Jumping IS fun!

Here's a fun photo of Tegan jumping on her friend Carter's bed. We stayed over night at our friends cottage on Lake Joe. After numerous requests to stop jumping on the bed, she didn't. (sigh)

(I had Carter in the photo, but cropped him out. I didn't have his parents permission...not that they said no, I just didn't ask!)

Dunno where she gets it from...

Back from the grocery store...

Today's conversation:

As we pull into the driveway from grocery shopping, and I get out to unload the truck. Tegan says,

T: We have to go back Mommy. We have to go back.
M: What? Why?
T: We have to go back to the grocery store.
M: Why honey?
T: We have to get tooties (cookies). We didn't get any. We need to get tooties for Daddy.

So she really does pay attention to what goes into the cart!

Last Night's Conversation...

I'm not even pre-menstral, I don't even know where it came from! In a sad mood I guess. The crying! I never cry! Hardly ever! Twice in one week, what's wrong with me??!!

Anyways, I'm tucking Tegan into bed and she keeps hugging me over and over. "Again! Again!" she'll say. You end up smiling and having fun doing it, until the moment your back says "Hello! Your killin' me down here!" The big girl bed has been ordered by the way...

We hadn't prayed in awhile, so I decided it was a good night for it. I told Tegan to close her eyes while I prayed. We were praying particularly for Judy N. who is battling it out with cancer. She's fighting so hard! But it knocks the wind right out of her. She's the lady that set Mark and I up. And she lives right around the corner. She's home from the hospital with an oxygen tank, as far as I know, she's still at home. So terribly sad...

When we finish praying, Tegan says to me:
Tegan: Judy's sick?
Me: Yes she is. She's VERY sick... she's dying honey...Mommy's very sad.
T: She's dying?
M: Yes
T: You sad Mommy?
M: Yes (with a tear on my cheek).

Then she grabs my arm to start fooling around and it hurt a bit, so I said
M: Don't hurt Mommy! You only get one Mommy.
T: Only one?
M: Yes.....and I don't have a Mommy anymore...she died.
T: She died?
M: Yes. That's why you should treat your mom nicely. Because you never know how long they'll be around. (with a tear rolling down my cheek.) You only get one.

All this time, Tegan's face has been scrunched up and consoling. Her voice trailing from low to high. i.e. she DIED? She was holding my arm and patting my hand. Eyebrows crossed and worried.

So she says,

T: You wanna another one?
M: (chuckle, smile) No. I only wanted that one.
T: It's okay Mommy.....you crying?
M: Yes.

.....3 second delay...

T: Mommy, turn on the light! I wanna see your tear!
M: (chuckle) I'm not going to turn on the light so you can see me cry! Gimme your finger, you can feel it on my face...see?
T: Your crying!
M: Yes dear.
T: Don't cry honey. It's okay honey. (pat, pat, pat)

(Honey is her new word of the week. She adds it to everything! I LOVE it!)

Canada Day in the Capital...Ottawa!

It's been a check on Mark's mom's list of "things to do before I die", to go to Ottawa with her family. Jane has been after Mark for decades to get him to give up a long weekend at the cottage and join her in Ottawa "just once" and feel the patriotic emotions that will pour from your body. "There isn't a better feeling!" she says.

And year after year, we go to the cottage, content and happy to be sitting on the dock, drink in hand, sun beaming down on our pale bodies, hoping for a miracle. Not having to drive anywhere, go for an ice cream in the boat with the dogs hanging out the side of the boat happily. Their tongues and ears flapping in the wind. You get the idea.

Well, since we have NO cottage to go to this summer, I told Mark, THIS is the summer to go to Ottawa and make your mother happy once and for all. Do it for her!

Except, let's not tell her and just "show up" and see the look on her face! We also brought Suzie along which would amplify the shocked look on Jane's face! Hee Hee!

We looked into taking the train on the Saturday to Monday and it ended up being $900 for all three of us to go. Tegan was free! My truck may be bad on gas, but not that bad! So we drove. Five hours later...with a toddler, who can't finish one movie at a time, constantly wanting drinks and a snack, we reached our destination.

Finally we arrive. Check in. We check to see if Jane has checked in yet, (because they were in Quebec and Montreal that week and ending their trip in Ottawa). No they hadn't checked in. So we went outside and walked the street. Took some photo's with the guards.

Let Tegan run around and chase some birds....let out some steam.

As we were heading back by the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, we saw the rented mini van from Buffalo. We dash inside and one of Jane's friends is standing there happy to see us. Barb tells us, Jane has already gone up to her room. And is waiting for their luggage.

