Just Stuff

There have been a few events, well documented even, that I've neglected to post. Just been busy and resizing all those images seems daunting. Thanksgiving with Jason's family at his brother's farm was absolutely amazing, kids wore shorts and all 19 of us ate at one huge table. Too many photos to choose from and now that was over 2weeks ago! Had another Thanksgiving the next weekend with my family...smaller, but so nice. We all missed each other for real Thanksgiving so Mom decided to make a turkey the following weekend...fine by me! Hannah was at Guide camp this weekend after attending the premiere of High School Musical 3 with a bunch of friends, the boys are a couple of weeks into hockey now and enjoying it, and yesterday was the triple birthday party! Jason, Dad & Eri all have birthdays in the same week so we celebrate them all together. Granny Gwen was here for them this year so it was extra special!

But, the only picture I have to post right now is from tonight...after dinner Hannah had a little cat tea-party!

It's Snowing.....

a lot.

ughhhh

Weekend Happenings

Something strange is happening to the comments section, I noticed when I logged in that there were a bunch of comments that needed to be checked first...strange - I must have some setting on or something. I'll have to check it out.

The weekend was busy but good, Friday we stayed up far too late playing Euchre with friends - I forgot how much we loved playing that game. Saturday and Sunday both boys had hockey games and practices, at the rink and back 4 times.

Jack's team looks pretty good, his division will be playing with refs and following all the regular hockey rules - which will be a challenge. He is really looking forward to the season - especially when I told him that the league will be keeping stats online.

Henry, well I was worried. Dana took him to Parent and Tot shinny last week on his day off school - and it didn't bode well. Dana said he was flopping about, couldn't get up, didn't skate around - I thought a disaster was in the making. So on Saturday, I helped him on the ice, and off he went - he was all over the place, trying to keep up with the 5 and 6 year olds on his team, as he is the only 4 year old. He did really well, and afterwards said "that was awesome"... His coach seems pretty keen and the kids on the team seem like a good bunch of kids. All in all a good start for these two.

Hannah doesn't really enjoy attending all this hockey business, but then again, the boys don't really enjoy the figure skating so it all works out in the end.

Last night we enjoyed an impromptu Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixin's at Dana's parents. It was great food and good company. Dana also fit in a wedding and a family shoot to boot.

Now it's Monday and I'm looking forward to some rest at work....

Election

Sad but true - I'm far more interested in the train-wreck American election. What's the deal with McCain/Palin? Really are people voting for these two? Palin? Sure, I have plugged my nose and voted for someone before - but come on. It's quite scary that Americans keep electing these fools, funny yes - but scary.

Animals!

Some fair photos as promised.

How crazy is it to spend money on pets? It's been an on-going battle with Jason & me every time there's a sick cat in the house. Growing up on a farm, Jason feels that if a cat is sick, let it ride it out and if it's going to cost a lot of money to fix it, put it down. I don't really feel the same way and have never been able to put a dollar limit on what I would spend. Jason asks what the limit is every time I leave for the vet (including this morning) and I always say I need to see what the circumstances are. For example, it was my own fault 2 years ago that Amy wasn't eating. She had horrible gum disease from never taking her to have her teeth cleaned and she had to have most of her teeth pulled...$700.00. This time, Otto's got hyper thyroid disease. He needs a pill morning and night for the rest of his life. $70.00 for a bottle of 100 pills, $400.00 for the visit. Plus he now has to eat very expensive food for the rest of his life...he's 12...cats can live to be 20+. I agree these visits are expensive but what am I to do? I'm not a vegetarian and I love all aspects of the Markham Fair including dressing up your horse for a costume contest so it's not that I'm some animal rights activist, but they are part of the family!

Election Vandalism...

In the past few nights there has been targeted vandalism against people who support the Liberals (the common thread is everyone had a liberal lawn sign) - really terrible stuff - their brake lines being cut in their vehicles, houses spray painted etc.

Here's a pic?

My question is - Who spray paints in cursive?

The Fair is ON!

I'm so excited, Markham Fair has begun and I've been there ALL day today...photos will have to follow. I'm on a photography committee and will be shooting as much of the 4 days as I can. Today was one of Henry's days off school so he spent 5 hours there with me in the day...we had so much fun! Magicians, animal shows, we checked out the kids' crafts (Henry won a second place ribbon for his sock monster!), we watched cow judging, chickens & baby chicks, sheep, pig racing, some kind of motor bike tricks in the air (Henry was VERY impressed!), Henry had a ride in the power company's bucket on a truck that takes you way up in the air, we had lunch, and I got some great pictures.

Then we brought Hannah, Jack & Jason back with us after dinner for more craft reviewing (no one else won ribbons, wah), midway rides (a perk of being a volunteer is that my kids get to ride free on the Thursday night!!) and the DEMOLITION DERBY!! Jason may have also visited the beer tent with some neighbours, but there are no photographs to prove it. I haven't had that much fresh air in one day in a long time!

AND I'm going back tomorrow kidless! I can't even imagine the photos I'll be able to get without having anyone with me! I sure love the fair and running into people you know and feeling like a part of a small town even though Markham isn't that small anymore.

So since I don't have the photos from the fair on my computer yet, I thought I'd put one from last week when Eri & I took the kids who weren't in school for a walk in the woods.

Here's Ben & Hen & some sticks:

In other news....

Henry has been attending kindergarten, albeit reluctantly, most times crying - but after a few minutes he is fine. He told me the other night in bed, through tears "I wish there was no such thing as school..." I told him there is, get used to it. No I didn't...I told him, well, I just said it a little nicer than that... Poor kid, every day is a little better, and he is really enjoying being there, when he comes out of the classroom he tells us all the new things he did - it's just getting him there.

Anyway, Dana was talking to him at home about some things the teacher sent home, he had to finish this sentence "What I wish to learn more about is...." Dana asked him and he answered..."I want to learn boxing".....Huh? Dana told him, "that's great - but is there anything else in school you want to learn about?" He asked "what's that thing with all the letters?"...."The Alphabet??" Dana said. "Yeah....I guess I should learn something about that alphabet...." Well as long as he tries....

Thank you for all the posts regarding my 'pre-teen'.... I found this on the net - if anyone gives this to her, you will be banned from this blog!!
Sometimes I think she may have secretly read it already....