Been so busy with Christmas, Homeschooling, and I am starting a new job. A lot to do, much of it enjoyable and conscience expanding. Still I miss you guys. Wish I could dilate time and get in here more often to share with you. It is the holiday season and there are a lot of events that Minime is very excited to attend. Me too.

The Christmas season officially began in Vancouver on December 1, with the annual tree lighting festival outside the Art Gallery in its Georgia Street adjacent square. It wasn't the best night for an outside event. Rainy and cold. Too rainy for umbrellas to do much good. Cool and wet extremities.

There was free hot chocolate, live music, and performers, but the tree light up was delayed, and things were getting way too soggy and uncomfortable. Umbrella spikes in the eye get old fast. The music was good but not that good.

Fortunately, Pacific Centre was just right across the street and offered a roof and central heating to see us through the extra forty-five minutes to the tree lighting. We grabbed ourselves a couple hot drinks with whipped creamed to celebrate the night and went shopping. There might have been a little nocino in my cup to make it a little more nutty and fun.

Our mall arrival timing was perfect, and we just happened to run into good ole Saint Nick himself. I am a lucky mommy. Minime still gets excited over a visit with Santa Claus. Yes ... he knows, but sometimes you have to suspend disbelief to feel the magic. Minime is also a bit of a provocateur and wanted to garner the reaction Santa would give from a kid actually asking for coal. Santa was ready. Coal, he told him, could hide a diamond inside. Despite Minime's attempt at sass, a treat was still obtained and not just some cheapo candy cane either. The mall was handing out twenty dollar gift cards. Score. Like I said, we got the timing right.