Marie's Web Log

At home, obviously. Working, in fact. Never was much of a fan of New Year's Eve. Though I suddenly thought of a particular group of friends in Mississauga with whom we spent the last few New Year's Eves that we were there, and I suddenly felt sad. I wonder whose house they're having the party at this year. And before that, when we used to get together with two other couples each year, at one of our houses. Those were the best times.

Christmas was good. Amelia was thrilled with her gifts, particularly Noddy and the tent. When she opened up Eeyore, she said, 'Just what I wanted.' It was so cute. On Boxing Day we went to Ian's sister's, who lives just outside Birmingham, for two nights. It was nice to see all his family. I missed being with mine though - they were all together this year, except us.

Can hear fireworks going off outside. I won't wish for a better year to come, because I did that last year and it turned out to be worse. One of the most difficult years of my life, in fact.

Wishing you all a healthy and peaceful new year.

Posted by marie at 09:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

If you know what I mean. Otherwise known as Dec. 23.

Last Tuesday, I took Amelia to see Santa (or Father Christmas as they like to call him here). They don't do the photo-with-Santa thing that's so popular in North America; you get a gift for your money instead. And Santa doesn't sit in a big open space in the middle of a shopping mall with kids and mums queuing (or lining up, whichever you prefer - see how bilingual I am!) to see him. Here, he's always in a 'grotto'. To me, a grotto is a cave, but when Father Christmas is involved, it means a small cabin that prevents you from seeing him until you pay! Actually, the one we went to, in the centre of town nestled next to a centuries-old church, was quite sweet. They had some anamatronic bears doing various things - knitting a stocking, and for some odd reason, barbecuing hot dogs - to look at while you waited. Not that we had to wait long - there was only one other child ahead of us.

Now, keep in mind that for weeks Amelia had been saying exactly what she wanted for Christmas - a tent, and Noddy (though at first she said Eeyore, and then changed her mind, meaning 'Santa' had to do some last minute shopping on e-Bay). She also said she wanted to give Santa a cuddle. Well, you can guess what happened. He was quite a nice Santa, and guessed her age correctly, which is unusual as most people think she's younger. He asked her if she'd been good and she said yes (hhmm...) and then he asked her what she'd like for Christmas. 'I don't know!' she said, hiding behind my legs. But Santa gave her a little gift anyway, which she was very excited about. As we were leaving, I asked if she wanted to give Santa a cuddle. 'No!' she practically shouted. Probably for the best anyway - not sure we should be encouraging her to hug strange men. At least she didn't burst into tears like my poor little ten-month-old niece did when they sat her on Santa's lap!

Ian was saying that after he'd read 'T'was the Night Before Christmas' to her tonight, she lay in bed, talking about Santa and Christmas, and there was this glow about her, her eyes shining, that was just magical. I think this may be the best year. She hasn't been corrupted yet by nasty other kids at school, or by advertising. And lest you think she's only focussed on the getting, remember how about a month ago she insisted on going to buy her doll Mei Mei a Christmas present? It's now under the tree, and she's very excited about helping Mei Mei open it on Christmas morning. And she wanted to wrap something else up for one of her other toys, too.

Mind you, it's not just Christmas. The other day we were in the library and I found a book that I knew they had at her nursery. I held it up to show to her and this amazing big grin spread across her face - it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Compensates a bit for all the times she goes around shouting out about 'smelly underwear' and other things I can't mention - I blame the little boys at nursery.

I'll leave you with a couple of funny little things - some good friends of ours are in Thailand right now on holiday. The other day, Amelia was watching an old video of Noddy (who lives in Toyland) and she said to me, 'Noddy's in Thailand!' And today, she said that Leo (the cat) had knocked more 'noodles' off the Christmas tree. She meant 'needles' - we don't decorate the tree with pasta. Though that's not a bad idea...

Posted by marie at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here are a couple of shots - the rest are on the film still in my camera.

Joseph, Mary and the donkey.

The manger.

Posted by marie at 09:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

No time at all, but had to tell you about Meelie's 'nativity play'. We went yesterday morning to the university sports hall, where they were having it in one of the smaller rooms. They had a pretty impressive backdrop with an outline of a Bethlehem-type skyline and stars, plus a manger and some stuffed animals - and we could see 'baby Jesus' waiting on the floor under the chairs where Mary and Joseph would sit. And the 'gold, frankincense and myrrh' or, more accurately, 'gold, frankincense and a tub of red-foil covered chocolates' were waiting on a bench.

As the Val, the head of the nursery, explained, they had a very young group of children this year - mostly three or only just turned four. And 'Mary' was ill, so another little girl had to step in at the last minute. Then the other staff members came in with the children. I was in tears straight away, to see them - I was expecting maybe (for the angels) some wings and halos stuck on over their clothes, but no, they changed all the children into proper outfits - the angels had white gowns and fabric wings and gold tinsel garland on their heads. There was even a donkey in full furry costume. Amelia, of course, was the prettiest angel!

And they all did very well. They all sang the songs (even Meelie), while Val sat at the front and read the story. She had also explained at the beginning that they celebrate a variety of religious festivals throughout the year (they did Divali a little while ago) and that they told the children this is what Christians believe, which I thought was a balanced way of doing it.) There were a few tiny hitches in the show - baby Jesus was dumped rather roughly into the manger, and the angel Gabriel (who was, in a nice touch, a boy actually named Gabriel) seemed determined to divest himself of his robes and show the audience his underwear. And the poor little girl who was playing the Christmas star, and who was supposed to do a special dance, burst into tears and had to sit on Val's lap for the duration. Also, the script had a few slight deviations from the usual story, as when the wise men, 'knelt and offered the gifts to the baby, then stood up and... went to sit next to Shelley.' Shelley being one of the nursery staff.

All in all, it was wonderful. My baby's first Christmas play. I can't believe any of the others will every be that special. There will be photos, don't worry.

Posted by marie at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Amelia and I went to a Christmas party today. It was the SWAN party - South West Adoption from All Nations. Sixty adults and forty children of ages ranging from babies to about 10. So a bit noisy, if you can imagine. There was entertainment, and Father Christmas came to give out gifts. Amelia kept asking me where he had parked his sleigh. (On the roof. Why? To keep it out of the way.)

Meelie's cold or virus or whatever it is has come back again, with lovely yellow snot pouring out of her nose. Ah, the joys of parenting. It's still been raining quite a lot, though we have had a couple of beautiful bright days. About 50 per cent more rain this year than last, apparently. Not cold though. I see you had a little snow on the ground in Ontario and NB.

Still driving up to the client's office three days a week, until Christmas anyway. I drive across the city to drop Amelia off at nursery, then take the back roads up to the village of Stoodleigh, where the small pre-press company is located in a large country house. A bit of an unusual arrangement - they also put on functions. Here's the link.

Posted by marie at 07:46 PM | Permalink