DPoD July 9th - It's Not a Normal Wednesday

Today seemed to start off a little odd. Big C was up with a time that started with a 6 (6:30 I was told), but Monkey was up at 7. He must have heard us saying that his current 'staying up late and sleeping in' policy doesn't seem to be working, so he got up early so that he could go to bed early. Since we were up and raring to go, we thought it best to run a quick errand for Mommy at Transport Canada. We dropped off the envelope and were ready to leave when Big C pointed out the trucks. Lots of them. An incredibly large amount in fact. We paused before getting into the car and daddy was able to capture some of them on the camera as Big C shouted ' Car Carrier'.....'Cement Truck'....'Truck with Loader'...
I think we'd be there still given the chance.
Alas, we were soon of to the museum to see the trains. The boys started off by looking eagerly for the train to arrive. It was late, which was strange, but the boys excitement only grew. We rode in the coupela and had a really great view. We returned to a throng of city camp groups and dashed off for our snack. If anyone can find what was strange about the pictures from this train ride, they will receive* a fantastic mystery prize. Please reply in the comments section.
Monkey completed his chart - the one that contains the members stickers and when filled is entered in the draw for a prize. He expected it to be exchanged for a prize, so he was a little let down. He did however get a new chart to fill out and that really perked him up. Looks like we'll be going there in future, though daddy would like to try out the aviation museum soon for a little variety. Any takers?

Happy Wednesday to all!

(* the term receive is used to indicate that you need to pick up your prize from the WB household to claim your prize. Upon arrival the prize may be one of the following randomly selected items - a big hug from both boys, a lollipop, a single brown smartie - Big C's personal favourite, a new speedboat, a tricycle or a ride home in your own vehicle. Offer expires 12/31/08)

DPoD July 8th - Part II

We went out this morning and visited 'Bampa' since he is home for the week on vacation. Daddy and Grandpa snacked on Coke Zero (I was quite impressed by it) and some chips while the boys played in the pool. We observed some interesting things:

1) They hasd a great time together in the pool - though each took a quick turn spraying the other with the hose and learning that it isn't much fun being on the receiving end. Monkey did laugh though when he got it to show Big C how you could react appropriately

2) The boys LOVED the berries (currants) that are growing by the side of the deck. We eventually had to pull them away from it, but they shared and enjoyed the snack very admirably together

3) That if you can't fill the big watering can in the pool, just use the little one and then pour form one in to the other. Our little ones are thinkers and man are we in trouble in a decade (or sooner!)

4) That drying off can be just as much fun as getting wet

Thanks grandpa for a wonderful visit and a really fun morning.

DpoD July 8th - Switching over to Summer Saving Time

Since summer is here we thought that we'd try to switch the boys over to a sleeping time that would give us more sleep on the weekends and maybe some sleeping in for daddy during the week. So far, we're 1 for 2. Monkey has certainly shifted, which is giving him and mommy some great time together in the evening. Big C however is still resilient. We've tried to re-introduce the afternoon nap. It went over REALLY well yesterday (I don't think I was able to even get out of the room before he was asleep), but I think he was up at about usual time this morning. I'm not really sure since Mommy has been getting up with Big C and letting daddy catch a few more zzzzz's. What a lucky husband I am! I love you sunshine. Here's a shot of Monkey still fast asleep at 8:05 (he was up at 8:12 looking for mommy to snuggle).

DPoD July 7th - Monkey's playdate with An Older C

Monkey had a great playdate today as one of his friend's that's having a birthday party later in the month came over. They read books, played the fishing game and then headed outside while Big C had a nap. Here are some of the shots of the boys as they discover the 'fire hoses' that can be used to spray in the air, spray the playhouse and spray each other.

From there they descended into the Spiderman pool. The took on their own form of diving in and had a fabulous time. Here's hoping for more playdates in the near future!

DPoD July 6th - A trip to the Museum of Agriculture

We decided to make good use of the extra car that we had made available to us and take the family of 5 out and about. We looked at all the places that Mr. I would be going to and chose the museum of Agriculture since it wasn't on his list.

