Archive for May, 2008

Secret life of a daycare cook

Friday, May 30th, 2008

I must have been like  school kids who think that their teachers live at school because I was a bit surprised when Reid announced that the cook at Reid’s daycare had taken some time off. Before the conversation ended, I knew more than I ever imagined I’d know about his life. It went something like this:

Me: What did Todd make for lunch today?
Reid: Todd is away. It was Won.
Me: Won?
Reid: *Wuh*-on!
Me: Oh, Ron! Sorry. (That should have been obvious but my brain was tired after a day in French class.) Where’s Todd?
Reid: What is the word for his woman?
Me: Mother?
Reid: No.
Me: Wife?
Reid: Yes. That’s it. She had another baby. He is staying home to watch over the baby. His older child goes to school by itself.
Me: (I had no idea that he had a child already, let alone one that was old enough to attend school.) How long will Todd be staying home?
Reid: He is staying home until… (Her voice trails off as she is clearly searching for an answer. Then with confidence) When he’s back, I’ll ask how long.
Me: If we ask the teachers, you could make a “Congratulations on your new baby” card.
Reid: Yeah! Let’s do that
Me: Is Ron a good cook like Todd?
Reid: Todd is a good cook. But sometimes he cooks yucky food. Sometimes we try the yucky food.
Me: Just because you think some food is yucky doesn’t mean that it wasn’t cooked well.
Reid: (No small amount of skepticism on her face. No words but much doubt.)

After driving a bit further
Reid: Let’s play daycare but there’s no director.
Me: (Wondering: do I ask to be director when we play? Why has she eliminated the option?) I want to be the cook.
Reid: (Humour in her voice) No, I want Daddy to be the cook. And I’ll be the student with CareB and Eeyore and Princess Dolly …

It would seem that in Reid’s world, it is laughable to suggest that men might carry Blackberries or women might do the laundry or be cooks outside the home. I hope there’s a little boy out there who has some pretty flexible ideas about gender roles. Note that I chose “boy” carefully in the preceding sentence. When Reid mentioned marriage recently she said she couldn’t marry L because she is a girl, too. I said that sometimes girls marry girls and Reid told me emphatically that she wasn’t going to do so. During this sort of exchange I usually tell Reid that she has to be a grown up lady before she can get married. If Ken is around, he throws in the number 30 as the minimum age. Dads can dream.

Also Known As

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

It seems we’re in a phase of developing aliases for our family members. The other day Reid and I were talking about something or other and Reid referred to Ken as a “dude”. It amused me a bit, especially since I don’t know where it came from. When we got home, she wanted Ken to take her for a bike ride. She offered a charming smile and said, “Handsome Dude, will you take me for a bike ride?” Ken didn’t hear the compliment but agreed to the bike ride anyway. I helpfully repeated the “handsome dude” reference, though, as I thought it was sweet. I’d certainly want to know if someone had called me “Beautiful Mama.”

On Wednesday morning, as we drove to daycare, Reid began talking about Grandma Joyce as “grandma with old bones”. I’m not sure if this moniker is better than “grandma with no grandpa“, which is another way she refers to Grandma Joyce but maybe it is. Before swimming lessons, Reid picked up the “old bones” conversation thread.  She asked if I had old bones. “I do,” I said, “but not as old as grandma’s”. Reid nodded and asked, “What about Daddy?” I agreed that his bones were old, older than mine but younger than Grandma Joyce’s. (Look, I worked in a math lesson of sorts.) The people sitting near us were quite amused by the exchange. I’m always glad to provide entertainment to my fellows, which is a good thing since it happens so often when I’m with Reid.

