"These are the days we will remember"

Thunder getting to know himself :)
a few shots of Thunder playing with his favorite water cooler. Don't worry, there is no water in there!


Buck playing in the basement (with patch) after the imposed 1 hour of TV a day went into effect.

It's been 10 days since my last post and things seem to be cookin' here in Calgary!

It's gotten cold again, but we must be getting used to it as we wear less layers and smaller jackets. I've been reading a great book (Raising kids in the media age) that talks about balance with the use of media in our homes - mostly it focuses on the general effect of constant media on children. There are such great points raised at it's caused us to start limiting Buck to an hour a day of TV. That sounds like a lot even when I write it, since he's only 4. Sadly, it's really easy to park Buck in front of the TV while I get things done around the house. The author of the book does warn that it can be challenging for parents to limit TV and video games because there is the need for more attentive parenting at first. But the effects are incredible: increased social skills, interactive play is heightened and kids learn to deal with conflict in a personal manner. Buck is already weaning himself a bit, but it's hard on him too.

We have a busy weekend ahead - a wine and cheese night for parents of Buck's class; tomorrow is swimming lessons and then a "faux Halloween party" at our house, complete with trick-or-treating with the neighbors (if they are still willing); and then Buck's best friend's birthday party ("brother - Jackson") at an indoor playground nearby. Buck is beside himself as we have only 4 days before our trip to California for SERVITE and Tiny Dancer's wedding. We are all so excited, but there is A LOT to do before then!!

"It's the climb"

In warmer times (2 weeks ago), we took a ride/walk through the woods with Peter, our Canadian Safari Guide. Buck is quite the bike rider these days.
Thunder, CSG and Buck take a break.
Thunder LOVES CSG. That baby knows how to pick 'um!
A sleepy THunder takes a nap
on dad (are you ready for some football?)
File this under - "have I posted these pictures yet?"

It was Canadian thanksgiving this past weekend. Canadians will know that only they just call it 'Thanksgiving'. It's essentially a 3 day holiday. One friend explained that it's basically (her words) a "religious holiday. People will go to church on Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving." I told her that this seems strange because I don't know many Americans who go to church on Thanksgiving Thursday (unless they go daily anyway or are religious). It's usually celebrated on Sunday here (hence, the church tie-in) and the Monday is just the obligatory day off.

We spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning in Banff at the Douglas Fir resort. It has little chalets 2 bedrooms each that stand alone (read - kids can make as much noise as they want) and the resort has 2 waterslides and a 2 or 3 story indoor playground. Buck was in heaven and it made our first family trip totally enjoyable. The weather was insanely cold and we barely noticed because we spent most of it inside. We shopped a tiny bit (Buck complained the entire time because he was very hungry) and I watched movies on the movie channel they supplied (let's hear it for authentic Thanksgiving!) I'll post pics tomorrow because there were some cute ones. The boys were great and Thunder even slept until 9 am on Monday! A first and a kid after my own heart.

Monday night we had "Thanksgiving left-overs" at our friends, the Maxwells. We had such a good time and it is always so easy and fun to hang out with them. We were so glad to actually have some turkey and Buck had a chance to play with his buddy David until late into the night. Buck insisted on our bringing his Superman PJ's, so it was very nearly a sleep-over. He can't wait to have David to our house.

This morning, we woke up to snow. It's not snowing now, but the clouds look ominous. Winter is back and the jumpy castle is in full force downstairs...

"It's all news to us" (Backyardigans)

Yes, my life is so awesome that I've starting posting my pedicures. Love the purple!!
Buck
Mommy


It's snowing. REALLY snowing giant, white flakes. Seriously. I'm looking out the window and it's all I can think about. Amazing. Unlike the rest of the city, I am not amazed that it's snowing in October. Just like June, it ALWAYS snows in October. I just can't believe how it's covering everything.

But snow is not our lives. We were at the doctor today - Dr. Tam - so that Thunder could have his second check up for his ears (we were all afraid that his cold would escalate). Everything was fine and Thunder seems MUCH better. Buck had school this morning and there is a big story there. He loves it and I stress away about his emotional maturity. I know, it's October and it's ridiculous. But we all choose our worries, don't we?

I'm just off the phone with my Aunt K as we plan a "mommy and Daddy" trip in February. This snow makes me pine for the warm shores of Cabo with RKZ. But first, Canadian Thanksgiving which is Oct. 12 (Columbus day in the US). We planned a last minute trip for Sat and Sun night this weekend. We are headed to fun-filled days in Banff. It should be very interesting and we'll get some much needed family time. The forcast calls for a few days of snow, so we'll see what the next few days bring.

I need to go make sure my 9 month old isn't eating something he shouldn't. I need someone to do that for me!!

"California! California!"

RK pontificating on our back patio :) SHMILY!
Thunder getting ready for BBQ
Jackson's (brother) dad, Lloyd (Ken) and Jackson's brother, Clark share a seat.
Cool Thunder.

Just home from California last night. I was there ALONE for about 40 hours: Friday at 10 pm to Sunday at 10 am. It was fun just to sit on my flights and watch whatever I wanted on TV. I watched old Entourage episodes and then read "The Gargoyle" (maybe no "The"). I had such a nice time, and I surprisingly missed my family. I didn't emotionally miss them while I was there, but I realize that I missed their presence now that I'm back. I really missed RKZ. I love him. I love having my boys, but I desperately needed a break from feeding and wiping (as it were).

Most days, while I'm busy enjoying my normal existence, I don't think of California too much anymore. Calgary is wonderful - there is honestly so much good to say about Calgary (even the nice crisp fall weather has been nice to me). While my men and I live day to day I have no real complaints. We are even blessed with a decent economic situation in our little piece of the world. But (always a but), as I landed in Southern California my entire being let out a sigh. There wasn't really a word behind the sigh, but the feeling was "home. I'm home." I don't know why we adopt the places we do and decide to feel connected, but Southern California is my place. I could list the reasons that clarified my feelings: My aunt and uncle, my cousins who are like surrogate sisters, my closest friends (sans a few University friends), knowing where I'm going all the time in such a huge place, my brothers - especially TK and his almost wife. But it's the fact that I just belong in California. I belong there - even facebook says so :) And it's not really the perfect weather...now, I am home with my boys and RK. Home IS anywhere they are but I just wish we all could be in HB.

Don't ask me if this is ever going to happen: "Man plans, God laughs" and "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." I will now return you to what you were doing before I started making bumper stickers.