Slowly...

Slowly time moves forward to the end of the year. This week between Christmas and New Year's always seems a bit odd. Christmas is done, but the new year, the next big celebration is a week away. I'm the type of person who can't wait to get on with it. The new planner. The new calendar. New resolutions. A new year full of opportunity. And so for a week, I wait.

Slowly we work our way through all of the newly acquired gifts. Today we tested out the new toboggan the girls received from their grandparents. A great gift. It was -8, so we donned all of our winter gear, coats, snowpants, toques, mitts, boots, and headed out to the small hill by the soccer field. When you're 2 and 5, it's a huge hill. And so our girl's bounded down it with glee. Every time Chloe reached the bottom, she'd simply say, "do it again!" And we did. Over and over again. It was a great afternoon for exercise and fresh air. The girls also received a puppet theatre for Christmas, so tomorrow, we'll likely set it up and watch a performance or two.

Christmas morning we were able to sleep in, which is rare in our house. I was actually the first one up. Rebekah finally came in about 8:30. We opened stockings and gifts. The girls are at the age that every present is a great one. They just love opening them to see what is inside & can hardly contain themselves. One of Rebekah's favourite was the Littlest Pet Shop that she's been wanting for a very long time. Chloe received a stringing bead set that she loves. After opening gifts, we had brunch and then got ready to head to my parents for the day. We were able to spend Christmas with my family. Bek's and Chloe loved playing with their cousin Ariel, who is 3. Of course, we had the standard turkey dinner.

Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be as nice as today, so we're planning on taking the girls tobogganing again tomorrow. We may also take them skating again. For New Year's Eve, we're planning on taking the girls to the Science Center in Regina. They're having a big New Year's party for families with cotton candy demos & treats, special exhibits & science shows, jugglers etc. Bek's & Chloe love the Science Centre. Bek's in particular loves anything scientific, which I try to encourage, since I teach Chemistry. She received a Volcano making kit from Santa that we'll probably put together this week as well.

Slowly, we begin to look back on the year, and all we have to be thankful for. Thank-you to our friends and family who gave Christmas gifts to our family. They are much appreciated. Also, thank-you to those of you who bought World Vision gifts as a gift to us. We love to hear about what has been bought, and we love telling our kids how others are being helped because of your generosity. For those of you who sent money to pool to donate to charity, this year we're going to spend it to buy socks, mitts & underwear to donate to the families at the Multicultural Center in Moose Jaw. Some of you may not know that MJ is one of the locations across Canada where new immigrants are sent to begin to learn English & job skills, and begin their integration into Canadian society. Some are refugees fleeing terrible situations. They survive on very little, and often do not have many things you and I consider necessities. Consequently, to buy these things can cause financial difficulty. One of the things they often need are socks, mitts & underwear. So we will join our money with yours, and buy as many as we can! Thank you for your kindness.