If you believe in Santa

"How will Santa visit us if we don't have a chimney?" Aila asked us today, VERY concerned.

We made up some lame reason about Santa not needing a chimney because he could come through our hatch.

Tai, who is 'in the know' and loves the fact that he is scheming alongside his parents, pipes in and says in a matter-of-fact manner, "Santa just comes down our mast". That seemed to satisfy his sister.

Phew, the magic is still alive and strong in that girl!

Oh and just two days ago Aila lost her other front tooth. Luckily the tooth fairy remembered at the very last possible moment and disappointment was averted. That tooth fairy, she really should update her chart plotter. Doesn't she know little children who are live-aboard cruisers still expect the same treatment as land kids?!

Anyway...

The slow buildup to Christmas has been somewhat shadowed by our preparations for the Bahamas.

We rented a car for one week to get around and get things done.

Last night we braved the crowds at Walmart to do our final big provisioning trip.

Just finding a parking spot was stressful!

We've also taken some time to sight-see, do a free yoga class with some other boat moms (me), visit the local library, visit the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, and do a mini roadtrip to the Everglades National park. 

After visiting Little Havana in Miami, we dropped Anice off, where she returned to Canada.

After spending three weeks with us, it was weird to have just the four of us again on board. Our boat will never look as tidy and organized as it did when Aunty Anice was with us!

This Christmas will certainly be a different one for us. Less frills but no less special. But rest assured, Santa will find us.

We plan to have a chilled morning together, then in the afternoon we are meeting 5 other kid boats on nearby Peanut Island for some swimming, snorkeling and a massive cookout. And of course, there shall be a bonfire to do s'mores galore!

So, Merry Christmas to you and yours if you celebrate. And if you don't, enjoy the time off!

Love from SV Anjulia Sue

Spotted in Little Havana.

Me enjoying my Cuban sandwich. So good!

Incredible Banyan tree!

I don't normally post pictures of our boat jobs, basically because it would take
too long! But this one I had to share to show just how glamorous (NOT!) cruising
life is. This special porridge mixture was poured into our heads to help de-calcify
the toilet bowl and pipes. 24+ hours later and a lot of flushing, it worked.
A modern day Christmas miracle!

I spent my morning vacuum sealing all our meat. Borrowed this awesome contraption from our dock neighbour. Doing this allows us to keep the meat for much longer. When we jump to the Abacos, fresh meat and veggies and fruit will be very hard to come by so this is a great solution.

Aila's Christmas List

Everglades ride

Bird hopping in the Everglades.

Yummy alligator bites!

South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

At the Manatee Lagoon center in Riviera Beach.

Tai running at the science museum.

Anice coming out of the shortcut carrying our takeout Chinese food.

Tv and big sofa at our Miami hotel. We turned into couch potatoes!

Reading and enjoying their big big bed at the hotel.

Provisions after a shop at Walmart. We bought so much stuff, we had to have the kids hold some
of the provisions on our way back.

When there is no snow, we have to create our own snowflakes.

Playing Fill or Bust, our newest addiction.

Sunset leaving Peanut Island last week, after spending a great
afternoon with our new kid boat friends.

This one little tooth coming out was cause for much celebration.

Some Christmas decorations around our salon. That popsicle looking triangle?
That is our beautiful Christmas

Fridge stocked, ready to cross to the Bahamas!

Goodnight world.

Aila reading A Little History of the World. This is what Matt is reading to the kids
these days before bed. Brilliant book which takes the reader (child) through
the civilizations of the world and how it all comes together.