping in a hotel with noisy people, etc.

The highlight however was our visit with Santa.



Maelie and him go way back as you can see. He is a pretty funny guy.



It shows that it is November and this is one of the first weekends that Santa worked at the mall. The staff was very calm and Santa was relaxed and pleasant, and the line up was non-existant.



I don't actually think Maelie remembered to tell him anything that she would like for Christmas though.

What I saw after Maelie's visit to Santa was what melted my heart. An elderly man brought his adult mentally and physically disabled son to visit Santa. They stood the young man up and Santa greeted him with a big hug and treated him like gold. He complimented him on how much he grew in the past year. He helped the man sit down beside him on his big chair. The whole scene brought me to tears. How accepting and loving Santa was. I mentioned this to Maelie and she reminded me that Santa does love and treat everyone the same.

What? you're thirsty?

We obviously don't change Bebe lapin's water often enough....

Dr. Maelie

Maelie is home today as she received a treatment yesterday at the nuturopath's. Following her treatment, she had to avoid being in the presence of any viruses or illnesses. That usually means... stay away from children! So she is at home today with a lot of energy. Apparently, she has responded well to her treatment.

Unfortunately though, Jackson seems to be sick.



After a full check-up, we found out he needs to rest.



Only a few of his friends were allowed to visit him.



Let's hope Jackson recovers quickly and can return to school tomorrow as well.

Which of these things belong together

One of these things does not belong :) Can you tell which one?

Maelie is preparing her cats for Christmas caroling. They are all lined up by the Christmas tree this morning.

Remembrance Day

To those who so selfessly gave their lives to help us have what we have today... thank you.



I can't read this book to Maelie without choking up. I think of all the men and women who gave up so much to give us a better life. Families who have suffered the pain of losing partner, friend, sibling...

Yesterday at the grocery store, I thanked a Veteran for all he has done for us.

Please remember to thank a veteran today.

A new season

Today we broke down and put up our tree!



Somebunny already figured out that there are a few pinecones on the tree.

Sandwich wrap giveaway

For any of you who live in Canada, please visit Andrea at "A peek inside the fishbowl" ! She is hosting a giveaway for the cutest little sandwich wraps!

Determination

Building together

Here are Maelie and Bebe Lapin building a tower together.

Making a list, chewing it twice...

Bebe Lapin is working on his Christmas list.



I wonder if Santa will think he has been naughty or nice...

Traditional cleaning up!

The day after Halloween, I rip out any evidence that it ever happened, set up my snowman curtains at the door and take out my snowman tablecloth. Ahhhhh....



The kitchen is in its cleanest form!