What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

We hope you all ring in the year safely with friends and family and I'm sure many of you even plan to attend a dinner-dance soiree of some kind. Isabelle's night won't be all that different from yours then, although it will have ended sooner. Her dinner consisted of one of her favourites, pasta, then she danced to some big band music with her Dad, and finally wrapped the night up with some stories from her Mom, complete with new year's eve treats of chips and chocolate milk. Suffice to say that a happier December 31st could not be found anywhere else. She will be snoozing as the clock strikes 12, but she will surely wake up tomorrow ready to take on 2009 with full gusto. Look out 2009, here comes Isabelle!

Winter Wildlife

Still on a nice Christmas break so today we went on a road trip with Auntie Renee and Logan across the border to Quebec and Parc Omega, a wicked place where you drive through and all manner of Canadian wildlife will walk right up to your car to get fed. Deer, bison, wild boars and rams are all there seeking carrots from every car passing by. Isabelle had been here once before but seeing as she was only about a month old at the time, we figured she would get a bit more out of it this time around! She loved seeing the animals but was not too keen on them coming up to the car, nor was she interested in feeding them when they did! She actually seemed much more concerned about how dirty the car windows were getting from deer and bison slobber..."what happened to the window?" was repeated many times over from the back seat. She overcame her apprehension as the ride went along and she realized that the animals couldn't get through the windows to her. Of course, once in the gift shop, she warmed up even more and picked out a moose pillow to bring home and no surprise at all, she fell asleep with it tonight. She is dozing away and we can't wait until she wakes to see what tomorrow will bring us, it is such fun to be with her each and every day.

Aaah, Relaxation.

What better way to spend a Christmas break from school and work than hanging out in bed and catching up on some celebrity gossip?

Hockey Night in Ottawa

Isabelle attended her first ever big-time hockey game last night, thanks to her generous Uncle Phil, who in addition to bringing her a new stuffed labrador puppy dog, brought us 2 fifth-row tickets to the World Junior game between Sweden and Finland just up the street at the Civic Centre. Isabelle and her Dad headed off to the game armed with drinks and snacks and even a book or two to keep her occupied. None of these were needed. She had a great time sitting with her Dad and watching the big boys cruise around the ice. She was quite startled when she saw her first hit into the boards and this required some explanation from her Dad. You see, the players are allowed to hit, but if they hit too hard or hurt someone, they have to go into time out and sit by themselves for two minutes. She watched very intently as she munched on cheese pizza, then she spotted someone with thundersticks so a mission to find some was quickly underway. They were located and inflated and soon she was back in her seat banging away. She spent the whole way home holding the hockey bear she bought and babbling about the game so suffice to say a hockey fan was born!

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

No Ty Pennington in our house, but the grand idea of revamping Isabelle's bedroom into a big girl's room came to fruition in the past week and in time (barely!) for the big reveal on Christmas Day! For days she has strolled obliviously past a door that has been tied shut with suprisingly very few attempts to get inside.

One of her requests from Santa this year was a bed, but Mom and Dad decided to get it for her instead. It started with the bed and mushroomed from there into "The Project". A beautiful chandelier that we bought in Montreal inspired the colour scheme for the bedding and the rest of the room. Other highlights include an awesome dollhouse from Gran and Grandpa, complete with a family of dolls and furniture, plus a giant mirror and ballet barre in case our little one feels like strapping on the pointe shoes and start training for Juilliard. New decorations on the wall full of princesses and castles, old school photo frames with winter family photos and a huge net hanging behind her bed, everything a little girl could want, except maybe a pony (her plush rocking horse will have to suffice). She also has a new bookcase and 3 drawers of toy bins, the question is will we ever be able to get her out of there in the mornings?

She loved seeing her new room and has already declared the dollhouse home for many of her animals and dolls. But don't try to sleep in her bed, it hasn't taken her long to be territorial about it, "Don't sleep in MY bed!".

Merry Christmas to All!

