Dinosaur Roar and Paved Paradise

Day 2:

Since we had made the effort to get to Drumheller we needed to do Drumheller things so we packed up our stuff and headed to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, the dinosaur museum. 

Really for a family of six it is not too expensive. Now a museum, especially a very scientific museum, with a lot of writing is not always super fun for a toddler. No fault of the museum. I blame toddlers. Why don't they have a longer attention span?  Why can't they read?  

Fortunately the Royal Tyrrell Museum is super well done. There are some interactive exhibits and the giant bug things are creepy. Patience liked the time

tunnel and Niles liked watching the world change through time. Xavier is fourteen and so has no opinion at this time. Evander really liked the dinosaurs. We would walk along and I would hear, "Where the saur? Oh! There he is!", over and over again. 

After we saw mostly everything we headed out to the walking paths. We agreed that because it was 35C outside we would not do the entire loop. The last time I had been there it was with Joyce and we didn't do the loop either but it was so cold and windy that day instead. 

I have a picture of Xavier and Niles on the same slope from the last trip. They are a little older this time. 

This time I doubled the children. 

After lunch and a quick change up of the car seats, the air flow in our van is terrible making the children sweat to death, we headed out to Banff to camp.  I didn't take pictures. It is like camping in a parking lot that I had to pay for. It was alright but I will remember to skip it the next time. On the positive side the pop-up canopy that mom got is working great. 

I did take a picture of scenery. 

 

Our Alaska Adventure

WIWe started thinking about this trip one year ago when Rob reminded me that our fifteen anniversary was coming up and we try to do something big one the five years. After a discussion with Rob we thought that a big family vacation was in order because Xavier is getting older and who knows when we would have another chance to do this. Some plans were made. I took a part time position at work so I could be ensured a long stretch of time off and we started acquiring campers. We finally decided on a Boler. Early on we invited my parents to come too because when travelling with a number of children more grownups are helpful. This also meant we would be travelling in a Boler convoy (all two of us). We didn't make many plans beyond that because we didn't know how well the toddler would travel. So this is the account of our Alaska adventure. 

Day 1 

We began with a bang, quickly packing up everything that was left and heading out to Drumheller. Following Google maps we headed out. It was a lovely drive, quiet, with little traffic. Great, except where were the gas stations? No gas stations.... Nope.  None at all. We started looking when we were on a third of a tank. Kept looking at a quarter tank and as we were pulling into the valley near Drumheller mom texts me, "our low fuel light just came on".  At that moment I was looking at our low fuel light so I knew how they were feeling. But there were  no gas stations so we just kept going, and going. Somewhere in there we turned off the air conditioner to increase fuel mileage. It was 35C by our thermometer but we just needed to get somewhere that had gas. Finally we drove into a town called Rosedale  Pretty sounding and at that time the van was starting to audible alarms about low fuel so when we saw an open store I hopped out and stopped to ask if there was any place nearby. 

Nope. We had to get to Drumheller, only seven kilometres away. (Side note, if we wanted there to be a gas station in Rosedale we would have to travel there more than in the summer. I made polite noises to that comment). As a bonus I bought ice cream cones because it was almost 7:00 and everything is better with ice cream. 

In the end we made it to Drumheller and found the Co-op. Boy were we excited. So excited that each van bought a large jerrycan and filled it. When we worked it out each vehicle had just over a litre of fuel remaining. Small excitement for the day. Then we went back to Rosedale to the campground we were going to, Pinters Campground. A small, rustic campground with lots of running around room for Evander and hills for Xavier,Niles and Patience. 

The kids started asking to climb the hill before supper but we made them eat first, and clean up. 

We made it to the top but Nancy waited on the trail. She thought it was too high. I just tried not to look down. 

The view of our campers before going up to the top. See the tiny Boler blobs. 

Then we went down and tried to put the small children to bed. That is the first day, in a nutshell. 

A family picture

It has been a while. Right now I am sitting at the pool ignoring Patience while she is at swimming lessons. I think it is the only way we are both going to survive this occasion. I can't watch. She is an opinionated five year old. I am fairly certain that we will be doing this level again because to pass you would have to do any of the skills that they ask you to show. So far not a problem with that. 

