52/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

The last ones, the Christmas ones. And yes, they have matching pyjamas because that is what Christmas is all about.

And just like that, another year is gone.

51/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie: Making a gingerbread house, once candy for the house, one candy in the mouth.
Mia: She misspelled her teacher's name on the card she meticulously made for her. I didn't dare tell her; she is too much of a perfectionist and would have been devastated.
Charlotte: I love watching her play. I love her tiny and delicate hands and the way she concentrates. And after a minute I can no longer resist and have to interrupt her to bite her yummy cheeks.

50/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Élie: He was worried that what he is asking for is too big, so he wanted to let Santa know that if there aren't enough room under the tree or in his bag, then he should leave his gift behind and bring his baby sister's instead. Yes, I cried a little.

Mia: Her first letter to Santa that she wrote all by herself. I wish I could have framed it instead.

Charlotte: She likes to draw, but mostly on her face and hands. But most of all, she likes to eat the pens.

49/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie and Mia: He is reading her a bedtime Christmas story while I am putting Charlotte to sleep. I think these two have the best relationship, and it is one of my biggest pride.

Charlotte: Her favourite toys at the moment are whatever she can find in the bottom two drawers of the kitchen. Santa take notes.

48/52

" A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie, Mia, Charlotte: We decorated gingerbread houses today. Élie and Mia worked seriously, tasting the lollies as they went along, but working hard and with pride. Charlotte made the most of a bit of distraction to grab the first house and eat it, shouting "cake!" in victory, obviously very happy with herself. Everyone laughed. She can get away with everything, and I think she knows it well.

47/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie: Can you guess where that snowball ended up?

Mia: One day of snow and we have already checked quite a few items on our winter bucket list. Saying that she is excited about winter is really an understatement.

Charlotte: She asks to go out with her siblings each time they open the door, but then usually run away as soon as she realises it means putting on the snowsuits and the boots!

46/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie: He has never had his hair so long and I think he looks oh so cute! I also think this is one of my favourite picture of him.

Mia: She is in constant dress-up mode and this is her favourite outfit. I like that she prefers the vet costume over the princess dresses.

Charlotte: Freezing her little fingers holding on to this bar, but still cannot get enough of that tricycle.

45/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie: Happily heading out to his first ever sleepover. Unfortunately, it did not go so well.

Mia: Enjoying the last bit of afternoon sun at the park, before daylight saving ends.

Charlotte: She calls the swing a "ah-ha". 

44/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie, Mia and Charlotte: I didn't manage to take individual photos of each of them on Halloween. They were way too excited to stay still (and one of them would not keep the costume on!). On the other hand, it is so rare that I get a decent picture of the three of them together, that I think I should just enjoy this one and re-post it again. 

(Can you tell this full-time work and insane commute combo is beginning to affect my blogging and photography ambitions?)

43/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie and Mia: First snow fall! They both had been waiting for that moment ever since they set foot in Canada.

Charlotte: She wants to feed herself most of the time, and particularly enjoy yogourt, clearly.

42/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie: Shortly after this cheerful picture, he started being really grumpy, and then broke down in tears because he didn't want to leave. The cottage is most definitely his happy place.

Mia: She found those glasses in the dress-up box and wore them all weekend. This one can make anything look cute.

Charlotte: Not 100% sure about this whole getting cold thing...

41/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie: He camouflages really well in autumn...

Mia: Talking to herself, making up a story, the usual, wherever she is.

Charlotte: About two seconds before her eyes closed (but after having screamed and tried to wiggle out for 2/3 of the hike).

40/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 20016."

Elie: He has had homework to do on a math app lately, and boy is he pleased to use this as an excuse to jump on the tablet.

Mia: This little one has no grey zone. 

Charlotte: That wonderful stage where they leave a trail behind wherever they go...

39/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie: Our master picker filled out our bag in less than 10 minutes. So we had to get another bag, he said.

Mia: Poor little pumpkin got distracted by a puppy and lost in the corn maze. It was a big drama for the five minutes it lasted.

Charlotte: Two little teeth and she must have eaten at least 12 apples during our few hours there.

38/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie: I think this is the longest his hair has ever been. And I think it's cute.

Mia: The more tired she is, the more energy she gets. That means there has been A LOT of jumping up and down in the evenings after school.

Charlotte: Getting up!

37/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie: He's got the fort and all the water guns. The perks of being the big brother I suppose.

Mia: She is so happy to have friends in the neighbourhood. It's a new thing for us and it's very, very exciting.

Charlotte: She is the one who stayed home with me full-time the longest, but I still feel she is way too little for the real world.

36/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie: First day of year 3. Very proud little man.

Mia: Second first day of kindergarten. Not happy at all the start it all over again.

Charlotte: First day at daycare. She was all cheerful and excited for the photo, having no idea what was coming...

35/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

Elie: How he feels when we talk about leaving the cottage.
Mia: She decided to get her ears pierced. It took all of her courage to get through both ears with the needle. But it was her decision and she went through with it.
Charlotte: First pair of booties for our new little walker.