A few special things

Before Christmas, the whole family participated in a 24 hour fast (well, we insisted Mac have one meal in the middle; he's still quite wee). We did so in an effort to help understand hunger and grow empathy for those who go without. We put aside the perception that these types of things are gimmicky and used it as a chance to chat a lot with the kids.
It was really hard.
At one point, Savannah didn't think she would make it, but she did. The kids talked about how they just wanted time to pass, for the day to be over, and how people who are homeless might feel like that everyday.
Meanwhile, burrowing on an idea from my friend Amy, we have made wee bags of gloves, hats, socks and granola bars, that live in the car, so if we pass someone in need, we can give them one. This feels better than telling Savannah who is always so torn apart in these moments, that we're not giving out change since "we've already donated to a cause that organises the funds and is able to do more with it than one off handouts...."-- so logical but not very human.

Savannah and I read a lot together at night. On Christmas eve, we finished the Harry Potter series. We laughed, we cried, and I did my best with the British accents, while Savannah braided my hair. It's one of the most special things we've done together.
We're now on to the Pullman series, starting with The Golden Compass. Here's Sav dressed as Lyra and her Pantalaimon, a daemon who changes animal shapes.

 
 At night, we have been enjoying memory, chess, charades, pay attention dumbass, wits and wagers, and Mad Libs. It's been a looooooong time since I've beaten this lad in memory.

Re Mad Libs - No, we don't censor the kids. Yes, there are a lot of private body parts, some homemade.
The Scout in this one was an honest magical match up.

We went out for a party one night, and came home sans Mac (hence the empty Mac Ride). Mac had a sleepover at his pal Gabi's house. He's settled in so nicely to French Immersion and has many awesome friends in his class.

With Nana on the Rock, we had a lovely meal out at our favourite Thai. Here's EZ and Momo, pre arrival of the absolute yumminess.