Xavier finished grade 6 and will be starting grade 7 in the fall. He grows weary of school so I am hoping that in the higher grades he finds something that interests him and keeps school tolerable. If not it will be a long five years. 

Niles has finished grade 4 and is eagerly looking towards next year when he can be in band. Trombone. (Although we were out of town on instrument testing day so the teacher says baritone. I think he can do it). He wants trombone because he can be annoying. Isn't that great? 

This is our family picture from the Taylor family reunion. Everyone is looking. Mostly. That is all I can ask for. 

Right now Patience is sitting on the edge of the pool not doing what the teacher is asking. I am still ignoring her. Yep this is going to be a redo. We might take another long break. 

I think I have been a little stressed...

Ah my normally busy house. Many things happen during the week. There is band on Monday and Xavier has track practice in the morning; Tuesday workout, Village Time, Xavier's Tae Kwon Do, and Financial Peace in the evening; Wednesday Xavier has track before school and debate club after so don't forget to drop him off and pick him up, church night (and sometimes a work day); Thursday early dismissal, Tae Kwon Do and piano lessons; Friday nothing (yet). Seems busy enough. So let's add a normally independent four year old. Now make her completely dependent. Arrrgh. It is an adjustment and we have been handling it but I went back to work this week.

Yes I went back to work. I had a good day. I was picking up a few shifts to get a few more hours in when the clerk said, "Diane you can't pick up that shift you are already working it".

WHAT!!!

(I really wasn't working it. I checked my schedule)

So we started looking at my schedule and in the middle of March is changed completely from what I was working. Now our clerk did some looking and found a note that said change Diane to ___________ line on March 18. (Background: I have taking a new part-time position but it is the same number of shifts as the temporary position that I was already working) Ah mystery solved and I had no recourse. New position can = new line. It is kosher. Yuck. So what did I do? I cried; at work. Yep. That pushed me over the edge. Maybe I am coping but just. (It is all fixed now. I pleaded my case and at least my schedule is the same as I had planned for March. We will see ongoing.)

So maybe I have been a little stressed.

New Legs for Patience

Ah Patience. Normally a happy, smiling, independent child. Observe.

Taking care of the tomatoes. It was her job. She would get so angry if I would do it.

She climbed up the slide first with all the toys.

A party with Abby.

Working it at Tae Kwon Do.

Well Thursday certainly put a put a crick in her style.

So now, after her open left hip reduction, Patience is not so active. A body cast will do that to you. She is happy today. We left the hospital with our new and modified car seat that we borrowed, a borrowed wagon in the back and a bunch of sitting gifts and headed home. (There are pictures of her smiling I just don't have them right now). At home she watched a bunch of TV, played with her leapster, talked to her brothers, painted pictures and went to bed. A busy day for someone who can't move herself. We will see what tomorrow will bring.

Meet the Teacher

Today I got to have a meet the teacher with Xavier's teacher. I actually had met her before because he has the same teacher this year as last year but I was making the connection and checking in. Apparently I was the first parent to do this although we were all invited to at the beginning of the year. Not to worry though Xavier is doing well. He has grown a lot this year and we both (teacher and I ) agree that it is better than last.

Xavier and Rob running the Bridge City Boogie.

Xavier just finished the cross country season and can't wait for the training for the Bridge City Boogie to begin. He loves running. He gets a groove going and can really put on the km. Think we will all do it this year.

Niles watching the Bridge City Boogie.

Niles got to watch this year and it was his birthday so that was exciting. Now he is old and in grade 3. He reads and plays piano. This year we are trying Hip Hop instead of Tae Kwon Do to see how that goes. He has such great expressions of dislike that if it weren't so annoying I would laugh. You really do know what he is thinking. No poker face on that one.

Xavier loves babies. Hanging with Josh. Isn't he cute? And the baby is too.

Patience and Elizabeth at the playground.