Now what I haven't told you is that. I did call Barb the week before to get the particulars of when and where they were staying because I had a surprise for Jane. A dinner surprise. And if they'd mind if we changed their plans for an evening. She said no problem. And vowed not to tell Jane anything. But that's all she knew. So she wasn't surprised to see us in the lobby. But knew Jane would be over-the-moon to know we had come. They too had heard over and over, how she wanted us to come and wouldn't. (Not to mention, Mark, Suzie and I for 2 weeks had taken her scolds from her every time we saw her about it. But we hung our heads and let her do it....knowing we were already going!!!)

What she didn't know is that I was able to get us all on the same floor! Suzie across from Jane's and us down the hall! We get up there and tell Tegan to knock on this door....we all stand away from the door and leave this kid standing there. Our camera's were ready for the reaction.....

Jane opens the door and says "Well, Hi There. We have a visitor." Suzie and I glance at each other like, "How and the Heck did she know we were coming??" Then Tegan mutters something and runs right by her and into the room.

Jane now looks up to see where the parents are to this child running into other people's rooms. That's when she sees us girls, remove the camera's from the front of our faces and notices Mark. All of a sudden it kicked in who this cute little girl was! Her own Granddaughter! Her mouth hung open and tears filled her eyes. Her hands clasped together over her mouth and her shoulders hung as she cried. She couldn't even speak!

Since no one else offered a hug, I did!! She didn't let go! She was so happy! Meanwhile, Tegan is in their room bouncing on the beds, unzipping the luggage and spreading clothes all over the floor, tossing the room service info off the beds and onto the floor, well, just about everything went onto the floor!

Anyway, that was the big story of how and why we went. Then two more good feelings happened that weekend:

Next day, Canada Day, we had all the festivities to do. The ceremonial Changing of the Guard, the RCMP Musical Ride (on horses), The Raising of the Flag...

Suzie summed it up great by saying it was the perfect place for anyone with A.D.D! (Attention Deficit Disorder, like herself) Little mini parades all day long. Look here, look there! 2 minutes and each one is over!

For me, my patriotic moment was when we were walking in the park with different vendors giving away all sorts of things. One cool thing we got was a tiny maple tree we thought we'd plant at our new cottage as a remembrance of this trip. (Too bad we forgot it in the room when we checked out!)

But as we are walking, we are hearing the National Anthem on a big screen t.v by CBC. It's a 14 year old girl with an amazing voice. And as she gets to the last couple of lines, the Snow Birds fly over head, over the Chateau and the Parliament buildings. So beautiful. Very loud and powerful.

But it wasn't until she was about to hit the last note of the song, the last word...that the Snow Birds flew back and it was deafening. The big finale. My hands went up over my face, (and I'm not a crier!!) but there I was bawling! It was like being put in the middle of a war and seeing it for the first time. You see it on t.v, but it doesn't mean anything. Or do anything. I had shivers down my arms and I needed a "minute" to get myself back together. Which really just meant. Turn quick and start walking!!

The second big deal was: At lunch (this is an hour later), we are dining at Milestones. Three quarters of the way through our meal, I look up and see this guy walking towards me to turn and go down this aisle. He's looking at me, I'm STARING at him. I'm thinking "This guy is HOT! I love his hair like that. Why does he look familiar?" And then I had it!

"Hi Derek!" I say. I stand up and he's looking at me like, "and you are?"
I extend my arm out to Suzie and Mark, (who are looking at me like "what the hell is she doing?")

I say "This is my husband Mark and his sister Suzie, you know Suzie..we are your biggest Buffalo Sabres Fans Ever!"
And Suzie and Mark are STILL looking at me and then him like "Do I know you?"

I say "Mark, Suzie, you know DEREK ROY?"
This is the hysterical part. He is a Buffalo Sabres NHL player!!!
They didn't even recognize him at first, and I did! I'm so pleased with myself. I could run into Lindros in Muskoka and have no idea, but I see Derek and BOOM, I remember!

He stood and chatted with us. I think all of our faces were flushed red! Meanwhile, Tegan is running rampantly through the dining area..and we don't care! Derek Roy is at our table!! Then after she hit Suzie and was having a melt down, I picked her up and said "You don't hit! You don't want Derek Roy to come over here and tickle you do you?"