Off we went and visited the cattle, including one poor girl waiting for a milking who on top of it is in heat, as well as lots of other animals. We then checked out the play area, where it seemed that Monkey is more adept to riding farm animals than Big C, and then took in the honey demonstration. We all learned a lot about the making of honey, and even tried one of many varieties that they had on hand for us to sample. The majority really enjoyed the buckwheat variety. Saje considered it 'the kind that grandpa would have likely had on hand in the house'. Mr. I. mainly hung out in the back and watched from afar until we recommended that he try some of the sugary treat.

From there we went to the tractor demo and the little boys went for a ride in the cab. We easily convinced them to get into the picture of the retro-1900 tractor, but Mr. I wasn't game. After all the tractor demos we went to the potato recipe class where Monkey and Big C got right into things. Mr. I sat and watched.

All too soon we were headed back home for dinner and a relaxing evening. The WB's had a great day taking in the sunshine and all that was on hand.

DPoD July 5 - Back on track

After soccer we went to the Bussey's place for a little lunch. To Mr. I's delight I am sure we had hot dogs on the barbecue. I am quite sure that he's convinced we don't do almost any cooking at all inside. I assured him that only during the summer months do we barbecue like this.

Upon our return home I thought I'd take a page out of the Bussey handbook and get some water action going in the back yard. The kids laughed and giggled. Particularly Big C. His favourite was the Splash Rocket and I happily got some photo evidence of him playing with it.

He quietly nestles the rocket onto the base

He makes sure that it's steady and that the countdown has begun

Knowing that his brither is about to hit the switch to make the water blast off the rocket, he starts to run as fast as his little legs will carry hime since he knows what's coming (laughter ensues)

Then he's at a full sprint by the time that it even gets to his height off the ground, but he's certainly not looking back

And dashes to stay dry.Thanks mommy for getting us such wonderful toys!

PS - Sunday the boys were at it again, however this time Mr. I joined in on the fun, mostly with the 'water hose' spraying the boys down in a full on water fight!!!

Soccer Saturday

We are the parents of two young children. This seems to mean that every moment of their lives are captured on film. Wait, I'm showing my age with that comment! Every moment is captured digitally and then uploaded to our blog! I am starting to wonder if that will always be the case. When I wonder if that will always be the case I start to wonder if the fact that I am wondering it will mean that I will soon stop doing that.

I wonder!

Today is Saturday so Monkey had soccer practice. Off to soccer we go in the green train. Yes that is a sledgehammer in the back of the green train. It helps with discipline issues that might arise ; ) He is in the red hat.
Gimme the camera mommy...
puhleeeeze...
I wanna randomly take pictures of Mrs Bussey
lots of them
just 'cause I like to press the buttons
Monkey as the British Bulldog
Big C hanging with Mr Bussey Mr I chatting in Spanish with our friend from Uruguay.

There you have it. A photo montage of the morning soccer practice. I noticed that Dave also has a slew of photos from the afternoon spent playing in the pool and with the hose. This, is a lot of photos. They will start to call us the paparazzi.

Great customer service by OC Transpo

Friday morning Mr I's wallet slipped out of his pocket on the bus. It contained $70 in Candian currency and 10 Euros. It also contained his visitor bus pass. The teachers at his school called OC Transpo but got the usual answer "it'll take a couple of days for it to make it's way to the lost and found if someone turns it in. Come by in a couple of days." Basically, wait and see.

Whenever we have a student stay with us we slap our family label stickers on everything. Bus passes included. I didn't know anything about the lost wallet. On Friday afternoon I received two phone calls from the dispatch office of OC Transpo. When I called them back I was worried that Mr I was lost. They filled me in on the wallet and bus pass that had been found. They went on to say that they would be sending a car out to deliver it to our house.

Wow! That is great customer service. I know that the WB family and Mr I really appreciated it.