Rocket Launch 2011

We gave my brother a model rocket for his birthday back in May.  Yesterday, August 1st 2011, which happened to be a civic holiday, we all went out as a family to launch it. 

The rest of us waited in the blistering heat while the boys read over the instructions.  Everything was in its original packaging, and in hindsight it looked as if some pre-assembling would have been advisable.  At one point my Dad had to walk back home to get a screwdriver. 

As you can see, the children and dogs were very helpful during launch preparation.

 Still the rocket was ready fairly quickly.  As Craig pointed out, NASA would have taken longer than 15 minutes to set up a shuttle launch, so we were actually being very efficient.

 We launched the rocket three times (because that's how many charges we had) and I cut together a short video that captures the launch experience.

 Very exciting, though the rocket was hard to follow with the camera once it was in the air.  Also, if anyone is interested this was Worf and Mortie the Jackapoo's first meeting.  The two dogs got along wonderfully.  They were very happy to frollic together despite Mortie's small size and Worf's young age.

William's first story.

Rather than entertain William with computer games and videos, I decided to open Word and write a story together. It ended up being less of a collaboration and more of him dictating to me while I prompted him with "and then what happened". So here's the story. I don't think it's publishable yet (the narrative thread needs work), but it's quite impressive for a first try.


William and Craig and Hunter

Once upon a time, there was a boy named William who wanted a hockey stick. Craig plays hockey with a hockey stick. William wanted to join in so he said to his uncle Craig “play hockey with hockey pucks!”


“Great idea!” said uncle Craig and they got some hockey sticks and hockey pucks and they played for a whole hour. Just then, Hunter came by.


Hunter got a hockey stick. Hunter got a hockey puck. Hunter went to play hockey with Uncle Craig and William. William got the puck in the net. “Score!!! I win!!!!” he yelled.


Then Hunter and William and Craig got guns. Hunter got a new gun, a ball gun that shoots paper. They shot at shooting guys. Craig and William and Hunter were mad. The shooting guys made them mad.


Then Hunter and William and uncle Craig went to watch some tv. It was Toopy and Binoo. They were happy.

Congratulations Eireann and Craig!

Here's something I should have blogged about days ago. My bestest brother Craig and my bestest friend Eireann got married on Saturday. As you can see, Eireann looked gorgeous (she always does, but there is something about the whole bride get-up that brings beautiful to a whole new level). Oh and my brother looked pretty good too.

They say that rain is good luck on your wedding day. If that's true, Eireann and Craig must be the luckiest couple in the universe. Torrential downpoars (mother nature didn't get the memo that it's August) forced us to have the wedding indoors (instead of under the terrace where we'd planned). Thanks to a parade of umbrellas, none of the girls ruined our dresses or hair. But the father of the bride, and the youngest groomsman, came out a little damp.

We walked down the aisle to the sound of bagpipes and, after a short ceremony, we were all ready to take off our shoes. Of course we had to have pictures taken first, and then ate deep fried pickles (and some other stuff), and then had a receiving line, but by the time the speeches started and dinner was served, I was barefoot. (Heels are for girls).



We had a great time dancing the night away. Especially since William was staying over at his Babcia's and we didn't have to worry about him until the next day. When the party was over Adam and I drove the happy couple to Niagara Falls, where they will spend honeymoon #1. Honeymoon #2 will take place next week in sunny Greece.

Congratulations guys! Oh, and Eireann, if you're reading this, I still have your dress.

Super Happy Fans

My biggest fans Kate and her Mom, just sent me this picture of them wearing their Super Happy Fan T-shirts. You too can purchase one here. I think the dog needs one too. I assume the pooch is in the picture because he is a big Super Happy Fan as well. Wow, a dog who can read and use the internet. You guys must be so proud!

This picture brightened my day because lately I've been feeling all pregnant and gross. It's not fair, you feel the most pregnant when you're not even showing yet, and nobody pities you at all. Later, when you have a nice preggers belly and are feeling fabulous, everyone starts opening doors for you and offering you somewhere to sit. I went to the doctor's yesterday, but because of the long weekend, he hadn't received my ultrasound pics yet and couldn't give me a due date. (The doctor's office is in the same building as the ultrasound place, so apparently it takes them 4 days to carry a file up a flight of stairs). Instead I got the fun of having my vagina poked and swabbed.

In other news, it's my favourite (also my only) brother's birthday today. This means we're all going to dinner tonight at my parents and having cake with little peanut butter bears on top (Craig's favourite). Not having to make dinner makes me super happy. This also reminds me that I'm looking forward to my brother's wedding in August. (Yes, this August, they're speedy, what can I tell you?)

Eireann's Going to Be my Sister!

