Pumpkin carving and Boo at the Zoo

Yesterday we decided to finally carve the two pumpkins I had purchased about two weeks ago or so. I was really looking forward to making this a fun activity with Emma. I laid newspaper on the table and placed on it our two pumpkins. Richard cut off the tops. I thought for sure Emma would enjoy digging her hands in the pumpkin, but no. Instead she said she was scared and it was "yucky". She did however use the scraper inside the pumpkin to scrape the sides.



After supper we headed to Boo at the Zoo, this was Emma's second year going and Xavier's first, of course. Emma was scared right at the entrance area by a person in a gorilla costume and did not like any of the monster costumes. Overall Emma did have a good time. Oh yeah, Xavier, even though he tried his darndest to stay awake, he did in fact fall fast asleep!

An afternoon with my favourite girl

On Sunday, Emma and I left Xavier with Memere and tante Nicole (Papa was working). We had plans.
Although it was quite a blustery day, Emma and I took the bus to downtown. Emma had a nice conversation with 3 little old ladies who were waiting at the same stop as us. She even picked up some of the leaves that were blowing around to give as "presents" to the ladies. She then had a nice conversation, talking about all her favourite shows with a young lady on the bus.




Once downtown we headed to the Convention Centre to see "Thomas the Train LIVE - Thomas saves the day". Emma was really good and listened well. She really enjoyed the show and was glad to see her friends Thomas and Percy, as well as Diesel.
It really was a fun afternoon. On the bus ride back to Memere's however, she fell asleep, so I had to carry her from the bus stop all the way to my mom's apartment. I thought my arm was going to fall off!! It was worth it though!

Jingle baby

A reflection...

I can't believe that in just a few weeks more Xavier will already be 1 years old. It's incredible everything he is doing now whereas last year at this time he was still warmly cuddled up in my womb. I thought I would share a couple of pictures of the Hallowe'en "costume" I wore last year.

A lot of business

We finally are pretty much all feeling better. Although I still do have a nagging cough that is lingering and tonight I seem to have a bit of a sore throat. Here is a recap of our last week and so.


On Monday Oct 13 we went out to Maxime's for a supper celebrating my dad's birthday. It was a good evening. I hasn't a big fan of my dinner, I could hardly eat it, I just had it boxed up and brought it home. Richard tried eating for lunch the following day, but ended up throwing it out. However, I must say, the cake they served was absolutely devine!

On Tuesday Oct 14 I went to vote and was very happy that the NDP kept their seat in my riding, but was thoroughly disapointed that the St-Boniface riding (the French Quarter and my old neighbourhood) became Conservative. That riding had been Liberal my whole life!! I still can't get over that. I am glad however that the Conservatives only managed to get another minority government despite all the monies they spent (2:1 compared to Liberals).



On Friday Oct 17, We spent the afternoon raking the leaves and we had a surprise visit by Pepere and Memere (my dad and stepmom). The kids were very excited to have them here. It was nice. I need to make arrangements to visit with them more often.

On Sat Oct 18, we were back to swimming lessons. Xavier is still in the Starfish/duck classes that are parent assisted, which he really enjoyed. Emma graduated to Sea Turtle, but she had a little trouble adjusting to the fact that it is not parent assisted. We'll just take our time and hopefully next Saturday will be better.


On Sunday Oct I went to my friend Eva's bridal shower, which was really nice. I had a good time. It's not very often that I get to go out without the kids for leisure, I just wish sometimes I could go for more than just a couple of hours.
Today we went out for lunch with Chelsea (my Goddaughter), and it had been a long time since we last saw her. It was a great time and hopefully we can arrange more times to get together.

Emma dancing

A conversation about Jesus...

Every night before going to bed is storytime, Emma's favourite book for Richard to read to her is, well, the Bible (Children's version). My mom was asking me the last time I saw if Emma had an awareness about who Jesus is. Being Roman Catholic, it's an important topic. I decided during the bedtime routine to see if Emma really knew that Jesus loves her and who he really is. This is how our interesting conversation went:

Me: Did you know that Jesus loves you?
Emma: Yes!
Me: Do you know where Jesus is?
Emma opens her mouth wide and points inside her mouth!
Me, trying to keep from laughing: No, Jesus lives here (I point to her heart) and here (I point towards the ceiling trying to indicate Heaven)
Emma (using a spooky voice): OH! Jesus is a MONSTER!
Okay, yes, I do realise that most kids think there are monsters in their attic, but I really wasn't expecting this response! So, trying not to laugh I say: No, no, Jesus is not a monster. Jesus (how do explain this one to a 2 and a half year old) is, well, like an Angel! He's all around you and he loves you and protects you.
Emma: Oh (settling under her covers), Emma a half angel too.

