Jacob's Wisdom

Jacob is beside me as I write this blog and, budding reader that he is, I was just asked, "What's the tittle (title)?" Anyway, the point of today's entry is three new pieces of info courtesy of eldest son.
Jacob: Mom, if you say, "Put on your Hallowe'en costume and then we'll go trick-or-treating," what' s the hidden message?
Me: (Guessing that they have been learning about hidden messages at school.) What do you mean by the hidden message?
Jacob: The hidden message is that if you want to go trick-or-treating, you need to wear a costume.
Me: Oh.
Jacob: There is a hidden message in Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Me: (Thinking that fairy tales used to have morals.) There is?
Jacob: Yes, the bears need to lock their door.
There is something vaguely politically correct about all of this. Homeschooling, here I come?

Third verbal gem from senior son: "Mom, what's a hunter's worst nightmare?"
Me: (Pondering the wisdom of a move to the depths of a county where the local high school has a special 'leaving-permission form' for the deer hunt.) What?
Jacob: A camouflage deer.
Welcome to the wilds of Ontario where today children had the choice of wearing their Hallowe'en costume or camouflage to school. When passing the schoolyard at recess (now called the Nutrition Break!), I noticed an overwhelming number of hunters under the height of 4 feet. The fairies and zoo animals could barely compete. In fact, I question how wise I was to send my two oldest as a giraffe and a zebra when their classmates are largely dressed for stalking large game. My introduction to small town life continues...

A-tissue-a-tissue- they all come out!

Just in case you thought little Joe wasn't featured enough on the blog: here he is up to no good while Mommy blogged and Daddy power napped (all in the same room).

I have been trying to capture our life on film lately. I found this rocking crocodile a few years ago at the Twin Sale. No, there are no twins up for grabs at the Twin Sale, but Hannah assures me that the Gleesons would buy her if I did put a price tag on her. The crocodile has room for three and I have seen as many as five kids riding it. It has endured all sorts of weather and is particularly fun on ice as it will slide with every rock! I didn't intend to write anything to accompany this footage, however, the video is taking a long time to upload and I can't close this window until the uploading is finished. So, a weather update: we didn't get the dump of snow that we expected, only a slight dusting - praise God. Apparently, the big city was hit badly but we are two hours away and enjoyed the high winds without the white stuff. The snow scare sent me into a frenzy of trying to find the cold weather gear that was packed in the move. Luckily, in the midst of the July heat, I actually thought ahead to the season of cold and packed the hats, mitts and boots in a relatively easy place to find. These are the moments in which I can recognise an overarching pattern of organisation to our life. Ok, I'm going to stop writing and let the computer do its job. Ok, the video didn't work so here's a picture.

Conversations Overheard

While driving Hannah and the crew to ballet on Monday evening, I overheard the following conversation proceeding from the back of the van.

Hannah: I don't want to go to ballet.
Jacob: Why?
H: Because I'm shy.
J: Look, Hannah, you're going to have to get over that if you're going to be a ballerina or a nun.

Changing Seasons

It was inevitable, the Valley has its first winter snow storm advisory. The wind is howling and the cold front is moving in. J and H got on the bus this morning wearing Fall gear but their winter woolies were packed in their backpacks. We are expecting 15-30 cm of the white stuff, starting with rain and ending with snow. However, the winter season hasn't set in for good as the temps will go back up and Hallowe'en will be brown and balmy - Friday is supposed to be in the teens. Our little zebra and giraffe can wear hoodies instead of snowsuits. I will post pictures once the weather begins. Perhaps I will hibernate until Friday...

The more it blows

Tiddley-pom

The more it snows

Tiddley-pom

The more it goes

Tiddley-pom

On snowing

(Thank you, Pooh Bear)

What sleep reveals about our children

Two separate nights. Two separate children. Two separate preoccupations.

The Budding Farmer

Benjamin has reserved a special place in his heart for his Grandpa Mike. His clearest sentence is, "Grandpa on the tractor." I promise that if you talk with Ben on the phone this is the phrase that will be repeated ad nauseum. On Saturday, Grandpa M came over to use the Net to view some cattle coming up for sale. Benjamin sat with him the whole time and learned all about the merits of Blonde d'Aquitaine.

Dicey Connections

Our internet connection has been dicey at best for the past week. Dave finally had some time to figure out the problems with the router and we seem to be up and running again. Speaking of running, I logged another nearly 5-miler this morning. This run was not sponsored by two cups of coffee and I hope to sleep a little better tonight! On most of my walks and runs along our country road I am often stopped by Mr. Eccles. He is a 70+, possibly intoxicated man who drives a white pickup. Today I noticed that one half of his teeth are missing and despite looking like a Valley logger he sports a wide array of gaudy rings. Completely harmless, well, maybe the intoxication poses some problems. Our encounters usually involve a slowing of his truck and a rallying cry of, "Keep up the exercise!" If I am walking with the kids, he says, "My goodness, are these all yours?" Today he stopped and said, "Half a minute, madame. I have some exercise equipment that has never been used. It is next to my mailbox at the bottom of the driveway." He then tried to demonstrate the exercise equipment with an interesting display of arm and leg movements. I told him I would pick it up later... Strangely enough, my encounters with Mr. Eccles have become somewhat encouraging as he recognises my efforts to mother and to exercise. The other morning he drew up along side of me and seemed rather startled. I couldn't imagine what his comment would be this time. However, I was genuinely grateful when he squinted his eyes, peered at my face and said with great surprise, "My goodness, you are a good looking woman." Thank you Mr. Eccles, you put a new spring into my step.

