Mimi and CJ bring an abundance of happiness and joy to us and to each other, every single day. Their little giggles and silly antics and loving ways carry us through tough times. They guide our way through the darkness. They anchor us. They are our world.
*practicing nose kisses.
Ian took some of the first week of January off so we made the most of it by visiting several fun local destinations including the Ecomuseum. We were lucky enough to see an up-close talk about birds of prey including a falcon, a barn owl and a great horned owl.
We visited Montreal’s new indoor amusement park, which the girls loved. Amelia’s favourite ride was the train, while Clara Jane loved the bumper cars best. We were there when it wasn’t too crowded so the girls could enjoy the rides without having to wait in line. Our passes were valid for four hours but we only stayed for about two hours, including a break for lunch. The girls had had enough.
We’ve been skating several times, and Ian and I even managed to go to a movie in the theatre for the first time in about four years. We have also been out to eat several times this holiday season — a treat for the girls since we rarely go to restaurants.
*Waffles with figs, strawberries and mascarpone.
*After skating at Mount Royal, a trip to Lester’s for smoked meat.
The other day Clara started saying what sounded like “ma” every time she wanted to indicate that something was hers — her bowl of soup, a toy, a book. At first I thought she was trying to say “mine” but then I asked her to say “mine” and she was able to do it. So, after thinking about it for a few minutes I realised she was actually saying “moi” just like her big sister does. Now she says it all the time when she wants to tell us something is hers, or for her.
Today when I was putting Clara down for her nap she kept saying “Bobo” and shrugging her shoulders as if to say “where is it?” I thought she was asking for Babu, since we had just spent the morning with him at the Ecomuseum. But then she pointed to her bookshelf and repeated “Bobo” and I knew she was asking for the book called Hug, in which the monkey is named Bobo. She knows how to say “book” but she doesn’t use it often because it is one of the only words she doesn’t pronounce clearly.
Not too long ago, Clara said her first first three-word sentence; “Mama, banana please” although it actually sounded like “mama, nana, peese.”
She loves her Uncle Dan.
Clara Jane learned to say a new word today — “Santa.” And it was the first time that she said a word and then repeated it over and over to practice it. Usually she just says it once, and then maybe again if you ask her to, or when she needs it.
Last week her new words were “onion” and “please.” And she has been pairing two words together for a while now, saying things like “Mama up” when I am going upstairs, or “Apple, please.” Her most used word, aside from “no,” is “Mimi.” She uses it to refer to her sister, but also sometimes to herself especially in videos or pictures. It’s so adorable to hear her calling for “Mimi” and then asking Amelia to do something through gestures.
I took Amelia to the Nutcracker for the Saturday matinee. When I called for tickets the guy to whom I spoke said they only recommend the show for kids five years and older. So I spent the weeks leading up to the show talking about it and listening to the music with Amelia to prepare her (and I brought a lot of snacks).
Amelia loved it. She asked questions throughout and was curious about the dancers and the story. She also enjoyed visiting the musicians before the show started. The last 15 minutes she was having a tough time sitting but luckily there was no one sitting in the seat in front of us so she could stand up and still see the stage. It was so much fun!
All dressed up and ready to go:
Not quite brave enough to risk sitting on Santa’s lap, the three girls were happy to to wave to him from a distance.
Eventually Amelia worked up the courage to sit on Santa’s lap. But she wouldn’t speak to him…maybe because he was asking her if she wanted Barbies or Dora toys for Christmas and she doesn’t know what either of those things are. CJ adamantly did not want to sit on Santa’s lap. She was much happier watching the fountain at the other end of the mall.
