We had two extra kids last night (their parents went to U2). So, in an effort to make bedtime easier, I took them to the park to run, climb, jump, and generally exhaust them.
This is a shot of the boys climbing the rope wall...they are little monkeys.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The imps
We got together with two of my three brothers on Tuesday night and tried, yet again, to get a picture of all four cousins. We had three cameras going, and three adults making insane noises and funny faces to get all the kids to look up at the same time. Success was elusive, but this was the best of my lot.
I shudder to think how we're going to do this once we throw the next cousin in the mix (expected at the end of November).
I shudder to think how we're going to do this once we throw the next cousin in the mix (expected at the end of November).
Grade 3
This was Faith's easiest first day of school ever. She made the token protest about the end to her summer, but she was happy about her grade 3 teacher, happy that her best school friend was in her class, and generally very laid back about the whole experience.
The original plan was for George to drop her off in the parking lot at school so she could take off, and he could hand over Blake to our sitter. But, our sitter had to be at the other side of the school by the grade 3 door, so George, Faith, and Blake trotted through the playground together. Faith was not really happy about this..."What if you're the only parent? I'll be embarrassed." Uh-oh. Soon, she'll be walking 15 steps ahead to pretend she doesn't know us.
She informed me after school that her teacher "likes FUN", and that she was very happy with her first day.
Whew! That was easy. Now here's hoping the trend continues for the other 200 odd days.
The original plan was for George to drop her off in the parking lot at school so she could take off, and he could hand over Blake to our sitter. But, our sitter had to be at the other side of the school by the grade 3 door, so George, Faith, and Blake trotted through the playground together. Faith was not really happy about this..."What if you're the only parent? I'll be embarrassed." Uh-oh. Soon, she'll be walking 15 steps ahead to pretend she doesn't know us.
She informed me after school that her teacher "likes FUN", and that she was very happy with her first day.
Whew! That was easy. Now here's hoping the trend continues for the other 200 odd days.
Last days of summer
After spending part of our long weekend at the my parents, we spent the rest of it at home puttering about and generally being pretty lazy. I had great intentions of getting a whole list of to dos done. But, the weather was nice, we didn't need to be anywhere, we had lots of books to read, and some very comfy outdoor furniture to sit on. Throw in a bottle of wine or two, and it was pretty much the perfect end to the summer.
(Faith is reading a book from the Chronicles of Narnia...when did she get so big?)
(Faith is reading a book from the Chronicles of Narnia...when did she get so big?)
Monday, September 07, 2009
Red ribbons
Faith cemented her love of all things horse on Friday when she entered the horse show at my hometown fair. More precisely, her Grampa entered her in the Fair, and she enthusiastically went along for the ride.
Her first class was the carriage driving class for the under 12 set. She was the youngest one in the class, driving the biggest carriage, and the biggest horse (Sheba). My dad rode along (they had to be accompanied by an adult).
And, yes I'm biased, but it was pretty impressive watching her drive around the ring so quickly (not like Calgary Stampede fast, but fast enough!). She was extremely serious as she concentrated on her driving, while Grampa gave her a few pointers along the way.
When she pulled into the first spot for the class, we were totally ecstatic (including the Great-grands, and Great-Aunt Marg, who were all in the cheering section). My Dad, in his usual way, showed his happiness by shedding tears (yes...multiple tears, in succession, which he later denied).
Faith also entered a costume class (for fun), a riding class, and a lead line class. She ended up with 3 red ribbons, and one third, and $70 worth of prizes. On our way home she stated that she wanted to win more red ribbons next year. She is definitely addicted.
Her first class was the carriage driving class for the under 12 set. She was the youngest one in the class, driving the biggest carriage, and the biggest horse (Sheba). My dad rode along (they had to be accompanied by an adult).
And, yes I'm biased, but it was pretty impressive watching her drive around the ring so quickly (not like Calgary Stampede fast, but fast enough!). She was extremely serious as she concentrated on her driving, while Grampa gave her a few pointers along the way.
