Time to Reflect and to Dream

Another year is coming to an end.

I recently read a blog post about a woman (a yoga teacher in San Fran) who always retreats (renting a cottage in Hawaii) for a few weeks during the holidays. She needs to take that time for herself to reflect on her year and set her intentions for the next one. She mentions how important it is to find quiet, alone and reflective time during this socially (and commercially) busy time of year.

My wish to you: find a few quiet moments to reflect and be grateful for the past year, and to dream and plan for your future adventures!

# 1 Highlight of 2014 for the Khouri-Parham Trio

Our awesome trip to France! (Sept.2nd posting)

Overall, 2014 was a pretty good year!

This Christmas, due to an extremely busy semester, I didn't send my yearly holiday cards. I apologize for all my readers who usually get a card from me. Know that I am sending you best wishes for the holidays and the new year. Perhaps I will mail New Year's cards this year… or maybe you'll have to wait for next year… we'll see...

What are my wishes for myself for 2015?

My word of the year will be play. 

Smile more, hug more, offer little surprises along the way, say "yes" to new experiences, stand taller, walk lighter, skip more, be more graceful in my daily movements, take deeper reflective breaths, drink more water. Shine!

Happy Holidays everyone! Now go and play outside!

Le p'tit renne au nez rouge

Festive Days

It's that time of year!

The tree:

Simon and Margot are master "decorateurs"

I was good for handing the decorations to Margot.

Our festive living room. I love keeping the lights on!

Find Luna ;)

The letter to Santa:

The Nutcracker performance:

Pre-show party

Row G Orchestra

Sitting "sagement" during intermission

Cousins striking a pose

Happy December everyone!

Happy Winter!

Happy Winter and Merry Christmas! 

Since I haven't posted anything in a long time, I decided to just highlight what we have been up to as a family these past few weeks.

The Nutcracker on December 14th:

Striking a pose during intermission. One of them is quite the rebel!

Christmas Eve:

Margot is very excited to see Simon's office.

Christmas Pageant. Who are those kids? And why aren't they wearing their masks like all the others?

Christmas Day:

Happy to receive a nightlight. Ah… little pleasures!

Simon's awesome gift: an album of his blog Tough Cookies

Yoga cards

It was a cooldddd morning! -30with windchill!

…but we had fun on the Sugarbush Trail

A visit to The Science and Tech Museum on December 27th:

Margot's favourite part? Dancing in the museum.

 A walk on the Dewberry trail and tobogganing on December 28th:

Margot had her handy binoculars to spot birds.

Up the slope

Ready? (that's Simon up there) 

At the end of our ride. It was awesome!

It's starting to smell like Christmas!

 A few festive additions to our house.

A present for the chickadees:

A present for the front door:

A present for the living room:

Update on Margot: she is feeling better and her appetite is back in full swing! Yeah!

Thoughts on the Jolly Month - part 1

It's December. And you know what this means? Bring it on! The Carols. The Decorations. The Fairy Lights. The Danish Cookies...
I make it seem like I love the holidays. I do. Not only am I "on holiday" for a few weeks (my last teaching day is next Tuesday). But for me, it's a period of rest and renewal from one semester to the upcoming one (which, without fail, always begins with a bang!).

I come from a rather non-traditional family when it comes to holidays. As a child, I rarely stayed home for Christmas. We were either skiing in the Laurentians or swimming in the Caribbeans. And spending Christmas Eve in the Tunisian desert when I was twelve is far from the expected snow/Santa/gifts we are accustomed to. My parents were (and still are) never big on presents and celebrations. Of course, when Jason and I were children, we received toys that we (I) begged for since the day after my birthday. But as we grew older, the gifts became more sparse. I didn't mind (and still don't). It made for a varied and adaptable holiday.
We didn't grow up with hanging stockings, eating chocolate Advent calendars, and singing carols as we chopped down a tree.
However, Simon grew up with a family who did all the above. The Parham's built festive traditions and they still celebrate Christmas with style.

Being a parent now, I would like to mix and match the Khouri's and  Parham's traditions to create our own Christmas. I see the beauty of tradition and excitement of  "expected experiences", but I also recognize the spark and adventure of variety and change.

Yesterday, Margot received an Advent calendar from her Fairy Godmother. No chocolate. Just good old-fashioned German illustrations. Very classy!

I also unboxed the Gingerbread Advent House given to her from Grandma Vicky last year. She took an interest to it right away.

Last year, Simon and I decided on a December 1st tradition: to offer a Christmas book to Margot. Le Noel du hérisson was the one she received last year. A bit too advanced for her age. This year, we gave her Le père Noel as she has smitten us with her "ho ho ho" imitation. I really don't know where she learned it. But the jolly ol' man with the white beard and the red suit has caught her attention.

**Musing: As the days/weeks go by, I will share with you my own (Jen, Simon, Margot) traditions. **