Jo-Jo, Little Joe, Joseph

This post is for Lisa A. as she has yet to meet little Joe. He looks a bit like Dave as a babe but he is different from the rest and at times I see his first cousin, Rhett, his Grandpa Nick and my cousin, Matthew. He's pretty great.

Siblings

This picture really captures the relationship between Hannah and Benjamin. It was completely unposed and I just happened to capture it while sitting across from them at bedtime.

Bed Wetting

We have officially bought the house in the next town, although I won't really believe it until we move in.
As I write these posts I am painfully aware that I was never taught the proper use of commas and I really need to read Eats. Shoots. And Leaves. So, All you grammar afficionados: Bear with my use of the comma, the only instruction I ever received was in grade 4, "Whenever you need to take a breath, use a comma."
Jacob is patiently awaiting the response of his Grandpa Nick to yesterday's email. He keeps looking over my shoulder hoping to see an email addressed to him. Hopefully something will arrive later today.
Dave is at a workshop in the big city today and left before the rest of us got up. Somehow he must have given me the baby to nurse as Joseph was next to me when I lifted my head from the pillow. Actually, everybody but Jacob was with me when I got up. Hannah had arrived at some point during the night after an accident in bed. I heard her this morning bragging about sleeping with Mommy last night and describing how if you have a dream in which you are peeing then you just might be peeing in your bed. Oh for a night when I sleep for a longer stretch than 3 hours.

Mothers

Mom, thank you for following this blog... I better send the address to Rebecca so that I can have atleast two followers... Either that or I will have to create blogger accounts for the kids!

Another Minority Government

We spent the late afternoon in town yesterday following a house inspection that proved pretty uneventful. I packed a picnic supper and we ate in the cold at the playground. Our stay was cut short by freezing hands and toes. However, the kids (as always) enjoyed the fabulous playground. If all goes as planned the house will be officially sold on Friday and we will own it on Dec. 1st.
I am now re-certified as a teacher and, hopefully, have a few supply days in November that will pay for my re-certification fees!! The question is: Do I remember anything about teaching? Dave says that supply work is just babysitting but I remember treating my supply teachers pretty terribly. Maybe the threat of my husband being down the hall will keep them in line. Also, I feel awfully strange about going out to work even if it is only a few days each month. But, the extra cash will ease Dave's load. Must go, Joseph is trying to type and I can hear Benjamin in his room.
One funny tidibit: After feeding Joseph yesterday, I turned away to get a wet face cloth. When I turned back, Joseph had crawled out of his high chair and was sitting on the tray. None of the others have done that before. Hannah said, "This baby can do anything!" Maybe it's a blessing that we are moving to a bungalow with a fully-fenced backyard.

Six weeks ago!

I have finally learned how to post pictures, not very hard at all. Here are the very late photos of the first day of school.

Thanksgiving Monday

The turkey has been consumed and, after three meals of the stuff, the gobbler holds no more attraction. The weekend was stunningly beautiful with temps hitting the mid-20s, it felt positively balmy. Jacob and Hannah spent today demonstrating their biking prowess - sans training wheels. They have all sorts of tricks including standing up, weaving to and fro and stopping on a dime. Amazing what happens when I leave them at Grandma's for a week! I was struck by how quickly my babies have grown up. Their babyhood can never be retrieved and there is something very sad about that. I must remember to cherish each moment rather than try to get "jobs done". This is an area where I really learn from the grandparents in our childrens' lives. The older generation understands that our children grow so quickly and I am encouraged by my parents and in-laws to slow down and be with my children. Now, I must really slow down and toddle off to bed as election day is tomorrow as well as a house inspection of the new abode. Oh, the bunk beds are finally painted and back in the twins' bedroom.

Thanksgiving

It's happy Thanksgiving to all of us who can't vote for Sarah Palin. And, unfortunately, there is no Palin equivalent in Canada (unless Cheryl Gallant comes close). Dave is home for the three-day weekend and the kids are enjoying the beautiful weather. We are off to the Lynches tomorrow for the first of two turkey dinners. The second turkey will be consumed at lunch on Monday at the in-laws. I am back in fine running form (a slow plod). Hannah and Jacob have upped their note-writing with more requests for TV watching complete with a Yes and No box for my response. Ben has reverted to baby mode (crawling, baby talk) in an attempt to wrestle all attention from little Joe. Little Joe is somewhat unaware of the political struggles that accompanied his birth. However, he is becoming a little more savvy regarding his brother's efforts. The dog is enjoying the changing seasons on the farm as he took the opportunity today to fully enjoy Grandpa's manure - yay! Let's hope the boys don't follow suit.

First Attempt

Today marks the first attempt at blogging and, alas, I can think of nothing to say. We are settling into the rhythm of the Fall and enjoying the Indian Summer. The weather was wonderfully conducive to running and both D and I enjoyed a quick jaunt. That's all. Now to figure out how to upload pictures...