Happy Holidays!

We had a photo shoot at the gym daycare.  Sylvie and Archie would not sit together for a photo so they had individual ones.  Sylvie was a little more focused.  Archie was throwing the ornament balls.  They were luckily plastic and bounced everywhere.  The photo of him and Santa is the closest we will get this Christmas.  

Next year we think he will be a bit more into the whole holiday.  He didn't really get the idea of presents but he did enjoy unwrapping boxes.  His favorite thing at the moment is a wooden double decker London bus with little people to put in and out.  He even loves the box.  

We went to London for Christmas for a week.  We drove to France and took the Chunnel (a train we drove our car onto and went in a tunnel under the water).  The whole journey was around 4 1/2 hours (without stops).  It is amazing that in such a short distance we can be in London.

We stayed with good friends Nora and Alan in Dorking (Surrey) and also with her daughter Pip and her family in Reigate (Surrey).  It was really relaxing and enjoyable.  We had a traditional British Christmas dinner with turkey and stuffing.  There was also the biggest role of Stilton cheese we have ever seen.  That made an appearance several nights.  It was so good.  They treated us just like family and included us so nicely.  It was really great to be with good friends and be in a family setting.  It would have been really hard to be home in Holland and not see friends or family.  I don't have many photos but it was wonderful.

Winter is here and we have some snow.  Life still goes on here which means everyone drives, bikes, walks with strollers, and plays outside.  It should be around for a week and then melt away.  Archie likes it as long as his fingers don't touch it.  

Archie wrapped up the mouse and gave him a cuddle.  He then gave the mouse a kiss before putting him down to sleep.

Someone has started eating solid food....and someone else is actually making baby food for her!  There are good options for store bought food.

Archie's favorite things to do are color and paint.  He asks for a crayon first thing in the morning and all day long.  And that isn't lipstick on his lips.  Good thing the paint is non-toxic kid friendly!