Orrin's 4th Birthday - June 28th 2009

My youngest little man turned 4 on the 28th of this month. He was really excited about his birthday this year so I was looking forward to it too.

I really like making cakes for the kids' birthday so his request was an icecream cake with bananas, strawberries and chocolate. About a week before his birthday he changed his mind to a soccer ball cake. Well my plan was already in place for an icecream cake (and besides I had never made one before so I was really excited about it) so I figured he will have to wait till next year!

When he goes to gym and his friend Kurtis' house all he does is place on the scooter so we got him one of those. Emily and Ray got him a helmet for it and we also gave him a tent and a soccer ball. We had Ray. Emily, Adam and Taylor over for his special supper and cake (which because of the round bumps on the top he thought was an icecream-soccer-cake!)

Waiting for Halloween...

As you all know it is July, but just out of the blue last night while I was reading Orrin a Spiderman comic book...(hmm, maybe not so out of the blue) he asked me what he could be for Halloween this year. I asked him what he wanted to be and he said a Transformer. I replied with "Adam is going to be that this year so maybe you should be something else". He wanted to be a scary thing, but as he was thinking I remembered that one of Anna's old costumes would possibly fit him. I told him Anna has a dragon costume that he could wear if he wanted. As he was already in bed I said he could try it on in the morning. He said "When's Halloween Mama?" I said that when the leaves that are green on the trees turn orange and start falling off.

First thing Orrin did in this morning was ask me if it was Halloween now. I said "no, the leaves on the trees are still green". Apparently he didn't believe me so he went to check. About every 20 minutes throughout the day he has asked me "Is it Halloween now?" And keeps checking out the window to make sure I have my head screwed on straight!

I dug out the dragon costume this morning and he has been wearing it all day in anticipation of Halloween somehow arriving 3 months early! He eats in it, sleeps in it, drinks in it, goes to the bathroom in it and even rode his bike in it. I just hope I can get it off of him long enough to wash it!

Anna's Golf

Anna did the Future Links Junior Golf Program again this year. It runs for 6 weeks begining end of May. A golf pro and another experienced local golfer go through everything with them from etiquette to where to put your hands on the clubs. Last year she was the only girl and one of the 5 kids out of over 20 to pass level 1. This year the program has changed to a new system, and we haven't heard yet what level she went onto.

So wednesday from 4:30-6pm was golf night at the Village of Breton golf course. Luckily the weather co-operated for the most part. If it was raining though, they continued their work as the program has to be finished before shool is done. One week Anna got a prize for having the best swing. She picked out a Tinkerbell skipping rope.

On the last day the kids were put into groups of 4 and did 9 holes. Afterwards they had hot-dogs, icecream and prizes.

Last week Juniour golf started and Anna has signed up for that. It is operated by the pro at the golf course. Last week he helped the kids with their putting and then took them out to do some holes. Despite the rainy, miserable weather they had a good time!

Because of how well she is doing at golf we got a membership this year for her. I usually take her out when Jake is with Krista and Orrin and I tag along. As long as the weather is nice we quite enjoy the walk. She does pretty good. She manages to lower her score each time. Her strength is in her short game. Even though she has a good swing , she is lacking the strength to go any more than 150-200ft. One of these days I may get myself a driver and putter and get her to teach me a thing or two!

In September there is a Junior Tournament that she will participate in to end the season. This winter (seeing as though one can't play in the snow) we are really going to try and keep up with her golf by going to an indoor driving range in the city

Teddy Bear Picnic & Show 'N' Shine 12th June 2009

For our last 'Drop In' activity for the year by Brighter Futures, we had a Teddy Bear Picnic. Thankfully the weather was lovely so we even got to have it outside! Breton now has a Village Square that has all grass, plants, a nice path, gazebo and some picnic tables. It was the perfect spot for our picnic!

We started with our food and then some games. Sylvia had a parachute that the kids played with and sang some songs and read a a story. They also had ribbons and balls that they threw around. Sylvia also brought along some teddy bear treats like Bear Paws and gummy worms. We then walked to the rubber park to play on the equipment and afterwards Sylvia surprised us all with an icecream from Gramma's Kitchen!

After the picnic Anna, Orrin and I walked to the high school for the grad class of 2010 Show 'N' Shine. They had an excellent turn-out and even had hamburgers, hot dogs and giant slushies for sale. We were still stuffed from all our teddy bear food so the kids just had a slushie. The kids got to go in the towns brand new fire truck and our neighbour Jacky who is an RCMP was kind enough to pose in front of her car with the kids. All in all a very interesting and fun day!

Track Meet 11th June 2009

This year Breton's elementary schools track meet was done without Winfield and so was held at the Breton high school. I had never been before and since it was just across the road we decided to make a day of it and have a pinic too.

The weather was beautiful for those of us spectating, but a little too warm for the kids that were competing. They were all put in colour teams and did each activity 'round robin' style with the same age-groups. Some of the activities were, high jump, short jump and sprint. The kids did really well and we all had a fun day!

Time With Grandma

Grandma Blackmore came to see baby Taylor in June. She was able to stay for a week. She stayed with Ray and Emily but we were able to see her often. Jake has always been more of a 'Grandpa's Boy' in that he warmed up to him really fast but has always been a little more stand-offish with Grandma. Well this last visit was AWESOME! Jake just couldn't get enough of Grandma and here are the photos...

Our Veggie Patch - Saturday May 23

While Pam was up she came over to work in our yard one saturday. It was a beautiful day and Jesse had organised for a local man to come over with his tractor to rottotill our garden plot. What should have taken us several hours to do, only took him 10 minutes. Now we could get planting, well Jesse, Pam and Anna could and I was on Jakey and Orrin duty.

Orrin had his friend Kurtis over, which ended badly with poor Kurtis getting sunscreen in his eyes so I took him home and once I had the boys under control I decided to take some pics of the days effort. They planted beets, potatoes, cabbage, onions, sunflowers, brussel sprouts and corn. Anna got to write on the sticks, hence the "beats".

Aunty Pam

Along with the arrival of baby Taylor, also came Aunt Pam and Aunt Janette (Jesse's younger sisters). Janette was only able to stay for a few days, but Pam was here to look after Adam during and after the birth of Taylor. It was great to see them both and the kids were super excited. Pam got to be here for a month and we were able to spend lots of time together.

Ray had his birthday and Pam wanted to make him something special. She made a Raspberry White Chocolate baked cheesecake. Oh my was it ever delicious!!! She also put on a scrummy spread of ribs, salad and potatoes for the adults and hot dogs for the kids. Ray got a deepfryer and 'The Office' game...which we are still yet to play! Hey whats with that Emily? Actually I probbaly need to watch the episodes again before I play the game!

May (although it is June)

It is terrible that June seems to be almost over and here I am hardly even blogged for May. My intentions are good, but boy do I have a lot of catching up to do!

We have been keeping busy during the day with home schooling and other activities in the community. On Monday's Orrin goes to Bonnies and Anna and I play golf (well at least thats the plan, so far it hasn't worked out like that!), Tuesdays is gym at the community centre and then soccer in the afternoon, Wednesday we are at home during school hours and then golf, Thursday is library and then soccer and Fridays we go to drop-in at Brighter Futures.