My baby fix

Today most people would think I was crazy....I actually loved it. While three of my children were in school I had Kortney (2), Cassie (15 months) and Kailey (22 months) here. A normal Wed except for I had an extra today - Audrey (4 months). The day was great. The three toddlers wandered around playing, stoped for a snack, played, sleepted and played some more. Other then the odd fight over a toy and trying to keep diapers on Kortney and Kailey (another story) the day goes by smooth.

A friend of mine was needing someone to look after her baby today so naturally I said yes. I have to say I LOVE the baby stage. They're just so precious and innocent and cute. I could have held her all day but I had to fight with the other kids to have my turn! Once Kaitlin and Dawson came home my turn ended quickly. I love the way small children and toddlers are drawn to babies and are naturally wanting to care for them. Today while Audery was crying I had the three toddlers all trying to hand me the baby's toys and blanket. I can't quite understand the mom's I met who can't wait for their babies to get older and out of the baby stage. I know some of you will be laughing at me wondering when the next one is coming here.....Well sadly I have to say I'm done. I know I've said this before but this time I'm sticking with it. I love being pregnant and the baby stage but they grow up so darn fast. Before you know it you end up with a little child who is stubborn and knows what they want and don't want. That's when I get frustrated. The babies are so easy it just doesn't last. I know I don't have the patience for another one although I wish I did. I'd love to be one of those mother's who seem to have it all together with patience to spare, but by the end of the day I'm counting the minutes before bed time.

For now I just have to enjoy the baby time I get with other people's and move on to the next stage of my life.....

Wednesday

Hurray!!! today Dawson finally got to go to school! Let me tell you I think he would have gone last year if he could have. He's so desperately wants to be able to do what Travis and Kaitlin do including going to school. He's been so excited about this day finally coming. I don't think he quite understands time yet so next year, next month next week confuses him but the day has come. He didn't miss a beat going out on the bus and had a big smile on when he came home. His favourite part was of course recess. The problem now is he doesn't go again till Monday....It will be a long couple days. He's driving me crazy at home. He's either board or just has so much energy to wear off and being with toddlers all day doesn't help. My day yesterday was soooo nice and quiet!! I still had Kortney, Kailey and Cassie but they just wondered around the house playing, are lunch and had a nap. I didn't have to argue with anyone or answer the same question 5 times! So I'm looking forward to having just little ones every other day now. It gives me a break until 3:30 which I'm going to love!!

46th Huron Pioneer Threshers

The Threshers in Blyth has become a family tradition for us. For those of you who don't know what the threshers is here's the jist of it.
It's a 40 acre reunion of old antique tractors including lots of steam engines, an old saw mill, threshing demonstrations, horse plowing demonstrations, antiques, tractor pulls, antique lawnmower pulling, flea market, craft show, kids entertainment, ect....The kids love it. I love it because of the atmosphere of things from the past. It makes me think of all the crap that's made now compared to the quality tools, machinery, household things and so on we now have offered to us in stores. The world seems to becoming a throwout society of junk. If it's broke just buy a new one...I'm guilty of it too. The dollar store is just too tempting. It's nice to go back in time to the way it used to be and show the kids history. History I hope doesn't get forgotten once our elderly generation is gone. I often wonder will there be enough people to pass this history down??


Another reason we love going is the obvious-it's close plus it only cost us $5.00 to get in!! Dan paid a $10.00 member fee a while back which got him in free and kids under 12 are free. It's such a wonderful family day and compared to a fair which seems to cost more and more each year. There's face painting and balloon animals for the kids (free), entertainment and unless you go through the craft show there's not much else to buy. There aren't tons of booths all trying to sell you something. We treated the kids to some homemade icecream being made there. So the day cost us $17.00!

Dan became a member this year so Travis could compete in the lawnmore pull. Dan and him have been working on an old lawnmower getting it ready. In the class Travis was in for weight he got 6 out of 11. He pulled 67 1/4 in. A full pull was somewhere around 80in. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more Dan or Travis! At the end all the kids that pulled got a ribbon and a prize. Travis got a double set of collector tractor playing cards.

So it was a great day. The rain even stayed alone.
One more reason I love living in a small community like this!

