Last batch of Christmas presents

Unfortunately we didn't see Uncle Yan over the holidays because he was on an island - (not Montreal!) Even worse, he came back all blurry!
Fortunately, he came bearing gifts, including "Happy Fun Ball" for Oscar. Opening and watching it shake it necessitated a quick diaper change.

Happy Fun Ball

This is Oscar hiding from the happy fun ball. Meanwhile Emmanuelle opened her gift.

It turns out that Oscar likes Emma's doll a lot. He makes her drink (often from her mouth) and go on the potty.

Cloning.

I assure you, all bioethics guidelines were followed.

What not to do on the coldest day of the year

Poor Emmanuelle. She's got this thing about self-inflicted injury. I don't know if she realizes that I'm the one who just about has a stroke every time I see her headed for disaster.

This morning, in the 10 seconds that it takes Annick to lock the door, and while I was strapping Oscar into his car seat, Emmanuelle licked the handrail at the front step. (I know what she's planning before the thought occurs to her, so I was yelling at her not to do it, but it was either too late or my admonition merely made the notion altogether irresistible). Fortunately, Annick was inside in a flash and back with a cup or warm water before Emmanuelle could pull away. (I was holding her head to keep her from tearing her tongue).

No permanent damage, it would seem.

Have we learned any lessons? I sure hope so...

An unpleasant inevitability.

I know that sounds like a Tragically Hip quote, but really The Cowboy Junkies would be more appropriate: You can always see it coming, but you can never stop it.

Stomach Flu Alert

On Wednesday, Annick got home from work after me, so I was solo when Oscar threw up on himself in the high chair. As luck would have it, later in the evening, Annick was out shoveling, so I was again solo when Oscar threw up in his bed. She hurried in to monitor the bath while I changed his sheets.

In a continuing reversal of gender prejudices, Annick had urgent work (a court date) so I stayed home Thursday and changed a month's worth of diapers and cradled sickly Oskie in my arms. When I picked Emma up at daycare, she too was sick.

Today, when I got home from work, Annick was down with the flu. If she can get it, when I was the one changing the diapers and washing the sheets, then there's no way I'm going to avoid it.

I've been washing my hands, but if anyone has any antidotes or protective potions to suggest, I'm all ears.

New Year's II and III

New Year's I.

The evening began with a little light music... A cheese fondue was hands down the best thing the kids had ever eaten, until they saw the chocolate fondue for dessert.

The chocolate fondue began in an orderly fashion, though we stripped down Oscar as a precaution.

Things did degenerate but complete chaos did not break out.

Next time we'll just dip Oscar in chocolate.

Chocolate must help the healing process.

If it wasn't -10, she would have gotten the hose.

New Year's Day

Denis and France had us over for dinner.

A few late Christmas presents for the kids.


Watching a movie in an easy chair.