Holiday Season

We started our holiday season a few weeks ago.
We started with our traditional brunch downtown.

CD was treated to lemon cheesecake by the chef followed by a fancy chocolate platter that the chef prepared in the kitchen just for CD!!! Next time she goes back she is to ask for the chef and she'll bring out another special little treat! What a lucky kid.. but wait that's not all the luck she had ...

After brunch, we bundled up for the Santa Claus Parade.

CD entered the colouring contest and I'm pleased to announce that for the third year in a row one of my girls won a prize!!! See, what'd I tell ya, lucky kid!! She won a family pass to ...

The Festival of Trees!!

We enjoyed the afternoon admiring all the trees and gingerbread house villages. We stopped for a snack and treated the people behind us in line to gingerbread cookies. Then we donated a stuffed puppy to the zoo tree for the kids in the hospital at Christmas and toured the gift shop.

What a fantastic day!
I love spending time with these two beautiful ladies and Moto-Moto.

Happy December 1st everyone!

The best way to spread Christmas cheer
is singing loud for all to hear!

May you have a very
Merry Christmas
surrounded by those you love!
JL, Moto-Moto & princesses

Santa Claus Parade

We started our tradition last year by starting with brunch downtown (that way we are able to park our car on the parade route). I was dishing CD up a plate and she was yelling at me across the restaurant "Mommy see me? Mommy get me food?" She enjoyed the herb crusted pork loin the best!

CJ did a good job of picking a balanced brunch herself and did NOT enjoy the pork loin but had a few helpings of the little oven roasted potatoes and pickled beets. Dessert was a big hit!

Quick little photo shoot by the fireplace.

Nice and bundled for the parade, Moto-Moto and I joined them for a cuddle to enjoy the parade together.

There he is! It's Santa!

The girls had their pictures with Santa while Mrs. Claus and I visited. She was quite interested on how I made the girls Christmas ruffle jeans. Maybe they will be a big trend and elves will be busy working on them for next year!?

CJ was the winner of the parade colouring contest for the second year in a row! She told me, "Mommy, it's all about the glitter. That's why I won!" Maybe I'll try a little on the next lottery ticket I buy! She picked up her prize from Santa after the parade and she got...

Hal Moose from Build-a-Bear sporting his winter outfit!

It's a great start to the Christmas season!
So while we get ready to decorate for Christmas this weekend...

Happy Thanksgiving to our American neighbours!

Christmas Season Begins Here

Last weekend we took in the Santa Parade. Wanting to get a good spot and park on the parade route we started with brunch at the Hilton. It was yummy and the girls found lots that they enjoyed.

The organizers of this year's parade did a great job! We enjoyed organic hot chocolate (in greenshift.ca cups that are biodegradable) and cookies while waiting for the parade. CJ had her letter ready to hand over to the Canada Post Letter carriers.

Then we waited for the big guy at the end. I think CD was waiting for more horses or dogs.

After the parade CJ got to go into the mall and pick up a prize for winning the Santa Claus Parade Coloring Contest!! I'll have to try to get it back or at least a picture of it! She did a great job, it was covered with glitter ~ I wonder if she's been reading Saucy's blog?

Ho Ho Ho ! Pictures with Santa ended the morning. I love seeing the wonder and magic in the eyes of my daughters!! This Christmas is going to be so much fun now that CD is a little older. I'm sure that Christmas morning will be hours of playing with empty boxes and gift wrap.