Is it just me or is that one of the funniest/cutest conversations you can have?!?
What a kid, I love her to bits!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAD!!

Today my Dad (Pepere to Emma and Xavier) turns 68 years old.
A great big happy birthday to my Dad!!

Playing at the mall

This video was taken at the KP mall play area. Emma and Xavier were busy playing with my cousin Elizabeth's little boy Alex. Alex is only 1 day younger than Xavier. Elizabeth also has 2 year old Amy, but she was sleeping in the stroller outside of the camera view, being watched over by her Grandma.

Xavier REALLY loves his yogurt!

I'm sick, again and so is Emma

This the season for runny noses and annoying coughs. That's exactly what Emma and I are dealing with right now. In fact, Xavier's not far behind us. Okay, cutest thing going on right now. Xavier is playing with a book that plays music, and he's singing along! So sweet.
Before Emma and I got sick, we were able to go out to the movies. Now that Emma is 2.5 years old and absorbs everything like a sponge, we wait for children appropriate movies to come out. Past couple of months, there hasn't been much. On Monday, we went out to see "Igor", I would recommend it as a rental. It's not a bad movie, but it's very cliche, you can predict everything before it happened. Having said that, Emma seemed to really enjoy it. My favourite character was the suicidle bunny played by Steve Buscemi, hillarious.
Well, that's it for now, as I need to go blow my nose!

A tale of shopping, two parks and a blessing

Yesterday was a day filled with activities!
Right after lunch we dropped off Richard at work.
The kids and then proceded to St-Boniface (the French Quarter) where our first stop was to "Librairie a la Page". We visited with Pascale and the kids were able to pick up a few treasures, thanks in part to tante Pascale.
We then headed of to Labelle's Wedding shop. Here I bought the guest book, pen, flower girl basket, ring pillow and garter all in the colour and style I want for the wedding, which also happened to be on sale! I've decided to buy as much stuff as I can ahead of time so as to not occur a huge expense at one time.
After shopping we went to Provencher Park where both Emma and Xavier really enjoyed themselves. Swinging, sliding and sandbox playing. Once the fun was over here, we drove over to the St-Boniface Cathedral and parked our car. We walked along the river, not too close however as Emma seemed wanting to go for a swim!
We walked all the way to Laverendrye Park where Emma played on the castle shaped playstructure, where she decreed herself Princess of the playground and Xavier went swinging. Once the fun was over we made our we to the other side of the park to get into the procession going to the St-Boniface Cathedral.
On October 4, 1908 the 4th edition of the Cathedral was inaugurated and we were celebrating 100 years of the 4th Cathedral (it's important to note the Cathedral caught fire on July 22, 1968 and fell to ruins, however the 5th edition to the Cathedral was built within the ruins of the 4th, so its outer skeleton still stands). Another important historical note to mention is that the original building, a chapel, on this site was built in 1818 and 1st cathedral built on this site in 1825.
We celebrated a mass, half of with I spent with the kids in the annex, since Emma was a little bored (being a special mass, it was more than 1 hour long, not to mention the procession leading up to it.) We then celebrated with a wine and cheese, where Emma played with Annie and Stephane (my sister-in-law's sister's kids) as well as with Sergio, a little friend from "Toi, moi et le Mere l'Oie". I think the funniest part is when the Bishop Emilius Goulet came up to Annie and Emma to say hello. Emma just looked at him and didn't seem the least bit interested, except to say Hi because I told her too. LOL!

Cathedral burning in 1968



Aftermath



Views from the Red River taken this summer

Community Block Party

This past Sunday, a church in the neighbourhood trough a huge block party. Everything was free, my favourite price range! There were bouncy castle things, pony rides, petting zoo, free lunch (which included hot dogs, chips, cookies, watermelon, pop, milk, coffee and tea).
We had a really great day. Xavier napped for most of it, but Emma really took advantage of everything. I believe Emma's favourite part were the pony rides. Despite it being her first time, she was not afraid in the least and had a great time. She also enjoyed the petting zoo.