We have been doing a lot of nothing around here this holiday season. This is the first year that Hubby really didn’t have to work between Christmas and New Years. He did go in for a couple of hours one day, but that was it. I on the other hand have been filling in for my Dad and Sister with our elderly friends, so every day around noon I head over and make sure all is well at their house. They have been doing quite well and have enjoyed the company. Today, I even brought the whole family which always lights them up when they see the kids playing in their backyard and running around their kitchen.
One thing that we have been doing is some tobogganing. Unless it was too cold we would bundle up the kids and head over to the park across the street and zip down some hills.
This one early evening I brought my camera along. It was late afternoon so I was able to catch some of that wonderful blue light that sets in when the sun goes down. It was lightly snowing and not too cold. I was no good on the hills with my bum ankle anyway, so why not grab some fun shots.
Even the big boys had a little fun rolling down the hill.
I can’t believe I am going to say this but, I am really not looking forward to school starting on Monday. It means back to work and back to the grind. I have really enjoyed having the family around this past couple of weeks. Which is a huge accomplishment because normally if the whole family is home, I go a little wonky and wonder why we aren’t away somewhere on vacation instead of home. But, not this time, it has been a wonderful break in the school year and I am already looking forward to March Break when we can do it all again… without the toboggans… hopefully.
In Santa that is. No, I don’t believe that a man comes through my non-existent chimney and leaves gifts for the children. But, I do believe in the Spirit of Santa. To me, Santa goes hand in hand with the true meaning of Christmas. The reason for the Season. The Birthday.
Jesus is the reason we are celebrating this holiday and we make sure that the children know this. But, yes there is another reason for this holiday. The Spirit of giving. Saying thank you to others and doing things for others because we can and want to. I actually wrote about this two years ago, when my nephew was first told that there was no Santa. It breaks my heart that other children don’t get the chance to believe. There is something special about not really knowing but knowing. Even though I grew up knowing there was no Santa, my older Sister and I always thought my parents were wrong and secretly believed. I remember how special that was to us, wondering if Santa was out there on the rooftops making deliveries.
How could you not believe in this guy, look at that smile. He and J were having a great chat while I was taking some shots. Apple really wanted nothing to do with it, but J spoke for her.
This year, for the first time I decided not to buy the shots from the photo lab at the mall, but just bring my own camera. I have brought it before, but always bought a package anyway. Well, not this year. I would have never got these great shots without the few minutes we had by ourselves.
Thank you Santa, you truly are an inspiration.
Despite being super busy around here, we did manage to get out to the Santa Clause Parade on November 15th. We haven’t missed one in a few years. Whether or not we get to the one in Barrhaven or not is a different story. Sometimes we go to Kanata, sometimes elsewhere, the point is we try to go.
When J was two the Barrhaven parade was small and during the day and lacking in some oomph. The next year they moved it to an evening and to the main street (Strandherd) and it immediately drew more attendees. Each year is seems to be getting bigger and bigger. This year saw a record crowd of 20,000. Not bad at all. Thankfully it was a warm evening because with that record crowd came the most floats we have ever seen. We even managed to get the teenager out to the event (don’t mind the beard, it’s Novembeard at school so the guys aren’t shaving… he doesn’t like it but we are supporting his school spirit). J was right up at the gate and Apple was eager to be beside him once she realized that they were handing out candy.
Well done Barrhaven BIA, looking forward to next year already!!
A couple of months ago when tickets for Star Wars in Concert were released, Hubby and I were disappointed we were going to be in California and might miss out on getting tickets. Then Hubby got an email at work that indicated we could get less expensive tickets at a group rate. We were right in there with four tickets for the family. Apple didn’t come as it would have been too late for her, but J and A made it out and we had a wonderful time.
The music was so well done (the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) you almost forgot they were playing live. They kept up with the displays on the screen (clips from the movies) and the laser shows. J was conducting along with the Maestro and A was amazed at the sound. All in all a wonderful family event, oh yes, and as an added bonus we were moved down from the 300 level to the 100 level, such a treat. The only thing that would have made me happier is if I could have brought in my good camera. A couple of people snuck in their SLR’s but I was told not to bring it by security when I called so I just had my little pocket cam.