Sure enough, he comes over and tickles her! She giggled and laughed. Then he said Good Bye and went back to his table. He's from Ottawa and that's why he was there. Apparently Suzie and him are neighbors in Buffalo! She said she didn't recognize him with clothes on! (She was part of the press a couple years ago and they'd all be in the locker rooms for interviews!) LOL! Just kidding! No, she really did work for the press, but I'm not so sure she saw him in his Birthday Suit! Which beats me, why didn't it occur to any of us to take a photo with him??

The streets were closed off, it was mayhem. Drunk, stoned and some sober people all over the place. It was freezing cold too all weekend. Sweater sales were up to say the least!

We watched the fireworks. Spectacular. It was also something when they started the fireworks, that an entire park filled with millions of people starting to sing the National Anthem again. (In fact, we heard it all day!) But this time it was really special.

So if you ever have the chance to go. You should. It's a once in a lifetime experience. Especially if you are Canadian. Everyone wore red somehow somewhere. We wore tattoos. Even Bubby! All the Taylor Girls..,but somehow she didn't get her photo taken!

African Lion Safari!!

Okay, so last Thursday, Suzie and I went to African Lion Safari with Tegarino for a totally fun filled day. The sun was shining, the air conditioning was on the whole way there! Suzie was going to meet us there from Buffalo and we followed bus after bus after bus getting there.

Just as we get there and unpack the stroller and get ready for a train ride, Daddy calls and says he'll be there in 15 minutes! How exciting! When he arrives, he announces that he will volunteer his leased vehicle to go through the vigorous job of the Safari Tour. Hell, NO, we weren't going to take my truck through. OR Suzie's car for that matter! We were going to take the bus. But lookie here, we get to cruise the Savannah in our own wheels at our own leisure.

Tegan had no seat belt on, no car seat. Nothing. Just me in the backseat with a camera snapping away, hoping to get just ONE great photo. But I got lucky and got a few. Here they are:

Evidently, Ostriches don't like Protector Plus! Peck! Peck! Peck!

Tegan only remembers out of the entire day, not the train ride around the pond. Not the water park at the end of the day. Not the lions and leopards, the giraffe's or elephants. If you ask her, you will only hear about, "the monkey peed in Daddy's truck!"

Yes, sitting on the back of the tailgate is a monkey with his you know what hanging out for the world to see. Specifically a curious toddler. And he watches and waits, and then woohoo, pee.

(I edited that out as you can see! Yes, your welcome!)

Tegan is staring and mortified. Telling him to stop it! Then another is trying to rip off the caution sticker on the bed liner. Which all of them are fighting for a piece of it to eat. At one point, we had 12 of them on our truck. Front, top and back. Then a big one came and they all screamed and jumped out of the truck. Except for the one who sat ON the cab of the truck and peed down the back window and mortified Tegan again! You could see her trying to look up and see WHICH monkey did it!

We also saw the Elephant Round Up and it was fun. Watching 5 elephants to tricks. We tried to pet it afterwards and those things are rough! They're skin has the wirery hair on it like a cactus. You'd think they would be dry feeling, not spiky and rough. Tegan didn't want to go for an elephant ride or a pony ride. We bought her an elephant puzzle instead. $5.99. Done Deal!

MY Father's Day!

Just to confuse you more! On the real Father's Day, we went up North to celebrate with my dear old Dad.

Mark and I drove separately, thinking we'd both bring home a boat or 2 from the cottage, and all we came home with was one canoe!

We got to Dad & Rhonda's house and everyone was there! Our family has grown in multitudes this past year. Well, it had a couple years ago, but I mean, it'll be legalized this year!

Dad & Rhonda got married in February. Rhonda's son Al, got married in May. To Amy and she has 2 kids, Darryl and Deana. Then Rhonda's daughter Karen, is getting married in September to Ian, who has a son Zac. Whew.

Now. Keep with me here. Karen & Ian have 2 dogs. The golden mix is named Bailey and the new pup is Britt.

Dad & Rhonda have their 2 dogs, Kimo and Skip.

Clint has his new puppy Bullet. Seen here...

We brought our 2 dogs, Cassie & Lucy.

Now lets add this up:

13 Adults

4 Kids

7 Dogs and 1 cat..who wasn't around for some reason!

We celebrated with a B.B.Q lunch and a whole lot of sunshine! The kids played in the sprinkler, the dogs played, bit and humped each other! And the adults had some cold drinks, belly laughs and good grub!

Overall, it was a nice day. One of those ones where when you leave, you feel drained! Like you were dancing all night at the bar or something. Everything tired. Farmer tanned and sweaty. Just wanting a nice cold bed to lie on. Ahhh...