First and foremost, thanks to everyone who thought of us and especially Isabelle over the holidays. You were all so generous with your cards and letters and gave her far too many reasons to be happy about the season. The gifts were over the top as always and we all appreciate them beyond belief. Merry Christmas to everyone, I hope your day was fabulous and spent with family and friends with lots of gifts to celebrate this time of year. Isabelle actually slept in a bit, thankfully for her parents who desperately needed 40 winks and then some. She quickly remembered that perhaps Santa had come last night and zipped over to the stairs to see what he might have left behind! To say she was excited that it was Christmas would be a severe understatement.

Santa and everyone else were extremely nice to her. Santa brought her an enclosed trampoline, a rocking horse, a plasma car and a stocking full of goodies. This was just the tip of the iceberg however as the Mount Isabelle of presents seemed to rival Everest! For someone who didn't quite know exactly what the events of Christmas were going to be, it will be hard to talk her into accepting that this happens only once a year. The whole gift exchange was capped off by the introduction of her newly-designed room, complete with a huge dollhouse from Gran and Grandpa and a big comfy girl bed.

We had a great Christmas and Isabelle was ecstatic, running in and out of her trampoline all day, hopping on her horse all the time. She even shuffled around on her new skis and crashed the plasma car a couple of times as well. Christmas has always been a special time for us and full of love and laughter, but to see it through the eyes of our little one was like experiencing it for the first time all over again. Seeing her jump up and down with excitement at a gift just warms your heart and makes your eyes well up with tears. Exactly the reaction you are hoping for when you pick the gift out.

Her parents were also spoiled by all of you and by each other as well. Mommy's highlights included her Burberry Scarf and Michael Kors wellies as pictured below, while Dad is beyond excited about his new circa 1915 vintage Habs jersey, perfect for zipping along the canal this winter!

Most of all, days like these just remind us of what we know each and every day but don't say or appreciate enough, how much we are loved and how much we love our little girl and all our family and friends. Merry Christmas, everyone.

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

...and all through the house, many creatures were stirring frantically in attempts to be ready for tomorrow morning! Tools and wrapping paper are strewn about in hopes that Saint Nick or anyone will arrive to lend a hand. Actually it's not that bad but we do anticipate a late night, maybe late enough that Santa will share his cookies with us!

We had a very fun Christmas Eve, highlighted by the kid's party at Justice this morning. Isabelle had a blast, especially once she warmed up to the crowd and receive her gift from Santa.........something she has seen in action many times in her life, a cash register! She trucked off to the corner with it and sat there happily scanning groceries and swiping the credit cards. Needless to say, Santa hit the nail on the head with that one and Alyson's colleagues had a good laugh!

We then finished up some real shopping and headed to church for the children's services, expecting to just be spectators to all the little ones in the Christmas story. But hark, the casting call went out as they were in need of more angels, so Isabelle stepped into the breach and donned a halo and wings to complete the look. She zipped around the church waving her star and settled down in her Mom's arms to listen to the story. Again, she had a great time and next year may look to step up to a sheep or wise man role!

Home we headed for the night we had all been waiting for, Christmas Eve! It started with an energetic Halifax videoconference in anticipation of what (and who) was to come tonight. Still lots on our plate but also got Santa's plate nice and full too. After some naked post-bath prancing from Isabelle, the traditional PJs of the 24th were doled out and donned and a final quick check of Santa's sleigh via Norad....finally it was time for our little ball of energy to settle into bed.

And then time for her parent's night to start, would it ever end? It did, at 2:45 the next morning when we finally turned in.

Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

One of the key and final pieces of the decorating puzzle has arrived in our front window, we trumpet the arrival of our first family Christmas tree! In previous years, we had trees but not the full-fledged version that has graced our home this year! It truly completes the yuletide look. After a quick perusal of the Ikea selection of Charlie Brown trees, we high-tailed to a real tree lot, found the one that we were looking for and brought it home to grace our family room. Isabelle has enjoyed having a newfound plaything, especially now that she has decorated it with lights and ornaments, not to mention how she can freely move them all from branch to branch at her heart's desire. She even has a set of five Disney princess ornaments to call her own. Only one thing left to do, get some presents under that thing!

