Well, this past week we packed the kids into the car (without a working portable dvd player, still), and headed down to Yarmouth. It was March Break. I was finished my practice teaching, and Emma had the week off school. It was a recipe for success.
So we knew we would get to do some fun things down there, and we planned some stuff out for Emma to do. I mean, we needed to show her a good time that week, since the absence of school can be boring for a kid. We decided we would take her swimming, skating, and to a movie while we were down there. She also had the chance to spend time with her cousins, and my young cousins. She always has a great time with those hooligans. She fits right in.
So she ended up having a great time in the YMCA pool with the other kids. I had the great opportunity to swim with all those little monsters, too. The best part was that we had to wear swim caps. I haven't worn one of those since I was in Elementary school, and went to the Y for lessons. It was wonderful. Morgan looked especially cute with her cap on. I think it smooshed her face a bit.
We went to see the Waterhorse on Thursday. It was such a tear jerker. I cried through the whole movie. CRUSOE!!!! Okay, I didn't cry at all. I didn't even like it that much. It was fun to see the little boy cry out CRUSOE!!! That part was awesome.
I helped my Father out a bunch with chainsawing and splitting wood. He had like 5-6 cords. It was pretty tiring. I got to use the chainsaw, which is always fun. It makes you feel like a manly man. And when you look like I do, you need to feel like a manly man whenever you can.
Anyway, it was great to spend time with all my family. I don't see them too often, so I always enjoy just being around them. We always have a good time. It's always a serious time. No joking. All seriousness. Seriously.
When you have some free time, where do you go? Yarmouth!!
Another day off, another loose tooth gone.
Well, I woke up today not realizing how bad out it was. It looked fine to me, so I got up and ready to go to teach. But, as I was enjoying a hearty breakfast, Kelly told me the schools were all cancelled for the day. WOOHOO. Now I am down to two days left of teaching.
While this was going on, Morgan was downstairs sleeping. But when she came up, she was excited to see us, and Emma's tooth. So we took a few pics of Morgan, because she hasn't been getting much blogspotting lately. She deserves a mention, since she plays a role in the family. She is the back-up quarterback. That's her role. She's not a good QB, but she's a cutie. They both are. So here's a few pics of the little girl Morgan. 
This last photo was from last month, but Kelly really likes it, and wanted me to post it. She said it reminds her of a picture of me from the first or second grade. I think she looks more like Josh Blakeney in this one. I am not sure why, or how, but it does. I think it's cause Josh likes wearing pj's with puppies and firetrucks. Plus, those red glasses he wears all the time. Wait, and I thinking Josh, or Elton John. They are like the same person, in my mind. Anyway, I am out.
A Visit From the Tooth Fairy (it's a Man, by the way)
Well, sorry it has taken me so long to post this one. The events I am about to re-tell happened Sunday, Feb. 24th; but I have had quite the busy week. So now that it is Saturday morning, I can finally relax and write a fantastic blog entry.
So we were sitting enjoying a lovely meal last Sunday night (made by me), with Colin and Tanya Keeping...and Hunter, of course. Now, Emma has been saying her tooth is loose since the Summer, I think, so I have never really been too sure how loose it was. I always seemed to think that her tooth was never that loose, and was going to just stay in that mouth forever.
But when we were having supper, she was saying something about her loose tooth, and came over to show me. I was like, "WOWZA!!"...it was the loosest tooth I have ever seen. It was popped up higher than her other ones. So then it all started....we all started trying to convince Emma to let us pull her tooth out.
Well, needless to say, the expression about "pulling teeth" was pretty fitting. Trying to get Emma to gather the guts to let us pull her tooth was like "pulling teeth". She was being pretty wimpy, to say the least. I mean, I guess that is to be expected for the first time tooth loser. Wow, I just called Emma a loser...I really didn't mean it that way though.
Anyway, long story short...between Myself, Kelly, Colin, and Tanya...it took like 45 minutes of convincing/bribing to get her to allow Kelly to pull her tooth. I think Colin was having quite the fun trying to get Emma to let us pull the tooth. He even gave her a handsome bit of moola for finally letting us pull it out. He's like a second tooth fairy. Anyway, we were glad we had some people to share the fun with. I am sure the Keepings had a night not long forgotten. For me, I will never forget it. Ah, the bribing, coercing, almost crying, laughter, and finally: the tooth.
