Fort Whyte Centre

Richard cleans the office half time. Meaning for 3 months, each Sunday
afternoon (after he finishes at Dayspring) he cleans the office (which takes about 4hrs). For 3 months his off, then he's on again for 3 months and so on. Although the extra cash he receives for this is needed, it is nice when he's off and we can spend time together as a family. We are in the middle of his 3 months off. This afternoon we went to the symphony as part of WSO's Sundays with the family. It was really lovely, the only downside is that Emma spiked a fever in the middle of it. I hope it's just a viral infection and by tomorrow she'll be feeling better. Fingers crossed.

Last Sunday, we took advantage of a beautiful sunny day and little to no wind to visit the Fort Whyte Centre "About FortWhyte Alive
Mission
FortWhyte Alive is dedicated to providing programming, natural settings and facilities for environmental education and outdoor recreation. In so doing, FortWhyte promotes awareness and understanding of the natural world and actions leading to sustainable living."

We had a great time. We spent some time in the interperative centre and watched a movie about bees. Aftewards we went on a few of the trails, with Emma and Xavier taking their turns on our little sled. (We will be purchasing a new one soon).
I really enjoy going out to the Fort Whyte Centre and supporting such a wonderful place. Before heading home we stopped in the cafe for a late lunch. They one of the tastiest veggie burgers I have ever tried! It is only rivaled by a little burger joint on Eglinton Ave E in Toronto, the name of which now escapes me.








I didn't have my camera with me and took these photos with my phone. I didn't realise that the cover for the phone was in the way!

Morning love

In a perfect world....

I think one thing that every parent needs is time. Time for themselves, time for each, time to relax, time to regenerate, time.
Last February, we went to Victoria to visit Richard's only relatives living here in Canada. Richard's uncle and aunt (who are some of the most wonderful people who'll ever meet) have three daughters (beautiful, talented, smart and super nice). The two older girls are married to wonderful husbands and the oldest has three super cute, super great kids.
Richard's uncle and aunt give to their oldest daughter and husband the gift of time every Saturday. All three children, who are 3 months, 6yrs & 13yrs, spent the Saturday overnight with their grandparents. What a gift. Richard's cousin and her husband get to spend good quality time with each other. It's an evening where they can go out without frantically trying to search out a babysitter. Their evening also doesn't have a time limit. No worries. How wonderful would that be.
The kids get the gift of bonding and really knowing their grandparents, of knowing they are 100% worth any effort and/or lack of sleep that may come. Richard's uncle and aunt get the gift of their precious grandchildren, of a special bond that will forever enrichen the lives of these children.
What a gift. Everybody wins.
I would love one day to hear the words "relax, have fun, enjoy yourselves, don't worry, come back only when you're ready". Of course, we do appreciate the help we get and when you're going to have a couple of 12 yr olds babysitting, you know its going to be an early night.
I really wanted to just express how beautiful it is what Richard's uncle and aunt are doing. Just beautiful and they really look forward to the kids coming over and they hate having to miss any Saturday for whatever reason. Beautifully wonderful, just like they are.
In a perfect world, I would like that for myself, however, I will put my mild jealousy aside :) and pledge that when my children become parents, as long as I am healthy enough of course, I will give them the gift of time. Richard and I have discussed this already and we would be more than delighted to do the same thing his uncle and aunt are doing.

Xavier's 1st birthday pics

Laptop lovingly back home

Yes, it's true, I finally have my laptop back, of course everything has been wipped off, hooray! It may take me a while to re-set up the computer in between running after the kids, work commitments and sleep.
I do promise to post some photos of Xavier's 1st birthday as soon as I can.
On a sidenote, we went to go see Madagasgar 2 yesterday, it was really good, I really liked it.

Xavier's birthday party

We celebrated Xavier's birthday party at Perkins yesterday evening. (my computer is still getting fixed, once I have it back, I will post photos) It was really fun. There were friends and friends with kids and of course, there was family. Considering among the kids there were 4 babies who all just turned 1 year old this month, chaos was at a relative minimum.
Xavier was thoroughly spoiled with some really smashing new outfits, some nice books and some great toys, which Emma is "sharing" with him.
Emma was a pretty good girl, she sat with my brother and his two kids, as well as Chelsea. I have to thank my brother for looking after her during dinner. Xavier was a little tired during the course of the evening, but definitely perked up once the cake came around!
Thanks to everyone that came who made Xavier's 1st birthday celebration so much fun!

Happy 1st birthday Xavier!!!

Yesterday our precious little boy turned the big 1 year old!
As our computer is still in the shop, I do not have a picture of him to post, but hopefully will make up for that.

Happy Birthday Xavier!!!

"In Flanders Fields"

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Computer down for the count

My computer had not been working well, so I brought it in to Future Shop to see if they can fix it. They will be doing a diagnostic and will call me in 5-6 days! If I'm silent over the next few days, at least you'll know why.

Maman's birthday and.... snow!

Yesterday was my birthday, hooray!
I thought for sure with Xavier's birthday on November 12 that my birthday would be overshadowed and almost forgotten, and I was okay with that. However, things have turned out differently.
On Wednesday, the office team had a little celebration for me over the lunch hour. We all lunched together and shared a yummy moist chocolate cake that Gerry had baked. It was really nice, almost the entire office team was there, with the exception of Genaro, who was sick and Maxine who is on sick leave. They gifted me with a gift card for Sears.
Yesterday I had a training session in the morning and Activity night in the evening. However, Richard, Emma and Xavier made a little celebration over lunch, where we had gourmet pizza and cake. They also gifted me with a nice potmum plant and an MP4 player.
Today I had lunch with the "Apartment ladies" Maressa and Hazel, whom I support, and the former apartment ladies support persons Linda F and Barb P. (who now hold different roles in the community). We went to Chez Cora for lunch, which was exquisite as always. Emma accompanied me to the lunch. The ladies gifted me with a free lunch for both me and Emma, a gift card for Starbucks and a vinyl tablecloth. Can you say spoiled???
Tonight my dad and stepmom are taking me and Richard out for lunch while my sister babysits the kiddies. On Sunday, we are going to my mom's for supper where we will celebrate mine and my sisters' birthday.

Yesterday, weather wise, it was a pretty yucky day. We had sleet all day long, very miserable and cold. Overnight the horrible sleet turned into beautiful snow. It is now official, winter has arrived in Winnipeg. I can't wait to make my first snow angel with my little angel Emma!

Hallowe'en