Santa's Village

Vacation on Lake Muldrew

Happy 4th Birthday Meghan (on June 21st)

We're a bit behind with the posts but here are a few pics from Meghan's birthday

Meghan's Off-Switch

Anyone who's met Meghan understands her two nicknames - "the Tornado" and "the Energizer Bunny" - and has at some point wondered where the "off switch" is. I think I found the formula.

Yesterday, Meghan's day went like this:
8 am - up, dressed, breakfast
9 - swimming - where she swam and floated by herself for a few seconds and realized that she did it + jumped off the big diving board all by herself after a brief few seconds of a fear of heights
10-3 - snacks, play, and learning intermittenly by herself and with Mommy
3-5 - play outside
5-6 dinner
6 clean up time
7-9:30 go to school (more on this after the schedule)
9:30 sing Happy Birthday to Grandpa and tell him all about her day
9:45 bath
10pm - bed but can't sleep
11pm - finally asleep
7am the next morning - wants to know if it's time to go to Daddy's baseball game yet - falls asleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed with a "no, not yet"
8:30am - washroom break then back to her own bed
10am - still dead to the world (after two tries of the get-up routine)
10:30 - Mommy plans to try the get-up routine again (everything she can think of - most of which doesn't work, the rest of which makes for a really cranky girl)

School Last Night
- Meghan found the classroom and was in playing with the toys and other kids before Mommy and Daddy even made it halfway down the hall.
- Mommy and Daddy thought they should at least go into the classroom, so they do - no point, they can't even get Meghan to acknowledge their presence
- after the meeting, Mommy and Daddy take their time getting back to the classroom because they know that unless Meghan is the last one there, some kicking and screaming will be involved.
- Forever later, when it's just us and the janitor left in the entire school - we finally convince Meghan to leave (though not quickly)

More Adventures of Craft Girl

Obituary

Notice: David's 1998 Sunfire with nearly 375,000 KMs will be laid to rest next Tuesday. He has replaced his "other love" with a younger model (a 2009 navy blue Elantra).

A eulogy may come at a later date. But for now, you may pay your respects in the comments section of this posting.

Congrats Ian and Jen

Fun at the Zoo

Meghan and I had a great time at the zoo last week with Shannon and Rhys. The weather was beautiful and, since much of the place was still closed for the season, the crowds were minimal.


I got some really great pictures of the animals. This bearded lizard was so excited that I was taking his picture. He followed me around his cage, posing the second he saw the camera. You can see the smile!

I'm not sure this snake was as excited, but then again, I'm no expert

Meghan enjoyed exploring and climbing on everything she could find.

Easter Egg Hunt

Meghan had so much fun hunting for eggs yesterday. Unfortunately Mommy and Daddy were laughing too hard to get any good pics. I hope to get some video and Meghan's account up soon.

Budding Artiste

Check out the penmanship on the signature!

Just Like Grandpa

Meghan: "Look Mommy - the composter has white whiskers just like Grandpa!"

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival

Meghan here, reporting for Schwindt Blog news.

Today, during the coldest day of spring thus far, we attended the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. We went by train, my absolute favourite way to travel! I got to meet the conductor but forgot to ask him the engine's name. Since I didn't know it, I decided to call him (the engine) Fluffy.

The two other things I enjoyed about the festival were:
The eats
and Old MacDonald's Farm

Pickle Delight

More pickle fun...

Later she dipped the pickle into the chocolate milk before eating it.

Also, she ignored her ice cream dessert in favour of more pickles.

Apple Surprise

Meghan's latest culinary concoction

Keeping the Leprechauns at Bay

Meghan here for Schwindt Blog News.

It's that time of year again. With the spring thaw and early appearance of Easter treats, it's time once again to think about protecting your treats from Leprechauns. I had forgotten until today.

I was innocently eating my first Easter treat of the season when I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye. I went to investigate and found a trail of shiny shamrocks. I followed it under the couch and around the table. It took me about ten minutes, but I followed the trail all around the kitchen and living room. To my horror, it was a trail that ended at the chocolate bunny I had abandoned. Round one and the head of my bunny went to the Leprechaun!

If you remember, last year Mommy and I made Leprechaun traps. I pulled them out. The problem with the traps though is that they took a couple days to work. Those Leprechauns are tricky! Considering I'd already fallen victim, I wanted a stronger deterrent.

I read that most of the time Leprechauns live in Ireland. I also read that there are no snakes in Ireland. Putting two and two together, I crafted a snake to provide an extra layer of protection for my treats.

Bring it on Leprechauns!

Another Visitor to the Feeders

The bird feeders have been a little quiet lately. Perhaps this has something to do with it?