it's my girls' world

It has been SO cold here. Lots of snow! So pretty to look at but man, I wish we didn't have to drive in it. Here are a few favourites this week!

1- I totally forgot to blog about our North Pole breakfast on December 1st when our new elf Noelle came to visit. You see our old elf Patraj didn't survive our move. He must have not found his way into our new home or couldn't make his way out of one of the still unpacked boxes. So even though it killed me to get a new elf, we did and we named her Noelle. 

A few books and Christmas beanie boos for our Beanie and reading obsessed duo.

2- The other morning, this was the sight I saw. Just like her mama, she loves to read first thing in the am. But unlike her mama, she doesn't know when to stop and if not forewarned she could seriously be late for life.

3- Speaking of the other morning, can you see what was in our neighbour's backyard? Any guesses?

(Excuse the graininess of the photo, I zoomed it in)

 

4- My new neighbourhood cookie exchange this week- 6 ladies-- six dozen cookies and a little get-together with cheese, wine and a cookie sampling. My kids (and D) are thrilled with all the different varieties. I made Christmas crack- my old standby and there were shortbread, nanaimo bars, german cookies, white chocolate lemon truffles and brownie bites. Lots of cookies in this house, slowly but steadily being consumed!

5- Yay for almost done our holiday shopping! Darin and I have our annual shopping date next week where I'll pick up a couple last minute things but other than that, it's all about the wrapping, egg- nog drinking and soaking in the spirit of the season.

 Happy December weekending, friends!

Linking up with 

Andrea, Erika and Narci for Favourites on Friday

Amy for Hey Friday

  and Amanda for Friday Favourites

Today, we're talking Christmas with Emily from Martinis & Bikinis! Emily was born in Trinidad (like me) but lives in Florida. Her life reminds a bit of ours BC- Before Children in this case. Now, I'll just live vicariously through her weekend getaways, day trips and warm Florida weather. Oh and her shopping and fashion posts are awesome too!

What's your best childhood holiday memory?

I always loved that we were allowed to open one gift on Christmas Eve night and then I remember always being too excited to fall asleep that night but somehow I never spotted Santa.

At holiday parties, I sip on...

Most likely a festive cocktail. I like eggnog but one or two glasses throughout the season will do.

(me too girlie, a half glass totally fills me up)

What's your ideal host/hostess gift?

I like to make a festive dish to bring to holiday parties. I usually try different dishes but the Holiday Cheese Ball I made last year was a hit!

(I'll have to try it soon!)

Do you entertain over the holiday season?

I rarely host during the holidays because K and I almost always travel to my family in Trinidad or his family so I just help out in the kitchen. We do usually go to a few holiday parties hosted by friends throughout the season but Easter dinner is when I host everyone over at our house.

(helping out is huge. I love it when I get some help in the kitchen when guests are over)

What are your holiday decorating secrets/tips?

HA! I'm a novice. Can you share your tips with me?

(sure... more is best at this time of year #reallynotreally)

What's your current favourite holiday tradition?

The holidays were very traditional growing up. It was always hosted by my grandmother who went all out with decorating, gifts, and Christmas dinner. With my granny being deceased, we are creating a new tradition this year and my parents and sister are coming to spend Christmas with us in Florida!

(sounds lovely and they get to spend it in your new home as well)

What's Christmas Eve and Christmas Day like in your house?

If we go to K's family it's usually very chaotic because he has a huge extended family. On Christmas Eve we get together to read the Christmas story, do a white elephant gift exchange, and have some nibbles. On Christmas morning we open gifts at my in-laws house and then head over to K's aunt's house for a Christmas feast around lunchtime.

This year is going to be fairly quiet with just the 5 of us but I'm planning to recreate some of our family traditions like making Granny's famous sugar cookies and having holiday party crackers at the dinner table (the fun kind, not the edible ones).

(I bought crackers this year too! Sounds like you will have a very special holiday season)

Thanks for guest posting, Emily! So fun getting to know more about you!

You can also read Deena's, Beth's and my answers to similar questions.

Happy Thursday!

You know I think my kids enjoy this link up as much as I do. They just love being asked questions about themselves. Am I raising little narcissists?!

Here are their Christmas answers. As a reminder, C is seven and A is four  

 

Linking up with Beth and some other lovelies!

Such a magical time of year and so very many memories of seasons past! How can I choose just one? That would be like asking me to choose a favourite child--- the answer to which is sometimes it's one, sometimes the other.... kidding kinda

So I thought I'd break it up into favourite memories from all the different times in my life. Oh but the pics are those of my cute kids.

Kid

My first brother and I had stopped believing in the big man so of course the little one (he was about 7 or 8) stopped as well. We thought that the little one should still believe as (in our nine-ten year old experience) he was too young not to so we set off to convince him that there was a Santa Claus. My older brother and I whispered to each other about our plans for hours and set about having long conversations with the little one to convince him. We then made up a stocking for him (and ourselves since stockings weren't a big thing in the islands then) with treats, crafts, mixed nuts and an assortment of random items. My baby brother was so happy Christmas morning. It was so much excitement for all of us and we loved the giving so, so much. Looking back, I'm not sure where my parents were in all of this. 

Teen

My mom used to work most Christmas evenings (she's a nurse) and though Christmas was always happy, it kinda gave me the sads to not have her around most Christmas evenings- girls need their mamas around. In my later teen years and well into my twenties, my friends would show up on Christmas night and we'd just have a good time exchanging presents, snacking and eating my dad's awesome Christmas cooking. I remember it being so full of laughter and cheer and perhaps that's when my love of entertaining began!

Adult

My first Christmas in Canada was a white one-- no snow on Christmas Eve but SO much Christmas morning. It was awesome! 

Since having kids though, every.single.Christmas is special with them. They add so much joy, giggled and excitement to the season. Their wonder when staring at Christmas lights, having a cookie or playing with their toys-- it's the stuff the season is made of!!

Linking up with Shelly and Katy today for Spiel The Beans!