"Oye como va..."

This verse means "Listen how it goes..." in English, which has nothing to do with this post. Today is also a bit crazy, but I thought I'd just let you all in on the craziness of our world these days. First, yes, I got my hair cut to my chin. I like it, but it looks messy in my self-portrait up there. But I sure look perky!

Today is Buck's first "Gymtastics" class which is supposed to be (advertised as) a pre-gymnastics class. We're just hoping that he learns how to do a somersault (please ask me if I have ever spelled that word before = no - but it's an interesting word spelling).

Some points of our past few days:

• It is the mommy's fault (for the second dumping) if her son dumps an entire snack box filled with fish crackers onto the floor in the supermarket and then she picks them all up and hands the box back to him. [File under "what the h#!! was I thinking?"]
  
• A child is watching too much TV if he immediately recognizes the picture of "Little Einstein" on the back of a book and says the word (one of his favorites) "T B" (which means TV in Buck-land).
  
• It is not a good mommy who allows her son to climb into a tall, twisty slide and watches as he slides down screaming "Dark! Dark!" [OK, I didn't watch him climb up - which could be worse - I was just there at the bottom to catch him. Or, at least another mommy-friend of mine was there. Wow. I am a bad mommy]
• It is a fact that a 20 month-old boy will not die if he only eats popcorn and blackberries for an entire day. Maybe he had some yogurt covered raisins...I'm not sure.
  
• There is no finite number of times that one can hear the words "bus", "choo choo", "digger", "blue" pronounced "boo" or "crocks" (that holey little shoe) without going mercifully insane. One will always bounce back. There are still 4 verses of "Wheels on the bus" to sing.
  
• And if you're happy and you know it, please DON'T stomp your muddy feet onto the back of my car seat. Thank you.
  

"That's why I'm easy..."

I am busy like nobody's business these days. I have volunteered myself into not having a free moment (which is both cool and difficult at the same time). Baby classes have started up again after the big Easter/Spring break lul. They are fun and I can't get over how grown up Buck seems. He is now repeating - literally - everything I say. He also climbs up & slides down the big slide all on his own. Incredible.

RKZ turns 36 on Saturday. Get those presents ready. We are both feeling the grey hairs these days.
On a happy note - it's 50F/10C today!! We have an entire week of forcasted warmness. I'm sure you realize that the weather talk has almost come to an end and the PARTY talk will commence. Speaking of which, we have planned our first Canadian party. Of course, it is Cinco de Mayo - a Canadian party thrown by Americans with a Mexican theme. VIVA!

"...snowflakes that stay on my nose & eyelashes..."

• I took a few pictures of Calgary the other day. This is the Bow River. This is a view of Calgary from the North East, where the zoo is. You'll notice that the snow is still freshly covering the river.
  

This is the view with my zoom lens. I love digital cameras. There is a tower here too. It's not tall like the CN Tower in Toronto, but I think the tower adds something to the skyline.

These 2 pictures are stolen off the internet. That's whey they are a bit fuzzy (digitalization, I think it's called - maybe pixilization). Whatever.

Today has actually started out pretty hectic. I had a flat tire on Monday (did I mention that?) so we had to take the van into the tire place this morning before RKZ went to work. Buck & I then drove RKZ downtown. It was only kind of fun as it is snowing like crazy here (yes - still). I know that you get bored with my weather talk, but it's 32F/0C here today. There is snow on the ground so it was a fun drive to work, I'll tell you - especially when we aren't going to work and Buck doesn't particularly enjoy 45 minute (round trip) car rides. He was good though as all of the construction vehicles are lined up at the sites waiting out the weather. There is literally nothing Buck likes more than a digger/excavator -- well, maybe a bus of any kind -- but diggers are a big hit in our household (I think I posted about that a few days back).

Sorry for the tangent...after we dropped off RKZ, Buck had a 9am doctor's appointment to check his peeper. Note to all new moms of boys - as the peeper grows, the skin might pull away from the top of the peeper leaving what looks like an open sore on the baby's very important part. Turns out that this is just a part of growing and Buck will go on to live a happy, normal life :) Much to his father's relief.

At 10am, I had a meeting of ladies at my house to discuss the next girl's function we're organizing. Actually, there are 2: one is a retreat for young girls (grades 4 & 5) and the next is a Fashion show which is city-wide and focuses on teen girls dressing "trendy while still mainting their dignity as women." That is not-so-subtle code for the fact that the fashion show (and classes leading up to the show for the girls) focuses on the models (teen girls) wearing cute clothes that don't focus on showing the most skin possible. Thankfully, I am not in charge of the fashion show, I'm just helping with that one. There are these types of fashion shows all over the US and Canada - they are called "Pure Fashion" and there is a website for more info if it seems like something you'd be interested in seeing (just google it).

