Hot Chocolate

January 6, 2010

What better way to warm up on a cold day than with a nice cup of hot chocolate?


And who says you have to use mini marshmallows?


The large ones work just as well. If not better!

Nathan Starts Swimming

January 4, 2010

Nathan went for his first ever swimming lesson today and he was a star. He still doesn't like getting water on his face but he didn't start crying half way through the lesson like the other boy. And he was the only one in his class who went down the little water slide! I was so proud of him!

I couldn't take pictures of him in the pool because he was so far away (and other inconsiderate parents kept standing in front of me... even though there was tonnes of space around me for them to stand), and I didn't take pictures of him in the change room for obvious reasons.

I do have a story to share though, for anyone who's looking for a little laugh.

After his lesson, I got Nathan to go take a shower. While I was fiddling with a shower knob, I didn't realize I was standing under another shower head. One that was connected to a motion-sensor. Clearly in my fiddling, I created enough motion to set the thing off. So I was standing under the shower fully clothed, and I got soaked, furry hood and all. And Nathan stood just out of range and stayed completely dry, asking me why my coat was all wet.

I suppose this answers the question Andrew asked me before the lesson of how I was going to stay dry while giving Nathan a shower. I wasn't.

Mr. Potato and a Sizzling Wok

January 3, 2010

The one thing about not being in university anymore is that your friends are no longer just a short walk away.

Now, our schedules no longer revolve around our classes and meetings. They revolve around work and more school, and other obligations.

Now, when we get together, we can't just call and say "hey, let's meet up in 10 minutes at Second Cup". We actually have to plan, and drive.

So it's always a treat when our friends can come over to hang out with us, even if it's for a little while.


And when else do you get Mr. Potato cooking lunch for us on a sizzling wok. See? Funny things happen when our friends are around.

On The Mountain

January 2, 2010

I can't believe it's 2010 already! Happy New Year! (I know I'm late. Don't judge me!) We've been busy the past couple days, trying to settle back into our normal routine, getting ready to go back to school/work.

We had spent the last 4 days of 2009 up at Blue Mountain in Collingwood! Andrew's parents invited us to go up for a little ski trip.

We were all super excited, especially Nathan because this was his very first time skiing. I was a little skeptical at first because, I didn't mention in that other post, but his first time skating was pretty much a huge disaster. He was caught off-guard by the whole being unable to stand up on his own two feet, so he refused to do anything we asked him to.


I tried to be optimistic but at the back of my mind, I kept thinking, what if skiing turns out exactly like his first time skating?

But I was so wrong. His very first times going down the hill, Jay and I had walked him up the beginner's hill after the lifts were stopped. There was basically no one around so we just let him go and Andrew caught him at the bottom.

He was fantastic. He didn't flop over. His legs didn't turn into spaghetti. He didn't lean to one side. He didn't fall. It was perfect.


The next day, we signed him up for private lessons and they were so impressed by his ability to stand up on his skis and make pizza slices.

The rest of the week, we had him in ski camp. There were some times I stood there at the side, along with some other parents and I was so impressed by how Nathan was doing. I tried really hard not to compare, but really, Nathan was amazing and it was hard for me not to make it known that that superstar out there was my kid.


He was good. And he knew it.

Our last day there, he spent the afternoon on the beginners hill with Andrew. Eventually, he even worked up the courage to get on the lift and go down the easy hill!

He was going down well for the first half. Then he hit the drop. Then he dropped. He fell and got scared. We felt it was really important for us to make sure he ended with success. We knew he was capable of conquering the mountain but we brought him back to the magic carpet anyway so he could build up his confidence again, then we went back. And he was great.


It was such a magical way to end the year.

My Audience

December 27, 2009

Sometimes, I sing along to music when I'm working.


Apparently Nathan doesn't enjoy it enough to stick around. (He can't get away fast enough. Hence the blur.)


But that doesn't stop him from leaving an audience for me. You know.. so my feelings don't get hurt.


Guess I should just go ahead and let that lady know that I won't be joining her worship team any time soon! At least I have you, Domo.

Merry Christmas 2009

December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas everybody! May your Christmas day be filled with love and joy.



Love,

The Tsois

Do You See What I See?

December 24, 2009

It's Christmas Eve!

I can't believe Christmas is tomorrow! For the past couple days, we've had freezing cold temperatures but no snow. I didn't realize I'd be so affected by the lack of snow. But I think if I ever move to a place where it doesn't snow for Christmas, I'd definitely have to come back for a week. It wouldn't be right otherwise.

Anyway, I was sitting at my table, getting the last bit of Christmas wrapping done, and writing out some recipes, when I looked out the window and saw this:


Do you see what I saw? Here, take a closer look!


Snow!!!

It's finally snowing here. I'm really hoping, wishing and praying that we'll have a completely white Christmas!


Yay! Christmas is finally (almost) here!