Happy Birthday Katty...

Our baby is 8 today. Hard to believe, but here we are 8 years later, with our sanity still somewhat intact. Katty was only a little excited this morning, so excited she had a bit of a tummy ache. She got to open a present before she went to school this morning. Not surprisingly, she chose Ann Marie's, which actually was two gifts. There are no flies on Katty, and she knew, odds were one of them might be a new outfit that she could wear too school. Ann Marie takes great pleasure in making sure both girls have the latest in diva wear, too the point I'm running out of space to put it all. Seriously woman, I'm thinking an intervention might be needed. After Katty opened the first part of the gift, she gleefully told me she "just knew it would be a new outfit" I asked her how she knew, "I just knew because I had my suPISSicions." Sometimes that kid cracks me up. She went off to school, happy as Larry, carting 24 cupcakes to share with her friends. Rainbow bits, with rainbow bit frosting, in case you're interested. I swear, the bloody Tupperware container was bigger than she was, but somehow she managed. After school, she was positively bouncing when she got off the bus, and her first words were "Is it suppertime yet?" She was not impressed when I informed her she would have to wait as it was only 3:35 pm. That got me a sigh and an eye roll. FINALLY, Daddy made it home, and she was able to open the rest of her presents. The waiting was just horrid, too much for one little girl to bear. She was thrilled with all of her gifts. The irony of us giving her a Trouble game was lost on her, of course. She was most pleased she finally got her very own Canada doll, even though Libby got hers 5 days earlier, "Libby always gets everything for her birthday before me, its not fair." Um, yeah, that's because her birthday is 5 days before yours, you nut bar. The only gift that wasn't a surprise was her birthday collectible doll. "It's the number 8 girl, you know." I never would have guessed. How ever did she know? Another eye roll. "Duh mommy, I had my suPISSicions, Nana gets us one every year." God help us and those suPISSicions of hers, I have a feeling they might come back and bite us on the ass sometime soon, she's far to suPISSicious for her own good.

“Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of 'you' to the world.”~~Unknown

A Winter Wonderland Party....

God help us, today was Katherine's Snowman/Winter Wonderland party. Have I mentioned I really hate birthday parties? Because I do. Really. They drive me. But never mind. We spent the morning decorating and finishing up the cake. I was pleased with how the cake turned out. Actually, the whole party turned out awesome, thanks to Ann Marie, who went above and beyond as usual. In fact, we have enough stuff left over for 5 more parties. Katty invited 8 girls, but only 6 could come, hallelujah!! We started off doing the snowman crafts, which the girls enjoyed thoroughly, me not so much. They then had a wild game of pin the carrot nose on the snowman, followed by a draw the snowman on the balloon game. In case you're wondering, Dan does the party games. He has far more patience for them then I do, plus I suspect, he actually enjoys them. He really is a sad strange little man. After the games, it was time for cake and presents. Katty got lots of loot, and was most pleased to be the centre of attention. Hard to believe I know. It was quite amusing watching all 6 little girls trying to climb on her lap as she was opening her gifts. Man, they were taking their lives in their own hands, I thought for sure she was going to snap, but she was surprisingly patient for her. Dan and I were both worn out at the end of the party, and for the first time in a year, I was actually pleased to hear the door bell ring.

"I have just returned from a children's party. I'm one of the survivors."~~Percy French

There's No Life Like It...

