Christmas 2011

Spent Christmas at the Malhotra Burt's house.  Finn bunked in with the girls (they were remarkably good).  Tabs had a rather rough night (ie. puke) after a rather rich chocolately filled Christmas day.  Enjoyed boxing day a the Suuronen's.  Drive back stopping at Nana and Poppa's for a few nights.

Christmas tree 2011

After last year's bitter cold tree cutting day we dressed extra warm and headed out to a new tree farm. We took a short hike through the woods ( Andrew and I hiked the kids suckered us into pulling them on the sled meant for the tree) and selected our perfect tree. Andrew did most of the chopping but Finn and even Tabs helped finish it off. Andrew valiantly carried the tree back to the car while I pulled the tearful Tabs in the sled. Warm apple cider and cookies helped to put her back on track and it was home to decorate the sucker.

Santa 2011

I was pretty sure that Tabs would not sit on Santa's lap this year. She pretty much won't make eye contact with anyone, let alone a strange man wearing a beard. But Finn has always loved the "jolly old elf" so when I saw that our local farmers market was hosting Santa I decided it was the perfect venue for a meet and great. Finn was very cute and shy upon first encountering him and Tabs only allowed this photo to be shot after coaxing with a donut and hot chocolate. After our encounter with Santa we headed to the library for some Christmas stories and carol singing, then off on a horse-drawn trolley ride around downtown Guelph. A very festive morning!

Real cello

I don't think I really got the suzuki method until I saw Finn's face when his teacher presented him with his real cello. He has been working towards this day since early October. The progression went from nothing, to pretend bow, to real bow, to foam cello, to real cello. He had to do over 1000 bow holds to get this cello. He was so excited he was beside himself with joy. He still is! He is actually asking to practice. He loves his real cello. He can't wait to get a real bow to use on it. Right now he has is only plucking his songs but soon......only 1000 more bow holds perhaps?