Park Day

It's been such a long time since we've gone to the park--but the kids have not forgotten how to play there!






"Talk through this Daniel. Say "Hi!""
"Hi!"



Nathan and Matthew are pouring cement down the chute.


Since the wagon is broken and the kids had to carry their toys in their arms all the way to the park, inevitably there was crying about having to bring things all the way back!

Fresh air

After a week of not going anywhere because of our flu bout (which Melanie took longer than expected to get over) I was getting claustrophobic. I was all bark and bite and no wagging tale. So instead of continuing my growling and snapping, the kids took me for a walk to the park. They figured if they biked slow enough I could keep up.

They were right, I managed all right. A bit of panting and heavy wheezing, but other than that, I couldn't complain. Since there was a park at the point where I obviously needed to stop for a rest, they decided to get out and play while I recuperated.

I spy with my little eye

Five little munchkins at the park

For a paranoid mother like me, the challenging part of going to the park is keeping track of multiple little running people, and keeping them all in view all the time. Today was exceptionally easy because there weren't any other little people to confuse me, or any other big people to distract me.

I kept all five munchkins in scope the entire time!
(eight points for me)

Can you too?









hints: one munchkin doesn't move around at all
the five munchkins split up into two pictures once

Pre-Celebration OR Picture Overload

We (well, ME mostly,) are thrilled that it is no longer summer.
But fall doesn't officially start 'til Tuesday, I believe.
IT'S MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR
AND
I
LOVE
IT!!!


My kids are also enthusiastic, but I imagine the weather has much less to do with it, especially when compared to the swings!


Melanie just LOVES swinging! If I were to push her the entire time we stayed at the park, I imagine that she'd never ask to get out!

"Push me higher, Mommy!"

"Push me higher, please."
"Please."


Nathan never likes to be left out of something fun! (Who does?)

"Watch out, Mommy!"

"Don't kick me!"

"Oh! I almost kicked you, Mommy!"

Because I knew Matthew would have a tantrum if I didn't let him have a turn, he actually went first.
(Yup, I know that's terrible. But so is he.)

"Would you like a push Matthew?"

"No!"

He was quite happy to just sit and hang on to the swing...
until I took too many pictures.
"Want to go down, Matthew?"
"Dow!"

Mommy can we go for a walk?

What that really means: Mommy, can we go to the park?

Party park protest

There was a park redone a little farther away from "our" park. It's handicap accessible, it has a splash pad, and it's got brand new play equipment. It used to be the park where the teenagers hung out, smoked, and had an occasional drink. Now they've moved to our park, since it's less popular and more isolated.

"OK kids,
keep your shoes on so you don't get glass cuts on your feet.
Don't pick up the broken bottles so you don't cut your fingers.
Don't touch those cigarette buds so you don't get sick.
Have fun!"

(You can see an empty 24 box of Lakeport beer sticking out of the garbage can. It's a shame that only 3 or 4 of the empty bottles made it in the garbage too.)

The kids still have fun





but I think I might contact the city parks dudes and complain...see if there's anything they can do to make sure it doesn't get worse, or perhaps prevent further partying. Or just promote responsible partying.

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.