Left Coast Mama » Advent

Hello World, I’m Back

Gwen — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:36:08 +0000

In the last few days I have been extremely busy. I am not sure it is any busier than November was, but I have a lot of writing tasks upon me at the moment as well as the usual hubub of our daily life. We had school, preschool, swimming, ballet, and the last week of piano. I also managed to get to Metrotown to get nose pads for Aidan’s new glasses, a coat for me and boots for Quinlan all between the end of swimming and time for school pick up. We have also been experimenting with having Quinlan in underwear. So far, mostly good. It would be better if he were not a little bit sick. We also managed a trip to Ikea without breaking the bank too much. I did buy myself a beautiful rug that is so soft that the boys play on it as much as they can. All this and real meals, early bedtimes and putting together my December Daily book. So far it is only letters to the boys, but I have been making sure to take pictures. Now I just need to print them out.

We haven’t really decorated for Christmas yet, but we have started. The kids have their Advent calendars and I got them some cheap window clings so they could decorate the windows. I discovered we need new lights for the windows, unless we just use the tree lights that we no longer need. Come to think of it, I think that may be the best idea. The mantle is decorated, but that is only because the mantle garland is never un-decorated and therefore takes only a couple of minutes to put up when we find it. I think we will try to find enough time this busy weekend to put up the tree.

I have a couple of things that I need to write in the next couple of days and I promise to get Aidan to get his video log finished by this weekend. Just FYI Oz is selling out so if you want tickets you need to get them soon. It is a fabulous production.

How is your December so far?

Dear Aidan and Quinlan

Gwen — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:55:00 +0000

Today was mostly lovely. I am so glad that my two boys are such polite little boys. I am glad that you have fun playing outside. I love that you both have a huge imagination. I love that Quinlan, you love to swing as high as you can and pretend you are a bird. Aidan I love that you pretend to be Santa or the reindeer.

Aidan I know you will have a good time with your father at the Canucks game. I am sure you will be excited and happy to be at your first big hockey game!

Quinlan I was very happy to have dinner with you. I love how much you love to be out with me. It is so cute to hear you ask so politely for edamame.

I am so happy that I have two boys who are so generous. It was fun going through your piggy banks to get some money to give to the food bank. It makes me feel wonderful to have to boys who think so much about other people.

Aidan and Quinlan, I love you both so much.

Love and Kisses,

Gwen

Advent

Gwen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 06:12:03 +0000

This was the first rehearsal for the Advent Carol Service on Sunday. Advent, the sacred (as opposed to secular) countdown to Christmas, consists of the 4 Sundays previous to Christmas. This year because Christmas is on the Sunday, Advent is the longest it can be. The next five weeks to Christmas are filled with both secular and sacred activities.

On my list to do, in no particular order:

Festival of Lights at VanDusen Gardens. We usually go somewhere in the week before Christmas.
The Christmas Train at Stanley Park and Bright Nights
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Wizard of Oz at Carousel Theatre
Church for at least the 2 weeks prior to Christmas plus the carol service.
Picture with Santa, as long as it doesn’t traumatize Quinlan.
Baking cookies, including a cookie exchange with good friends.
decorate
Advent calendars. Lego Star Wars for Aidan and regular for Quinlan, plus the felt/velcro tree calendar.
CBC Food Bank Day
Santa Claus Parade
Maplewood Farms (warning link has music)

This are just the things off the top of my head and don’t include making the calendars or my December daily scrap-booking project. Or the Advent letter I write to the boys everyday in December letting them know what we are planning for the day. I fully plan to blog the letters this year and take more picture and actually print them out. Our little HP should get quite the workout.

What are the things you like to do in December?

Shutterfly: A Review and Giveaway

Gwen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:14:38 +0000

Last year I was given the opportunity to make our Christmas card at Shutterfly and for the cost of shipping I received 50 cards. I worked really hard on the cards and I think they turned out really well. They certainly reflected us and I was impressed by the quality of the cards and how easy they were to make. They still cost about the same as if we bought some store made cards when you took in the shipping costs to Canada but they were so much more personal and beautiful.

This year we still need to take our family picture and I am not sure which card I will use. I am partial to folded cards because I like to have room to make each of the cards personal. While all of them will have the same sentiment inside, I also like to take the time to write a bit of a letter to the people we send the cards to. It is one of the best things about the Christmas season for me. I love that people take the time to actually write to each other. My boys love opening cards from back east and the letters that I write every day for advent.

I have a few cards picked out and I am hoping that you will help me choose a style. I love our card from last year but I am hoping for something a little different.

I like the black and that the card has room for a few different pictures. It works as a card to go to friends and family with different religous views and it should be meaningful to everyone.

I like the simplicity of this card and it also has room for lots of pictures. I have cute kids and a tonne of pictures I can use.

This is also a simple card with room for lots of pictures. I think I like it better than the previous one because of the square picture format. I think this would be great for my instagram pictures.

This card appeals to me for its design. I love the red and the way the banner scrolls over the pictures.

