Author: Pam

There really shouldn’t be any special reason to feel relief at the end of October, except that Halloween costumes fall hot on the heels of K’s birthday.  Except that entire evenings and some days are spent in my sewing corner, trying to make the deadline.

A little of the past 2 weeks.  L&L got to go to a Bomber game, which bombed but they had fun.

We got to do some babysitting/playing with cousins.  Lots of fun was had, although I’m not sure the littlest L was always having fun without his mama.

Okay on to the stressful part.  Our birthday cupcakes got baked and decorated,

a unicorn (since named Stella) and riding habit for Sarah were sewn in time,

Jack-o-lanterns were carved, (although this wouldn’t have happend if K’s ballet teachers hadn’t quit half an hour before the dance class),

Finally, Gorzan the Gorilla leader from Lego Chima and Miss Pirate Princess made there appearance for the Halloween party at school and trick-or-treating.  Phew!  L might be right, I can’t help myself, but it’s fun.  I have to admit that the sewing that happens after the kids are in bed, is only technically for other people.

It has become a tradition for some members of the F family to camp together.  This year we were at Otter Falls in the Whiteshell.  It was nice, there has been talk of returning next year.  The weather was definitely not too hot, but at least it only rained Thursday evening.

Friday we went to see the Petroforms; rocks arranged like turtles, snakes etc that are spiritually significant to the First Nations People. 

 The wild blueberries were plentiful and so delicious.  Everyone helped themselves to an early lunch appetizer.  The afternoon was spent relaxing while L&K played on the playstructure.

L&D arrived Friday night.  Saturday we hiked Pine Point Rapids Trail.  It was a little more ambitious at 8.2km return, but with some brainstorming Grandma was convinced that she could make it to the first waterfall.  She did!

Grandma rested in her lawn chair with a book and a view of waterfalls while the rest of us did the second loop.  With 4 kids and 6 adults it was bound to happen that someone would get separated from the pack.  C turned off the trail where Uncle L was exploring, Ly missed this and continued on, moving faster and faster to try to catch up.  When we realized that he was missing Daddy hurried up the trail, they were gone too long for my liking, but eventually Ly backtracked and was found.  Thankfully he stayed on the trail and wasn’t really lost.

Sunday morning we organized ourselves for a game of ultimate Frisbee, boys against girls.  It was fun, even if the girls didn’t stand a chance.  I vote for a rematch on Mom and Dad’s lawn.  After running around in the sunshine we braved the lake water.  It was still too cold, but with true Manitoba spirit “it was refreshing”.

Thank you all for a great time, as Ly moaned during the packing up “360 days is too many days to wait!”

Day 3 started great; K woke up with “my first happy dream”, something about Dad blowing his nose.  The mosquitoes were still around so we had breakfast in the tent, packed up and headed off on a Fossil Safari.  Fossils were everywhere to be found, even for L.  L, K & I saw a rattlesnake on the road from the back of the bus, Daddy missed it and was disappointed.

K eventually rebelled against fossil hunting, so she and Daddy started their own cactus hunt.  She wanted to go back but there no mosquitoes where we were so the rest of us were happy to be looking at fossils.

We spent the afternoon exploring the Dinosaur Provincial Park Visitor Centre and hiking around some more.  By then we were tired of mosquitoes and just plain tired, so we headed on to Calgary arriving in time for a much needed shower and supper.  The evening was spent wrestling with Aunt I and Miss J on the floor, while Dad checked emails and uploaded work he had done on the drive.

We forgot to take our camera camping this past weekend.  We had lots of fun in wonderful weather that will have to stay in our memories.  K was feverish Saturday and Sunday which was definitely a damper on the weekend.  Thanks to Tylenol and Advil she did manage to have fun in between the medication wearing off.  She is still recuperating and not quite her normal energetic self.  Last night at bedtime L had a fever so I am keeping him well supplied with fever busters today.

Life is busy with everyday things, but every now and then we do something special.  We took some family time on Sunday to attend the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s (WAG) Family Sunday.  Right now they have the 100 Master’s Exhibit.  It was good, small compared to some of the other art galleries that Lowell and I have had the opportunity to visit, but long enough for L&K.  I haven’t had the privilege of enjoying Canadian art, especially the Group of Seven.  I really liked “Icebergs” by Lawren Harris.

L&K’s favourite part was the “make your own art” station.  We all spent some time playing with oil pastels.

Last night L participated in his school’s winter concert.  They performed the “Snow Party” inspired by the book by Harriet Ziefert.  His class did a great job singing “La Neige Tombe”(The Snow Falls).  Our family was very proud of L; he was the only one in his class with a speaking part.

Madame B. his teacher said that L had earned the honour.  I am assuming for the same reasons that she wants to clone him 19 times; L is very respectful, obedient and works hard at school.

You did a great job L!

K woke up this morning all sad that Halloween was over and she would have to wait a whole year to get more treats.  L had a school party and K had a party at her dance class which wasn’t cancelled believe it or not. Only 2 kids showed up at K’s dance class I guess the temptation for candy was too good to pass up.  I must be a stick in the mud mom because I think the candies they got from 2 dozen houses is plenty.  Although 2 of those houses were family so those treat bags were extra special (thanks guys) and the lady from next door dropped off a large goody bag for each of the kids before they went out for the evening.

We had Strawberry Shortcake although without the hat we had lots of Raggedy Anne comments.  I just didn’t feel like making a hat.  I was talking to another mom at dance class and she had paid $50 for her daughter’s Strawberry Shortcake costume.  Commercialism what else can be said.  “Bee” didn’t come with us but K was pretty tired by the time we got home and so the happy smiles came out when she discovered her blanket in the dining room.

Mr Shark was fierce.  We actually made this costume in the spring for a dress-up day in Kindergarten, thankfully he was more than happy to wear it again.

It’s done, just like when he finally walked there were no mishaps, starting, stopping, not tippy at all.  We have been biking to school (about 1 mile) since classes started.  It has been really good practice for him.  The past 6 weeks I have been calling him Stealth Rider; when he rides on 2 wheels only I can’t hear him behind me.

 

(Bribery was a factor in this achievement.)