A Quick Question Answered

The students from Saturday night's post have come and gone. The three of them, along with my father, are somewhere in a provincial park travelling by canoe, eating dehydrated food and changing their clothing minimally - for twelve days. Twelve days. Have I mentioned my dislike of camping and the benefits of a career as a stay-at-home mother?

As you might recall, I wondered on Saturday night what these students might think of our little family. While I didn't ask them outright ... I do think that they enjoyed themselves. At least Jeff, the fellow pictured below, seemed to really like our children and the feeling was definitely mutual. Jeff, from San Diego, was the first to arrive on Sunday and he settle in quite nicely even joining us for family prayer when Jacob, without prompting, asked, "Are you coming to say your prayers with us?" Jeff, much to his credit, replied, "It's been a while; but why not?" We then moved to the living room where we petitioned the Good God while our kids simultaneously prayed for a smattering of relatives, friends and wildlife while reading books, turning somersaults and climbing chairs. Ours is a joyful faith.

The above picture is not of family prayers. However, it is a fairly accurate portrayal of our religious practices.

The above shot is actually a picture of us practising and watching the play which Jacob wrote on the occasion of the students' visit.

More particularly, Jacob wrote the play in honour of Laura on the day after her birthday. Note the balloon. (I could also note Joseph's resulting welts from the balloon but I'll save that for a hypo-allergenic post entitled "Why Joseph will never attend a birthday party.")

Anyway, when I say that Jacob wrote a play I am overstating things. On Sunday night, Jeff and all family members were each handed a sheet of paper on which Jacob had scrawled the name of our character, our costume and a waiver stating that if we had any objections regarding character or costume, we could consult the director. (Yes, Jacob was the director.) My father was cast as the Stone-Hearted Lion who thinks of nothing but rocks while Jeff was the three- legged donkey. (Note the raised leg in the above photograph.) While successfully casting each of us as members of the Stone Forest, Jacob had failed to devise a plot. Thus, we were left to create our own dialogue and storyline during the dress rehearsal which doubled as both first rehearsal and performance.

The end result was all of the children climbing on the three-legged donkey while Grandpa Nick provided live-action narration. The play was mildly successful in that we all laughed and Jacob didn't cry. It was vaguely reminiscent of the play scene from Atonement.

The next few days were spent packing, shopping and repacking and the group finally set off on Tuesday morning. Here are Jeff and Duncan discussing the merits of air photos vs. topographical maps.

Here is Benjamin attempting to prove that he should be taken along on the excursion due to his his superior climbing abilities. They left without him.

Here is Grandpa Nick looking not much like a grandpa and always in need of a haircut.

Mommy, who wears sunglasses and her favourite black t-shirt in almost every picture on this blog.

Jacob and Benjamin checking out some sort of rock that was a good indicator of something geological and beyond my comprehension. Having finally answered my quick question, I am off to face the heatwave along with Joseph and the stroller. Wish me luck.