Sliding into the new year

Ok, so we don't have as much snow as Grandma McCormick out in British Columbia, but Izzie and I both think we've been pretty lucky in 2008. We are leaping into 2009 with warm snow hats, pink boots and green slides. What else can you want?
And the best thing about the slides is yelling, "Faster Papa, Faster!" He will keep running and running, dragging our slide along the few patches of snow that he can find. I'm quite sure that he's been on the verge of a heart attack a few times, but he soldiers on each time we start yelling. Now we just have to find out how to get him to take us to Whistler. Apparently the kiddie hills are pretty sweet there. If we start training really hard now, perhaps we can be ready for the 2010 Olympics.

Christmas in Bouctouche

And by Christmas in Bouctouche, I guess the purists would have me point out that it is really Boxing Day in Bouctouche. For the purposes of Izzie and I, it might as well be an extended version of Dec. 25. We get to wake up maman and papa really early and drag them to the Christmas tree where more presents have suddenly appeared. It means one more day to eat endless amounts of chocolate, one more day to dress up in pretty dresses and, of course, another day to unwrap presents. We love presents but then again have you met any three-year-olds and their two-year-old sisters who shun the opportunity for new toys? I didn't think so. Christmas also brings a chance to play outside when it isn't too cold and watch parrain's chat swat Belle on the nose. Best of all, it's a day to cuddle on the couch and what the world junior hockey tournament with papa.

I want that one over there!

Picking the proper present to unwrap is a very serious endeavour because it can lead to a greatly enhanced Christmas day experience. When you have an older sister, who at times likes to muscle in on your gifts, you have to be efficient in both unwrapping and choosing your next target. Much like papa, Elle thinks that bigger is better, so you know she'll always go for the biggest box under the tree. How juvenile is that? I'm far more precise in my selections. For instance, it's good to sit on grandmaman because she knows what every gift is and she will start to wiggle when you choose a good one. And, it's good to pull grandpapa in as well because he will always push the best gifts over. So while my sister may beat me in sheer tonnage of wrapping paper next to her, I like to think I end up with the best toys.

Pense, pense, pense

Ok, papa. Now think. Where are more presents? Can we wrap our gifts up again so we can tear all the paper off them? Izzie would really like the opportunity to hone her skills. You always say that practice makes perfect, so why should this be any different. Seriously, Christmas morning is not the day to become inconsistent on the rules. And let's face it, Izzie has had one less Christmas and one less birthday party than I, so she needs more opportunities to practice.
And if you don't like that idea, I say we pack up all our things and get to grandmaman's house toute de suite, because there is a good chance there might be something there for us to aid Izzie in her personal growth. I'm just thinking of Izzie and her development as a little girl.

When the joy has gone

What do you mean I have to put the chocolate chip cookie down when I unwrap the presents? What kind of arbitrary rule is that? For all the grinchiness that not even the Grinch would possess, papa put his foot down on this imaginary rule. In the Grinch's defence at least it was discovered eventually that his heart was two sizes two small. Papa has no such excuse. It is clear that such strong-headed authoritarianism can only be attributed to a brain that is 10 sizes too small. I bet if I start crying and run into maman's arms, she'll relent and let me have that cookie. It's worth a shot.

Fun in pretty dresses

Much can be said about the splendor of arriving at a relative's house with nicely pressed dresses that are as beautiful as the day they came home. More can be said about the happiness that these pretty dresses bring to many of our aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. And especially to grandmaman who found these magnificant robes. But what is truly priceless is the expression on papa's face when he sees us wrestling for more presents under the Christmas tree in those aforementioned pretty dresses before we even leave the house. (And if you really want to see him go apocolyptic, just reach for that extra big chipful of seafood dressing without a napkin!)

Merry Christmas

Despite papa's recently depleted personal wealth, he has generously offered to update the blog in the spirit of altruistic giving. Isn't he wonderful? Our Christmas has been divided into two days, one in Fredericton and the other in Bouctouche. Both have been joyous occasions that have brought together friends, family, good cheer and -- more importantly in the eyes of a two year old -- loads and loads of presents. There have been ponies big and small, books and even some fancy clothes. What I've liked best of all, however, is the ceaseless unwrapping of gifts.