Back-to-school! I can not wait for everyone to be back to our regular routine. I know that my kids love to be off school and have the summer to hang with their friends. But why does my house have to be the "hang-out" spot. Probably because we are not home...we are at work. Nothing like having a house with no parents...but this is my house.
And I know, that my Mum and brother reading this will say that this is fitting justice for the summer havoc that I caused back in the day...but I could not have been this bad! Ok...I was this bad! I never fully realized why my Mum came home from work and flipped out when the living room was messy, or there were kids piling out the back door when she walked in the front door. Hey Mum...I get it now. Can you release me from the curse/hex now?
In all seriousness...we are busy getting ready for back-to-school. Got the clothes this past weekend and plan on a shopping trip for supplies this weekend. Staples has these great lists which are grade-appropriate and it makes things alot easier than letting my kids decide what to buy. Can you imagine my bill then? No Alex...there is no laptop on this list...sorry. Miss Victoria, I don't see a binder with speakers on this list...put that $50 item back on the shelf. Guess I get to have my little bit of justice after all!
I always see back-to-school time as a time for a fresh start...even though fall is not the fresh start season. The new supplies and clothes...with the fresh faced kids heading back to learn more and have new adventures. Maybe it's the smell of newly sharpened pencils or the clean house at the end of the day...but I just love Back-to-School!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Our Beluga experience
Just had to post a photo of the kids having their Beluga experience...
Not much happened this weekend...Don and I are still reliving the memories from last weekend!
Can't wait to go back again!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Everyone loves...Marineland!
My company had their corporate picnic at Marineland on August 18 and Don and I took Tori and our nephew Brandon along for the fun. It was a great day...but very long and lots of walking/running after our boy.
We started out early...we were in the parking lot waiting for the park to open! Brandon was so excited, pointing to rides that he wanted to try. He had never been to Marineland and Don and I had a few surprises in store for him. The day was extra-special for me because my friend Cathy was there with her hubby, Chris - Chris works with me at Walker.
When the gates finally opened...we hit the deer park first. Brandon was not overly impressed with the sleeping deer...the deer were less impressed with him...little kids are noisy to tired deer! We knew that once the feeding hut opened that the deer would become more interested - deer like to be fed. We handed Brandon his ice cream cone filled with feed and waited...camera ready...and the deers did not disappoint...within seconds, he was surrounded by the deer, nibbling at his deer feed cone. Brandon didn't want to give the food to one deer...so he held his cone high...like a little male version of the Statue of Liberty...trying to get away. The deer were taller than him and just leaned in for more food. Finally, Don gave in and rescued Brandon...plucking him up and out of the way. But not before we had a good laugh...
We visited the Killer and Beluga whale tanks...and these creatures are amazing to see close up. Don, Brandon and Tori got to encounter the Beluga experience...for a fee, you can feed and touch the belugas...and it was definitely worth the wait (40 minutes in line...). We have great pics of that adventure and Marineland was kind enough to take a few...again for a fee!
Lunch with my co-workers was great...food was good and it was nice to see everyone with their families. It was a much needed break from chasing Brandon from place to place and we all enjoyed the burgers and dogs!
We just had to see the dolphin and seal show...so it was onto King Waldorf's Castle for the show. We got there 45 minutes early...but the place was still packed! I could not believe that this small amusement park could hold sooo many people! The show was cute...and the dolphins were amazing-worth waiting for.
We were running out of steam at this point, but Brandon had yet to see the Killer Whale Splash show so we made our way back up to Friendship Cove. The kiddie ride area was a sea of parents and crying kids...the wait in line was over an hour in most cases. We convinced Brandon to forget the rides this time...and herded our group to the Killer Whale show. We could not get near the place...it was 4-5 deep with adults along the edge of the pool. You could not see the kids for the adults in the place. We waited for the show, standing in the heat...Brandon asking me how much longer every 30 seconds. Then, when we had one minute to go...he said, "Uncle Don, I need to go to the bathroom!" Well that called it a day pretty quick...back to find a bathroom, updated our tickets for seasons passes...and got out of dodge!
All in all, we enjoyed the day very much. We plan to take Brandon back again in a couple of weeks so he can try a few of the rides that he missed. And it's great exercise for us...chasing after him as he calls over his shoulder, Come-on, Auntie Nessa...hurry up! But I would not change that for the world! I love watching his face light up when he sees something amazing! That is definitely worth all the waiting and walking - for sure!
We started out early...we were in the parking lot waiting for the park to open! Brandon was so excited, pointing to rides that he wanted to try. He had never been to Marineland and Don and I had a few surprises in store for him. The day was extra-special for me because my friend Cathy was there with her hubby, Chris - Chris works with me at Walker.
When the gates finally opened...we hit the deer park first. Brandon was not overly impressed with the sleeping deer...the deer were less impressed with him...little kids are noisy to tired deer! We knew that once the feeding hut opened that the deer would become more interested - deer like to be fed. We handed Brandon his ice cream cone filled with feed and waited...camera ready...and the deers did not disappoint...within seconds, he was surrounded by the deer, nibbling at his deer feed cone. Brandon didn't want to give the food to one deer...so he held his cone high...like a little male version of the Statue of Liberty...trying to get away. The deer were taller than him and just leaned in for more food. Finally, Don gave in and rescued Brandon...plucking him up and out of the way. But not before we had a good laugh...
