Lest We Forget

~ Holten Canadian War Cemetery, Holland ~
On this beautiful day, take two minutes to remember them

Wash Day

Blue skies, warm temps and sheets drying out on the line. Tonight, we'll snuggle into our beds and breathe in the freshest scents of the day.

A Tisket, A Tasket, I Learned to Make A Basket!

The kids and I were up like it was a weekday today so we could be at brother Enos's early. Nolan was bouncing off the walls from the time he jumped out of bed. Oh, there's nothing like hanging out with their uncle. He's got the XBox and the Wii and a laptop and there's a sub shop nearby and he lets them finish off a bag of chips with pop. Life just doesn't get any better. Thankfully, he had them take a break in the middle of it all and take Willie for a nice long walk.

I was back home before nine and, as I was gathering up my supplies, Dorito arrived. We packed things up and headed out to Keene for a basket-making class. Baskets, especially old ones, are among my favourite things in the whole wide world and I'd been looking forward to this day for awhile.

Maureen and Brenda, the owners of Canal Street, were our hosts and Gina showed us how it was done. Getting started was tricky...especially for someone who lacks coordination. Like me. And Dorito. However, we perservered and soon had this...


Once the bottom was finished, we started weaving the sides. The first few rows nearly sent us into a spin, but, being such brave souls, we soldiered on...


I'm glad we hung in because it was smooth sailing the rest of the way...


And here, our final product...


As we drove home I decided it's time to quit my day job and we're gonna go into business together, making baskets. No need to tell Paul this just yet, however. Dorito thinks it's best to hire someone with coordination to craft the bottom and first three rows (the kids'd be cheap) and then we'll take over, finish them up and take all the credit. We're looking for a name for the venture.

I Love You Two

As we headed up the road to daycare this morning, Nolie said, "Mum, I want to tell you that I love you." (I know - awww)

I said, "Well, I want to tell you that I love you too."

"I love you three," he said with a big grin. He got me.

"I love you four," I replied with an equally sized grin. And so it went. This is how the kids all learned to count.

After I stepped onto the driveway at Julie's, opened his door and helped him unbuckle, he stood and said, "I love you nine."

He opened up his arms and, as I swung him around, we declared together, "I love you ten!"

Tell me that's not the best way to start your day.

Scream!

Cammy, Grandpa and Nolan
~ Very Scary ~

The backward Pandemic

My wee Nolie and I are home again today fighting something off. Lots of coughing, bit of a fever on and off and tired. Hadn't realized just how tough that walk up the driveway could be to meet the bus. Phew. Thankfully my head stopped hurting yesterday and we haven't grown little curly pink tails. Paul was sick with this last week and, other than a lingering cough, is back to normal now. Well, as normal as he gets. Ahem. I think Nolan and I are on the upswing now too and may head out into the real world again tomorrow. For today, though, we'll take it easy and read some more Dr. Seuss. I might even let Nolie pick a story.

All Hallows' Evening

After counting down too many sleeps to remember, the day has finally arrived. All Hallows' Eve. The kids are stoked - especially the youngest who can't believe we would be so evil as to make him wait 'til after supper before we go out. But wait, he will. Paul's at work and won't be home 'til 3:30. We'll have a bite to eat, go out to see a couple of neighbours and then head down to the 'Shwa for some serious 'big city' trick-or-treating. The wait will be worth it. And, let's face it, we wouldn't want to disappoint Oshawa's biggest kid, Grandpa, who dresses up each year and will happily go house to house with my little monsters and backward superheroes.

Happy Hallowe'en everyone! Hope the ghouls are good to you.