Lastly this card is simple and beautiful. If we can get a good picture of either the boys or all four of us I might choose this card.

******

If you would like a code for 25 free cards, I have 3 to give away. Simply leave me a comment on this post by November 7th and I will choose 3 winners at random. The code can be used for any 25 cards on the Shutterfly site. They do not need to be holiday cards at all.

I recieved a code for 50 free cards again this year, but all the opinions are my own. I was very impressed by the cards we received last year and even more impressed with the photobooks we had made (at our own expense) to commemorate our big roadtrip this year.

******

Are you a blogger? Want a chance at 25 free cards this holiday season? Register here: http://goo.gl/DDw7Q

Santa Cheese

Gwen — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 22:01:40 +0000

This morning we headed off to Oakridge to get our annual picture with Santa. Quinlan was a little shy and to forestall the hysterics I sat with Quinlan on my lap and Santa had Aidan. It is a little cheesy, but the more I see it, the more it grows on me.

Yanta!

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Related: Advent, Adventures, Aidan, Christmas, Gwen, Quinlan, Santa Claus.

Wow, Look at the Lights

Gwen — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 07:03:56 +0000

Just a few pictures from tonight’s sojourn to Bright Nights at Stanley Park.

The Imp

Quinlan is entranced.

Aidan also entranced.

Waiting patiently for the train.

The train is all lit as well.

On our way to a winter wonderland.

© 2010 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | One comment
Related: Advent, Adventures, Aidan, Anthony, Christmas, Family Time, Gwen, Quinlan, Vancouver.

Oh Christmas Tree

Gwen — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 07:08:49 +0000

We got a new pre lit Christmas tree this year. I actually took a few minutes this evening after choir practice to take some pictures of the lights. I love using the 50mm lens with a 1.8 aperture. I love the bokeh effect it has on the lights. I used to get this effect and I had no idea what I was doing. Now I am able to get this effect on purpose.

Quinlan's train

Aidan's Plane

I love this picture even though it isn't the best technically.

Bokeh, Bokeh, Bokeh, Train

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Gwen — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 06:07:47 +0000

Aidan at gate D 67 waiting to board the plane.

Today my boys and I had a unique opportunity to be a part of a flight to the North Pole to get Santa Claus and escort him to Vancouver. They had a fantastic time. I am very tired and the words are not coming so until tomorrow I will leave you with some of my favorite pictures.

Cheese!

Children's Wish Volunteers

Seasoned Travellers

Aidan talking very seriously with Santa.

Quinlan was absolutely hysterical about "Yanta"

© 2010 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | 5 comments
Related: Advent, Adventures, Aidan, Christmas, Gwen, My Boys, Quinlan, Vancouver.

Flight in Search of Santa

Gwen — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 07:06:45 +0000

Last week I was contacted by Brendan from Optimum and asked to be part of the blogger/media contigent for the Flight in Search of Santa. I found out today that I can bring Aidan and Quinlan with me. So tomorrow we are joining a number of Children’s Wish kids flying off in search of Santa Claus thanks to the Foundation and Air Transat.

With Christmas just a few weeks away, dozens of sick children will have their dream of flying to the North Pole and bringing Santa back to Vancouver come true. Together with family, elves and entertainers, 100 children will take their seats on a special Air Transat flight, where Christmas wishes come true and holiday magic will be celebrated.

I am so happy to be able to take part in this flight with my boys. Not only do we get to fly and search for Santa, but we get to be part of seeing so many sick kids get their wish.

I will post tomorrow night to let you all know how it went.

© 2010 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | One comment
Related: Advent, Aidan, blogging, Christmas, Gwen, My Boys, Quinlan, Santa Claus.

December Daily: Day 1

Gwen — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:51:17 +0000

I am not sure I will be posting every day in December, but I will try. I am committed to documenting at least the first 25 days of December in an album I made. It is my first real attempt at scrapbooking, so we will see how it goes. I have a few pictures from today’s adventures and the letter I wrote to Aidan letting him know what are plans for the day were. We didn’t finish them all but we got a good start. He has started his letter to Santa, we decorated some of the Advent envelopes that I will be putting letters into nightly, and made a birthday card for Santa. The birthday card for Santa wasn’t on the list but Aidan really wanted to bring Santa a card when we went to visit him today.

Aidan wasn’t shy at all today when we went to visit Santa. He went right on his lap and gave Santa his card. He then was talking to him for a while when we were getting Quinlan ready for his picture. Quinlan cried for about 2 seconds until he realized that Santa had a beard and that his brother was staying. Then he just hung out on Santa’s lap and chilled. All in all a good day.

S. and Aidan trying to act cool. (Well for 4 year olds.)

Best Friends

The best Santa around Vancouver. Plus, how cute are my boys in their ties and sweaters?

© 2009 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | 3 comments
Related: Advent, Aidan, Christmas, My Boys, Pictures, Quinlan, Santa Claus, Vancouver.