We visited the Killer and Beluga whale tanks...and these creatures are amazing to see close up. Don, Brandon and Tori got to encounter the Beluga experience...for a fee, you can feed and touch the belugas...and it was definitely worth the wait (40 minutes in line...). We have great pics of that adventure and Marineland was kind enough to take a few...again for a fee!
Lunch with my co-workers was great...food was good and it was nice to see everyone with their families. It was a much needed break from chasing Brandon from place to place and we all enjoyed the burgers and dogs!
We just had to see the dolphin and seal show...so it was onto King Waldorf's Castle for the show. We got there 45 minutes early...but the place was still packed! I could not believe that this small amusement park could hold sooo many people! The show was cute...and the dolphins were amazing-worth waiting for.
We were running out of steam at this point, but Brandon had yet to see the Killer Whale Splash show so we made our way back up to Friendship Cove. The kiddie ride area was a sea of parents and crying kids...the wait in line was over an hour in most cases. We convinced Brandon to forget the rides this time...and herded our group to the Killer Whale show. We could not get near the place...it was 4-5 deep with adults along the edge of the pool. You could not see the kids for the adults in the place. We waited for the show, standing in the heat...Brandon asking me how much longer every 30 seconds. Then, when we had one minute to go...he said, "Uncle Don, I need to go to the bathroom!" Well that called it a day pretty quick...back to find a bathroom, updated our tickets for seasons passes...and got out of dodge!
All in all, we enjoyed the day very much. We plan to take Brandon back again in a couple of weeks so he can try a few of the rides that he missed. And it's great exercise for us...chasing after him as he calls over his shoulder, Come-on, Auntie Nessa...hurry up! But I would not change that for the world! I love watching his face light up when he sees something amazing! That is definitely worth all the waiting and walking - for sure!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Canal Days - Aug 2007
So...Don and I had some time with Tori at Canal Days...and it was fun. We walked along the canal looking at the vendors goodies...and Tori got her first 'tat! Not looking forward to when they become permanent...this one wears off in a couple of weeks.
The weather was great...sunny and warm with a bit of a breeze to cool things off. Perfect ice cream weather...and again...Tori had to indulge.
Now that Tori is getting into her teens, she doesn't often want to come on outings with us. We usually have to coax her, or bring the neighbourhood along...but today...she wanted to be with us. Without the usual drama or entourage! Soon enough, my baby girl will be off with her friends, so it's days like this that I cherish. Laughing with her in the summer sun!
Friday, August 3, 2007
Holly's Gentle nudge...
My friend Holly from the Nook message board is the GTD member for August and has "nudged" me to get back in the habit of blogging. I admit that I am a slacker in this department...but I will try to be better.
Holly has started a game of Scattergories...and here are my entries:
My Name: Vanessa
1. Famous Singer/Band: Van Halen
2. 4 letter word: Vain
3. Street: Victoria Avenue
4. Color: violet
5. Gifts/Presents: Vase
6. Vehicle: Viper
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Vials of sand
8. Boy Name: Victor
9. Girl Name: Valerie
10. Movie Title: V for Vendetta
11. Drink: V-8
12. Occupation: Video store clerk
13. Celebrity: Vanessa Williams
14. Magazine: Vanity Fair
15. U.S. City: Vermont
16. Pro Sports Teams: Vikings (Minnesota)
17. Fruit: V-8 Splash (fruit drink...I can't find a fruit starting with V)
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Very, Very tired
19. Something You Throw Away: Vitamins ( old ones – expired)
20. Things You Shout: Victory!!!
21. Cartoon Character: Velma (Scooby Doo)
There...sorry some of my entries were kinda lame...but V is not a common letter...which is why I love that my name starts with V...love being original!
I am tagging Heather V, Kristi-Anna, and Janice...have fun with Holly's challenge ladies!
Holly has started a game of Scattergories...and here are my entries:
My Name: Vanessa
1. Famous Singer/Band: Van Halen
2. 4 letter word: Vain
3. Street: Victoria Avenue
4. Color: violet
5. Gifts/Presents: Vase
6. Vehicle: Viper
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Vials of sand
8. Boy Name: Victor
9. Girl Name: Valerie
10. Movie Title: V for Vendetta
11. Drink: V-8
12. Occupation: Video store clerk
13. Celebrity: Vanessa Williams
14. Magazine: Vanity Fair
15. U.S. City: Vermont
16. Pro Sports Teams: Vikings (Minnesota)
17. Fruit: V-8 Splash (fruit drink...I can't find a fruit starting with V)
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Very, Very tired
19. Something You Throw Away: Vitamins ( old ones – expired)
20. Things You Shout: Victory!!!
21. Cartoon Character: Velma (Scooby Doo)
There...sorry some of my entries were kinda lame...but V is not a common letter...which is why I love that my name starts with V...love being original!
I am tagging Heather V, Kristi-Anna, and Janice...have fun with Holly's challenge ladies!
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