Snow Job

Despite what you might think, Montréal is not a winter wonderland every single day from Halloween to Easter. No sir, we get long drought periods where we don't even notice the snow crust coating anymore. Sidewalks get slushy and the streets are muddy. It ain't pretty.

But then we'll get another round of snow and winter gets fun again. We had one of those this morning so we took advantage of the fresh stuff to make a snowman! Finally.


In our oh-so-urban back alley. Tons of snow, no cars. Perfect.

Learning the fine art of bonhomme de neige sculpture.


My Mom gave us this snowman kit at Christmas. Comes with all you see here except the snow and arms. Totally adorable.


Considering a new career in snow person design.



Work is heating up for me these days as we creep ever closer to our first shoot day in April. If you follow me on Twitter/Facebook you already heard all about my brush with celebrity last week via Nia Vardalos of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame. It was nice to have some actual contact and know that she at least read the script before turning it down! I bought the DVD of her movie I Hate Valentine's Day but since I'm a vengeful crankpot, I TOOK IT BACK today. For a full refund. Sorry Nia. But you would have been perfect in that role! (*sob*)

Moving on: we have been GLUED to the TV watching the Olympics all week. I'm so proud of my hometown for being such a great host city! Am hoping that the zipline will still be up over Robson Square next time we're out.

I think about blogging often but alas, falling asleep while watching ice dancing is clearly higher on my priority list at the moment. (On a related note, ice DANCING? What's the POINT if there's no jumps?)

Also it's pre-Oscar season and I traditionally aim to see at least at the films in the Best Picture category. Thank you so much Academy for opening it up to 10 nominees now instead of just 5! I still have to see Blind Side, Precious and A Serious Man. I also really want to see Crazy Heart but only if I have some leftover time (ha ha).

That's us for now! Birthday party for our pal Luanna (I can't believe she's 4) tomorrow. The theme: Princess. I have seen our future. And it's pink.

We Heart La Fête des neiges

Hello hello hello! Sorry for being away for so long. No good reason, just some good old fashioned winter laziness. For all you West Coast readers, winter is that time of year when SNOW falls and it gets colder than zero degrees celcius. That happens to most of us outside the lower mainland. If you happen to live in Montréal, winter means lots o' snow and wind, occasional ice rain and perpetual slush. Plus we've been having a bit of a cold snap over the last few weeks (minus twenties-ish) which mainly encourages me to a) overeat and b) fall asleep in front of the TV. Heck, I'm snacking as I type this and the only reason I'm not snoring is sheer determination. And some guilt.

ANYWAY, we shook off the winter sluggies and did an OUTDOOR ACTIVITY yesterday. Wahoo! We took Liliane to the annual Fête des neiges festival/carnival/reason to drink hot chocolate. Had a great, great time. Super easy to get there by metro, not crazy cold, got to see Dora and Diego and WE WORE THE CHILD OUT. This, my friends, is a Herculean task and La Fête des neiges was up to the challenge.

Example of crappy photo karma #1.



I know this is a really cute photo op, but I JUST DON'T WANT TO.


The show started right after we got there (luckily) so that was pretty exciting. Liliane kept exclaiming Dora! Dora! Dora! while all of the other kids just kind of STARED at us.


I'm not even kidding. Dead silence except for my kid.


A five minute routine on how Dora and Diego should be wearing winter clothes. DUH.




Once that was over, we checked out these snowmen. They are made of fibreglass and all come apart so you can build your own! I was trying to get crankypants to, you know, crack a smile or something by putting the carrot nose in the arm hole and the arms in the nose hole.

Didn't work.

Went for a spin around the baby racetrack.

Or baby Sunday Driver route. Whatever.



Yay! We had fun torturing our kid by playing outside in the snow!


I actually think she was just a little chilly because she totally perked up on the way back. Then she had a three hour nap so it was ALL GOOD.

Lots of other photos to post but look at the time! I have so much more eating to do before going to bed. Ha ha. Just kidding. No, really. I would KILL for a cupcake. Or at least seriously flick someone's nose. OK, end rambling. Back soon.

Varia

I should actually keep posting some of the approximately twelve billion Christmas photos I have, but instead, let's talk about the Olympics, shall we?

First of all, I have to say that I love this year already. I love how that combination of numbers, 2-0-1-0 looks. I like writing the date, it feels ever so much more SIGNIFICANT than 2009. Is that weird?

ANYWAY, my adorable parents-in-law went to see the Olympic flame LIVE as it passed through their city (Laval, suburb of Montréal) about a month ago and not only took some great photos, but generously consented to my co-opting them for blog-content purposes. Ahem.

Previously mentioned adorable father-in-law:

Previously mentioned adorable mother-in-law:


Some of the crowd:


And the flame itself!

I can't remember who the bearer is actually... Feel free to leave me a comment if you know!

While we were in Vancouver we supported the Games by generously buying 2010 Olympics tchotchkes. I know, selfless. We also drove down to Stanley Park to see the rings.



