Play Dough Creation

The girls and I made play dough the other day together during their winter break. It is so fun to sit together and make all sorts of play dough works of art. This past Wednesday after dinner, we pulled out the soft, pink blobs and passed the time creating this hot air balloon scene. I helped a bit with the basket but the girls imagined the rest. I love how they worked together, not once arguing about composition. Rosie did the bear in the basket and layered quite a collection of clouds to the right. Brookie added a lunch basket under the main one, complete with lunch inside, a fantastic spidery sun and another cloud. We sat and admired it for a while, each of us quietly sailing in a bright blue sky, before squishing it in a big ball and packing it away until next time.

~Mandy

A sister . . .

is both your mirror and your opposite. ~Elizabeth Fishel

Our Little Birdies

One night when the wind was howling outside, the girls decided to build “nests” for themselves while they watched a movie. After a bit of a struggle and a few arguments about who gets what blanket/pillow, the job was done. Two little nests to snuggle into. Moments after completing them, the birds fell fast asleep and dreamed of spring . . .

~Mandy

And a Couple More

Of course there were many moments of reading and snuggling – two of our family’s favourite things. There is nothing better.

~Mandy

Christmas in January

We were thankful again to have Ama, Bops and Aunt Nessa brave the frigid prairie temperatures to spend some time with us this January. It was another wonderful visit. I cannot possibly include all the details but here are some highlights from their visit.

Brookie and Rosie strike a pose with new dolls and their new outfits.

There were more than a few games of “Guess Who” – the kids got a funky electronic version from cool Aunt Nessa. Rosie always picks a girl and always is the first to guess her opponent’s person. She is right 99% of the time.

More presents from Ama and Bops

Skating lessons were a huge highlight. The girls were eager to show off some of their new moves and of course Ama, Bops and Aunt Nessa were thrilled to be able to watch.

 

Perhaps one of the biggest highlights was watching Rosie perform in Caronport’s first Ceilidh. Here are a few action shots. What you won’t be able to see are pictures of all of us joining in with many others in learning folk, polka and line dances. We all had a fantastic time. 

While my family was here, my mom had the idea of trying to organise a mini photo shoot so we could get a more recent family picture. The last one we did included Brookie in utero. It was about time.

But whereas our last family picture included at least an hour with a professional photographer in her studio and many, many takes, this one was less planned. I just called my dear friend who takes fantastic pictures and asked if she could swing by after work. We hadn’t considered this event ahead of time so we scrambled to pull coordinating outfits together for everyone, brush, wash and primp in a matter of half an hour. Jen arrived to take the picture and we all ran out the front door, joking about which dead, brown bush we should use as the backdrop. After squishing together in the snow, Jen clicked away a few times and that was it. I was REALLY happy with the final result. Isn’t that a lovely family?

So all in all, it was a perfect prairie visit. I cannot say how thankful we are to have these times together. These memories will keep us going until next time. We love you guys!!!

~Mandy

Fashions by Rosie

Rosie came into the kitchen the other day wearing this creation, asking me for a drink. I had to stop what I was doing and focus on how fantastic she looked. She did this all by herself using an old blanket from her room and a hair band. Seriously. I was in awe. It was so popular that Brookie asked Rosie to help make one for her.

I haven’t been around a ton of four year olds but I am willing to bet it is rare to find a child this age so mindful of what she is wearing. And not only what she is wearing. Take for example the day of Rosie’s school Christmas program. As I was getting dressed to go, Rosie came in, looked me up and down and said, “Is that what you are wearing?” She proceeded to pick out a whole new outfit for me. She’s 4. Incredible. But I love that she is able to show her creative spirit through what she wears. Who knows, we may be sitting beside the cat walk years from now, applauding the latest fashion creations of Rosie Davidson. My guess is that no matter what the latest colour is, pink will play a large part in her collection. And there will be lots of high heels and spinny dresses and bathing suits. I can’t wait.

The Classic Christmas Pageant

 

Nothing says Christmas like a bunch of adorable kids dressing up in sheets and their dads’ old robes to act out the story of Jesus' birth. It is always a crowd pleaser. Well, on December 27th, the kids in our little church put on an impromptu performance for us, complete with costumes. It was the best. Brooklyn was Mary. She was so perfect as the young, confused, innocent girl. She did a great job. You can see from the pictures that the role of Joseph, Mary’s young and equally confused fiancé  was played by Talia, an older friend of Brookie’s. There was a lack of willing boy participants, as usual.

And what role did Rosie play, you may ask. None. That’s right. None. Nothing seemed to interest her once the role of Mary was taken. What about an angel? A shepherd? The inn keeper? A sheep? Nope. Rosie was the only child who didn’t participate in some way. And why? Because of the costumes. She was only willing to be Mary because in every picture or movie she has ever seen of this wonder-filled story, the only character not destined to wear brown, beige or white is Mary who is always dressed in a very pretty blue. So that is it. For Rosie, it isn’t the story itself that matters as much as what you get to wear while acting it out. So she sat and watched her friends in her pink shirt, pink skirt and striped tights with no regrets.