You know it is winter in Saskatchewan when . . .

• your face is numb in the morning when you wake up


• you actually consider wearing a toque to bed


• you need to plug in your car (mental note - never live in a place where having a block heater in your car is a necessity)


• the ice is so thick on your dining room windows that you can't actually see the outdoor thermometer (which is actually a blessing because do you really want to see what it says?)

So it is officially winter here on the prairies. Don't even think you know what I am talking about unless you have experienced all four of the above examples. It would be funny if it wasn't exactly what Brookie and I are living right now. I wish I was exaggerating. It was -45 on Sunday and -40 yeterday. I haven't even looked at the weather report for today because really all I need to know is that it is still bone-chillingly cold. Yes, a dry cold but what does that even matter when it is -40?

And the hits just keep on coming because last night, the power went off a little after six and didn't come back on until almost 11. That is when I became terrifyingly aware of how cold it is outside. It was dark, cold and eerily quiet. Now, if I were not a mom, I would have panicked pretty much right away. I have no survival skills. I jump out of my skin at weird noises. The thought of scary things hiding in our basement causes me to turn on every light before braving the laundry room. I am 36 and I am a chicken. But when you are a mom and your five year old is scared of the dark, you need to pull yourself together. So that is what I did.

We lit lots of candles and chatted about what a fun adventure this was going to be. We ate our dinner by candlelight, dressed in our warmest clothes and then we had an impromptu lesson about shapes, including octagons, hexagons and parallelograms. We practiced reading. We took some pictures. Then we began to get a bit chilly so we decided to get ready for bed.

While I was brushing Brookie's teeth, she mentioned that she hoped the power came on soon so we could watch "Elf". In a moment of weakness, I said that I hoped the power would come back on soon so that we didn't "freeze to death." Yes, these were my exact words. Ooops.

I managed to make up for my accidental honesty by snuggling up in my bed with Brookie and every blanket we could find. We read stories and then when my hands got too cold to hold the books, we told each other stories. Finally, Brookie drifted off to sleep after I promised to stay awake until the power came on again. So I was left in the dark to think and ponder while Brookie softly slept beside me. I came to the realisation that power failures are fun adventures. I loved every cold, dark minute I had with Brook, talking, laughing, snuggling, telling stories. I think it was an early Christmas present just for me. I could almost hear God saying, "Here. Enjoy."

~Mandy

Formal Day at Caronport Elementary School

Brooklyn was so excited to get dressed up for the day at school. She chose her new fancy dress which we bought for Christmas this year and went to school feeling very pretty.

There is something to be said for getting all dressed up and feeling pretty. I could really use a "pretty day". Thankfully Rosie and Brookie are here to remind me that everyday can be a "pretty day" with the right dress and the right attitude.

~Mandy

Highland Dancing Recital

Highland dancing came to an end in November and to celebrate all the progress the girls had made, they put on a little recital. All the girls got to dress up in kilts for the first time and show their stuff to a living room full of proud parents.

Brooklyn and Roslyn before the recital

Some of the wee lasses posing before the show started

A little group warm up

Showing off some tricky arm movements

We watched the girls try their best to follow along with the bagpipe music, turning, kicking, jumping incessantly and sidestepping. All we can say is that we are so proud of them and that highland dancing is really difficult. Let's just say that for most, it is a work in progress - something to keep working on through the cold Saskatchewan winter.

When the show was finished, each girl received a special present from their teacher and we all enjoyed cupcakes and punch. Just another little community moment here on the prairies that makes me almost glad to be here :-)

~Mandy

Caronport Ballet Class

This fall Brookie and Rosie have been taking ballet lessons with Miss Lacey. They absolutely love it. And really, what is there not to love? They get to dress in their ballet skirts, twirl, and giggle together with their ballet classmates. It is a joy to watch them turn out their toes for first position and attempt plies, ballet skips and their reverence.

This is the class

Here they are warming up

Rosie from the back - I just love this picture. She looks so grown up!

These are the days of ballet and pink, spinny skirts and dancing whenever there is music playing. These are good days.

~Mandy

Princess Rosie

A princess's work is never done. For Rosie this work involves practicing printing her name

"We are not amused."

~Mandy