Michelle





Dan and the kids with George Townsends tractor. An old steam excavator.

Kaitlin ready to watch to pull.
Dan, Travis with their lawnmower.

An update

The last few days have been busy for us. This weekend my family came to celebrate Kortney's 2 birthday (which is actually on the 7) I can't believe my baby is 2!! She is nonstop playing and getting into everything. Her favourite song to sing right now is "ring around the rosie" and "happy birthday". She is a silly little girl who spends her days copying everything her siblings are doing.

Yesterday I became an aunt for the 5th time!! Dan's sister Debby and Scott had a baby boy - Andrew William Niccoli. Since Dan took the call I don't know many details other then it was a c-section and he's 7lbs 8oz, and has red hair! I can't wait to see them....I'm not sure if I have to wait till Christmas or if I can make it up to Pembroke before that.

Today as you all will know was the first day of school. Travis was not thrilled, Kaitlin was excited. I was glad to see them go! Although the summer didn't seem long enough, the kids are in need of a break from each other and me! Dawson has to wait till next Wed for his first day. Today he gets to play with Chloe. I'm back into the routine of care giving. Tues to Thurs I have Kailey, Chloe and Cassie here. We're all having a quite time now. Three of them are sleeping.

So that's the update for now.

Michelle

Congratulations Debby and Scott!!!

More pictures

Dawson's little toad he found in the woods.
Kaitlin taking pictures of Dan and me.

Kortney and Alex eating Grandma's cookies.
The men coming back from "fishing"
The big nickle in Sudbury.

Our yearly tradition

Kaitlin loved canoeing!

Travis and Jarod's beach project More beach fun
Our resorts potluck dinner. First half of the group...
second half

Well I finally have a chance to update again! Where has the summer gone?!!

Yesterday we came back from our week at the cottage. Whenever we tell people we're going to the cottage (Shebe) they think we have one. Well we think of the resort as ours....It all started 30 years ago this summer. Dan's family, aunts, uncles, (from both sides), neighbours and friends have been going up the same week in August. The group has grown over the years and there are now 3 resorts on the same lake we all stay at. Every year things change slightly. We used to share a large cottage with 3 other couple but now that we all have kids we changed it to 2 couples per cottage. The past two years Dan, the kids and I have rented our own one. It's great. The cottages are all close together and ours is practically on the beach. The kids love it. Since we take over the resort the kids can go from cottage to cottage or up to the park mostly at their own free will. They have the freedom to roam and they love it. Everyone is always sad to come home knowing another year has come and gone.
Since the weather wasn't great, Dan and I took the kids up to Sudbury to Science North and to the Dynamic Earth. This was a great day. The science centre had so much for them to see and do and at Dynamic earth we went on a tour of the mines. The highlight was the kids panning for gold. We actually found 3 pieces we could keep. Tiny gold flecks - but the kids were thrilled.

So that's what we've been busy at. Today we went school shopping so reality of the end of summer is hitting the kids. Travis isn't happy, Kaitlin just wants to wear her new clothes and Dawson can't wait.

I'll let you know how the first day goes!
Michelle

More critters

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Yes Dan has brought home more critters. He has been wanting to get some sheep now since last winter but hasn't been able to find the breed he wants. This group of mixed sheep was a good deal and was close to home. There are 19 of them plus Gilbert. Gilbert is the pet sheep that almost died at birth. His last owners nursed him back to health and is now very friendly.

The kids are thrilled to have the sheep out in the shed. All Dawson wants to do is ride on one.

With these sheep came an "extra bonus" as Travis like to call it - 14 free chickens. We already had 10 chickens who will start to lay eggs when they're a bit older. These new chickens are a year old so the kids are going out and collecting eggs every day. This is very exciting to them to see how many there are each time. Every morning and every night the kids are responsible for doing the chores in the shed. A recap of the animals - sheep, chickens, ducks, turkeys, a dog and a cat. They have been doing really good everyday and so far there hasn't been any complaints.

This place is really starting to feel like a petting zoo. I know the kids are so lucky to have this. I hope it teaches them a love for animals and responsibility. Something everyone wants for their children. I'm glad we're able to have the life we live.

Michelle