Black n' Stripes

I dunno, Lulu.

Maybe I need a little more help in addition to
the colour change
and slimming stripes.

But these days, being fat is a matter of opinion

(and camera angle).
Whoever says I'm fat can think so themselves.
(and KEEP it to themselves, ahem, MRS. hypocrite BOB!)

My husband still thinks I'm skinny.
If he says hints or thinks otherwise, he shall be very
very
very
very
very
sorry.

Cheers to good friends!

Photo credits go to a good friend of mine.
These pics were taken while I was
gallivanting on the other side of the country with Matthew.

My friend used to take pictures for weddings.

You can tell she has a more professional flare than I do.

The kids don't say "cheese" or "peanut butter" for her
EVERY time she takes out the camera either.




Matthew's picture was taken today.
Before he got covered in mud.
Head to toe.

They all got a bath when we got home.
Before supper.
Good thing I had a freezer meal ready.

I have cheered up. (Thanks Marian) I do plan on the canoe trip next week...
but we'll skip the Arctic...
and the baby can enjoy it "in utero" this year. (I hope)
(Hmmm...what would it be like to deliver a baby in backcountry Algonquin?)

It is great having a friend you can call up and say "Can you watch my kids for a while today?" and she genuinely ENTHUSIASTICALLY accepts--but not only that, she also says when you leave "Anytime, (add your name here), call me up to watch the kids again, anytime!" And not only that--but she's great fun to talk to, an excellent mentor, and a good example.
Makes it hard to go home when all is said and done.

Julie

As per request here is another talking videos, plus two extras. Email didn't work...maybe the files are too big. Oh--and if you were to give the kids a demo of a longer talking video, they might figure out how to blab a little more. MIGHT. Kids can be clueless sometimes. :p









LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Long videos

Perhaps not as much talking as desired...but you'll have to wait until a chattier mood is here.

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.

Picture Upload by Lazy Shortcuts

Here is a large mishmash of mush. Enjoy.

I shall start with some information on my new camera.

My poor husband may repent of his generosity already.
My experimental techniques and snapshot timings are not always appreciated.


My baby is such a peanut.

Once again we have been to the park.

The right photo shows Matthew braving the BIG stairs, while completely ignoring the LITTLE stairs in the background.

Oh man it's cold out today!!




Breakfast time again:


Rice Krispies are very good for ambitious mothers, or people who like vacuuming. Translation: bad idea for me.

I mopped the floor today. It's a rare occurrence here. The picture below isn't that exciting, but you can see that Melanie is in underwear!

Yup. So far so good, but it hasn't been 24 hours yet...I may regret it soon! :o
And I highly recommend lollipops as a "#2" reward. Very effective!! And good for you too. ;)


After drying the floor for Mom (as hastily as possible) they had to hop into their airplane.


I guess Buddy the teddy is the "airplane driver" today!


Poor Matthew thinks:
"Would you just let me out!"


Man oh man these pictures take long to upload, I guess that means they've got more detail...or I'm just doing this at a bad time. I didn't get around to doing more "research" or dealing with my new software, but just plugged my card into the old camera instead. That makes it much easier...for now.

Crushed

I am mortally crushed that no one has reminded me to unwrap my curtains and show you the unveiled completed result. *sobs*

To show I have no hard feelings (I am feeling particularly generous right now *chuckle*) I have shown you the spectacular results!

The matching panel is also complete, and hanging up in the cocoon as I type. I'm pretty sure I did it in half the time, perhaps even closer to a third. I could do the math for you...but as no one cares *sobs* I won't waste my energy and brain power on that now.

It's actually pretty embarrassing how long the first one took...but NOW I actually know what I'm doing, and eliminated a lot of mistakes and time consuming errors--none of which you will be able to see on the curtain, due to my painstaking labour.
*pats back profusely*

Monster on the Loose

Two brave souls venture forth into the wild jungle home of Mommy Roze's habitat to see if they can find the infamous Mommy Roze Monster roaming there.

"We found it!!!"

" Crawl for you lives!!"

Bitter Disappointment for You

There is actually no Mommy911. Only in my imagination. But a friend, or two, or helpful enemy even, will do just as well, if not better in an emergency. And they're generally free. ;)

I have, now that we've been here a while, a mental list of 4 and more (depending on the situation) of people to call if necessary.
Why?
AM I PARANOID?

Picture this:
Husband at work.
Two toddlers solely under your responsibility.
Van broken down.
Power out.
Snowstorm.
Labour contractions starting--with no definate end time: baby could arrive in an hour (or less) or in a few days.

The above scenario (almost all imagined) played in my mind very very vividly less than a year ago...so ever since then I've had mini back up plans.

AM I paranoid?

Thank you to all

for comments and tips and such. I always forget to say thanks...must be due to lack of manners. :o I did want to point out that in regards to my nose, I've always been especially proud of my slender nose holes. I've always thought that my noes and my toes were my two permanently pretty parts of me. Highlights of my beauty, I'd say. While the rest of me is great too, I always fall back on that dependable duo for support.