After the meeting, Buck napped and I cleaned. Now, we're heading to a mall with underground parking so that I never have to feel the weather for a second ;) it's a good day here in Canada, eh?

"I wanna hold your hand..."

It's hard to believe that a few days ago, it was nice enough to go to the zoo. It is currently 34/1 out & - while it's not snowing now -- it snowed a lot during the night. So, I am posting a few pictures from last Friday when Clemmie & her mom & Buck and I all made a trip to the zoo.
I think that Clemmie & Buck have seen each other every day for about 3 weeks now. They are becoming close & we're thinking of asking her family for a goat to seal the deal.
I always love toddler "hand holding." It's more just a posed "grab" for each other. Buck is the one being grabbed here. But he doesn't seem to mind too much. The fish crackers were all gone.
This cage is filled with very large gorillas who were enjoying the outside as much as we were this day. We always go to the zoo around feeding time so the animals are very active.
This is Buck at the Bow River (outside of the zoo). You can see that the snow hasn't melted off of the rivers yet. There is a forcast for rain for the next few days, so that might help the snow go.
Not as cute a shot, but you can faintly see the city of Calgary behind those trees. I have better Calgary pictures that I'll send tomorrow.

We have a busy day planned - some mom group things and then an evening trip to the mall! RKZ is going to the Flames' play-off game tonight (gotta' love those box seats) and Clemmie's mom and I are taking this chance to keep the kids out as late as possible so that we only have to come home and bathe and put them to bed. Also, there is an indoor playground at the mall so the kids can run around to their hearts' content while we sip coffees. I know that I sound like an awful mother. I would like it to be known, for the record, that I did spend an hour this morning pulling around a plastic dog attached to a string while I followed my Princess-stroller-pushing son around the house (this is his favorite game). Just so you are jealous of the fabulous life I lead.

"Life is a garden, so dig it..."

I promise that this is a song. Maybe not a good song, but a song nonetheless (all one word? anyone?)

Today, Buck is officially 2. No, it is not his birthday -- it's his attitude. When I review what has happened in our day so far, I think "Why was having this child so important to me?" But I am still grateful - just scared for the teen years (which a mom yesterday told me are comparable behavior-wise).

1. Buck woke at 5am. We don't know why. I am a bad mommy & I turned off the monitor, so we could barely hear him. His dad went in to get Buck at 6:30. RKZ hadn't realized Buck was awake for so long.

2. Buck screamed his way through my breakfast because he wanted me to play trains with him.

3. Buck refused to eat his own breakfast which I had left my breakfast to cook. Buck ate exactly three grapes & then screamed for 10 minutes straight to be let down from the prison that is his high chair.

4. While I pray in the morning (8am), Buck watches a baby video. They are normally quiet music and calm. Today, he decided he only wanted to watch "Choo - Choo's!" this is 2 year old for Thomas the Tank Engine. He stood at the TV and screamed for about 15 minutes until he collapsed as a heap on the floor and watched the end of the baby video.

5. Feeling brave (God only knows why) I decided to take Buck to daily Mass at 9am. He has decided that he now (since Sunday) hates the infant cry room and wants to be int he congregation. It is normally filled with nice old ladies and other moms, so I attempted to have us stand in the normal pews. (I know, WHY WOULD I DO THAT? with today's track record?) Well, just at the important quiet parts, Buck decides to yell "jump" and start jumping off of the kneelers. He yelled jump about 10 times until I carried him to the cry room where he SCREAMED his head off for about 10 more minutes. It's not a completely sound proof room and I could tell that we were the distraction of the day. Good for my humility, I guess. Oh, and we repeated that experience about 3 times during Mass. I guess I am trying to teach him to be quiet in the large room. I guess I will stop trying until he's twelve.

6. 9:45am, I took the dry cleaning to the cleaners. There is a large digger/excavator digging a foundation for some new buildings in our area. Buck demanded - in that special screaming way he has today - to watch the digger for about 30 minutes. I finally took him to the coffee shop nearby so that I could drink coffee while we watched. That turned out OK...but when we left, HELL TO PAY.

7. Buck has been screaming since I started writing this. The only reason he stopped (about 5 seconds ago) is that he is now on my lap watching me type. He made himself throw up about 2 minutes ago just to prove how angry he is. I took a second to wipe it up, but he still smells a little like throw up.

He may physically be 20 months, but psychologically? my little boy is exactly 2 years old.

"All through the night..."

So sad about the shootings at Va Tech. We have it all over the news here too. Even Kevin & Bean (Ca radio again for me) were weighing in on it. I'm just so sorry for the families of the people who were killed. I keep thinking about what it must be like to lose a child. It's just too awful.

I almost forgot to post today until I got an email from my favorite aunt (yes, it's out there, can't take it back!) We're all anxious to hear whether Coach K 2 has his dream job or not (Always praying, TK!). I've just been cleaning the house. It's actually very theraputic to arrange some things -- and get rid of some old things. Always sad to put away a toy that Buck doesn't use anymore.

