Life with Ziggy

Family shot... in late December!  Are we even back in Canada?

As we roll into the inevitable Christmas finalé, things are trucking along over here at a mad and slightly comical pace.  We are, for instance, currently visiting with Deborah and Yvon (Clark's mom and stepdad), who flew in for a before-Christmas visit. This is, of course, super fun - there is nothing the kids enjoy better than having their grandparents for an extended sleepover.

Hanging with "Deb and Yvon"

Also, however, we found out when Linden came home from school on Thursday that we have been tasked with hosting Ziggy.  "Who's Ziggy", you ask?  Well, folks, he is a stuffed zebra, who takes turns visiting with kids in Linden's class over the year.  The families are then tasked with taking pictures of Ziggy integrating into their daily activities, and they send along the photos and the stories that go along with them to share with the class.  Usually, Ziggy only visits for a random weekend.  But we have been honoured with hosting him over the entire Christmas break.  Would you like to see what he's been up to? 

The solstice fairies brought planting supplies one day (as Linden has been obsessed with planting carrots).  Ziggy helped.

I placed Ziggy on a Zebra tissue box, and told the kids to pretend they couldn't find him.  Juniper was up to the challenge.

Clark and Linden constructed a car for Ziggy's personal use while here.

Ziggy joined us for a nature walk...

... and took an unexpected swim in the icy cold stream. 

He was unimpressed and a little freaked out by the whole ordeal.  He needed a bit of alone time.

After warming up a bit, however, he was into the photo shoot again.

Other than Ziggy and visiting grandparents, we have also been keeping up with the daily shenanigans involved with our gnome in the home,  and the Solstice Fairies.  Usually, this is a point of extreme joy every morning when the kids rush down to find Starlight, and see what the note from the Solstice Fairies says.  Sometimes, however, there is a bit of drama.  I leave you with a few pictures detailing the ups and downs of December magic:

Exhibit 1: Starlight enjoys his new friend... maybe a bit too much?

Inappropriate relations between Starlight and Lucy?  

Exhibit #2: The solstice fairies brought some Sculpy, because the kids had REALLY wanted to make ornaments.  At one point, however, when I suggested that Juniper might not want to put long, precarious limbs on them (due to the fact that they would burn and break), she developed a VERY bad attitude.  After calming down a bit, she felt it was appropriate to write the solstice fairies a note asking for forgiveness:

"To: the solstice fairies.  We had such a fun time playing with the clay. But... I had a bad attitude.  But I promise I will not....

...do that again so please forgive me.  From Juniper"

Exhibit #3: One of the rules of Starlight is that you are not supposed to touch him, lest he lose his magic.  One day, however, Starlight  had been hiding on the railing, and Linden (in true Linden fashion) gave him a good accidental bump as he rocketed up the stairs, limbs flailing.  He completely lost his s%&t.  As in, I've never seen him so upset.  He actually went into the living room, sobbing, and started PRAYING to the solstice fairies to come and return Starlight's magical powers.  "Solstice fairies, please don't be mad at me!  It was an accident! I didn't mean to!  Please come fix Starlight!"  In the end, I suggested that if Juniper helped him write a note, it would be probably all be fine.  It was.

"To: The solstice fairies.  Linden touched the gnome but I hope you guys can fix the gnome.  It was an accident.  Love Juniper and Linden"

Phew.  One adventure after another around here, I assure you!  Next week's post will be on the other end of all the excitement, so hopefully there will lots of pictures and stories to share.  Happy Solstice, Merry Christmas, and see you next week!