When she pulled into the first spot for the class, we were totally ecstatic (including the Great-grands, and Great-Aunt Marg, who were all in the cheering section). My Dad, in his usual way, showed his happiness by shedding tears (yes...multiple tears, in succession, which he later denied).
Faith also entered a costume class (for fun), a riding class, and a lead line class. She ended up with 3 red ribbons, and one third, and $70 worth of prizes. On our way home she stated that she wanted to win more red ribbons next year. She is definitely addicted.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Up to code
Update: Yes, we did have a fire alarm start beeping at 1:30 in the morning. I heard it first, while George snored on. So, I shook him awake so we could suffer together. . He "fixed" it and we went back to bed. Uggh.
We now have all our new fire alarms/carbon monoxide detectors installed and working.
We now have all our new fire alarms/carbon monoxide detectors installed and working.
Monday, August 31, 2009
The torture of beeps
When I walked into the house this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. with the kids, Faith heard this strange beeping noise. Because it wasn't 4:00 a.m., the normal time when these things happen, it took me awhile to figure out that it was the fire alarm upstairs beeping every 10 seconds or so.
Must be low battery backup, I figured, so I tried to find a 9 volt to stick in the thing. After grabbing one from an extra fire alarm, then pilfering one from Blake's remote control car, I figured either all my batteries were done, or I was too short to actually get the battery into the right slot in the stupid alarm. I'm just tall enough to unhook the thing from the ceiling and pop open the battery compartment while standing on our kitchen stool. But, beyond that it's all touch and go until I lose feeling in my arms.
So, after 20 minutes of incessant beeping I gave up. I figured I'd pick up new batteries when I took Faith to horseback riding and George could fix it when we got home.
Ahh....the best laid plans. Once George actually got home, and could read the back of the smoke alarm, he figured out that the beep signalled an "alarm malfunction". And, because the darn thing is wired into the house (and has a battery backup), it was going to keep beeping. Arrghhh.
So....to the Internet! And yes, after 7 years, the alarms spontaneously start beeping so you are driven mad until you replace them. Great safety feature unless you're trying to get your kids to bed and not lose your mind.
But, I had a brilliant idea that all the fire alarms are probably on the same circuit, so we could turn off the breaker and then, no more beeping! George was skeptical. But, and to quote him, "You were right." (I'll repeat that...I was right!)
So, we now have our backup fire alarm sitting on the bookshelf upstairs, the wired fire alarms on the main floor and basement working on battery backup, and the grating beeps are silent. (Also, no lights in the basement, but, you can't have everything.)
Tomorrow, it's a trip to Crappy Tire for 3 new alarms. Here's hoping the other two don't start beeping tonight.
Must be low battery backup, I figured, so I tried to find a 9 volt to stick in the thing. After grabbing one from an extra fire alarm, then pilfering one from Blake's remote control car, I figured either all my batteries were done, or I was too short to actually get the battery into the right slot in the stupid alarm. I'm just tall enough to unhook the thing from the ceiling and pop open the battery compartment while standing on our kitchen stool. But, beyond that it's all touch and go until I lose feeling in my arms.
So, after 20 minutes of incessant beeping I gave up. I figured I'd pick up new batteries when I took Faith to horseback riding and George could fix it when we got home.
Ahh....the best laid plans. Once George actually got home, and could read the back of the smoke alarm, he figured out that the beep signalled an "alarm malfunction". And, because the darn thing is wired into the house (and has a battery backup), it was going to keep beeping. Arrghhh.
So....to the Internet! And yes, after 7 years, the alarms spontaneously start beeping so you are driven mad until you replace them. Great safety feature unless you're trying to get your kids to bed and not lose your mind.
But, I had a brilliant idea that all the fire alarms are probably on the same circuit, so we could turn off the breaker and then, no more beeping! George was skeptical. But, and to quote him, "You were right." (I'll repeat that...I was right!)
So, we now have our backup fire alarm sitting on the bookshelf upstairs, the wired fire alarms on the main floor and basement working on battery backup, and the grating beeps are silent. (Also, no lights in the basement, but, you can't have everything.)
Tomorrow, it's a trip to Crappy Tire for 3 new alarms. Here's hoping the other two don't start beeping tonight.
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