Friday, April 28, 2017

A Sleepover Visit

April 22-23, 2017
 
Maman and Papa needed some quiet time this weekend to complete their taxes, so Grandpa and Barbara picked up Samuel and David on their way home from the cottage. After a great supper of homemade chili, we loaded into the van. After a play with Grant and a bath, the boys settled down at 9:30pm.

On Sunday morning, Samuel slept in until about 9am. when he had breakfast and watched some TV. David had settled himself down on the floor beside the bed and was still asleep at noon. We woke him up and took his temperature - it was about a degree and a half above normal. We cooled him down but could not get him to fully wake up. No breakfast or TV for him - he just wanted to sleep.





Meanwhile, Samuel got busy - first helping Grandpa set up the pond and then get some big broken pine branches off the roof. He was a good worker!






Later in the afternoon, Papa and Maman decided David should come home to rest. Grandpa and Grant drove the boys up to their meeting spot in Chelsea at La Cigale. Grandpa was happy to use his gift certificate. Suddenly David revived and enjoyed an ice cream.




Note that both boys were not feeling well on Monday - they stayed home from school until Friday.




Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Easter Monday Paddling the Jock River

April 17, 2017
 
Maman was working today so Papa brought the Chelsea boys to 9 Lambert to get ready for a canoe trip through the Mirkwood Forest on the Jock River. Barbara gave the boys some light up swords to guide us through the dark "spooky" forest.


We picked up some Subway sandwiches and headed out to Munster Road to put our canoes in the running water. The boys were ready with their guiding lights.




We all enjoyed the river paddle.





In about half an hour we reached the dark forest. We had fun negotiating our canoes around trees trying to find the best way through the maze.










What did we see? Beaver activity, an osprey, swallows and... a VIA train! The train was on the same track the boys had taken to Smiths Falls.








We were tired and cold after our 2 hour paddle. The boys warmed up in their car and enjoyed their subs, drinks and cookies. They stayed in the car with Papa and Grandpa for the shuttle. Soon we were loading the canoes back on the trailer and heading home.





Papa picked up Maman and we were all together for our Easter dinner. The fondue was a fun chocolate hit for the boys. Big smiles!












Monday, April 10, 2017

Happy Birthday and Happy Easter

April 9, 2017
 
On Sunday Maman and Papa brought the boys over for a visit. Maman bravely volunteered to remove a large broken branch stuck in our pine tree during the winter ice storm. She did it very carefully with Papa manning the rope. Success! Then we had lunch together on the sunny front porch. It really seemed like spring!














While Maman and Papa left to do some shopping, the boys helped Grandpa return some bottles (from the Scout bottle drive). It was their first trip to the Beer Store.



Then they had a good time testing out their scooters.





Later in the afternoon the Bowman family got together at Wanda's to celebrate Val's birthday and to have some Easter fun with the boys. Flying their new kites was a real adventure. At first they just had fun running into the hedge with the kite packages. Then they got some help putting them together. There wasn't too much wind in the backyard but there was good wind (in one direction) on the street. Amazingly all the kites remained intact after their workout.


















Back inside it was time for the Easter treats hunt.






... followed by dinner, Val's birthday cake and some birthday gifts for Val and some early birthday gifts for Gavin.











It was a fun and busy day.