This weekend we officially launched the "it's totally appropriate to really talk about Christmas". Yes, Christmas is definitely a favorite time of year, and I like to savor. But I like to save it until just the right time so it feels extra special. Have to admit having a tree in our house for photography on Oct 31st has been a big weird factor for me. I am not sure how the kids will actually know it's Christmas since there are already some staged presents under the tree. Although I am sure the excitement will be palpable in this house.
Anyway, and starting Christmasy things, we decided to go on some of our first Twelve Dates of Christmas too! We wandered over to our favorite Nursery to admire the big display of lit Christmas trees and ornaments so fancy you can't imagine. And flowers, wreaths and all sorts of baskets. The Sheridan Nurseries are always so beautiful. We've look forward to going at any time of year, but especially Christmas.
We needed to get some things of our own but decided we could do it all as a family and enjoy just wandering while Gabriel tried to cuddle into the mechanically moving stuffed Reindeer and various other animals. Simple, right? Nothing intense. Just time together. We had some cider and picked out our Christmas goodies while Magdalene slept the entire time in the stroller. Then we pulled the wagon home with our loads.
And then later that evening, we piled the kids in the car and drove to Celebration Square to see the Mississauga tree lighting. They had all sorts of things going on--ride on train, visit with Santa, carriage rides, ice-skating, food trucks, free concerts. But for us we just went to listen to some music and let Gabriel run around and see the tree once it was lit. He ran around and around and around and loved dancing to the music in particular. This boy still has a great love of music! It was a little bit crazy--Jordan and I sure got our exercise both running and carrying Gabriel and Magdalene at various times. It sort of looked a little like this:
We had to hide out of the rain for awhile until the tree got lit and bought some snacks to keep Gabriel in one place for more than five seconds. With the rain, I can only imagine what it would have looked like had it been snowing. But despite the rain, there were so many many people there, which was exciting to see. It was a little late for our littles, but we decided we'd bend bedtime to do some fun things this Christmas so long as it's not too often.
Zamboneeeeee!! It's been years since I've seen one!
We stood and listened to the former Mayor, Hazel McCallion, who was mayor of Mississauga since 1978 until just recently when she retired at the age of 93! Apparently, quite the woman, as you can imagine!
And this was Gabriel's favorite part, the countdown to the tree lighting. Five... Four... Three... Two... One... Blast-off!!! He kept repeating over and over in the car on the way home.
Hope you had some great family time this week, celebrating Christmasy things and enjoying the place where you live!
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