Embracing Winter: Sledding @ Fort Henry

Roy embracing winter - sledding downhill at Fort Henry.

I've decided that the family will embrace winter this year. We've been in Kingston for almost four years, and we've never tried any of the winter activities as a family. As a first step, I decided that we'll all go sledding. Something that everybody in the family will be able to do. The kids have been sledding in the front yard (we have a mini snow hill in our front yard!) for the past few days. I decided that we'll go sledding at Fort Henry, which is the best place for sledding in town (I read this online, not sure if it's true). I can't describe how much fun we had... we were there for more than an hour... just going up and down the hill. A few pictures of us in action: Melur and Arman walking uphill... trudging through snow. You can see me (in pink and blue... just like Melur), ahead of the kids. It was quite an uphill walk. When I first saw this picture, I thought it was Melur... No, it was me going downhill... I was laughing and screaming at the same time all the way down!             Reaching the bottom and seriously hoping that I'd stop before banging into the tree. Dual action - the kids sledding together. And the kids downhill... Arman sledding with his favorite style - eager for action. Melur sledding with her favorite style - relax and carefree!

Christmas, Boxing Day, and Snow in Kingston

The whole neighborhood is covered in snow

Just reporting on what we are up to for the past few days...

December 25th - We don't celebrate Christmas, so we didn't do anything special on this day. But we were very productive - we clean-up the house! I got the kitchen, Papa got the office, and kids got the living room as well as their own room. We spent 3-4 hours... once in a while... the house needs a thorough cleaning. Leaving the bathroom for the weekend.

December 26th - Boxing Day around Kingston is just so-so. We don't have that many stores, and I don't feel like driving to Toronto to shop (still tired from the conference in Orlando). We still manage to get a good haul though. Mostly clothes for myself (a very much needed a winter coat among other things!) and the kids. Papa drove us around, but he didn't get anything. Sorry, honey! Maybe you can splurge on a tablet with bigger screen for the new year.

December 27th-28th - We suddenly got heavy snow in Kingston. Woke up in the morning and everything is covered in powdery snow. Papa spent a good part of his day shoveling snow. We can't leave the house because the drive way was totally covered in snow. The kids seem to have a lot of fun though... making forts, sliding down mini snow hills, and throwing snowballs. Some pictures below:

He looks like he's enjoying himself, but shoveling snow is a lot of hard work

Melur and Arman building their forts

Melur... resting on her lazy char made from snow

Arman... happy in his fort

*Sigh* At times like these... I start yearning for the days when we can pack our bikes and go bike riding on the trails.

Wondering when we would be able to enjoy the warm weather on a bike trail

Arman's 9th Birthday!

We had a big birthday party for Arman to celebrate his 9th birthday, on Saturday, Dec 8th, 2012. We had about 12 kids altogether, including Arman and Melur. About 10 of Arman's school friends - yes, we had to entertain 10 active, loud 9-year old boys! Melur got to invite one of her friends too, and she invited Gillian. The venue was at the Cineplex on Gardiners Road. It was hotdogs, fruit punch, and chocolate birthday cake... followed by Wreck-It Ralph in 3D! The kids seem to enjoy themselves, especially the movie and popcorn. Here are some pictures from the birthday party: Arman was so excited! Arman blowing his birthday candle - Melur insisted on the big 9 birthday candle After the birthday party: Melur and Gillian went inside the tornado simulation chamber