Happy New Ears!

That's what Violet just said to me as I slipped into her room to give her a kiss before her nap. She was describing a drawing she had done at her playgroup. For Happy New Ears.

We had a lot of family come to stay over the holidays- the most this house has ever held. I really love having a house full of family, and it really feels empty now that they are gone. Violet loved having so many patient and loving people to cater to her whims. Now I just have to deprogram her sweet, innocent brain of all the choice phrases her Aunt Nina taught her to say.

Despite the fact we had all just rolled out of bed, many of us were sick, and the size of Angie's head, we're a pretty good looking bunch.

It is nice to get back into our routines now that holidays have passed...I guess what I really mean is thank goodness Oma is back.

This was Jem's first Christmas.

He met some family for the first time.

He cut a couple of teeth, my poor little apple-cheeked Jemy Roll!

We noticed a striking resemblance to his Djido.

And apparently he is a Leaf's fan...and a thug.

In other news -

Again, another pit-stop story.

Coming back from Toronto (where we had a super time, and Violet received a train set that is keeping her busy most of the day), we made our usual half-way stop.

While we were eating, a sappy Josh Groban song came over the speakers. Violet stopped eating and got really into the song, looking really emotional with a faraway look in her eyes. She looked as, pointed at her face, and said "the music makes my eyes look like this".