Well, there it is. Finally...the never-ending loose tooth broke free. I can hear Queen playing in my mind..."I want to break free"....yes, never-ending loose tooth, you are finally free.
Valnetine's Week: The Tragic Tale
Yeah, I thought the title to my post might make it sound really good, but it's all a ploy. There is no tragic tale, except for the fact that Valentine's Day is a sham holiday. Who says I HAVE to take my wife out for dinner? Who says I HAVE to buy her something? ...I'll tell you who is behind it...FTD, the biggest flower people in the business!
You know the symbol, and know you know who makes Valentine's Day the bane of every man's pocketbook.
Anyway, so to try to escape the nasty clutches of the FTD, I bought myself a large dose of the Flu last weekend, and made myself ill. I struggled as the flu virus gripped my body, but knew that it could be the only way out of an expensive night. I was pretty sick for the first few days of the week, and things were looking good. Then, the inevitable happened...Kelly told me we were going out on Valentine's no matter what!!!
You see, Kelly and Julia (allies of the FTD) planned a double date Valentine's dinner at OPA!...a restaurant Kelly really wanted to go to. They fight dirty, those women do. I also was not too keen on the idea of Greek food. There are some things that just don't seem appealing to me, and Greek is one. Don't get me wrong though, the Olympics are great...thank you Greeks. But the last time we went for Greek (which I think was last Valentine's...coincidence?), I think I ordered Fish and Chips.
So, even though the flu was still dragging me down, I went to school and taught on Thursday (I am a saint, I know...I would do anything for those 8th Grade Hooligans). And, of course, I couldn't get out of going to dinner either (both Kelly and Julia made that clear to me). Alas, I went. And, to be honest...I had fun, and enjoyed the food. Though, I bought the least Greek thing they had...chicken pasta. But the best part was meeting the little non-Greek Towel Man in the bathroom. His name was Doug, and he is a very curious fella. He gave me a picture of himself in his old country...Saskatchewan.
So, the week has been alright. I have been sick, which I am sick of. Valentine's is gone for another year. I have a new friend in old man Doug. And the best part of the week....The Halifax Regional School Board canceled schools TWICE IN ONE WEEK!!! Miracles DO still happen, I knew it. I never stopped believing.
January Over?? What the...???
What in the world is going on?? We are in February already!! And this ain't no April fools joke. Well the last week or so of January was eventful anyway.
As you can see, we had an ultrasound this past Monday. We got to see our little guy/gal. It was pretty awesome. I think I enjoyed it better than last time. I think it's because I have been through the whole process now. Anyway, it was fun, but the woman was pretty quick and non-talkative. She basically just did her job, and then blew that pop-stand. So during the 'sound, I thought I saw a little 'fella part, and was SOOOOO excited. But after the 'sound, Kelly was saying how she saw a little lady part. So we canceled each other out. DANG. I guess we'll see who is the better ultrasound judge come June (please be a boy!!! Merv, Kevin, and Travis got boys....why not me????). Oh yeah...the funniest thing about the 'sound was at one point the baby was giving a "thumbs up", kinda like the baby in this fake picture...but better. It was so cool...he/she was just letting us know that everything is A-Ok.
Well, Wednesday was Kelly's B-day. She is now 27. She's old. So old. I bought her Depends undergarments for the special occasion. Just kidding. But seriously...I kept telling her how I forgot to get her something. But secretly behind her back, like the Double 0 agent that I am, I set her up an appointment for a pregnancy massage for her gift. She was VERY surprised, and it cost a lot less than a pony. Plus, ponies can really stink up an apartment. Though they can really keep you warm at night. It was a tough call. Anyway, she loved the massage, which she had yesterday.
So school was canceled Monday, and I was home sick Wednesday...so I have had a short week. I went to a Dept. of Education early job hire reception yesterday afternoon. Basically it was a chance to meet recruiters from the School Boards in NS. It was alright. I don't have any interviews...but that's probably because I am 6 feet tall. Tall people are intimidating. Plus, I have glasses. Nerds must not fit the school teacher image too well. They had some good cheese and crackers though. And it was awesome to see my school buddies I haven't seen since November.
Well, the girls have been sick lately. Morgan was not well for over a week now, but luckily we got her some drugs that will clear it up soon. Emma had some massive throwing up problem last Saturday, which were luckily just a 24 hour thing. She carried a bucket with her, but kept forgetting to use it when she's actually throw up. I was loving that. Seriously. I am finally getting over what I had, too. Thankfully. It's hard enough to deal with 13-14 year olds when you are healthy, let alone sick. They were all asking where I was on Wednesday. I told them I was on some Covert Ops. in Iraq. They didn't believe me, but it's really true. You folks think you really know me...but you just know Rob...not 005, the double-agent. Watch out.
