Christmas sledding

filmed from inside our kitchen during the Winter of 2011
- the ramp runs onto our back deck, and we are eagerly awaiting to do the same again this year!
(turn off the sound when viewing)

Christmas Party for English-speaking Families in QC

Féte de Noel from the Classroom

 

4 years old!

nothing beats chocolate icing

a gift from Grandpop (shipped from the US!)

a photo album and Hungry Hippos from Mama and Papa

new PJ's and a book from Grandma and GrandadK

Pumpkin Picking Preschool Outing

Autumn Photo Journal

Crazy Days of Summer

A beautiful place to live in Quebec City

 Cap-Rouge in early Spring (above) and Autumn (below)

Things a 3 year old says ...

Three year old:  "Remember Jesus loves you" (giving his Mum a hug!)

Kiwi Mum: Where does Jesus live? Does he live in heaven?

Three year old: "No ... (pause) not in heaven ... Jesus lives in a fruit shop ..."

Louise Cake (slice)

Louise Cake Recipe is a kiwi tradition of a shortbread-like base, with a raspberry jam filling and coconut meringue topping.

 Louise Cake (slice)
125 g butter
1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs (separate yolks from whites)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups flour
1/2 cup raspberry jam (or any other berry)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup coconut
Method

1. Preheat oven to 180 C.
2. Cream the butter and first measure of sugar (1/3 cup) together.
3. Separate the eggs and add only the yolks to your creamed butter mixture. Save the whites for the meringue.
4. Sift together the flour and baking powder, add to butter mixture and mix well.  Press into a sponge roll pan (I use a non stick oblong glass pyrex baking dish).  Put your dish into the refrigerator for 10 minutes (this helps to set the mixture a little before the next step).  Spread the uncooked base with your favourite berry jam.
5. Beat the egg whites until stiff, add sugar and salt and continue beating until glossy.
6. Fold in the coconut. Spread gently on top of the jam/cake base.
7. Bake for 30 minutes or until the meringue topping is golden.  
8. Wait until the slice is quite cool before cutting into squares.

Enjoy!

Preschooler Favourites

At 3 years of age, life is all about trains, airplanes, helicopters, buses, and more recently, dinosaurs, hockey and building towers.

A dinner time prayer from the lips of a 3 year old ...

"Thank you Lord for downstairs" (where he plays wrestling and football with Papa on the mat) "Thank you for set down, hut, hut" (football) - "Thank you for water, thank you for dinner, thank you for blue (??), thank you for the library, thank you for skating .... Amen"

First day at Pre-School

off out the door, to catch the #14 bus (with Mama) to go to Pre-School

After only 3 morning sessions at Pre-School Master J's French phrases have started flowing at home ... his teachers tell us he is a "gentle" boy, who loves talking and interacting during 'mat time' (not sure in which language).  He's still a little hesitant about going to school, so the bus ride adds excitement and extra incentive!

Conversation with a Preschooler

J :  "Mama ... What d'ya want?"

Mama:  "Nothing.  I'm fine thanks.  What do you want?"

J:  "Mmm ... I like ... I want ... a Yes Snack?"

Mama:  "You want a Yes Snack?  What's a Yes Snack?  Do you want a piece of cheese, crackers, a cookie, or an apple ...?"

J:  "Mmm ... No apple. I like a Yes Snack"

Happy New Year everyone!