We've been out and about as the weather heats up. Of course, it's supposed to dive back down tomorrow, but as long as the general trend stays high, I'm good. I also refuse to complain about rain as all I can think is "at least it's not snowing." Really nothing of consequence going on here. As I watch the news, I'm really thankful that I can say that.

"I'm Fallin' for ya..."

What'd you do this weekend? Well, the temperatures actually reached 60! (15C) this weekend, so we decided to take a family hike to the near-by Elbow Falls. It was really beautiful & only about 30 minutes away from our house.
Buck pretending he likes his carrier for a minute. That's Elbow River in the background.
The top of the falls - the bottom is coming up.
Hi - A River does definitely run through it. I guess we can raft down this later in the summer.
Description of the falls. I didn't read it, so don't bother :)
Later, we took a little adventure. This is RKZ attempting to balance himself and our only child on a small log across a river.
The main access roads to a lot of places are closed for the winter so that the animals are undisturbed during the winter. We think this only applies to mechanical disturbance as a number of people crossed the "Road Closed" line (including us) to hike further ahead. Of course, we were freaked out that we might encounter a bear the entire time.
The bottom of Elbow Falls. It's small as far as a falls is concerned, but it's still really beautiful & a great place to picnic. Not much like this off the 405 in So Cal - or the 401 in the GTO/A (unless you count Niagra Falls, which isn't a fair comparison since it's a "Wonder of the World" and everything).
I hiked out on a rock ledge to get the last pic, RKZ stood semi-disapprovingly behind the fence with our afore mentioned only child.
We hiked (after the Road Closed sign) down river - unlike the people from the "Blair Witch Project" which is still making me mad after all these years: JUST FOLLOW THE RIVER, YOU IDIOTS!
This is a beaver lodge. It is where beavers live. It was so cool & there were about 3 of them in a row along this stretch. Of course, I started to freak out that beavers in the wild are not those nice little creatures from "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." (Those were beavers, right?)
The Grady family hiking. Notice the 4 dogs (another family was passing by) behind us to the right. Buck refused to stop staring at them.
I don't think this was anything, but I liked the picture.
Buck walked the closed road on his own.
So many things wrong with this picture. The first being that I thought "Lodge" meant that there would be a place to stop & get some coffee - seriously - the second problem seems obvious...
Hi Buck. What can I say - he's the most camera crazy kid in the world. He was crying until this.
Grady family #2. Thank God for cameras with timers.
Describes the beaver lodges - again - didn't read it.

We had a nice weekend. The weather was finally great & we were able to get a lot done in the house and out of it. I found a store that might compare to Target on the weekdays (when the crazy stupid people aren't shopping). It's called "Canadian Superstore." Some (they are the Canadian answer to Wal-mart in some ways) are not good, but we found a brand new one - yeah! All I know is that they carry that Jergens self-tanning cream, which is vital in this difficult time (ha). Also, RKZ was able to put up that IKEA grocery store bag holder under the sink. We have taken this as a sign that we have finally moved in and will stay here a bit.

More tomorrow - yes, I really MEAN it!

"Gonna be hot! hot! hot! "

Buck a few days ago. He must be getting some more molars, because he's back to constant drooling. He just looks so old in the picture!
I watched Clemmie for her mom yesterday. The kids played in the front yard for abit.
Buck playing "Daddy." Still loving the Disney Princess stroller. This is our front yard, BTW.
Clemmie approaching Buck in order to "poach" said stroller. They fought about it all day.
"Hey, where's my beer?"

I have a good friend who has (I find) a much prettier blog than myself: Amers (click here to see it) . She was able to go to Costa Rica for spring break. We had hot dogs on our snowy deck :)

I'm just kidding - it's actually around 50F/10C, which is very warm for us here in the Great White North. I am just taking a few minutes to mention the amazing phenomenon that is little boys and dirt. Buck is now obsessed with being outside. It is sort of warm and I am letting him walk around without holding my hand every moment. He is making the best of it. Take this morning, we were walking through the garage and he tried to climb on the folding chair I have out there (see pictures). He, of course, tried to climb into the chair and then fell off. He landed in a pile of dirt (it's a garage in the Spring - there's dirt). I wiped off his bottom and he proceeded to sit in the dirt again and try to "wipe" it off of the ground with his hands. He kept looking at me and laughing. I don't know if he could feel me wishing him off of the ground, but he just thought it was hilarious. In the end, he had dirt covering his body. That thin layer of dirt that doesn't really ever wipe off. I am the mother of a boy.

