Saturday, December 14, 2013

Tis the season

And I was expecting only a little picture of santa on his cheek!!
We have been in full-on Christmas mode for the past few weeks. The advent calendar has been a huge success and without fail, it's the first thing Cale asks for each morning. We've been making cookies, wrapping gifts, decorating cards and I must say that I don't know if I've ever felt quite so full of Christmas spirit! I guess that is the gift of having a 3 year old to celebrate with. 

Our neighbours were quite impressed to receive these delicious gifts!
 The only trick is that my 3 year old is almost too logical to be fooled by this whole Santa thing. I don't remember this from my childhood, but it seems that Santa is *everywhere* this year - at the Home Hardware for photos, at the parade, at the local craft fair and we even ran into him at the post office after the craft fair! We saw him this morning for Breakfast with Santa and he'll be coming to Caleb's daycare later this week. Phew, that is a lot of Santa sightings and Cale has started to ask tough questions like - does Santa go to every school in the world? Yes. Even in Jamaica, Mexico and Africa? Yes. Does he go to every craft fair in the whole world? Yes. Shouldn't he be in the North Pole helping the elves make toys? Yes. It's like I'm being interrogated by the police and I feel like I might just crack soon! Surely I can keep him believing until he is at least 5 years old!!

Last night's activity - gingerbread (aka graham cracker) houses!
Finished product. It actually turned out better than I had imagined, but I won't be entering this in any contests!!
Breakfast with Santa this morning. He is still only asking for a measuring tape!

Monday, December 2, 2013

All I want for Christmas is....


A measuring tape!!

I wasn't the only one surprised to hear these words come out of Caleb's mouth during his meeting with Santa this year. The exciting encounter came during Annapolis Royal's Tree Lighting Parade, and once again this little town had me completely in awe of its community spirit. We left our house at 7 pm on Friday night to meet the Town Crier (and everyone else in town) at the Court House. With a ring of the bell, we all sang carols and marched together down the main street, ending up at Town Hall (~200 m away!). Greetings from the mayor, a count down to the tree lighting, more carols ensued, and then, who appeared - but Jolly Old St. Nick!

Town crier and town-crier-in-training!
Since we were in Jamaica last year, meeting Santa was another 'first' for Cale. He absolutely could not believe that he was right here, in our little town! He went right up, shook his hand, said hello and when asked what he wanted for Christmas this year - and without missing a beat he proudly replied 'a measuring tape!' Needless to say, some 'ho! ho! hos!' burst out of Santa! Everyone then marched to the outdoor market where we were greeted with free hot chocolate and cookies.

Next up in Annapolis, a giant Craft Fair housed at 4 different locations around town with free bus to transport you between the locations! Can't wait for Saturday!

Cale's daycare class decorated this tree!