Post XMAS Sliding!

Alex goes sliding down the hill - watch for the bonus bump!



Hope takes the same run, but a little faster - wheeee!

Christmas in Fredericton

We had a great Christmas this year! Low key and stress free!

Most of our shopping and wrapping was done early (still in Dec. but not all on the 24th!) and we went to my sister's for Christmas eve fondue - lots of fun!. As for Christmas morning, this year we setup the tree in the basement by the fireplace - it was nice and cozy. We had a great morning, with a few fun presents, but not too many.

Christmas dinner was quiet - no turkey which was fine by me. We had most of the trimmings, but with chicken instead, a nice cozy dinner for the four of us.

I did not take any holidays, but with the 4 day Xmas break, there was lots of time to go sledding with the kids, and play games, etc.

I have some photos somewhere - they will be posted when I get to it!

-André

Olympic Flame comes through Fredericton!

A couple of days ago Larissa found the route the Olympic Flame was going to take through Fredericton - and it happened to go right along a street where a friend of ours lived! Larissa called her up and asked if we could come over.

Yesterday around 4pm we headed over for a short visit and then at around 5pm we headed outside to wait - a short 20 min. later the processional began to arrive. The kids were excited as RBC handed out tambourines, and Coca-cola handed out bottles that lit up as well as some soft drinks.

We were lucky because we were next to a torch relay point - there was a runner next to us on the street waiting to be passed the flame! We all got to see the torch up close (neat, modern, streamlined things). We all cheered and made noise as the runner approached, and we got to see the transfer of the flame.

Originally I wasn't all that excited, but happy to oblige the family. In the end, it was a neat experience, I don't know if or when I will be that close again. It was great to see the kids reactions - and Hope wrote her experiences down as soon as we got home.

I am glad we went!

-André

Home spun school photos

Long time since a post - so much to tell and so little time. The next tid-bits will be out of order, but better than.....

ANYWAY!

I elect to shoot my own 'school' photos for my kids, and here they are...




During the shoot - Alex made many faces (as part of the agreement to sit still...)



Enjoy!
-André

Square foot gardening

My dad gave me a suggestion to look into square foot gardening. We setup three 4' x4' boxes in the front, and two 4'x2' boxes in the back. The basic idea is that you get a great soil mixture (1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite, and 1/3 compost) - and you put it in a box about 6-8 inches deep, and divide it into one foot square sections. Plant accordingly. I spent about $100 on the soil mixture, which filled way more than the original 3 boxes. and about $100 on the cedar (8 inch high/wide) and screws and brackets for the front boxes. In the future, the idea is to just top up the soil with compost for nutrients, as the peat and vermiculite are just soil conditioners. The boxes in the back were made with leftover 6 inch wide spruce planks.

The 2 units in the back (16 squares) have mostly tomato plants, and pepper plants.

Here are photos of the 3 in the front:







The 48 squares have things like...
12 flower squares: Geraniums, marigolds, and more...
Herb squares: mint, basil, cilatro, parsley, rosemary, marjoram, chives
Vegetables squares: carrots, beans, tomatos, pepper, lettuce, green onions, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli.

We have one that 'almost' followed the rules, it is against our fence at the end of the driveway, and is about 20 inches x 5 feet. I divided it in half and planted 2 rows of beans, about half are growing...

-André

Alex turns 5!

Alex is growing up! He starts school in the fall - wow - time flies!

Here are few shots from the party!
:)

-André

Alex Likes Soccer!

Here are a few photos from the last time out, he has come out of his shell!

Game Shot

Practice Exercises

Mom vs. Alex

Action Shot!

Inaction Shot!

Alex plays goal!

-André

Hope is 8!

A few photos from the birthday party - Larissa went all out, and created a handmade pinata, and a clue based puzzle for the kids to play. There was skipping, and presents and lots of fun!



...and of course dad was there taking photos!

-André

Alex's Soccer Collage!

Can't forget Alex!

-André

Soccer

Both the kids are in soccer, Alex has yet to play. I am having fun trying out some sports photography, and playing with building photo collages.

-André

Cute photo

Just wanted to share a cute photo of Hope I used on her Birthday Invitation.

She will be 8. Yup, 8.

- André

TV is so exciting.

I couldn't resist.

Sugar Bush!

Also at the end of March, we went to a Sugar bush tour and breakfast. Larissa found a little spot about an hour away, and we had a great time. It was a little muddy - but the breakfast was great - and the people friendly!

The maple candy was awesome - and the only let down of the morning, is that they had nothing to sell us.

Saint John outing

A little over a week ago, Larissa took off to Toronto for the CAFABA Bodessy show. The kids and I went to Saint John to the Museum and the Cherrybrook Zoo. As there is still snow on the ground, the zoo couldn't be called busy - but we had a fun day anyway!

STEM Expo

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

At the end of March, Hope participated in a Science fair, held at the local high school. She and Larissa prepared an information board about Vermicomposting (or worm composting).

Hope had a great time, and loved every minute!

Hope and her neighbour

Part of the floor activities and displays

Hope and her exhibit

Hope demonstrates static electricity (Van de Graaff generator)

Cousin Elizabeth is 5!

A few photos from her party!