Before the meet the teacher Patience and I got to go to the playground to meet friends. It was windy enough that I flew Niles' kite for the first time. It looks really cool, but it was so windy that I could not take a picture and keep from escaping so just imagine it, tie dyed and rectangular. Very cool. Joelynn came home to watch Patience while I went to get my braces adjusted and she got to stay so I could meet the teacher. Good that Patience loves Elizabeth and Joelynn.

Thankful for the great chickens that you can buy at the store because we were cutting it very close by the time I got home and had to take Xavier to Tae Kwon Do. He had a good time but he says that his partner is very talented so he has to try harder and that makes him sweaty. Poor thing.

(I can't get the font to work properly so it doesn't look as nice as I was hoping but I must move on with my life now.)

Today

Today I slept in until 8 and then I drank coffee until 9. Patience and I went to library school where she listened to stories and I looked and books and then visited with other moms (there were 2 dads as well). Then we had noodles for lunch and I over came my aversion and made cookies. I don't know what had been my problem but cookies seemed too difficult lately so I pulled out my mixer to do the mixing and made chocolate chip (because you can drop them) and made them. They are delicious. Patience went down for a nap and I went for a quick run. After we both went and picked up the boys from school because the weather is so nice to walk. Tomorrow work, the next day the world.... or work.
Niles with wacky hair at camp
Patience's wacky hair day at camp
Xavier did a great job (he plays to win).
Gloria looks great.
Justice League of Saskatoon at the Bridge City Boogie

Ice cream

I love ice cream and so do the kids. Yesterday we went with Val and Curt out for ice cream. Nice pictures huh?

Sunday

Day 1 no necessary post but posting anyway
This week in Diane land:
Xavier ran in the semi finals of the 4x100m track relay. He has speedy feet. His team did not move on but it was fun anyway. Another positive this means that track is over so we don't have to get up so early on Monday and Wednesday to get Xavier to track.

Niles got his new Nintendo DS after showing how responsible he was to earn it. Ask him what he has learned about electronics and being responsible. He is also reading quite a bit by himself but won't let me see it in case I want him to show what he can do.

Patience is super cute as always. She can get into just about everything that she wants to with the help of a stool, tells fart jokes to her brothers and gets by on her looks and stunning personality. A regular kind of week for her. When she gets older she will be a good friend because one of her friends she hasn't seen in 9 months but she still says "Keli my fwriend". Cute.

I am going through a cooking rebellion meaning I want nothing to do with cooking and I guess it means that it is time for some new recipes. Going to try to get to have a peanut butter sauce sundae this week because I have been thinking about them. They are nice and I don't have to share them at all. Finding I am out of touch because I gave up Facebook for Lent and am not getting status updates but still not getting anything extra accomplished. Oh well there is always next week. Rob signed me and him up for the 10km run at the Saskatoon Marathon. Something to do I guess. My goal is to beat Rob but he runs really fast. I saw evaporation this week on the pavement the morning before it snowed again and everything refroze. The roads are great! It is a good time trying to go down the street. A real lesson in patience. Slow and steady wins the race.
I tried to take a picture of evaporation with my camera phone but it didn't really get the misty quality. Maybe when I get a better camera.

Day 6: 20 of my favourite things

1. Smooth natural peanut butter (chunky not one of my favourite things)

2. 90% cocoa chocolate

3. Good coffee with cream in it (whipping cream is even better)

4. Rainbows on my walls

5. When you are in the middle of the music and the harmonies are just right and the hairs on your arms stand up.

6. Fall smell

7. Taylor family get-togethers

8. Red jelly beans

9. Nimrod (the song) playing really loud with surround sound

10. the hour when the kids are in bed before I go to bed

11. Beans

12. Yelling "Congie" for field goals

13. Football season

14. My boots (they are really nice)

15. Doing nothing

16. Band ( I love band)

17. Beaver Creek with the kids

18. Seeing new places

19. Vanilla perfume

20. Running outside.

There they are and I have been told that a certain one of my siblings is a cheater and did not do 20 so ha ha. You lose Roy!

