First Snow

First snow, a few flakes for a few minutes on my way home from teaching. And it reminded me that at this date last year, we had just begun our 3 month family escapade to the Yucatan peninsula, and we had just arrived in our little beach house of Xcalak.

Casa Caracola is a great little house, right in the Xcalak National Reef Park (www.casacaracola.com). That's where Tim, Dylan and Léo discovered the beautiful underwater world of the Caribbean - to my absolute delight. One of my favorite moments of the whole trip was when the boys finally decided that they were ready to go out with us on the kayaks, and snorkel around some of the many boulders of reef about half way between the shore and the reef barrier. They had been practicing right in front of the house for a few days, getting used to the snorkelling equipment. So when we got out Tim partnered with Dylan, and I was holding Léo's hand. We got in... he was unsure and worried that he could not touch the bottom... I told him to just hold my hand and let me gently pull him around. Soon enough he started to relax and look around, pointing enthusiastically at each colourful fish, and I could hear his 'ooos' and 'aaahs' through the snorkel... unforgettable moment.

Some day I would like to go back and scuba dive the Chinchorro with the boys. That would be fantastic.

A nice vision of a possible future adventure - but in the meantime we are very much looking forward to spending the Holidays at home this year. As much as I could do without snow pretty much forever, the boys missed it last year and although it was cool to have a Christmas palm tree, there's nothing like the smell of an evergreen in the living room, with the fireplace crackling. Tim would like to make a skating rink in the park again, it will all depend on the weather of course. We're never sure if we will get enough snow to go tobogganing during the Holidays here in Toronto. That's actually the only reason I wish for snowy cold winter weather... so that the children can enjoy and play. I sure remember those outdoor winter times from my own childhood - skating with my sisters, making snow forts, snow ball fights, snow shoe hikes, and the feeling of having snow caught in your sleeve on your wrists, or not feeling your big toe anymore from the cold. I grew-up in Quebec City, Canadian capital of the snow (so say Quebec city people...). I don't remember being cold when playing outside, I only remember having a great time. In that spirit, I hope it will be a white Christmas. Cheers!