Emma's 6th Birthday Party

So first of all, I need to give some "props" to Morgan, cause I forgot to post any pictures or significant words when her Birthday rolled around, back in January. Sorry Baby. Actually, there were not a lot of great pictures from her Birthday party, as I discovered this morning. Even this one isn't the greatest of her, but it will have to do. And this picture has a partial view of the "psycho Duck" birthday cake that Kelly made for Morgan. It was a memorable first birthday cake for Morgan. She's a sweetie, and that's my little 2 cents for her.
Now, on to Emma's Birthday (much more recent, though still, I am a week behind in getting a post up).
As you can see from the candle on the cake, Emma turned 6 this year (March 27th was the day, in fact). It's quite hard to believe she is now six years old. She was barely four when I married Kelly. I mean, six is a pretty golden age. Primary class has to be the easiest grade in school (besides the BEd program at the Mount); most cartoons on TV are within your range of humor (give or take a few years); you are old enough to drive Barbie cars without supervision (though you have to start paying insurance...which isn't that high); and best of all, the government stops giving you $100 a month for child care (which doesn't really matter at age six anyway, cause your parents were always pocketing that money). So six seems like it will be a great year.

Now, on to the B-Day party. So coincidently, Emma had a bit of a late night the night before her party (or so I heard, since I was camping that night, in the freezing cold). So she didn't get enough sleep, which generally spells becoming ill, for Emma. She wasn't feeling the best on her party day, but we medicated her with my old friend "acetaminophen". It helped her have some gusto for the fun parts of her party. She had four great girls come join her at the party...Brooklyn, Madison, Rachael, and Monica. I tried to be as serious as possible around Emma's friends, so I wouldn't embarrass Emma. All right, that's a lie. Anyone who has seen me around kids knows I like to act their age. I had some fun with the girls, making them laugh a couple times. Anyway, here are a few pictures from the party.

Emma and Madison

Emma and Brooklyn

Emma and Rachael

Emma and Monica

The girls were very nice, and gave Emma great gifts. I think everyone had a great time, which is always awesome. Here is a picture of Emma with what I would consider her best present (because it's the present I wanted the most).
So another year, another party. We survived. Kelly survived, I should say. She was in quite the panic when she knew I was going camping the night before Emma's party. She was worried I wouldn't be back in time. Apparently it's not a party if I am not there. That was my extrapolation, anyway.

oh yeah...one more little story from the pops and morgan diary. The other night, Morgan was coughing a bunch (she has been sick lately...coughing a lot at night). So, since there is no cough medicine for babies, Kelly suggested that I give her a spoonful of honey. Don't ask me why. Anyway, so I took down a little spoon full of honey, and tried giving it to her. Well, she wasn't awake, so I tried getting her up enough to take the honey. This wasn't easy. She wasn't cooperating, in her sleepy state. So one of my hands is holding the spoon full of honey, and the other is trying to hold up a baby. Well, before I knew it, there goes the honey. It spilled on her head and blanket. It was funny...I could see the glisten of honey on her hair, and felt the stickiness all over her head. There wasn't much I could do. I think she did it on purpose. She is always out to get me.

Happy Easter, Pops!!!

Well, let me tell you all a story. This is one for the books! Some were there to witness. Some reaped the benefits. Some almost lost their lunch! Nonetheless, here are the details of the events, as I remember them.

I was teaching a lesson in Elder's Quorum on Sunday. I look after Morgan during church, since Kelly is busy playing piano in Primary. Now, often there are comical moments in my supervision of her. Sometimes I get her riled up, sometimes I lose sight of her and she wonders off (I have received much jeering about this). Sometimes she roams around taking other kids treats, and sometimes she will go up in front of the class and mess around with the chalkboard. Needless to say, this story will take the cake.

So as I said, I was teaching class. The lesson was going alright, but I really didn't have the awesomest lesson prepared. I told the class it might get boring (I always tell them too much). I think it was at this point that Morgan must have heard what I was saying, and devised a plan.

So next thing I remember, Morgan comes running up to me, to pick her up. I was fine with that, so I picked her up. Right away I noticed something wet on her leg. I thought that somehow she must have got water all over it. But some of the guys were laughing, and so I looked to see what it was. Well, I don't know if you know the yellowish-brown color of diarrhea, but that was the new color of Morgan's white tights. YUP! IT WAS SICK!!! And my arm was touching it!!

Well, with close inspection, I noticed her "splash" had gone all over her back, and down her leg. So, at that point all the guys were laughing/hopefully sympathizing, so I decided that it would be best to end the lesson, even though there was still 20 minutes left. We had a closing prayer, and I hightailed it out of there. And wow, the stink was bad.

I took her to the Mother's Lounge...which I think should be called the Parent's Lounge, since not just Mother's tend the kids. I undressed her, and noticed the splash had not only covered her back, and leg, but even went up into the back of her hair. I think it was at that point, as I was wiping the mess off of her, that I started gaging. It was bad. The mess, the smell, my naked daughter standing on the baby shelf...it was all too much. I was about to puke, but I pulled it together. With watery eyes (not because it was sad, but because I almost lost my lunch), I finished the job. It took all my wipes, and left Morgan with just a diaper to wear.

For the rest of church, she walked around the halls with only her Jacket and a Diaper on. Though it was cute seeing Morgan walk around with her big winter pink coat on, with bare legs and feet, that event was the sickest thing I have ever witnessed at church. It was her Easter Gift to me. Some may say I was trying to get out of teaching a bad lesson, and gave my daughter some sour milk. Some may say it was a fluke, and I should have had extra clothes for her. Still, in my mind, what I experienced that day was the love of a child for her Pops. She saved me from boring the whole Elder's Quorum to death, and making a complete fool out of myself. She found a way to get me out of teaching, and she did it the only way she knew how. It wasn't pretty, nor was it sanitary. But this Easter, I learned that love comes in many ways.

When you have some free time, where do you go? Yarmouth!!

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.

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.

So anyway, besides trying to get some marking done while tending to home duties, I was slightly entertained by Emma's latest loose tooth. We noticed that there was a new tooth coming in behind it. And I mean WAY behind it. It was like something you see in the movies...a strange tooth, a young girl, suspense, and BLOOD!!!! Anyway, we decided that her loose tooth should come out, so the new one had a chance to come forward more. Well, at least we hope it moves forward. It is freakishly back on the gums. Have any of you Dental Nuts...I mean, Students...heard anything like this happening? Kelly is worried. Anyway, here are some fresh pics of the happening.

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.