Riverdale Farm Toronto

So my friend Alissa and her 2 kids Emma and Michael (who for some reason didn't make any of the photo's...sorry Michael!), as well as our Auntie Suzie. Enjoyed a sun filled day with warm manure piles, buzzing flies, a cow full of milk, and some intimidating squirrels! All put on by the City of Toronto!

Apparently Emma is used to holding hands with her friends. Tegan not so much. But it would be a healthy change for her....but...Emma is not used to the game "Ring around the Rosie...we all fall DOWN!"

Not as much as we thought would be there. I thought for some reason it would be like St. Jacobs. That there would be a market with fresh food in it, some food stands. Maybe indoor picnic tables...but no. They did have freshly baked cookies for $0.35 cents! And we bought one!

We had a nice picnic style lunch in the park next to the farm. Everyone had a variety of options. It was hard to keep this one crazy pesky squirrel away..he scampered right up to you! And he was one of those yucky ones with mange or something. Hair missing of his entire back. Looking at you with those black beady eyes. And if you listened closely you could hear him say "Hand over those bread crusts lady or I'll bite that big nose of yours!"

So I threw it..and another piece...by the third time, I ran like a crazy lady at him...without my roller blades on! Maybe that's the way I am!! Ha! Arms flailing above my head!

Tegan was tired...had a meltdown in the car and passed out by the time we got on the QEW. Thank Goodness. What to do for fun this week? It's already lined up, but I can't tell you yet....hee hee!

Father's Day!

Well, I guess I left a lot of you in suspense on what was going to happen for Father's Day! Oh...you say you forgot! Oh, because I hadn't written in such a long long time??? Oh...well, I'm sorry about that!

Okay so I ended up giving Mark his new bicycle on the Wednesday BEFORE Father's Day since we were going to be up north. I was having a hard time finding a "hiding place" for the bicycle too since our garage is full on all sides. I left it in my car covered with a blanket for 2 days and the smell of rubber in my car was nauseating...so he got it early!

The night he got it, he was too tired to put the bicycle seat on for Tegan. So she had to wait until the next night. She went downstairs and found her Dora bicycle helmet Clint gave her

for Christmas and was excited to put it on! Then she continued to help Daddy assemble the seat on herself. He also needed a kick stand. They needed a long sleeved shirt, pants and running shoes, not sandals. For safety k'know. And they were off! Except Daddy didn't wear his helmet he got because his head was TOO big...I did get the largest because I was aware of the problem already.

Since that night, we've gone out every night on the bicycle! I go on my roller blades behind them. I NEED safety gear, but don't have any yet. I'm one of those scary persons waving my arms around frantically trying to stay right side up. Legs sprawled out then back in again. Jumping on the grass to stop or now, we've got a pattern of me just grabbing Mark on the back and him BRAKING for us at the stop signs! Downtown Oakville was a challenge today, but fun. We went all the way to his mom's house and back. I'm not sore yet, but maybe tomorrow.

Back from Ohio!

Gosh, I can't believe it's been 10 days since my last entry! I left a lot on the 30th for you's but again, a dry spell!

Well, my husband is freaking out about my blog and also my Facebook participation, so I have to be some what more anonymous now. So, I would normally have TOLD you the name of his College or WHERE in Ohio we were, but I can't. You could narrow it down and it wouldn't be that hard. You wouldn't even have to be an investigator to figure it out I'm sure.

Anyway, it was Mark's 20th...yes you heard me right...20th College Reunion this weekend in Ohio.

We stayed with one of his college friends, who was the Best Man at our wedding, Scott _____(blank). Anonymity!! Ha!

Scott and his wife Betsy, just built this huge home in the fall and we were lucky enough that they invited us to stay with them. They have two kids under 3 and it's hectic to say the least!

Anyway, we drove to the College Saturday morning and walked some of the grounds. It was really pretty. Being a Canadian and never been to College myself, I had an idea of what it would look like but not on this scale. It was HUGE, like, very spread out and large, old historical buildings. Nestled among towering oak trees that 2 men would have to hug to try and reach each other. They were so lush and green and alive.

The weather was sunny and warm with a degree of 80...okay so like 26 Celsius to us Canuks! It was the perfect recipe for a College Reunion! One to bring back many happy memories for the students. (Although Mark was sad to see his "house" was ripped down and a new Dorm was going up in 4 houses of space.)

We had a small lunch outside under a tent...the kids ran wild in the soccer fields below. Then the Graduating Class of '87 got a class photo outside on the bleachers like the "old days".

