Santa Visit

We made our annual visit to Sherway Gardens to visit Santa last week.  The mall was decked out with lots of twinkle lights and the Santa Experience was no exception.   We enjoyed our tradition of McDonalds for supper, and we finished off our night with an ice cream cone, which I think should definitely become part of our tradition. 

There were a few changes to the Santa Experience, some better than others.  First of all, Santa was different, I missed the old one.  He did have a real beard, which is important.  We were let into the Santa area and were given a number for when it was time to get photos taken, which was good since it was always a bit chaotic to line up when it was time for the photos.  

Santa read the kids a story, with a little less enthusiasm than in years past.  It was the last session of the day so he must have been tired.  There were no games or songs this year, instead the kids could play with the lights and were given some crayons and a colouring book to keep them entertained until it was time to get photos taken.  

Sitting in Santa's story chair

Telling Santa what he wants.  Good thing Dave was listening since E came up with a new thing that we hadn't heard before.

After Santa, we walked around the rest of the mall to see the other holiday displays.

Checking the map for the next thing

The next day we followed up on the Santa visit with a letter.  It was a joint effort.  

Our visit to Santa in 2015 is here.

and 2014 here.

Friday Favourites

Linking up with Andrea, Erika and Narci for Friday Favourites.

Our new fireplace has hit a snag, the adhesive that they used for the stone on the metal part of the stove was not the right one and some of the stones have burned and cracked. It will be fixed soon but in the meantime, I've tuned into the Yuletide Fireplace channel instead.  Q helped me with some holiday baking this week.

I always like to compare him with E, so here is E helping me with holiday baking in 2011 in our old house.

I went downtown to do some shopping on Tuesday morning and stopped in at Quantum Coffee at King and Spadina for a treat before heading home.  I had a very delicious Americano and almond croissant.  The location is not stroller friendly (or wheelchair friendly for that matter) but I managed to get in and out.  I had the hipster barista help me with the door on my way out and I honestly think that was the first time he actually noticed that it's hard for some people to get in. 

I will put up all of our Santa pictures next week, but here is a sneak peak of E listening to Santa read a story (Bear Stays up for Christmas, a favourite of ours!).  We go to the Santa Experience at Sherway Gardens and they have a new set this year. 

I heard a Christmas song that I had never heard before this week, and I thought it was great. I like the line about the dog and cat, listen for it here:

I watched A Madea Christmas on Netflix this week. Now don't ever think for a second that it is not ridiculous, because it is foolish, but I laughed out loud a few times.  Madea and Larry the Cable Guy together in one movie, good times.  If you're looking for something to stick on TV in the background while you do some wrapping or baking, this may be a good choice for you. 

I am a bit of a nerd in many respects, so I was actually excited to see that there are four new elements on the periodic table!!  Now chemistry has never been my favourite science class, I preferred physics, but this interests me.

Happy Friday!

Shoebox Project 2016

Last week I blogged about being thankful for your blessings and sharing them with others.  Last week I went shopping for the Shoebox Project for some items to give to a woman in a shelter.  Some of these women are homeless, some are leaving high risk situations (or are trying to), and others just need some extra love at this time of year.  

As I walked around Shoppers Drug Mart, I thought about what I would want, what I would need and what would make someone feel special.  I got some personal care items, but also a cozy hat, some candy, and a gift card so she can buy what else she may need.  I spend about $50 which is the recommended amount so everyone receives approximately the same thing.

It was suggested we line the box with tissue paper to make it extra special and to write a little note of encouragement.

I got this box at Dollarama - simple!

Dave snapped this picture of me while I dropped it off at the drop off location in our neighbourhood.

The deadlines for dropping off your own box are different, but in Toronto, the last day is Friday, so if you have time, make your own box and bring some joy to a woman in your area.

Media Wednesday - 2017 Book Club

Last week my book club selected our next books to read for 2017.   Here they are.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon.  I've read this before but not for many years.  It is a really good book written from the perspective of an autistic boy.  It really gives you an idea of how those on spectrum think and why they do things they way they do.  I'm looking forward to reading it again. 

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.  I think you have to read this if you're in a book club.  I just saw the movie so I will know what happens but the book is always better so I'm sure there will be some more detail to keep me interested. 

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi.  This is our non-fiction selection for the year, a memoir about someone with lung cancer. 

The Education of Dixie Dupree by Donna Everhart.  I'm sure I will like this as it takes place in the South and it looks like there is some family drama. 

The Ballroom by Anna Hope.  I don't know much about this book other than what it says in the summary but it takes place in England before World War I so I'm sure I will think it is great.  Although the last book we read set in England around the war, where we all expected Downton Abbey, was disappointing, so we shall see. 

The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney.  This is another one that I think you're supposed to read if you're in a book club.  It sounds pretty good; I hope it lives up to the hype.

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty.  We all liked Big Little Lies and then I read The Husband's Secret and we thought we would like this newest book by this author.  I'm looking forward to it. 

Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.  It was between this book and Lion, the one that is coming out as a movie starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman later this month.  We decided this sounded like the better story, although apparently an earlier incarnation of this book club read this in 2012.  I can't remember it at all, which I guess means I'm getting old! 

The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett.  This one sounds like Sliding Doors, the movie with Gwyneth Paltrow, where there are different versions of someone's life depending on choices they made.

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena.  This was my choice.  It is sort of a thriller/mystery which we don't typically read.  It sounds like one of those ones where there is more to the story than you think, and the reader needs to pick up on clues to figure out what is going on. 

Looking forward to 2017!