flannel story set - my handmade present for MM

a little girl who does not like Santa

About Santa, so Ming Ming was afraid of all adults dressed in customs, including Santa. In Charlottesville, during the Christmas parade she was totally freaked out when Santa approached. We took her to a Christmas concert, and Santa was there at the end of the show. As we sat on the front role, I got a chance to tell Santa that MM was afraid of him and if I could shake his hands so that MM would know that he was friendly. So we shook hands, MM as well, she also got a candy, and thus make peace with Santa. But she still did not want Santa to bring her any gifts. "Mama already bought me a book, I don't need any gifts from Santa" "I don't want Santa to come, I don't want any gifts from Santa".

As Christmas approached, we read a few books about Santa and she loved all the stories. Finally she said that she wanted a book and a cup cake from Santa. But on Christmas eve, she did not want anything from Santa again, but still wanted Santa to come for Alexandre. She was also very excited when we told her that Philipe (who was going back to work as an air traffic controller on Christmas night) would probably meet Santa as he had to direct all the airplanes so that they would not crash with Santa's sleigh.

On Christmas day, upon seeing all the presents under the tree, she picked up a phone and called Santa to say thank you! Guess that finally she was happy that Santa did come during the night.

what was MM doing during the whole dinner?

she was busy putting her shoes under the tree so that Santa would know where to put her presents.

came back to bother mama a bit, asked for a story, etc

went back to check if her shoes were in the right place

playing with papou

attempted to go up to check if Alexandre was sleeping well

interrogated tonton and papa why there was a page torn in one of their childhooh books that Mamie dug out again for Alexandre and MM. -- "Why did you tear your books?"

Around the table, an enjoyable christmas night dinner

table was set, christmas dinner ready

Ming Ming used to eat a good dinner, but her christmas night dinner was composed mainly of milk and bread, and at the end of a long dinner, a delicious piece of cake.

Mamie was touched that Nicolas has taken up Michel's role in handling the turkey.

yum yum

papa avec Alexandre et MM

Papa Antoine est arrive

papou a deux enfants dans les bras

papou avec MM et Alexandre

reading with papou, each with his/her own book

high tea ceremony with Mamie

a snail in the house / 明明是個大蝸牛

going out with Tonton to see Christmas light

Alexandre was in bed, MM took advantage of the situation for a walk alone with Tonton in the cold winter night to see some neighborhood christmas decoration.

bringing in snow to play in the house - idea of a mum coming from the south, apparently a must-not-do in snowy Canada where everyone brave the weather to play outside

le soir a la maison

les deux bebes

"je veux regarder la tele" - c'est plutot MM qui dit ca.

un petit seance tele avant d'aller se coucher

me staying up to make a secret present for MM

a la maison

breakfast

dancing to a russian folk song

la gross bete et la petite bete

"lassez moi tranquille dans mon petit coin" -- MM

Alexandre working quietly on his bread

Ming Ming playing piano with Tonton

une promenade dans la neige

Ming Ming et Alexandre

DC airport

the two cousins got to see each other again

last time MM rediscovered the passion for binky when she saw Alexandre using it, this time it is the exersaucer.