Our farm fresh family

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

When we were in Wheatley, Aunt Karin was asking Brock about a recent trip to the dentist. She asked if the folks at the dentist’s office called him “Brock-oli” and told him that they’d seen his “Aunt Kar-rot” recently. Reid laughed at the puns. Brock didn’t seem quite as amused. Aunt Karin decided that Reid should be called “Cele-Reid”. Reid wanted Aunt Karin to assign a name to me and so they decided I would be “Rhu-Barb”. It took a few days to land on “Ken-taloupe” for Ken. It’s obvious in the end but we were stuck in vegetables for too long.

What would be your fruit or vegetable name?

Home again

Tuesday, May 27th, 2008

We slept in a bit last Friday, the eagerness to get out of bed and visit of the previous week tempered by the knowledge that we’d be leaving first thing in the morning. As we got up, Reid asked if there would be many people coming for breakfast. Small wonder that she’d expect a crowd, given the number of people at supper the night before or even most nights of her visit. Reid asked if I’d call Uncle Roger to come but he was at work already. She asked about Auntie M – also working, I thought – and then about Danielle – at school. “But I want someone from Uncle Roger’s family to come,” Reid said. Before she could switch to another family, I said that Aunt Karin would be coming over in just a few minutes. Reid was happy with the news and we distracted her with preparations for departure. In the end, we left only 45 minutes after Ken’s proposed departure time. This would be 15 minutes before the time he actually thought we’d leave.

The drive home was less eventful than the drive to Wheatley. Reid seemed to have picked up a bug on Wednesday, or at least she had a fever when we got back that didn’t abate until we were back in Ottawa, but that was all the symptoms she had. She watched part of a video on my laptop, typed and used the basic drawing program – maybe Paint – for a while. We read many books and played babies and doctor and whatever else to pass the time. And we both had a nice, long nap.

We arrived in Ottawa about supper time. Reid wanted to go to her daycare to see her friends but I fibbed and said they’d all be gone. I felt a bit bad but Reid bought it without protest and it *had* been a long time since we pet our kitties … Reid next wondered if we could invite someone to our house for supper. Ken offered a definitive “no” in response to that question. With the exception of a 14 hour overnight stint, he’d been away from home for 17 days. He was eager to be in the (relative) quiet of his own home.

On Saturday, Reid and I went to Ritchie’s Feed and Seed to purchase some vegetable plants. Not all of the seeds we started have come up and, quite frankly, I’m not entirely sure what some of the sprouts are. This an effect of having the neighbour boy’s eager assistance, I guess. Anyway, we bought the following plants: tomato; cauliflower; broccoli and yellow pepper.

On the way home, I heard the radio announcer mention that the route of Ottawa’s Motorcycle Ride for Dad would be passing through our neighbourhood. We parked in the mall parking lot and walked to ask the motorcycle police officer at the intersection when the motorcycles would be by. Waiting half an hour seemed reasonable and we settled onto the grass at the corner. The Ottawa version of the Motorcycle Ride for Dad attracted about 1400 motorcycles and even more riders. It took the better part of an hour for them to pass our corner. Reid stayed interested for the first 25 minutes and then played around me, on me, etc. while I tried to draw her attention to motorcycles with side cars, off road bikes and the deluxe touring motorcycles. There were many motorists who hadn’t figured the Motorcycle Ride for Dad into their plans and ended up stuck for the duration. Only a few got out of their cars to watch. One stressed out mom had to hustle her child up the road to a birthday party on foot. I’m not sure if she abandonned her car or if there was another adult there to drive it.

Just after we got home, B stopped by to ask if we wanted some company. I explained that we were going to work in the backyard but that he was welcome to join us. He joined us for a vigorous weeding session and then Reid and I took him inside to have a pop and play a bit. He painted a picture at the easel. And Reid, to my surprise, resisted the urge to join him. She and I drew our own pictures and eventually Bruno sat at the table to draw a clown. He seemed pleased that I asked him to write his name on it and then I put it on my fridge, after obtaining his permission to do so. After spending some time with the puzzles and toys in the living room, we went out to plant the only decorative plant I allowed myself. Then, I told B that Reid needed her lunch and a nap and we’d see him later. I don’t know if I should have invited him to stay for lunch but my cupboard rivalled Old Mother Hubbard’s after our time away.

