Holy snowmen that was a lot of white stuff that kept us away from all of the weekend goodness the last few days.

Waking up to the rain this morning, my husband and I are more than a bit fascinated with the potential for this huge whack of snow disappearing as fast as it arrived.

Hopefully, the warmer temps will continue as there are some really great events and activities going on around the region this week. Snow is great fun to build forts with. But, piling into the car, well, I prefer the sled.

Here’s what’s happening:

- I’m really excited to see the new literacy theme kits now available over at the Comox and Courtenay Library. You can now check out totes jammed full of books, DVDs and an early literacy handbook and is set up to be age appropriate for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. These sound really great and it’s good to see the Success by Six program stretching out to the libraries. Check them out! This could be an AWESOME Rainy-Day Survival Guide activity!

- The beautiful Live Nativity performance in Simms Millennium Park is at 7 p.m. this Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a 4 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday. There will be a petting farm in addition. So, bring the whole family and enjoy a Courtenay holiday.

- The Salvation Army has launched its annual Food for Families food drive in the Comox Valley. Please be generous and fill a paper grocery bag with non-perishables as well as toiletries and drop them off before Christmas Eve at Thrifty Foods, The Comox Valley Echo, Jet FM or any Salvation Army Thrift Store.

- Courtenay Recreation is offering some seriously fun holiday program for kiddos. (Get registered ASAP, they fill up like lightening) Rudolph & Friends for kiddos ages 2 to 4-year-olds and their parents kicks off this Saturday. Lots of holiday crafts, games, songs and stories are on the schedule. Call 338-5371 or 338-1000 for more information.

- Tickets are now on sale for two AMAZING holiday theatre productions over at The Sid. The Laura Tinkler School of Dance’s performance of The Nutcracker runs Dec. 14 and 15 with shows at 7:30 p.m. both days and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. The cost is $13 for adults, $11 for kiddos ages 7 to 12 and $5 for children 6 and under. If you are looking for a family treat over Christmas week, then make sure to get your tickets for the Courtenay Little Theatre’s performance of Snow White. Shows will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 26-29 and 31 as well as Jan. 3 and 4. Two 2 p.m. matinee performances will be on Dec. 30 and Jan. 5. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and children.

- The Campbell River Singers will host their annual holiday concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Tidemark Theatre in CR. There are some spectacular holiday performances planned for this Campbell River tradition. Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students and children.

- The 6th Annual Odlum Brown Gingerbread Village with bears is now up over at The Old House Village Suites in Courtenay. Check out this lovely display for yourself through Dec. 15. It’s amazing!

- The Prestigious Coastal Art and Antiquities Auction will be this Sunday at the Comox Band Hall behind I-Hos Gallery on Comox Road. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and this is a truly rare and amazing opportunity to see some great art and cultural relics from aboriginal artists on Vancouver Island. There really is something for every budget if you are looking to buy. But, I also think this is a great chance to experience aboriginal art with your family.

- Get on over to the Comox Centre Mall this week and sign the giant holiday card that will soon be shipped off to Canadian troops serving overseas this season. The mall is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the card will be available for signing until the end of business on Friday.

- People with mental and physical challenges are invited to sign up now for the Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports annual festival scheduled for Ja. 6 to 10 at Mt. Washington. The event is free. But, you do have to join the Disabled Skiers Association of BC ($40)

- The Campbell River Pier Street Christmas Market is now up and running. From 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. this Sunday and next you can go and enjoy the wares of 50 artisans, bakers and crafters at the Maritime Heritage Centre on Discovery Pier.

- The Comox Valley Art Gallery Juried Craft Fair continues this week at the gallery gift shop. I have been so impressed by the artists featured at this fair. The work is beautiful and really worth checking out with the gallery open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

- Get your tickets now for the very precious Joey Clarkson Theatre Troupe performance of The Snow Queen. Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story of how love and faithfulness ultimately triumph over deception and disappointment is one which is particulary timely at Christmas, as parents struggle to hang onto the true “spirit of Christmas” in an age of rampant consumerism. The performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Lake Trail Middle School in Courtenay. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for kiddos, available at Jacob’s Well in downtown Courtenay and Sunwest Auto in Courtenay. Joey is a recent Vanier graduate who is doing some really great theatre work. So, bring the family out for this lovely event.

- Reserve your space today for Dr. Carl Ivey’s next seminar, Be An Effective Parent and Use Healthy Discipline to Navigate Today’s Culture Challenges, which runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 at the Ironkettle Restaurant in the Ironwood Mall, Campbell River. The cost is $75 per couple and $50 per individual and registration is needed. Call (250) 286-0542 for more information.