Exit, Stage Right!

Isabelle's daycare had a Christmas concert this past Thursday featuring vocal performance from all 3 groups, the seniors, the juniors (feat. Isabelle and Logan), and the toddlers. Isabelle and her classmates were the cutest little reindeer that anyone could ever imagine. Mild-mannered as they marched in to perform, things turned quickly once they realized that the songs they had been practicing for weeks would now have to be sung in front of a big group of people! Once parents were spotted in the crowd, the tide had officially turned and Isabelle and Logan were no exception. They both escaped to the safety of their Moms and were much happier to sing along while snug and cozy in their arms. In fact, Isabelle is still singing the songs days after the concert ended. Our little Sarah Bernhardt can certainly act on cue, as evidenced by her "happy face" you have seen in many pictures on these pages, but maybe she's not ready for the bright lights of Broadway just yet. Give her a week or two.

Curtains Up!



Cutest. Rudolph. Ever.



Backstage buds

See You Soon, Grandpa!

After a few days in Cornwall, Isabelle's Grandpa is back in town tonight and heading back to the east coast tomorrow afternoon. Isabelle was very excited to see him tonight and forgot about Mom and Dad as soon as he walked through the door. She was so happy to just sit and read stories with her Grandpa all night long, along with several requests to accompany him back to Halifax. We will all miss having him here and much fun he adds to the nightly discussions. We hope for more contract work here in Ottawa so we can see him again soon. Safe travels, Grandpa!

Go Habs Go!

Given her affinity for all things Montreal (Biodome, Schwartz's, Farfalu, the shopping!), maybe it's not a surprise to see Isabelle fall for the city's favourite sons as well, Les Canadiens! Rest assured that her dad's input has done nothing to quell this newfound affection either. Last time in Montreal, Isabelle was in the car and knew Daddy was in the Habs store, so she prodded Mom into calling and asking Dad to pick her up something "Go Habs". Dad readily obliged and Isabelle was the proud owner of a new t-shirt, emblazoned with the CH on the front and Carey Price's name and number on the back. Since then, every time she sees the logo, she says "Go 'abs", dropping the H like any french canadian should! Grandpapa will especially be glad to hear of the newest fan of the bleu blanc et rouge!

Potty Girl

Mom and Dad are hoping this is the start of something wonderful. Unbeknownst to us until last night, Isabelle was apparently inspired by Meg and Olan's Xmas card and for now has decided to take on the potty full force. You see, the card pictures Olan sitting on his potty and holding the reins of one of Santa's reindeer. Isabelle was determined to get the same potty and so we picked one up today. After many false alarms over the course of an hour, she started to pick things up and by the end of the day she had gone 4 times! She is very happy to be pleasing us so much and has even developed a potty dance that has to be seen to be believed.

Tomorrow: Pull-Ups. Next Stop: World Domination!

Party Girl

Isabelle was already lucky enough to have her Grandpa in town, plus today it was the Canada Post children's Christmas party, a wicked annual event where Daddy's work pulls out all the stops to entertain the little ones. Once again, it did not disappoint as Isabelle zipped down a big inflatable slide, bounced through an obstacle course and saw some huge reptiles like a giant snake (sorry Gran) and held a tarantula for the 2nd time in her young life. We then headed to the refreshment area where to say that Isabelle enjoyed cookie decorating would be a major understatement. Sugar and icing are clearly favourites of this little princess and she can be quite proprietary about them! Last stop was to see the big guy and although she talks about Santa around the house, let's just say she isn't super excited to see him up close. She was trucking along just fine until it was her turn and aside from giving him a high five, she didn't quite warm up to him. She did, however, warm up to the candy cane she received, not allowing it to leave her hands and mouth the whole trip to the car!

Ready to come to the party, Grandpa?



Touching the tarantula



Maybe just a few more sprinkles



Cookie connoisseur



Hey, that's mine!



Help me!



Festive family