We planted the vegetables we’d purchased and also some beet seeds. Reid insisted on planting one small tomato plant before I was quite ready for it. I tried to keep track of it, really I did but by the time we were planting cauliflower in the same part of the bed, it was nowhere to be seen. Sigh.

Ken made and barbecued delicious hamburgers for supper. Reid charmed him into agreeing to a “picnic” at the table in the backyard. Eating outdoors is a real treat for her and, while I could have done without the neighbour’s 90′s alternative rock, for me as well. After supper, Ken cleaned up and Reid and I cleared a strip of dead grass from along the fence for a second garden plot. I planned to add soil on Sunday and plant our homegrown seedlings there.

I planned to do that right up until I rolled over while lying on the floor with Reid at bedtime and the room spun madly. I’d thought my vertigo had passed until that happened but it was clearly back with a vengeance. We spent part of Sunday watching tv (terrible, I know) and reading. Ken built puzzles and played with Reid while I lounged and felt sorry for myself. He followed her to the park, Reid riding her bike part way and Ken carrying it the other part for while in the morning and, in the afternoon, they went to the Aviation Museum.

In the quiet talking time that follows Reid’s nap, she told me that she wanted to go to Wheatley to Grandma Joyce. Apparently the 9 hour car drive of 2 days earlier hadn’t troubled her at all. To be honest, I’m pretty sure that *I* could manage the trip again but our chaffeur might object. It’s always good to be wishing for more time away when you get home. We’ll not have trouble going back.

Touch a Truck event – Mark your calendars

Monday, May 26th, 2008

Mothercraft Ottawa-Carleton is holding their 1st Annual Touch-a-Truck event on Father’s Day (June 15). The flyer I read promises “big trucks, specialty vehicles, horns, sirens and smiling faces”.   Now, I’m not just talking about a semi or two. No, Mothercraft Ottawa-Carleton is promising:

*  Fire trucks
*  Garbage trucks
*  Tow trucks
*  Construction trucks
*  Police trucks
*  Farm vehicles
*  Broadcast trucks
*  Road crew trucks
*  Military trucks
*  Hauling trucks
*  Recreational trucks

The children will be able to climb in to the trucks to see how they look and feel. They’ll be able to talk to the  drivers about the trucks and their jobs and Mothercraft will provide a “passport” for the kids to use to record the  trucks they visit. (Not that we haven’t always lost the passports at the Children’s Museum.) There was mention of having pictures taken but it wasn’t clear if there will be someone there to take the photos or if it will be up to the individual.

There will also be other activities, such as crafts, face painting photos, barbecue and a “surprise guest with a very special truck”. The first 100 kids will receive a toy truck to take home with them.

If you’re in or near Ottawa, I highly recommend taking your children to see this event. Reid had a great time in December when we went to Uncle John’s shop to see his semi truck and trailers. The vehicles were massive and awe-inspiring for that but also for the little bedroom in the back of the cab, the floating driver’s seat and the horn. Especially the horn! I can only imagine what she’ll think about all of the trucks at this event.

I wonder if the Mothercraft people will also be talking about safety around big trucks. The placards that some trucks bear that read “If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.”  always make me extra conscious when I’m driving. And since I know this factoid, I’ll share it, too: If ever you see a truck carrying chemicals/dangerous goods in an accident, you can report the spill by dialing *666 from your cell phone. Knowing the numbers from the red diamond placard would identify what was being carried and what safety precautions were needed.

The event takes place on June 15 from 9:00 to 13:00 at the Westgate Shopping Centre parking lot. The cost is $5 per child to a maximum of $20 for a family. Dads (and moms) get in free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

If you’re not familiar with the Canadian Mothercraft Society, they are a non-profit, charitable organization that serves children, their families, their teachers and their comminity to ensure that, regardless of where children begin in life, they are on a path to reach their full potential. The Mothercraft Ottawa-Carleton site offers: Mothercraft has been helping families grow and thrive through its many programs in the City of Ottawa since 1944.