They also had a kids "blow up" toy section and Tegan had a blast! Jumping, climbing and sliding! Mark caught up to his art professor and got a tour of the new art department. Reminisced about 2 girls naked in the pottery area and at the time took some photo's! Hmm...never knew that. He never did mention if that was for Photography class or not!

And then we had a sit-down, drink break in the back of our truck. Then off to the Book Store to buy souvenirs we didn't need. Luckily we came out with pottery only...for the new cottage...in a year and a half's time!

This time we got a golf cart ride to the next tent across campus that had a Banana Split Party, set up with a small band playing. Very nice touch I thought. So we had a scoop of Strawberry, Vanilla and Chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce drizzled on top. Not to mention the spray of whip cream around the sides, a wallop of crushed peanuts and a maraschino cherry to finish the job. Tegan had 3 little spoon fulls and I HAD to eat the rest myself! Don't you feel sorry for me??




Finally it was time to go. It was around 4:30p.m. Long day for all of us. Tegan didn't even sleep on the way home. Which was an hour's drive. She definitely had fun!

We left Ohio this morning. Should have only taken us 1 entire full tank of gas to get home. Which works out to 4 hours. But we stopped for lunch, then at Aunt Suzie's in Buffalo. Then Duty Free, THEN for our take out dinner. So. It was 6 hours 20 minutes later and we were in the driveway.

Home Sweet Home. My truck said "Ahhhhh."

Today's Conversation...

Mommy says to Daddy in the bathroom getting ready with Tegan "reading" her books:

M: Do I have to go Downtown with you today? (Toronto)

D: No, tomorrow now.

Tegan: I want to go Downtown today and buy Pumba.

(From the Lion King...the pig. We have Timone, we need Pumba.)

What to do for Father's Day?

So I have been complaining. And I think I have every right to. But I've been out hunting and looking and KNOW what I want to get Mark for Father's Day.

EVEN though, he got me NOTHING, and I'm mean NOTHING for Mother's Day. Not a card. Not flowers. Just an "I love you, Happy Mother's Day, sorry I'm going up to the cottage today and can't be with you two today" speel.

And even after I reminded him to get his OWN Mother flowers, he did not order me any. And even after I called his mother in Florida and wished HER a Happy Mother's Day, she retorted with "I'm not your Mother." So my feelings were hurt there too. But who cares. I'm just saying. It was a rotten day. And what about MY Mother? It's a sad day. I wish I could have had lunch with her and chatted about this and that. Instead of yelling at my daughter for this, that and the OTHER!

Now, I told Tegan in "confidence" what we were going to get Daddy for Father's Day. A new bicycle. So they could go out together. Y'see, I already got the child carrier at a yard sale (brand new!) and just need a bike from this century to put it on!

I tell him that night. "I already know what I'm getting you for Father's Day and I'm sure your going to love it!" And Tegan gasps for air to breath and blurts out "Yeah a BICYCLE! I go in my chair! And Mommy, YOU stay HERE!"

He laughed and thought it was a great idea. So I've been looking. Nothing spectacular, because he's not passionate about bikes at all. So your basic bike it is. For the amount he's ACTUALLY going to use it! Who are we kidding?

So let's hear your comments about my floppy Mother's Day. I've told him 3 different times now how awful it was. And he STILL doesn't buy me flowers! But girls, really. Even if I bought the flowers, I'd still bitch about it. And if he DID buy me flowers, it would be "because I made a big deal" so there's no real making up for it now is there?

Baby Bullet...

Okay, so my brother is a Dad...but to a four legged creature that nips a lot!

Tegan got to see Bullet a few weeks ago, when he was still with the litter and his Mommy. I must admit, he was the cutest out of the litter.

This past weekend she was reunited with "Boolet" as she calls him. And couldn't stop picking him up and trying to carry the poor fella.

She was facinated that he would pee IN the house and not outside. And repeat "Accident" with her face all crinkled up.

We ended up babysitting him for a few hours since Clint had to get ready for a fishing tournament, which required putting his boat in the water and all the fun stuff you don't want a puppy around for.

We took him to Aunt Wendy's so he could play with Remi. I didn't get any

photo's of us there. But he was gentle with him.

By the end of it, he was fast asleep on his belly. Legs spread out behind him.

Another facination. He's "Sleeping!" Shhh...

Doesn't it make you want to go out and get a Beagle??

His name is Bullet Boland. It's a mouth full! So you can call him B.B for short!