It was pouring rain that day which gives us extra Olympic points I think:






You may notice the absence of the shortest member of our family. She had been whisked away by the Baby Guru and her family the night before for a sleepover. That's right. She SLEPT OVER. And slept well from what I hear! Do you think she even LOOKED for us? Man, she couldn't get out the door fast enough. I'm not even kidding.


It was awesome.

Anyway, my Dad actually WORKS for the Olympics (he has a really cool and really long title) but his team is in charge of the ceremonies and he himself is the broadcast liaison. He had all kinds of stuff going on while we were visiting, but couldn't reveal anything lest we be detained by secret, memory-erasing Olympic ninjas when we tried to leave for Québec.

Ha ha. But seriously, there will be some REALLY COOL STUFF happening on TV people! That's all we're allowed to know.

Otherwise, we're getting back into the routine. Liliane has been sleeping like a champ this week, no more waking up confused or falling out of her crib/bed. OK she was up at 5:45 this morning, but that's it. Her newfound habit of singing along to her lullaby CD as she falls asleep kinda makes up for it.

She is talking more and more, her latest phrases are: Arrête Maman/Papa/Slipper, whatever is annoying her. Also, C'est pas drôle! (typical scolding heard at daycare) je veux (I want) crême glacé (ice cream), couverture (blanket) and je ne veux pas de mitaines (no mittens) and especially je ne veux pas dodo (I don't want to sleep!). Her English vocabulary has expanded since we were in B.C. Now in addition to apple and cheese she says water, boots, scarf, sock and fwoon (spoon).

Voilà. Although I have had to stop watching the news and reading the articles (sends that dark, anxious, panicky part of my brain into a downward spiral), I am praying praying praying for the people of Haiti. Does it make you feel as grateful as I do to have such an easy life?

2010. I like it.

Please have snow and mistletoe...

So that was Christmas!


We're back, we had a great trip. So ready to welcome this new year.

In lieu of a proper post, here are some of my favourite images of the Christmas that was (2009 version):


My youngest niece with my grandmother.


Asher's first Christmas! This is pretty much how he looked the entire time we were there. Even when he felt crappy he looked this cute.



One of MANY photos of all the cousins in matching outfits. My sister hooked us up with these.

I love this one - can you tell which kid doesn't belong?
Took this at my grandparents'. So fun to watch my kid do the same thing that so many have done before her at that house.

Christmas morning in Southern B.C. In a word: GORGEOUS.





My little sister and I. Sigh. I miss her already.



Asher nuzzling my 90-year old grandfather.

Christmas morning, take 2. This time at my Mom's:


Liliane's all time favourite Christmas special - The Grinch. She watched it approximately 2894566 times. She cozied up to my Dad on Christmas Day for a couple of screenings.



With my grandfather.


Happy 2010 everybody!

Hoping to be back here soon to tell you all about our departure-delaying illness, two less-than-enjoyable plane rides, our family portrait adventures, the blog party and did I mention the FOOD?

Back to real life tomorrow. Anybody else dreading it as much as I?

The Post That Ate Christmas

Hello? *tap tap* Can you hear me?

My mother can't decide which photos to post of our awesome family brunch on Saturday so hope you have some time on your hands! Or good scrolling fingers!

Yep, thanks li'l dictator, they're used to my photo-heavy posts. Right?

Let me set the scene. Yesterday we hosted a brunch with Stéphane's family for a 3-in-1 event: a Stéphane's birthday/housewarming/Christmas celebration! His parents came as well of two of his sisters and their partners. Plus this guy, Liliane's cousin:



Let's start with the food.

Brown sugar bacon baked in the oven is my new lover. Stéphane understands, it's all good.



Me and my two sisters-in-law. Aren't they lovely? Have you ever seen a worse picture of me? (Don't answer that.)

Stéphane's Mom, Denise. She thinks she can't take a good picture. Ha!


Nathalie and her kiddo Jonathan. They got up REALLY EARLY and drove in from from Ottawa just for the occasion.


Stéphane's Dad Maurice and BIL Christian. Two more men with lifetime spots in Liliane's Top 5.

There were lots of hugs and kisses:




And presents! She was delighted by every single thing she received.






Nathalie, Christian and Jonathan brought her a kitchen that she was crazy about from the moment she laid eyes on it.




Some assembly was required so Stéphane got out the screwdriver and with the help of pretty much all of our guests, put it together:







While that was going on the rest of us kept busy with her other booty:







And eating.


Still putting it together...




Two hours later, success!


Yay!


And now for something different... more pictures! Since we'll be in Vancouver for Christmas, we did our prezzies this morning:



She is seriously excited by every single present.

See what I mean?




I wonder where she gets it?


And that my friends is the end of this post. I will only add that we are leaving for B.C. in 36 hours and although we started packing, the to do list just seems to get longer! Also Liliane had a mysterious midnight barf last night so not sure what's up there. She was fine today, no fever or anything but my sickie senses are tingling. Plus of course Stéphane and I are each fighting colds. but so far we're winning.

Can't wait to get back to the west coast and eat my Mom’s lemon shortbread see all the family!

Hope your Christmas prep is going well. Say it with me: SIMPLE IS GOOD.

Back soon! Merry Christmas!