The Touch-a-Truck event flyer reports that they are sponsored by 105.3 KISS fm, the Ottawa Citizen, Rogers television 22. I don’t know what they’ll bring but it seems a “thanks” is in order for helping this event to happen.

Just the facts – it’s safest that way

Monday, May 19th, 2008

Aunt Karin sent the following to tell me what Reid was up to while Ken and I were away. 

On the way to Kathleen’s bridal shower or “pajama party” as Reid called it, Aunt Lisa mentioned something about Dylan being there.  Reid informed her that he couldn’t be because it was just for girls.  Aunt Lisa tried to say that since Dylan was the ring bearer maybe he would be allowed to be there but Reid was adamant that he couldn’t be there.  She didn’t say she wanted or didn’t want him to be there, just that he wasn’t allowed.  As we were arriving, Uncle Chris was leaving and Reid was very concerned about where he had to go while the party was on and he was not allowed to stay at his house.  Uncle Chris came and told her he’d be fine and where he was going and this seemed to satisfy her.  Once we got in the house in our pj’s, one of Reid’s cousins gave her a pair of brand new slippers and she was off. Cheyenne, a niece of Chris and Darlene’s was there and  Reid followed her around until it was time for Kathleen to open presents, then Reid had to take up her duty as one of the attendants and pass Kathleen her presents to open.  She took her job seriously and didn’t even want to help open them.

After  the present opening and the eating were done, it was time to go home. Once in the car, we started seeing all kinds of firework displays and had to park and watch a few times on our way home. Reid was very curious to know why people did that in their backyard and what they sounded like so we had to roll down the windows so she could hear them too. After awhile she said “okay we can go now Aunt Karin”, so we did.  I asked her how she liked the bridal shower and she said “but she didn’t have a shower?”  So I explained as best as I could how when someone gets married and we give them lots of presents that’s called showering them with presents.  I then told her that when someone is having a baby, we have a party to give them lots of presents for the baby and we call this a baby shower.  So she says “Oh, so Kathleen has a baby in her tummy.”  I think that was a case of Aunt Karin explaining too many things when not required.  I told her that Kathleen wasn’t having a baby but that when she was she would have a baby shower.  When we got back to Grandma Joyce’s, Aunt Lisa was waiting for us and wondering where we’d been.  She left after us, dropped Megan off and still arrived at Grandma’s before us.  She never stopped to watch the fireworks display as we did.

Once home, there was an impressive display of fireworks across the street that we watched sitting at Grandma Joyce’s picnic table in the backyard.  Since you’ve probably figured out, if we were watching fireworks then it was way past her bedtime, you’re right.  So we took her in and put her to bed without a compalint and she woke up at 9:30 Monday morning.

On Monday, Aunt Lisa, Reid, Megan, Damien, Uncle Chris, Melissa, Roy, Dylan, Zachary, Sari, Jason, his dog (Maya) and I don’t think anyone else, went to Point Pelee for a big part of the day.  You’ll have to ask them what they did.  I went over later to Grandma Joyce’s and I know Reid and a few others walked over to Captain’s Corner for an ice cream before bath and bedtime.

Tuesday morning, I had a visitor come to see where I work and what picture was on my monitor.  We tried my glasses on her to see if she still looked the same because she said that picture was from a long time ago.