Now for a regular blog thingy

This weekend was Patience's third birthday. We blew it out with a shing-dig and she made out like a bandit. She got a doctor's bag and she has been fixing me up all day. I have had so many needles in my bum I will never get sick again, and I am assured that my blood pressure is just fine.

We had some great cupcakes as well. They were super cute and apparently tasted good as well.
Don't you love grouches?

Xavier and Niles have been very busy. If you ask Xavier he is in eight activities. I haven't had him list all of them for me but he seems to be busy. Niles is also busy. They are looking forward to the week off so they have time to unwind and just be.

Coo's coos

So in super cuteness Patience continues to live and I thought it was time to record some of the cute things that she says. I know that mostly she does not do it on purpose, she is just cute but let's go with it.
While I am typing this we are watching Coo's coos goes to the Docker. Maybe you don't know this Coo's coos. It is alright. I do spend much of my time interpreting toddler, so I will give you a hint. Got the idea? That's right! We are watching Blue's Clues, more specifically Blue's Clues Blue Goes to the Doctor. Last night while I was making supper I also got to play doctor with all the toys. Patience would bring them in and I would let them stick out their tongues and lift their arms and then Patience would tell me they needed medicine. I did mention once that Patience should be the nurse to which she replied " I not furse, I a mommy! You a Docker, not a furse!" It must be hard being that cute. She knows it too because she uses it to her advantage. "Mommy, I yove you. I give you smooches". Try to resist that.

Another one

Trying to get back into blog mode but apparently I am failing. I will give it another try. The above picture is my kid scamwich. Xavier wasn't as happy about it as the others.

Twenty-five things you didn't know about me continued again
11. Sometimes I smile when I am angry because I don't want to yell at you.
12. I miss hanging out with my sisters.
13. My favourite colour is purple but I mostly wear black.
14. I prefer to spell with Canadian spellings which is mostly like UK but not quite but a lot different from American spelling.
15. The name of my imaginary fourth child is Violet.

Xavier is getting a lot more independent this year. He is practicing giving attitude so we are working on getting that under control before he thinks he can get away with it. The best part is that when Niles sees Xavier getting in trouble he goes into superstar mode, "Mom I did my homework is there anything else I can do?", "Mom, can I help with supper?", "There I practiced my piano". Xavier stands and pouts. Ah, children. They keep you humble. I used to know things and I am an idiot.

Patience is cute and two. She speaks in sentences but hasn't got to the question stage yet. That is nice because she talks a lot already and I don't have the energy to answer all of the questions yet. She is quite independent. She dresses herself, pees all by herself and generally makes mayhem. My favourite is that she loves to help cook and to do that she climbs into the kitchen sink and up on the counter right by the stove. I hear a lot of "Mom I need room to cook," and then there she is right beside me. At least she is showing interest in it so she might be able to care for herself when she is older.

This is Xavier's sunflower. It bloomed and then it snowed one week later so it won't come back next year. Makes a nice picture though.

Patience eats

 

Patience does her beany baby impression. Really I am so behind with the blog but I took a month off of the computer. Really selfish of me. I started enjoying my upstairs and ignoring my basement (I got distracted in the middle of the last word and almost wrote baby, but caught my train of thought before you all thought that I was the worst mother in the world).

 

Patience also discovered that I have better food than she gets. She remedied that by reaching up and grabbing the cookie out of my hand. Good picture.

 

We got new side tables and Patience thinks they are the best new toy. So much fun to crawl through. Josiah came over to help out. Aren't they cute?

 

There I did a short update. I am supervising Niles cleaning up so I am actually in the same room as my computer.

They get so big so fast.

This is the picture I promised earlier. Here is Niles ready for his first day of kindergarten. He is very excited. He actually wasn't even worried. Check out the huge grin.

Patience is reading the paper like her mom. Well, sort of like her mom, if reading the paper involves ripping and tasting the paper, then she reads it just like I do, if not. . . well there is no accounting for taste.

Here she is really getting into the paper, or sleeping. Take your pick.

Being extra cute.