Have a fun week or so folks.
New Post...nothing too interesting
Well, I don't have too much to say. January has been flying by. Morgan had her first Birthday, and got some new threads. I don't know if I have any pictures of the party yet. It has been a bit of a lazy month for me. Teaching is going well. I am having a lot of fun with the Grade 8's. I had one student try to pass off some old homework as the homework I was checking that day. He almost fooled me, but luckily I caught on, and un-luckily for him, he landed in detention. I have been teaching mathematics, which is not everyone's favorite subject...I get told regularly how boring and useless it is. This coming week I am going to start teaching some English classes, which I have no University training in, but will see how it goes.
Anyway, Kelly's birthday is coming up in a week and a half (Jan. 30th). I always tease her and say "Your birthday is on the 29th, right?". She loves that. Anyway, anyone have any ideas on what I should get her? I was thinking a pony...but maybe that's too much. Also, I was thinking of some new dish towels....but maybe that's not enough. Let me know if you have a fantastic idea.
Well, I thought I would put a little plug in for some bands I have rather been enjoying this past year. The first one is probably my favorite:Motion City Soundtrack. They are a pretty awesome band. Their new album "Even If It Kills Me" is pretty stellar. It boasts some good tracks such as "It had to be you" and "Last night". I have been spending hours listening to that album on my way to school every day.
Another awesome band is "Angels and Airwaves". It is fronted by Tom Dulong, formerly of Blink 182. It is a much more mature style of music for Tom (though I do love Blink 182). Their latest album, "I-Empire" has got some really great tracks. Some of my favorites are "Sirens", "Secret Crowds" and "Call To Arms".
The last band I want to mention is closer to home. A local band named "Wintersleep", who have emerged as one of the best rock bands in Halifax. Their music has a haunting feeling about it, if that makes sense. Paul (vocals and guitar), and Tim (guitar) both hail from Yarmouth, and went to High School with me. Now, when I was in HS, I played in a band, and we used to compete against Paul's old band, Kary. We always beat them in competitions. But he's having the last laugh now. They are doing really well, and I am pretty proud to say I used to play music with those guys. Anyway, their latest album, "Welcome to the Night Sky" is amazing. If you are a Wintersleep fan, you'll love this one. It has a really great track on it called "Weighty Ghost", which is more mellow that some of their tunes, but has some really great singing. I remember in High School some of my friends and I didn't think Paul was a great singer, but now I can see he was just getting started. He is a great singer and songwriter.
Anyway, I would recommend these albums, and others by these bands to everyone who enjoys rock/alternative rock. And that is it for me. Bit of a boring post, I know. But I thought that since I love music so much, I might talk about my interest. Peace out!
Happy New Year!! WooHoo, 2008!!
These are photos from Kelly's latest shoot. It gave her to chance to use the new lens I bought her for Christmas. She dressed the kids in their matching jogging suits that they got with the Children's Place gift cards Grammie V got them for Christmas. Personally, I wish I had one, too. They sold out in my size. I see tons of guys around the city wearing them. Anyway, she did a good job with them, despite the lack of effort from Morgan to stay seated.
Anyway, the girls are happy to match, and we are happy they look so calm and peaceful in the pictures. Aren't photos great. Of course, they are always like this!! hahaha. And I am always sane.
Well, it has been a good year. We had Morgan come into the picture, and provide me with lots of opportunities to lose sleep and change diapers. I will never forget the cherished memories of 2007. We had lots of fun together as a family, going to Alberta and other summer stops. Emma got to start REAL school, which has given Kelly the joy of driving back and forth to the school many times a day. 2007 not only brought a new baby out of Kelly's tummy, but it also brought a new one into her tummy. Oh the joys of having a pregnant wife again. WOOHOO!!! Lots of "can you go buy me (insert craving here)". As for me, 2007 was a year of WINNING MY FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE!!!! GO CLAYTON PARK 49ERS!!!!! WOOHOO. Okay, I just had to let it out. I had a lot of help from Greg, so he deserves some credit. Anyway, to all those reflecting on the past year, I say...FAWGET ABOUD IT (in a New York accent). Here we go 2008!