Fingernails, farms and fun

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

I had an appointment at an esthetician in Leamington and Aunt Karin came along to entertain Reid. Or at least I thought she was coming along as the entertainment, it turned out that she was offering Reid an adventure all of her own. I dropped them off at Aunt Karin’s usual nail salon and Reid got lime green polish on her fingernails and even flowers painted on a couple. After they called to be picked up, Reid noticed that the flowers on her fingernails didn’t have centres. They went back in for the centres and when I picked them up Reid was standing with clawed hands to protect her recently painted nails. Reid was very proud and protective of her fingernails. I think I might have a bottle of nailpolish at home, but only one. I’ll have to add “painting Reid’s nails” to the list of things we can do for fun when Ken isn’t home. Or maybe I should add it to the list of things Ken can do with Reid since he has much better hand-eye coordination than me and could probably keep most of the polish on her nails.

On the way back to Grandma Joyce’s, Reid renewed her questioning about when we would be returning to “Dylan’s farm”. I explained that we would be eating lunch at Grandma’s and visiting there first. Grandma Joyce had made spaghetti and rice as well as meat sauce to put on top. Reid had some of both. She has developed a fondness for “spaghetti rice”, a family favourite, and we can use the term even though there is no spaghetti involved. Ken had planned to stay with Reid until just before supper so that she didn’t feel abandoned while I was to attend Brianna and George’s wedding but Reid was too excited by the prospect of going to the farm to wait. We changed our plans and took Reid to the farm. Melissa, Roy and the boys arrived just after us. Reid right in and was soon saying, “Bye, Mama. Bye, Daddy.” We, meanwhile, were speaking briefly with Grandma Linda. The phrase, “Don’t let the door hit you on the bum on the way out,” came to mind. She walked us out and waved happily, happy to get us out of the way so that she could get on with the fun.

After the wedding and in the middle of the reception, which I am going to write about separately, Grandma Joyce and Aunt Karin went to get Reid and bring her back to Grandma Joyce’s house. Aunt Karin said that Reid woke up when she picked her up and stayed awake on the drive, with big eyes taking everything in but not speaking. Reid refused the offer of the bathroom and went straight into the toddler bed where she lay quietly with eyes open for about 10 minutes. Then, she was fast asleep once again and stayed that way until 6:30 on Sunday morning.

Reid wouldn’t tell us much about the time she spent with Dylan and Zachary and their grandparents. Grandma Joyce found out that they saw 3 deer on a walk to the pond but I don’t know if Reid let that slip or if it was Grandma Linda or Grandpa Jerry that told her. Reid did tell us that they had pasta and meat sauce for supper and that they had watched a movie. She wouldn’t provide details on what movie or what she thought of it. I asked her if she had eaten any treats but she kept mum on the subject. That’s “kid survival tip #1″, I suppose.  What happens at Grandma’, stays at Grandma’s. Even if it isn’t your grandma’s. Since she asked me why Dylan and Zachary had been allowed to stay over night while she had been brought home, I have to conclude that whatever she did was enjoyable.

Into the whirlwind

Friday, May 16th, 2008

Reid and I were awake much earlier than I’d expected (or wanted, to be perfectly honest) on Friday. She showed no ill effects of her tummy trouble on Thursday. We had a nice visit with Grandma Joyce. Uncle Roger came over at breakfast and Aunt Karin came for a quick visit before work as well. Ken woke early, too, and was (luckily) playing outside with Reid when Uncle Roger told her not to move upturned ashtrays in the grass as they marked the spots where Grandma Joyce’s new trees – the ones we bought for her for Mother’s Day – were to be planted.

Grandma Joyce and I went to “Other Pam’s” to have our hair done and Reid stayed behind. After a while, Reid and Uncle Roger went to his house. They had a “snack” of apples, cheese, apricots, cucumbers and pickles and played with Max doggy and jumped on the trampoline. Meanwhile, some nice young men knocked on Grandma Joyce’s door to ask where they were supposed to plant the trees. Ken, happy to have an answer, helped them find the ash trays. I think he might have said bad words under his breath at not having been given direct information or maybe he is used to operating with less than optimal information.

