Post 1000 - Out with Big C at the Aviation Museum

This week Monkey is away at camp, so Big C and I have some time for just the two of us (well almost, grandpa just kidnapped him from me for a sleepover). I decided to head for the aviation museum since it was still on my list. A list that is quickly getting vacant. I may need to venture out of the city next month.
Here are some of the highlights from our 3 1/2 visit:
We started by playing out the in playground. It has an aviation theme for all of the climbers, including the rocking airplane. I love the facial expression on this one:Next, we grabbed a photo op at the pilot area:

But then it was time to see the real deal, including this Harrier Jet (I think):
We next needed to call mommy to check in and tell her all about it. If I could caption this it would read 'Excuse me daddy, I need to take this call':
We found all the areas where he could get his hands on stuff, like the controls of this Cessna:
He also had to look out the window to see if he could see the people as small as ants:
After some snack, we hit up the simulators to fly, or rather repeatedly crash, some planes:
Next we found a spot that I don't remember for our previous visit. A big black-glass room with just one door. The lights were off the first time we passed by, but the second time they were all on....and guess what was inside?
Toys.
Lotsa toys.
Every jet, plane, helicopter and associated emergency vehicle that you can imagine.
I think we left after about an hour, at daddy's request.
We took an educational moment to put together one of the puzzles there. He did it surprisingly quickly.

Lastly, we left the museum building by checking out the old cars and motorcycles. He was sure that this one was Doc Hudson.


Before we could leave entirely though, I wanted to go check out the airstrip that we could see from inside. We eagerly headed over hoping to catch a glimpse of ones of the planes at the side of the runway.
Then I heard the roar of an engine.
I got Big C all primed for what was about to happen and hurriedly grabbed for the camera.
A really cool plane took off right over our heads.
Big C was soooooo excited.
Here are the only shots that I could get as I fumbled for the camera.
Here's Big C watching it go up.
and here it is now the distance behind him.

What a great morning and way to celebrate 1000 posts.

Heading in to bold new territory

Well this is it.
Post # 999.
The next one makes it 1000 posts.
Wow.
I'm taking a little time to reflect on the first 998 and it made me wonder.
What started it all?
So I looked back to the first post.
Mommy started the whole she-bang with a post on how to help others who might be having reflux problems.
She's awesome.

It also got me to thinking about my favourite posts.
Here are a few.
Feel free to backtrack with the 'A Look Back in Time' bar at the side of the page and please comment on yours. Here are a few at the top of my list:

Christmas 2007 (check out mommy!)
Phil's good Friday Tumble
OUr Trip to the Fire Station (look how little Big C is!!)
Head n Shoulders (though this is even cuter)
and Turtle Day

What are yours??

The Sleepover - Home Edition

Last night we invited E-man over for his first non-family sleepover. Monkey had already been to E-man's a while ago, so we thought that it was time to return the favour. The boys enjoyed their soccer bbq, then after a bit of the movie following the bbq, we headed for home.
We got the boys right into their pj's, then started to let them have a little fun.
Here they are doing a little pre-bedtime reading:
Followed be a good half an hour of silliness featuring the 'little piggies' (full of giggles!!):
Here they are plotting their next 'attack' on mommy and daddy:
Then finally some teeth-brushing, which by the way was Monkey's only request that E-man really needed to bring, and some stories from the bedtime Bible from mommy:
After about a half an hour of mostly quiet whispers the boys seemed to settle in. Here they are finally fast asleep:
Morning brought about a quick round of snuggles:
Followed by some time playing Playmobil with Monkey's new Police station. (Monkey is so all over Playmobil right now in case anyone's interested). Monkey informed E-man that the 'bad guy' can get out the jail window, so they told me that Steggie (the screaming dinosaur) acts as th alarm. Too cute:
Eventually we all made it downstairs for chomocolate chip and banana pancakes. Yummy!
E-man and Monkey (and Big C) did really well. We're looking forward to another sleepover soon!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

mmmmmmmm......
today there are but only two, but soon there will be more!

Now you see them....
now you don't....

Bonus photo:
A few months ago I donated a few raspberry bushes to the Bussey's as several of the plants were encroaching on the compost bin. In the process I was left with a small hole that I filled with compost. It was really handy so why not?
Yeah.
Here's why not.
In the process this plant decided to grow.
Any plant experts out the on the interweb want to provide some advice as to what it is?
If anything grows, you're more than welcome to come over and share some dinner featuring it at our home once it ripens.
(please note that I have lost my battle with plants vs the compost bin....for now at least)

Prize Scheduling

My wife just reminded me that I owe people some prizes. Here are the prizes that I know about:
Lollipops - I know that we owe Aunt H several, so we can arrange for the boys to meet you near your work some day with lollipops in hand if you'd like (or we can meet up another way)
Days with the boys - please send me your comments or e-mail me. I know that BD has suggested bringing the boys out to her place, so please comment as to when works for you or we can try to arrange something by e-mail or phone. Nuyanne, Shayla and grandma C - please let me know wat you'd like and I'll get it done - camera in hand!
Thanks so much for following our blog, entering our contests and winning!
and if I've missed anyone, please let me know!

Boat Ride!!!!

Sunday afternoon we were invited for a boat ride at M & P's house. Of course, we said yes!!!
The boys took quickly to the hammock by the water and spent loads of time swinging around and giggling. They got lots and lots of pushes!
Very soon we headed out onto the water. Both boys started out front and had a great time as the front of the boat lurched into the air.
Grandma and Monkey got lots of snuggles in and each boy had a turn at driving the boat (with Uncle P's hands still firmly on the wheel).
We just avoided the rain (though we did get a little damp) on the return trip, though Monkey started to lose a little bit of steam.
Thanks M & P for a fantastic afternoon!

The Nature Museum

On Friday grandpa took the day off work to spend some time with us. We thought 'what better way than to go to a museum??'. We had a family pass for the day, so we picked up grandpa and were on our way. The boys were overjoyed to have the big guy around.
We started by checking out some of the floors and settled in on the bats and birds. Big C was somewhat interested in the different birds (especially the ones that were in this display case), however he was totally won over by the rescued animal sanctuary - complete with Jeep. He loved the horn, the radio knob and the storage compartment in the trunk.Monkey was quite interested in the polar bear display. Here he is being a ham sticking his head up through a spot in the ice so that the polar bear can take a swing at him with his big claws. Big C wasn't so sure, so he had grandpa lift him up in safety while this shot was taken.
Of particular intrigue was the thermal imaging camera. Both boys spent at least 10 minutes there, backing up and moving forward, making their arms sway and Monkey took a good deal of time trying to figure out how to look through to the other side of the lens. Here's an image of the 4 of us:
After a shot in front of the moose,
we were off for home. We did however try to leave through an emergency exit (mind you, it was difficult with all of the renovations going on) so we re-entered through the dinosaur exhibit. The boys thought that this was really cool.
Here's Monkey hanging out underneath a huge type of sea turtle:
Then the boys were off to try some of the computer simulations. Here's Monkey trying to show grandpa how it works:
We had a great morning and all too soon it came to an end. Big C was off for a sleepover with grandpa and Monkey and I headed for home.
Thanks for a great morning out grandpa! We'll meet you next time at the pool!!

A tribute to one of our followers

A good friend of the WB's just eclipsed the 30-pound mark in his personal quest for weight loss. This prompted me look up some items that weigh 30 lbs. Here are just a few:
3 ten-pound bags of potatoes -
a sink full of peas (I think that this includes the sink!)-
The Kitamik monster -
a full-size bulldog -
a controversial Wyoming meteor -
a really big scary octopus -
Big C-

Wow. Way to go!