Picture this. Your kids counted down the days. They opened each window on their advent calendars, as December ticked by, painstakingly slowly. They made their list and checked it twice (plus a few extra times, just to be sure). Now, Christmas morning has FINALLY arrived. Your kids run down the … [Read more...]
My Toddler Is So Excited For Christmas—The Only Trouble Is, We’re Jewish
Last week on the way home from preschool, my two-year-old mentioned how excited she was for Christmas. This would have been adorable, but for the fact that we are Jewish. So I told her we don't celebrate Christmas, that instead, we celebrate Hanukkah. She sighed the saddest little sigh and pouted … [Read more...]
Five Ways To Make The Holidays Magical For Kids
Growing up, my mom did a really incredible job of making Christmas feel magical. My most distinct memories were the personal visits from Santa himself (from the real Santa, not the mall Santa) that she'd orchestrate. My sister and I would be totally surprised, entranced, and feel so, so, so special. … [Read more...]
Why I Want My Kid To Believe In Santa For As Long As Possible
This holiday season has me reliving my bar star days (just stay with me, I swear you'll get it!). T he soundtrack of my time in the bars was always Journey. It's not that I'm really that old, it's just that my favourite bar had a lot of cover bands. "Don't Stop Believing" was the highlight of a … [Read more...]
Watch How Canadian Tire Saved Santa!
Well, this morning the kids got up waaay earlier than usual. Tip-toed down the stairs to see if Santa had visited, after all they have been really good this past year. So, good that Santa had to read their minds to figure out what they wanted because when they visited him at our annual brunch they … [Read more...]
Mall Santa Refuses To Take Picture With Autistic Girl And Service Dog
A mall Santa turned into horrible Grinch when he refused to take a picture with a seven-year-old autistic girl on Sunday at The Shops at Mission Viejo in Orange County. Santa Claus was reportedly afraid of the girl's service dog, a five-year-old pitbull. Little Abcde Santos patiently waited in … [Read more...]
How To Prepare For Pictures With Santa
It wouldn’t be the holidays without your child’s annual Santa photo. It’s a great Christmas tradition where your children get to spill all their holiday hopes and dreams to good ol’ Saint Nick — that’s if they’re not already bawling their eyes out first. This holiday meet-and-greet can only go two … [Read more...]
Christmas Questions
This is it. We're in the home stretch now. Four more sleeps til Christmas Eve. If you're not ready yet, I don't envy you having to trudge through packed stores and waiting in endless lines. Unless you are my husband and don't mind such annoyances. I am done all of my shopping. Everything's … [Read more...]
A Christmas Tradition
For my kids, each December 1st brings with it the excitement that Christmas is ever closer and holiday season is in full swing. The house is decorated. Presents have been purchased. Cranberry candles are burning. Christmas baking has begun (the gluten free kind...don't get too excited, … [Read more...]
The Tooth Fairy Fail: AKA Confessions
The day after Christmas, while we were at the cottage, Oliver's wiggly tooth fell out while he was brushing his teeth, and I remember being glad it didn't fall into the drain, lost forever. He put it under his pillow straight away, and I know he checked on it a few times that day, just to be sure it … [Read more...]