This Friday the 13th is really a planless void as far as we're concerned. My guess is that we will sit out in the 1/2 chill on our deck - RKZ will drink a few Canadians and I will drink a few Diet Cokes (or Pepsis...I don't care) and we will stare at the dirt mound which is our backyard as we talk about our plans to "create" an amazing landscape for ourselves. Did I mention that RKZ wants us to do it ourselves? Uhhhh.....more on that later.

"Don't you wish your [baby] was hot like me?"

If you can believe this, I am listening to a morning radio show from California - KROQ Kevin & Bean - using the internet. They are currently slamming a reality TV show The Pussycat Dolls, which I have never seen. It is quite funny, because the radio show makes one person on the show watch all of the episodes and the person watching HATES the show & has just been mocking it constantly. The best part so far is the girl on TPD who keeps repeating "I'm just not sure what my parents will think." Well, if you have ever seen the Pussycat Dolls group, it's basically an excuse for pretty girls to dress up trampy and shake their bottoms. This girl who is just now thinking of her parents has been doing this trampy butt-shake for weeks now (and knew what the group was about before she got there). Amazing, what people will do to be famous at this point. And like I've said, I've never even seen the show - but I do know that it has been replacing one of my favorite TV shows ever, Veronica Mars. Which is a real show with writers and characters and everything that they used to do in TV.

In our own personal reality show, Buck & I actually made it to the rec center yesterday & I worked out while he played in daycare. First time in 2 months and the woman who schedules the daycare asked who we were. Although we have a guaranteed spot every week, she told me that our showing up "threw off her ratio." I wasn't aware that daycare is a complicated mathmatical experience. Of course, Buck was able to stay and the last I saw him he was throwing plastic Dinosaurs at Clemmie (who was also there).

I also had my first Girls' Night Out since I went to a play with E, Amers :) and Rosarita HB about 1 1/2 ago. Clemmie & Keaton's moms and I went to a nice dinner where we had a few glasses of wine & great conversation. I think it was the first time my Calgary girlfriends had seen me after I took a shower. They didn't recognize me at first.

Missing Cali as I listen to Kevin & Bean...and then they talk about the traffic. Don't miss that.

"A little less talk and a lot more action"

Please read below to understand the large # and seeming hodge-podge of pictures. These are in a strange order because of the uploading process. Sorry. This pic is of our friends, Wayne & E. It is "pretend" summer in this indoor garden, as it was totally snowing outside. A little fake-out for spring break.
Same gardens, Buck decided to ride a dog statue. He still loves dogs.
Earlier in that same day, my two men make the snowy trek to the mailbox.
After I dropped off Wayne and E at the airport, RKZ had dressed Buck & himself up in summer clothes and met me at the door yelling "Happy Spring Break!" It was freezing outside, but we have a grill, so what more do we need?
Earlier in that week, I helped organize a Mother/Daughter retreat by finding a great speaker. B & B (their nicknames) stayed with us and we took a side trip to Lake Louise, where the 4 of us took a sleigh ride through the snow.
I had a miscarriage in the middle of March which lasted until April. I got a lot of very pretty flowers from this, though. Which I haven't sent thank you's for yet. Blog first- thank you's next.
E & Wayne also at Lake Louise. That is actually a frozen Lake Louise in the background. It is very pretty there & also very cold. But these 2 look snuggly :)
The famous Gradys also at Lake Louise. From the looks of these pictures, you'd think I never do my hair. That has all changed lately as I am now in "take charge" mode.
CSG (less mention of him lately), RKZ, Ma Joad and Buck going for brunch at Heritage Park - an amusement park of sorts here in Calgary. Ma Joad came at the beginning of March and stayed for a while (see flowers). CSG is getting around like a champ and it was so great to see him!!
We bought a grill. The boys spend a little time every day out their with it. This picture is a favorite of mine because it looks like it could be almost another decade (any decade) and this will be the one old picture Buck has of his dad and himself when Buck has a family of his own (it always used to work that way, didn't it?)
B & B, She spoke at the retreat I organized at the end of March. B is her husband and came along for the fun.
A larger picture of our sleigh ride.

OK, I read through all the posts last night. I was taking a trip down memory lane and reviewing the posts so far. What I came up with is that the quality of the posts has been seriously sliding. No professionalism. There have been a lot of gaps and some zany posts and (true to my experience, sadly) I read quite a bit of complaining - particularly about the weather. And last, but not at all least, has been the editorial slippage of my page!! How many "adn's" should you be forced to endure? Not to mention that I could easily spellcheck my own writing. I am worse than a 10th grade English student turning in creative writing ("creative crap" a good friend of mine always used to call it). Anyway, I have decided to basically review March & the early part of April so that this blog is up to date (and so are you). I will put maybe one picture for each event and then I will make a committment to adding "real time" pictures each day. I mean, I know that our lives are pretty dull up here, but at least you could be sharing in the boredom on the actual day we experience it :) Or, the next day, I guess, I mean, I have to actually live the dull day first, right?