Eireann and I became instant friends when we met in University. Both of us were plagued by society's attitude that one cannot be smart and have a sense of humour, but unwilling to become as seriously boring as everyone else. United by our mutual philosophies, and art history majors, people instantly began asking us silly questions like "How long have you guys known each other?" (like a week after we met) and "Are you guys sisters?" (no). Teachers would mix us up (even though we don't look even remotely alike beyond sharing the most common hair colour on the planet).

I'd always secretly thought that Eireann would be perfect for my brother, Craig, who also has a sense of humour, but is also sweet and gentle and respectful of women (he's the middle child sandwiched between two sisters). Unfortunately, at the time Eireann was madly in crush with her tattoo artist, Thor.

Lucky for Eireann, my brother is totally cool, and so I often invited him along to parties and other such get-togethers with friends. One New Years (not last year, not year before, but the year before that I think.) my friends told me that Eireann and Craig were "totally flirting" when I wasn't in the room. This led to conspiracy among the group, and I rarely had a conversation with one of my other friends without them asking "So, are Eireann and Craig dating yet?" My friends had to wait a whole year after that for them to be an official "item".

Now Eireann and Craig are buying our condo together. And last night Eireann and Craig announced that they are officially engaged!!!!!!!!! (extra explanation points needed)!!!!! Craig asked Eireann on top of the ferris wheel at Niagara Falls.

Eireann says she hates long engagements and wants to get married this summer or this fall, which seems like a bit rushed for a couple who took like five years just to start dating. This would also mean I'd be sporting a baby bump for the wedding (not that it's about me or anything).

So, the next time someone asks if Eireann and I are sisters the answer will be: YES!

Future Olympian

Adam can't always get off work on time to take us to water babies swimming lessons, so my parents help out. Here's my Mom (aka Omi) with William in the changeroom. I love the rolls of baby fat on his chest.

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And here William is way too interested in looking at the pool to waste time on more photos


Here he's smiling because I just told him that he is the best swimmer in the whole class (in my unbiased opinion). Well, to tell you the truth, I really wasn't looking at the other babies, but William can kick and everything. He's advanced, I tell you.


Let's use this photo to compare mother and child. I think he's starting to look a little like me. Same-shaped eyes, similarly-shaped nose, both wearing a goofy expression.

Yes, all these people are with us. From left to right: William's Daddy, Auntie Eireann, Uncle Craig, Omi, cousin Hunter. My dad (Opa) was also there (he took the picture). William is a novelty right now and thus my family's favourite source of entertainment.

William's First Picnic

Gorgeous day today, so Adam and I arranged a picnic for the gang at Lowville Park. The gang in this case includes me, Adam and William, along with my parents, my brother Craig, my friend Eireann (who is currently dating my brother. Yes!), and my parents' new dog Morty, a Jack Russel X Teacup Poodle who is about half the size of William. The tiny puppy hammed it up and got most of the "Awe! So cute" comments, allowing William to have his lunch in peace (breasts do make the best picnic baskets).

The non-babies and non-puppies had ham sandwichs, brownies, apples, grapes, bagel chips, Ah Caramel snack cakes, ice tea, and some bizarre pickled watermelon rind that my Mom bought in Georgia. We then spent the afternoon hanging out under a tree by the creek, pretending to be outdoorsy.

Some more pictures:

William in his stylish frog hat


Morty the Jackapoo


Craig and Eireann

Mommy and Daddy's Night Out/ William's Night with Omi and Opa

Yesterday was date night for Adam and I. Adam got gift certificates for Casey's Bar and Grill that were only good in Toronto, so we went, thereby using up almost as much in gas and parking as we saved by using the certificates. Plus a movie(cereal coupons are no good on Saturday). Oh well.

We left William with my parents, and I worried about him the whole time we were out. It's not that I don't trust my family, I knew they would keep him safe and entertain him greatly. But we were gone from 4pm to 10:45pm, what if I didn't leave enough milk for him (two bottles)? What if he missed his Mommy? Or worse, what if he didn't miss his Mommy?

Despite the worrying, going out when you have a baby is actually better than pre-baby going out. It's the preparation: asking my parents to watch him, two mornings of pumping bottles, packing extra outfits in case he gets cold, or dirty. This rigmarole makes the whole outing more of a big deal, and therefore more fun.

The movie we saw (since I know everyone cares), Hot Fuzz, was pretty darn hilarious. The boys who brought you Shawn of the Dead have done it again with lots of amusingly unnecessary gore. William was also amused, but not by gore. According to my Mom, he laughed when my brother danced to the Baby Elephant Walk.

And he had enough milk. Mom was still feeding him the second bottle when we came to pick him up. When we got home I performed the amazing feat of removing a sleeping baby from a carseat and placing him in his crib without waking him up. I figured he would wake up and then I could feed him, but no. My breasts were aching to be juiced so I pumped a bottle. It's a good thing too, because he didn't end up waking up until 7am!

Happy Earth Day.