November Update
The month started off with Brian's mom coming to stay with us for a few days. She was able to come watch Easton's hockey game where he scored his second goal! This time a break a way goal. Which in the change room he told everyone that he dedicated to her. There were smiles all around. It was a beautiful goal!
This day was a busy one as Easton also went to celebrate Nathan's birthday and there were skating and hockey photos.
Our first round of snow came in early November and we attempted to make a snowman, but he was ever so small with it not being packing snow, but now that it is the end of the month, we are seeing temperatures at plus 10C. We did a nice walk around the property to gather greenery, pine cones, berries, wood, etc. to make into a lovely entrance piece for the season on the front porch. Although I hear the weather is about to change this week with a snow storm expected tomorrow.
There were quite a few baking adventures this month including cake and apple crisp. I love that we are making more things from scratch. Bread, and pizza are now regulars.
Hadley completed Star 2 Skills at skating. She is working really hard at all her new skills. Her and Rachel have become really close and skate together during their free time each week.
We went to Santa's Cottage this year, which I just learned about this year but wished I had learned about it long ago. It is a lovely rustic place in Oshawa. Highly recommended! It was such a wonderful experience. Santa was so authentic and Mrs. Claus was so sweet. They had muffin cookies baking in the farmhouse rustic kitchen, and each kid got one after talking with Santa and taking photos with beautiful scenery in their living room. It felt warm and cozy and super inviting. The atmosphere was amazing! We were allowed to take as many photos as we wanted within 15 minutes. We were the only ones there, with no lines like a mall. It was magical. The backyard had many photo opportunities as well. An old red truck, with a Christmas tree in the back, a sleigh, an old buggy, and so much more. Even the lit fence and painted signs felt warm and inviting. Again... highly recommended. (All for $40 which is way better than the mall where you get three digital photos for the same price and it is just crazy busy and not at all the same feel).
Frozen II came out, and we took the kids. We all loved it! Popcorn, family time and a good movie!
The CP Holiday Train rolled in again this year. We met up with Lynn, Ayslyn, and Beckett from Hockey. I picked up the kids early from school as did Lynn because the train came through at 3pm in Oshawa. This meant that the lights on the train were hard to see, but the music was still fun! Scott Helman sang his song "This is how it goes", and there were Christmas carols as well. We enjoyed hot beverages and donated to Feed the Need Durham.
The Pickering Tree Lighting Ceremony was well done again this year. Elsa and Anna took to the stage. Hadley was happy enough but wished they sang some of the new songs, Easton was happy with the games like whack a mole, and a few others and they both liked the fair type rides like the ferris wheel and the Fun House. This year they had a new walkway that was lit up that you could walk through. It felt festive. There were also many other light up words. HO HO HO, etc. However, the grand finale fireworks are always amazing! Such a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit.