Don't drop your wallet out there, my friend

If I had a penny for every person that has said "we haven't had a storm like this since I was a kid", I'd be a wealthy, wealthy woman! Yes, the city of winter has once again been pummeled by a winter storm . . . several days *before* the first actual day of winter. The snow banks are well over P&D's little heads now, the only way to escape our home is to tunnel out in one manner or another ;-)

Here is our front walk . . .

And me peeking outside the front window . . .

The boys' slide in the backyard . . .

Poor Rudy - not even one tough cocker spaniel is equipped to deal with this kinda weather.

The snowbank right outside our back door . . .

"I am seriously just trying to find a spot to take a dump."

Thankfully the snow is soft, white, fluffy and super great quality for playing in. It's perfect for sledding and digging tunnels and forts, so the boys really love it. The past few days have been brutally cold but this week the temperatures should be looking up and we will likely be able to play outside for longer than 30 minutes. It looks like a white Christmas for us, for sure :-)

Deck the Toddlers

It's hard to believe one week from today is Christmas Eve . . . that's okay, the boys have been very patient for what is a long wind-up waiting period for the *big* holiday. I'm not certain they're sure Santa will ever come, I keep telling them it is "next week"! They are very excited and happy, that's for sure. We picked out our Christmas tree and put it up last weekend - after losing roughly 5 glass ornaments to toddler fumbles, things still weren't looking that bad. It took me five days to slowly and methodically re-arrange Pete's "cluster" of ornaments that had taken up residence in one square foot at the front of the tree ;-)

Yeah, the night shot never turns out well. Thankfully, I have a sneaking suspicion that a new digital camera will be under this blurry tree on Christmas morning!!!

Rudolf, The Red Nosed Toddler!!!

Here is our future Jamie Oliver . . . fully clothed and helping add sprinkles to the Christmas cookies.
In no way could I replicate this face if I tried ;-)

We headed out to the mall last week to see Santa, and have pictures taken on Santa's lap. P&D were very keen to see Santa and were fairly patient while we waited in line for 10-15 minutes for our turn. The minute we approached the bearded red suit, Pete started to panic and decided he didn't want to see Santa after all. Because David had just woken from a nap, I knew he would do whatever Pete did. Although Santa tried to coax us in at the last minute, we left quickly before any trauma occurred. I don't care enough about the pictures to be one of those parents that insists the child sit there, hysterical, flushed and teary eyed while poor Santa earns his paycheck. Admittedly I was disappointed, but we quickly moved on to bigger and better experiences at the mall.

Like . . . the play area!!!! I mean, come on, does this look like a kid who is afraid of Santa ;-)??????

All his troubles behind him, Pete slides his way to fun and happiness . . . while modeling Nana's beautiful purple sweater!


Yes, I have been blessed with two acrobatic climbers. They are truly a dynamic duo!



And last, but not least, David models his Christmas sweater Nana knit him. BEAUTIFUL, Pete has a matching one and they are so adorable together, it hurts!!!

The boys and the babe

I have been so seriously and insanely busy lately, it's totally crazy. Yes, most of it brought on by myself b/c I sometimes like to do and take on a little too much, but there is SO MUCH going on right now I cannot believe it! I mean, the holidays are coming and there's LOADS to do. So far I have over half my holiday baking done - yum yum. Thankfully I have two little messy helpers who adore adding sprinkles to the top of cookies or truffles. If you've been nice to me this year, you might just wind up with a box of my truffles yourself ;-)

With all the frigid cold and snow, we started putting the Christmas decorations up last weekend. David felt stockings should be *worn* and not hung on the fireplace.

Pete takes a break from the cold to chill out watching a Christmas special in Nana's warm, cozy, cashmere sweater. (He is seriously the only kid in his preschool class who wears a hand-knit CASHMERE sweater :-) Major props to Nana for this one. It's warm too. I'd like to get into it with him!!!!

After a huge snowstorm left us swamped with over 40 cms of snow, and some well-below freezing temperatures, we've had to become creative this week and test out a few new indoor activities.

OK, so painting isn't *that* creative or new, but we had a lot of fun playing Picasso!

Things started out pretty neat and organized. Each boy is happy b/c he has his own tray of paint, paintbrushes and paper. (OCD mom is happy about this too!!!).

Things are still looking good, but you can see David starting to sneak his fingers into the paint.

Within seconds, total loss of control ensues. It's each man for himself, hands and other items are now in the paint, the walls shrink back in fear ;-)

At least they are proud of themselves, and the artwork turned out extremely well!

Along with our new busy December schedule comes my well-timed third trimester "nesting" fury. I'm really out of control, but I guess the good news is we might actually be ready for this baby (ha ha - fat chance). She is quite the little mover and is giving her mommy a large number of pretty hefty Braxton Hicks contractions on a regular basis. My midwife confirmed that, just like Peter and David, she is very low already and has her head almost engaged. For those unfamiliar with third trimester pregnancy . . . this causes a great deal of pain and pressure on one's pelvis and cervix. I have vowed to cut back on my driveway shoveling so that the little tike stays put until at least 37-38 weeks.

OK, not so LITTLE anymore, she is likely well over 4 pounds by now! Here she is at 32 weeks:


David is convinced he can inflate her and maybe she will come out in time for Christmas. Pete has voiced some very serious concern that his little sister will miss Christmas this year and get "ripped off" b/c she won't receive any gifts. Ah, nothing like holiday spirit from a three year old :-).