Through the woods to the sea

Christmas

Travis - the Christmas Elf

Maia the Christmas Elf

Maia's longed for nativity set

Celebrating the Solstice

We took the little Jesus freak out for a comparative religious experience. Most of her days are spent acting out the nativity scene - over and over and over, so we thought we'd spend the evening with a bunch of pagans who were asking the sun to return.

The Christmas Tree

We drove to the hinterlands to find the perfect tree that we could cut down ourselves.

"Our tree is so beautiful! I wish everyone we know could come and see it." Said Maia.

Christmas is coming

Maia, Stella and I went to see Santa today. We had a wonderful visit and after singing songs, hearing stories and sitting on Santa's lap, I told Maia it was time to head home. Maia placed her hands on her hips and looked me straight in the eye while informing me in a rude voice that we weren't leaving until she was good and ready to leave.

Maia then noticed a very interested Santa watching our exchange. Her posture relaxed and she informed him in a very sweet voice "I'm normally really good!"

"Call me Rudolph"

Talking to Maia

Maia: Mummy I have a tummy ache, it feels like I am being stabbed in the stomach by a big monster.

Me: Ask the monster to stop.

Maia: MOTHER! - I am talking about a sensation in my stomach. I am using a figure of speech.

Later in the day.

Maia: I'm planning to have my last halloween candy after supper.

Me: I'm planning to say "no" to that plan. You've had sweets today already.

Maia: MOTHER you must be kidding!! I am very mature for my age. I can decide when sweets are appropriate in my balanced diet.

Advent Calendar

Maia is very lucky and has a creative and talented "Auntie Lynne" in her life. This is the advent calendar that Lynne whipped up for our little boat girl.

Snow Day

These will only strike you as pathetic if you were raised in a region that expects a snowfall to result in a fluffy white ground covering....

Maia

Vancouver Island Visit

Cousin Jade, Grandma and Maia

Dancing cousins

Maia and her new buddy - Pepper, Grandma's new kitten (cat #4!)

Jade, Heron and Maia with a local newt. Maia's dressed for a hike.

Four Generations: Grandma, Great Grand Nana, Maia and Mama

Maia and I spent the weekend on Vancouver and Hornby Island. Six ferries later we are home - tired but happy to have fit so many visits into 3 quick days.

Maia's new bike

Maia and I bike quite often and we thought it was time for her to graduate from the trailer to a bike she could pedal too. Ev wanted to check out our new arrangement and is thinking he might want an outboard engine mounted on his bike as well!

In a winter wonderland

We headed up Mt Cypress for the first snow of the season.

In a moment of parental neglect...

Maia decorated herself.

At least at wasn't Stella's face...

A hike in the rain.

Meeting Stella, mourning Charlotte

Maia spends one day a week playing with her new "doll" named Stella.



We just finished reading "Charlotte's Web", I under- anticipated Maia's ability to manage the ending and we have gone into mourning. Charlotte is placed on the funeral web - a moment of silence will follow.
"Mum, I understand that Charlotte was just a famous character in a famous book but it makes me feel so sad. I loved her so much and Wilbur loved her so much and if my friend died that I loved the way Wilbur loved Charlotte - I don't think I could get up in the morning. My heart would just be so broken..."

Preparations for Halloween

Our days

Maia's first day of preschool

Dress-up with daddy