Uncle Chris joined us for lunch. It’s so nice to be in Wheatley, where people can stop in for lunch. I often wonder whether we’d see as many people if we lived closer but Uncle Chris goes to Grandma Joyce’s house quite often. I could track him down there. Afterward, I took Reid for her nap but no sooner had I lay Reid in the playpen that Grandma Joyce has for Zachary to sleep in than Aunt Pam arrived. Ken came in for a before-nap kiss and offered to stay. When they emerged a couple of hours later, Reid was groggy from a hard-fought and ultimately futile battle against her nap. She was reluctant to talk to Aunt Pam but asked instead to go to Dylan’s grandparents’ farm to check out the babysitting venue for Saturday. Aunt Pam, thankfully, was not offended.

Once at Grandma Linda and Grandpa Jerry’s (how else to refer to adults of this sort?) farm, Reid’s expectations were met and more. She climbed on a few of the tractors in the shed, perhaps enjoying the lawn tractor the most, and tried out some of the toys that were on the other side of the shed. Dylan and Reid climbed into a wagon and Zachary gave pulling it his best effort. Melissa tried to convince Zach to push instead of pull. He wasn’t interested. She was able to convince him to join the others for a ride and off they went. On the way back, they stopped to play in a turtle-shaped sandbox. We checked out the house and then we left, with Reid protesting. I thought that leaving with Reid longing to stay was a good way to ensure that she wouldn’t object to staying there while Ken and I went to Brianna and George’s wedding.

Aunt Lisa and Brock were at Grandma Joyce’s house when we returned. We sat outside and watched the kids play basketball in the drive way. Reid found a piece of sidewalk chalk and set to work writing her own name, for the very first time. The “r” was a bit free-form and the “e” was a capital and reversed but the letters were all there. I was quite impressed. Aunt Lisa had to leave after a short while to run an errand but we invited Brock to stay. He accepted and Reid was pleased. She thinks he is a very special guy. She is right. We played for a long time in the hot tub, trying out the new animal-shaped squirt bottles that I bought at the Dollar Store last week. I had only a rubber ducky with which to defend myself. In addition to being better armed, they worked together. There is no loyalty to adults in a kids’ world, I guess. Later, they ran around outside, often with Reid trailing after Brock. He is much more tolerant of Reid than some 8.5 year old boys would be.

After supper, we went back outside to play until Ken called us in for bed. Reid had asked that we bring the toddler bed upstairs for her to use instead of the playpen. She even laid in it for a while before asking to join me in the big bed. She cried a bit and said that she would miss Grandma Joyce and everyone when we were back in Ottawa. I reminded her that she would be staying for a whole week. After a bit of time had passed and after we had talked about other things, Reid reported sadly that she missed her daycare friends. I suggested that we could say “goodnight” to them and that they would dream about her, since THEY were all already asleep. Reid decided that she mostly missed the people that sat at the circle table. I know their names and so was able to lead Reid in the “good nights” to each of the kids who share the table and closest cubbies with Reid. Ken popped his head in to see if I would be able to come out to visit. He pulled his head back out when he saw that Reid was still awake. In the end, I think I may have fallen asleep before Reid.

Tales from the road, Victoria Day edition

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

When we travel, it’s hard to get anything written let alone posted. My mom doesn’t have a computer or Internet connection, though she is starting to talk about them, if only to receive the emails that form the basis of most of my blog entries and the pictures of Reid that I post here and to a private photo blog. For now, though, posting requires that I use a dial-up connection or visit one of my siblings’ computers. I am busy visiting my siblings’ and it seems wrong to spend the time with the dial-up connection or with their computers. I think about writing many times each day. I’m going to post the stories on the day that they occurred and apologize to blog-purists who think back dating is questionable. Now, for the interesting stuff …

When I picked Reid up from daycare on Thursday, one of the teachers told me that Reid had complained of a tummy ache and feeling cold. At lunch, Reid had eaten a few bites of a fish stick and then threw up on herself and her pretty dress that she had chosen because she wanted to look fancy when we got to Grandma Joyce’s. The teacher hadn’t called since we were picking Reid up within the hour anyway but she did want us to know. I gambled that Reid would recover quickly now that she had got the “sick” out of her belly and told Ken I thought we should travel anyway. We brought a little bucket along as an insurance policy.

