Dec 27: A Day at the Mall

As Geneva would say, there's no such thing as a quick stop at the mall anymore. We took the kids to the mall for a six-hour adventure. First off was a stop at Build-A-Bear for Sydney (from Santa).

Sydney officially adopted "Ballet tutu Bluey" akak "Bluey". We thought that Sydney would pick the stuffed elephant for sure because on her "Barney goes to the zoo" dvd, that's her favourite animal. We got to BaB, and I told her she could have any ONE animal. First it was Hello Kitty (there was a girl that went immediately to pick it up, so naturally Sydney thought that it was cool)- then it was a turtle (mommy's fav) - then it was an elephant (yes!) - then it was a black dog. We were ready to go to the stuffing machine and I asked her one last time, if she was sure. And then she saw the blue bear... and she dropped everything and took it. Geneva was not a fan and tried to get her to change her mind... but it didn't happen. In addition, Geneva and Sydney picked out the Ballet Tutu dress for the bear... which Sydney loves. Sydney got to pick a heart for her bear and put it in, she stepped on the stuffing pedal too, and she gave her Bluey a bath. Best bear experience ever!

We went shopping with the kids, hitting groceries at T&T (Island farm chocolate milk is so good, it's like drinking chocolate ice cream), did some boxing day shopping (i.e. shopping for the kids). Sydney and I rode the choo-choo-train in the mall when Geve fed Logan. The whole time we were on the train, Sydney would remind me to to tell "mommy. mommy... i go on choo-choo train." Seriously, she said it about 10 times.

So much fun! Any day I get to spend with these three is the happiest day of my life.

Sydney Crusin'

Still her favourite outdoor toy (well that and the lawnmower.. which isn't very useful right now). i love thse pictures from Geneva... it totally looks like Sydney is actually driving on a street. You also have her pre-freak-out face where she goes "ooo-ooo-ooo-oooooooo" because the diva temper flares out. She's hilarious.

Dec 24/ 25 - Christmas in North Vancouver

Christmas at "home" this year in North Vancouver. Some of the pluses and minuses

Plus - Getting to set up and enjoy the tree at home. Awesome. We always miss out on that when we travel home, as we never get to enjoy it.
Minus - Gas and electricity bill in this house is ridiculous!
Plus - Hanging our Santa stockings
Minus - Insane-o blizzard like weather coupled with no visitors = no shopping time for gifts (unless you count the reno as one big gift... which we do)
Plus - Sydney going pee on the potty for the first time on XMas eve. We was walking around without a diaper and I panicked when I saw her onesie was wet. i asked her where she went pee, and she said "daddy, in the potty." I was like "serious?", and she said "serious!" and walked me over to the potty. So great!
Minus - No potty action since then.
Plus - Waking up at home with my two kids (and my wife) making this my favourite Christmas ever.
Minus - Waking up to realize that the blackout from 11 p.m. the night before has not been fixed, and the house is freezing as there is no electricity.
Plus - Getting to webcam with BaNoi/ Ong Noi/ Christina/ Tyler/Miki/ Ong Ba Co/ Josh; Ian and Kath and Caden; Uncle Lam/ Jade/ Uncle Huy/ Auntie Ha/ Vince... and everyone else in the family. So great to be able to see everyone.
Plus - Cuddling in bed as a family, and watching Sydney putting Logan to sleep in the morning in bed using a soother.
Plus - Some special gifts from Santa. Daddy got the elusive sam gagner figure; Logan got a Roberto Luongo figure signed that says "Happy 1st Christmas" and mom got a matching Luongo jersey that says "Happy Christmas", and Sydney got a certificate to Build-A-Bear... more to follow on that.
Minus - OMG... shovelling about 5 feet of snow in 2 days. I told Geneva that we're moving to California at some point in the future.
Plus - Watching Sydney enjoy the snow with mommy

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone.