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The Massasauga

We tented in Oastler Provincial Park Thursday night. Friday we paddled into the Massasauga, with one portage. Saturday we paddled out.

For Laura and Colin:
Our random guess of 22 was pretty good. The ground was really damp in most places--but the tent, being new still, was indeed waterproof underneath.

It was a breezy location, which was essential for the conditions of our visit--buggy and muggy.

(Actually, the heat and mugginess didn't bother me, since there was LOTS of water nearby.)

I am indeed fully clothed (for bugs), and not uncomfortably hot. Yay! :)


Being pregnant, I was only responsible for the children during the portage, and Philip took care of the canoe and luggage. Fair deal, I say. ;) Because it was such a short trip, we(he) even managed to do it in two trips on the way back, and three on the way in. That has got to be a record for us!


A couple days before we left, Melanie and Matthew broke out with the boogers, and both of them were quite clingy, and a bit grumpy.

But camping is all about intimate family time, isn't it?



Campfire is mandatory for a genuine backcountry outing. After all, we're not allowed to have campfires in our own backyard, so we have to do them when we can.

This fire was nestled in behind a rock wall--it was a gusty location after all.


I was not disappointed when no rattlesnake encounters occurred. I'd imagined seeing 20 or so, with one or two bites...but not even a spot to be seen. I enjoy wildlife...but I must admit that I'm not too comfortable with poisonous reptiles just yet--I guess I just need more exposure. ;) I'd probably be fearless if I could pick up the antidote at the local drug store and pack it along, just in case. ;)


Climbing over rocky terrain wasn't something Matthew was keen on, especially since everything was still so new, and he was still not quite over the cold...but he loved having something to hang on to!


Melanie enjoyed camping, but really wished we could carry her around more often. She did request to go home on Friday, but she LOVED the marshmallows.


Even Nathan got sick of the bugs by the end. Especially after the portage on the way home when he was really tired.

It sure was easy to see the age difference in the kids. Nathan had a hoot, and was easy as pie. Melanie had several moments of weakness, and felt insecure with things, but warmed up to them once they became familiar. Matthew was a LOT of work. Once his walking improves, I imagine he will enjoy it more.

Future fantastically fun Friday

Bags are packed.
We're ready to go.
When Phil gets home.

Have fun working tomorrow. :p
We'll be back Saturday.

Ahhh.

Maybe I'll post pics on Monday.

Three Thrillers for Thursday

Horror:

Defiance in a 16 month old.
(To intensify the horror, imagine what this will be like when he's 16 years old!)

Comedy:

Drama queen entertains the masses.
(Please note that humour in a two year old is generally vastly different from that in an adult.)

Drama:

Four year old struggles with a life of excess camera time.
(Times can be trying when the camera doesn't know how to listen.)

The irony of wonderfully wet Wednesday was that an hour after I posted, our water was turned off 'til sometime after lunch. I managed to get 2 inches of water in the pool for the morning round, and had it brimful in the afternoon just because I could!

Wonderfully wet Wednesday

There is nothing like wetness to fight the mugginess. Too bad our kiddy pool isn't really adult size.
But I get by anyways.

They are really chewing up our road...today they're planning to do more of the same. Either I must pull my van out of the driveway right away, or I'm locked in for the day. Decisions, decisions...

Matthew picked up a cold yesterday. Hopefully summertime colds will be a rarity this year!

Topless Tuesday

(But only the boys)

Mishmash Monday

You should read this book if you want to know how I feel about summer in Ontario. :p I shall give you a brief summary of the relevant part.

The Night Girl never saw the sun in her life...then one day she sees it.
I quote:
Anyhow, [the sun] must be death; for all her strength was going out of her, while all around her was growing so light she could not bear it. She must be blind soon! Would she be blind or dead first? ....
"Oh I'm so frightened! What is this! It must be death! ... This is terrible. I want to hide... Ah me! ah me!"

It is a sunny muggy day, with promises of many more to come this summer. Maybe we'll go camping soon--I never mind muggy weather if we're camping since I can dive in the water to cool down whenever I like.


As you can see, playing isn't as easy as it sometimes looks....


Memory is fun with two...as long as Melanie doesn't mess up the cards. Nathan was very helpful and they took turns on their turns helping each other find sets.


Waking up together

and gobbling the dry crunchy end of Daddy's breakfast loaf (that he doesn't want anyways. :p )


Hugs! These spontaneous displays of affection scare me because I always think Melanie is going to roll over or shove Matthew onto the floor. So far no major injuries...

I am the cheese

The real cheese.


This child would have the camera instead of the nurse. I guess he's a misfit. :p

(Thanks for lending me your book, Lulu. :) )

Haha

Personally, I think four years old is a bit young for lame jokes.
He could wait 'til he was forty...or whenever he's moved out of the house.


Say "cheese!" (or not).

"Just so you know...we'll be posting a sign in the future..."

"that will say "no children allowed in the ultrasound rooms.""
(I wonder, what they will do when children need an ultrasound done?)
"Yes, I'm sorry."
"You really can't take all three kids in the room with you. It's small, and it's dark."
"They'll be fine."

Did I think taking all three kids for my prenatal ultrasound was going to be a party?
Probably.
Did I try to find a babysitter for them?
Probably.
Was it my fault one friend is in China, another in Vancouver, and the rest busy chaperoning a field trip for their kids in school?
Probably.
After all, it's probably MY fault that I don't have more friends. :p

The grumpy lady ended up taking Nathan and Melanie behind the reception desk and watching them while they colored. Matthew was in the stroller and fell asleep in the muggy room before half of it was up.
All's well that ends well.

Next time, if I go to the same place, I'll make sure I don't take all three...
or four...

Hard at work artist

This was a birthday present that Nathan had asked about a zillion times to do...

so I FINALLY let him do it.
The pieces had to be glued together by him too, which is great fun of course.
Then when the paint was dry he covered it in ALL the letter and number stickers.
Very cute.

Beady eyes

"Even if it's my friend's birthday today, can I play with my beads Mom?"
(He must think terrible things of me if he really thought no would be the answer. :p )


"Can you tie this into a necklace for me Mom?"
(Sure, if it's something I can do in less than a minute. :p )


"Uh!"
(That's baby garble for "up", which is his all-time favorite word!)

One WHOLE hour left 'til supper time

We had friends over all day...but then they left. And what does that leave us with now that it's raining and suppertime is an hour (AT LEAST) away.


The after visit blues, the after visit blues!

Nothing left for us to do but remember what's not true.

None of us have had enough sleep.
We're all gonna break down and weep.

I think it's time to to have a fight:

Nathan and Melanie proceed to smack their heads into each other, and complain that there is not enough room.
I point out the following free space available:

but there are no takers.
Sigh.
The after visit blues...

Fortunately, I felt inspired (even if ever so briefly). I hauled out some sheets from the closet and set to work

with a little help.

Now all the dogs

and cats

and other animals
have been set loose from the barnyard.
I imagine this will buy me at least 10 minutes of "no fight time".
Maybe I should have another 5 such activities up my sleeve.

Boofie Bear

Since Boofie Bear was missed last time, he gets the spotlight today. Even Nathan and Melanie call him Boofie Bear sometimes. I guess it's time I change his birth certificate, after all, I think Boofie Bear fits better than Matthew. Maybe I should run a poll for that.


Matthew just loves walking around, and really thinks he's a big boy now. Unfortunately, since he refuses to communicate in anything other than gestures or grunts, he has yet to convince everybody that he is a baby no longer.

Non-Compliance

I guess having a smile for the camera isn't always necessary...but some days it IS a lot of work to even get a face captured.
(I hope everyone feels tonnes of gratitude for my dedication in blogging pictures of the kids!)

The kids were playing so cutely that I thought some casual playing shots would be just the thing to spice up life.

As soon as Melanie saw the camera she hid her face and yelled, "No!!"

But Mommy Roze is very strong, so she gets a face photographed in the end.

It looked like such a fun battle to Nathan thought he ought to be difficult too!

After such a workout,

you'd think they were considering surrender and cooperation!
But that isn't the case.
They merely stopped hiding in order to explain "plan b" to me.


Run for your life Mommy Roze!!

(I ran!)