Happy 1st Advent!

I am not sure if it is a Northern European thing but we celebrate the Advents (every Sunday before Christmas). Both Andreas' and my family celebrated the Advents when we were growing up so now we are passing it to our boys. Last year, I had this idea to do a full advent calendar for the boys but, maybe having grown one year wiser (haha! Or lazier? ;)), I gave up on that one! Now, I am doing one gift per Advent instead... Only 12 gifts to wrap instead of 72... sounds WAY more sane to me ;)

Next weekend, we get our tree but, at least, our house looks a bit more festive. It is still green out so, if I am lucky, maybe we'll do our Christmas turkey on the BBQ ;) I am STILL NOT complaining ;)

Wishing you all a great week ahead! xox

Flashback Friday

While working today (on a well deserved break, of course ;) ), I looked through a picture folder and took a little trip down memory lane. These pictures are from 2010/early 2011. They made me laugh... and feel a little sentimental at the same time.

Happy Friday! Wishing you all a great weekend xox

Thankful Thursday

The temperatures have taken a turn in the positive direction again and the snow has been melting very quickly. It really feels like we were given an extra month of non-winter. What a bonus!! Sorry to my skiing friends... may you have white mountains... but just the mountains ;)

On this Thursday, I think about how I am thankful for my family, for the warm-for-Canada-end-of-November weather, my friends, my beautiful city, my daily walk, that my husband is making dinner this evening and that it almost the end of the semester!

I am also thankful to my blog world and those in it... xox

Role reversal

Usually, I am the friend who is posting scary photos of snowstorms. I am usually the person who is complaining about being shut in at home, unable to escape the snowdrifts surrounding my house. This is my identity as a Canadian and, frankly, as much as I dislike winter, it is a sort of badge of honour. SO WHAT IS GOING ON THIS YEAR???? It is November 22 and I have green grass in my backyard. I even have some flowers that are still blooming in our flowerpots out front. Today, Alexander was out playing soccer in shorts. Yes, outside. No, I am not the worst mother in the world. Our temperature hovered around 10 degrees C. It doesn't even look like Christmas yet... not even close. ** I AM NOT COMPLAINING**
Last night, some of my friends in Scandinavia were attacked by up to 50 cm of snow. I have to say that it was not all my friends because dear Ola only saw a few flakes and then rain in Oesterbro. My other friends and family got snow... and lots of it...
I don't know what happened this year but what a role reversal! This year, they get the badge of snow honour and I will, happily, lend it to them because I am sure... no, am more than certain, that we will get it back again. Unfortunately..... ;)

Happy week to you all :)

This is us.....

This is them.... Roskilde, DK

Argh... I am getting flashbacks!

I don't mind sharing the honour of having lots of crappy snow ;)

Then and now

Andreas recreated (or tried to recreate) a photo that we took of Oliver, shortly after he was born. Bigger kid, bigger bathtub, more bubbles and, definitely, nore attitude ;)

Guess what? It is almost Friday :) xox

So quiet and sleepy

Not anymore ;)

Birthday weekend

Being eleven years old brings a whole new set of birthday requirements. When Alexander was two, as long as he had a cake and decorations, life was good. At five, dinosaurs were a must. At seven, it was super heroes. At eleven, it is just lots of food....

We took him for a special birthday dinner at one of his favourite restaurants. So, lots of food it was :)

Wishing you all a great week! xox

Lots of birthday cupcakes

The boys

Making up his mind

Just bring on dinner!

Happy boy

No one else ordered a salad? ;)

Eleven years

Today, my eldest son turns 11 years old! I am so proud of the sweet young man that he is becoming. He is smart, considerate, charming and can eat a week's worth of groceries in about 15 minutes ;) Alexander, we love you! xox

Yes, he likes to be goofy ;)

Green November

Before I start this post, I have to make it perfectly clear that I am NOT complaining!!! If you have been following any of this blog since last winter, you will remember how non-winter I am ;)

We have been so incredibly lucky this year. Montreal is still fairly warm (ie: between 5 and 15C) and green! It is actually a bit strange: stores are putting their Christmas decorations up against a backdrop of green leaves (and not just green pine boughs)! I have been wearing my light jacket and autumn boots... no shivering or wet boots involved ;)

Last year, at this time, we had a blizzard and our backyard was absolutely covered with snow. The boys were wearing boots and ski jackets. I was complaining! This year is totally ahhhhhh..... ;) I have to say that I am loving this non-winter-start-of-November :)

Last year....

This year :)

I will take it! ;)

Because life just wasn't noisy enough before ;)

Alexander chose to play trumpet for his school music class. I had suggested flute but he didn't take my request ;) Andreas gave him the idea of trumpet so I totally blame him. At least, he can actually get a noise that almost resembles trumpet out of it... problem is that, apparently, louder is better ;)

Happy Saturday evening! I plan on spending mine with a good pair of earplugs ;)

Hallowe'en weekend

This weekend was filled with ghosts, scary zombies (and not just me before my morning coffee), morph costumes, friends and lots of SUGAR! We had a lovely time trick-or-treating with friends in our neighbourhood and great socializing afterwards. The weather was on our side (ie: no rain, snow or -15C) and we also got to change our clocks and gain one hour more sleep! I'll take it :) This evening, after the kids are in bed, Andreas will take his share of the 20% candy tax and I will guiltless-ly eat the dark chocolate/almond bar that I bought to celebrate Hallowe'en ;)

Wishing you all a great week xox