Reid went to sleep without a lot of protest, or at least I didn’t hear much before I fell asleep. When she roused I thought it hadn’t been long enough – I was still tired – and pretended to sleep. She told Ken her tummy felt funny and he told her to use her bucket. I thought, “Man, are you ever getting scammed. It’s more obvious than the glass of water trick.” I stopped this line of thinking when Reid started vomiting into her bucket. Reid is a stealthy vomiter; she is quiet and purposeful. I am grateful for this, especially when I am sitting next to her in the backseat. I would have trouble not joining her otherwise. And it is all about me, after all. Well, I took the bucket when Reid said that she was done and told Ken we’d need to find an exit from the highway to dump the bucket. Reid perked up and asked, “Can we go to a McDonald’s?” Being the mean mama that I am, and because I was holding a bucket with still-warm-from-her-body vomit in it, I refused the request. With a small drink of water in her, Reid proclaimed all was well and we continued driving after that brief stop.

Over the next couple of hours, Reid and I looked out the windows and talked about what we saw and also did some finger painting with her Color Wonder Finger Paints. The finger paints are very cool. They look and feel like Vaseline when they are in the paint tray but, when applied to the special paper, they turn colours. The “magic” of the colour transformation and the tactile experience of the finger painting are pretty cool. The fact that the paint remains clear on everything other than the Color Wonder paper is more than great. Those folks at Crayola are very smart.

I offered to set up my laptop so that Reid could watch videos but she declined the offer. “Oh, my,” I thought, “she really is sick if watching a video requires too much effort.” How fortunate, then, that I hadn’t quelled my impulse to bring along a ridiculous number of books. I read nearly a score of Clifford the Big Red Dog books and many others over the course of the next five hours. At one point, I counted 43 books in our “have read” pile. In the midst of our reading spree, we stopped for supper in a Walmart parking lot along Brock Road in Pickering, on the way to the hidden start of Highway 407. I’d packed sandwich fixings but forgot condiments. Reid and I used the store’s bathroom and bought mustard, relish and a container of chocolate milk for supper and the biggest pieces of sidewalk chalk I have ever seen. The Giant Sidewalk Chalk isn’t packaged as conveniently as the Sidewalk Chalk bucket but the novelty of the size will be worth the hassle. I hope. Reid thought she was hungry for a number of the things I offered for supper and enthusiastically took a bite or two of a couple of different sandwiches, vegetables and fruit. Poor thing.

We finally made it to a McDonalds about 8:00 pm. I took Reid in to use the bathroom and put on her pajamas. She didn’t even ask for anything to eat or drink. Back in the car, I read some more – 43+ books take time to read – and then declared myself too tired to continue. I believe in telling truth to power, errm to kids. I reminded Ken that he needed to concentrate on his driving and not on speaking to Reid and laid my head back. (Ken knows to concentrate but it is a signal to Reid not to expect him to entertain her while I sleep.) Reid fought sleep for a while – afternoon naps are pushing her bedtime back beyond my comfort zone – but finally nodded off. She had been planning to stay awake to help Ken watch out for things and also to help him find Grandma Joyce’s house. I didn’t manage to fall asleep, though, as my own tummy was feeling sympathy for Reid’s. Fortunately, I didn’t need to share her bucket.

We finally made it to Grandma Joyce’s house about 9.5 hours after we left our own. Reid didn’t protest when we moved her from her car seat straight to bed and didn’t want to stay awake like she did at Easter. Thank goodness for small mercies, I say.

Carousel at the Tulip Festival – Wordless Wednesday

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

Carousel at the Tulip Festival

Upclose on the carousel horse

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