Four!!

N3 turned four on Saturday but his party was yesterday.

He is a huge batman fan.

The candle sequence...
Where else would a green tongue be socially acceptable?

A Seven-Layer Cake

N2 likes a layer for every year, so this year, since he is turning seven, he got seven layers.
There are some structural issues, but there is plenty of space for candles.

Happy Birthday!!

Three Tri-

Yesterday it was hot by 10.
That didn't stop anyone from having fun at the Carman Triathlon.

The kids line up to register. N3 didn't compete this year, but the other three did.
Apparently I am having trouble getting a picture of N2's face. And he kept a low profile most of the day. I hardly saw him at all.
Miss S races off on the run section. I am amazed how tall she is growing.
N1 has grown enough that he can ride the road bike. He said he came out of the pool last, but made up time on the bike by passing several people.Oh, and Gina, J's sister, did a Try-a-Tri. She too made up time on the cycling component. Her grandson, the kids' cousin, Nic also competed but I didn't realize he was there so I didn't manage a picture.
After helping to tear down the course, we went back to C and J's for lunch. As is the case when there are numerous children running around, it was bedlam. After awhile, that just became normal and it was great to hear that they were having fun.

Have Tools, Part 2

The laminate was not as easy to install in Mom and Dad's dining room. There was a 3/8 inch subfloor under the vinyl and it was well nailed-probably 8 nails/square foot. But Tina ripped it all out and we set about putting in the laminate.

A proper tool to cut the vinyl out from under the cabinets could not be found, so there is still a strip of that floor there.
But all in all, it looks good.

Have Tools, Will Travel

We went to Mom and Dad's over the weekend and the Geek, as usual, took her tools. Mom and Dad had been talking about installing laminate floors, and now it is half done.
We can create mayhem wherever we are.
To be continued.....

Springtime Snakes

Yesterday we took the nephews to the Narcisse Snake Dens to see the annual emergence of the garter snakes from their winter homes. I had been a few years ago, earlier in the season, and there were considerably fewer snakes to be seen this time. The boys all had a chance to hold a snake, tho' N3 was a little nervous about it, and we are hoping to go back in the fall when Miss S, who was away this weekend, can come along.

Good Neighbours

The old school on my parents' property almost burned down the other night. One of the neighbours, when driving by, noticed a glow coming from one of the windows. She drove back to my parents and called her father and her sons on the way. By the time my parents got back to the school, efforts were well underway to throw out the smoldering straw that had been stored inside. The local volunteer fire department arrived and the building was saved.
I am thankful for people who keep their eyes open and aren't afraid to become involved. This is what small communities are all about.

Easter Bread

The Geek has been helping Mrs Peartree with some home repairs. Mrs Peartree gave the Geek this Portugese Easter Bread.
I've never had a bread with eggs baked inside.

I can't find the story behind the Pao de Pascua com ovo, but considering eggs play a large role in many Easter traditions, I can only guess that has something to do with it.

We Enjoyed the Vitamin D

We had a great time in Mexico with K, Ruzter and Lee.








And who wouldn't enjoy seeing their country's flag flown on the mast of a boat from another land?

We Looked Shipwrecked

We were very happy to get back from our fishing expedition. Not that we necessarily spent a great deal of time fishing. K and I ended up quite seasick. I am obviously a very poor Viking, despite my extensive time at sea (back and forth on the ferry between Dover and Calais and between Victoria and Salt Spring Island and two whale watching capers, one on each coast).

The trip back to Playa del Carman was rough and we were horribly wet from the waves crashing over the bow of the boat, but that didn't bother us; it was the bobbing around like a cork while we were casting at anchor.

Lee slept the whole trip back, wrapped in a towel, dry and snug under a rain poncho.

Our guides caught a few fish, but we just ended up feeding them, gentle Canadians that we are.

We went ashore for lunch and explored.

There were many shells to photograph, washed in from the reef.

An optimistic pelican, one of many that follow the tourist fishing boats.
And a conch shell that Ruzter found in the scrub and carried around for at least 15 minutes, only to drop it when a two-foot snake came slithering out.

A good day and a great lunch. I've never had grilled barracuda before.

Snowdrifts and Snowmen

N3 turned three on Friday but he insists he is five. Since no one can see the harm in his thinking this, they are just letting him continue at that age.
His mom made him a snowman birthday cake at his request.

No doubt, it reminds him of the hills of snow outside.

Signs of my Good Fortune

Since the weather on Christmas day was not conducive to travel, we celebrated Christmas on Dec 27.I am so lucky to have dishes to wash. It shows I have people in my life who trust me enough to eat my cooking.

A Be-lated Family Christmas

The boys check out the Christmas stocking...

Supper.
Snacks.
Being mellow.

Givin' Us the Gears

Today in the mail we received a Christmas package from Ruzter and K and the boys.

The Geek is usually opposed to opening Christmas presents before December 25, but the view through the little window on the box intrigued her.

These are the trivets and gears he has been working on with his CNC. And we were the lucky recipients!
Very Cool!


Thank you!