The Sap is Running

March 30, 2019

Grandpa, Barbara and Grant visited 47 Chemin de la Rivière on Sunday, March 24 to deliver new wheels for the maple syrup boiler.  It was under the back deck so we shovelled a path to the front fire spot.  The next weekend, Papa and Sam were busy attaching the wheels to a wooden frame when we came back to help roll out the boiler. Once the frame was set, we all went out in the snow to the backyard.  Papa, Sam and Grant pulled the heavy boiler out from under the deck and attached the clamps which held the wheels in place. Then it was time to push the boiler to the front yard. It worked! Papa left to take Misty for an appointment at the vet’s and Barbara prepared lunch (pogos and chips) while the boys expanded the fort they were making in the living room. Grandpa dug out a large space for the boiler. When Papa returned, he put the boiler into its place.  All ready for boiling sap!

Home from Niagara Falls

March 11, 2019

Grandpa, Barbara and Grant looked after Boots and Misty while the Bowman boys went on a March Break trip to Niagara Falls with their parents, travelling in their new Nissan Rogue.  They got home on Sunday night and were back at school on Monday. On Monday afternoon Grandpa, Barbara and Grant drove up to Chelsea with Boots and Misty – it was a happy reunion. After some shovelling, we all went inside.  David and Grant worked on a puzzle of Canada so the boys could show us where they went.  Sam and Papa checked out some photos on Papa’s cell. Over supper, featuring Grandpa’s homemade beans, the boys loved talking about their trip, their sleepover at Natalie and Leo’s home near Hamilton, all the amazing waterslides they had at their hotel in Niagara Falls, and the big falls. Maman was working late but joined us at 7pm.

March Break Birds

March 6, 2019

Today was a March Break holiday for the boys.  Tomorrow they will be going with their parents on a trip to Niagara Falls in their new Nissan Rogue SUV.

When the boys arrived at 9 Lambert, they had fun eating Grandpa’s pancakes (left over from Pancake Day yesterday).

Then it was time to go birding with Grandpa.  Grandpa gives the boys a quarter for each type of bird they spot (not counting crows). We drove down the country roads near Richmond.  The boys practiced spotting birds with binoculars and Grandpa’s scope.  They counted snowy owls (female), horned larks and snow buntings.

Then it was time for lunch and Roll Up the Rim at Tim Horton’s in Richmond.  Sam shared his wining large hot chocolate with David and Grandpa gave Sam his winning “café ticket to use another time.

Driving home via the dump gave the boys 3 other bird species: Red-tailed Hawk,  Pigeons, and Starlings.

Back at 9 Lambert the boys helped Grant fill the bird feeders. They really enjoyed the outdoors today.