Well, it looks like Dan is going on a year long French course starting this August. I say looks like because he doesn't have a posting message yet, and even if he did have a posting message, it could still change. He met with the career mangler, I mean manager this week, who told him the plan was for him to go on the French course this summer, and then to Toronto for Staff College the following summer. They are hoping to get him on the French course here, as they do not want to move us 3 years in a row (the course in Toronto is also a year long course). We don't know when we will find out where he will be taking the French course. Your guess is as good as ours. They need a minimum of 8 students to run the course here. So far, we know there are two because it looks like our good friend Derek will be taking the course with him, which Dan is thrilled about. If he doesn't get the course here, it means a move to Ottawa, which we are not keen on. We love Ottawa, we just don't want to move there. And we certainly don't want to move three years in a row. Of course, the irony is not lost on us. The last time we were posted to Pet, I couldn't wait to get out of here. Now, I just want to stay. If Dan does go to Toronto, he will go by himself, and the kids and I will stay here, or Ottawa, wherever the case may be. We aren't allowed to buy a house in Toronto, not that we could afford one anyway. Hell, we could barely afford to buy a house here in Pet. Apparently, the PMQs are not in a very good neighbourhood. The kind of neighbourhood where you can't go outside after dark and kids Connor's age are being stabbed in school. Not where we want to live. Of course, there is also a possibility Dan will be sent to a Foreign Staff college. A remote possibility, but a possibility none the less. The choices for this are Britain, Australia, Kansas, Virginia, and Quetta, Pakistan. We're not so keen on Pakistan. There are a lot of Taliban in Quetta. I'm thinking Dan's seen enough Taliban in the last year, and I've seen them enough on TV, I don't feel the need to see them up close in person. If he is offered Pakistan, he will obviously turn it down. Odds are we won't get the foreign posting, but one can always dream (not about Pakistan though, that would be more like a nightmare, but never mind). At any rate, we won't find out until the fall sometime. For now, we are just waiting to see where we will be living this summer. We don't expect the answer to this anytime soon. This is the military we are dealing with, after all. Hurry up and wait. There is really no life like it. Not that that is always a bad thing. Much as it may drive me crazy sometimes, I really can't imagine living any other way.

"There's no life like it & I won't regret the day, when I chose to live the Forces way. There's no life like it, There's no life like it, Yes there's no life like it!"~~Canadian Forces recruiting slogan

Happy New Year...

Finally, 2007 is over. I have never been so happy to see the ass end of a year, as I am this one. It definitely was a long stressful year, and hopefully we won't have another one like it anytime soon. When I look back over the last year, it is of course, tainted by Afghanistan. How could it not be? It consumed our lives for a long time. It wasn't all bad however, there were some good times. The highlight of the year was Dan's safe return from Afghanistan (obviously) at the end of August. After 7 months of constant worry and stress, it was wonderful to have him home safe and sound. It seemed so strange to have him here, and not to have to worry anymore. Worrying definitely becomes a habit, but it was one bad habit that I was very happy to break. The second highlight of the year was our trip to the United Kingdom in the summer. I had always wanted to go to England, so it was the trip of a lifetime. Everything I'd imagined, and then some. We had such a wonderful vacation, it was definitely an amazing trip! We had a fantastic time and all want to go back, now!! 2007 also saw us reunited with our friends the Armstrong's. We hadn't seen them for 5 years, but it was like we'd never been a part. Of course, I'm still so jealous that Dan got to see Emma and Martyn again in October, but never mind, I'll get over it, eventually. In September, we finally got our hardwood floors put in. And yes, this would be a big highlight of my year. I was delighted to rip up that blasted carpet. We also had a wonderful weekend away in Vermont, without the kids. Looking back, there were definitely some good times in 2007, but I'm still glad it is over. Lets hope 2008 has many more good times, but with far less worry. I could use a longer break from the worry. Dan's not going to Afghanistan this year, so I'm thinking, it's already shaping up to be a great year.

"For last year's words belong to last year's language, And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning."~~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

Going Wonkers...

I went to Kaddywonkers today, and no, that's not a new term for "crazy", though as many of you know, I can be pretty crazy. No, Kaddywonkers is the name of the gift store here in Pembroke that sells my signs. Actually, I worked at Kaddywonkers today. They've asked me to lend a hand during the Holiday shopping season, so I started doing some training today. They only need me two days a week, 10 hours all together, which is perfect. I'll be working Thursday evenings, and Saturdays. I still get my Monday-Friday days too myself to work on my signs, which is fantastic. I might even do a little housework during those days as well, hard to say. My first day was great, very easy stuff really. Learning the ins and outs of the cash register, and debit machine. I also got to unpack and price some things and help out with some of the displays. Right up my alley. The store was actually pretty quiet, which was nice for training. It was crazy (or kaddywonkers) how many people came in looking for Christmas stuff, already. Some were actually annoyed when Lisa (one of the co-owners) told them we wouldn't have it out until after Halloween. Hello, it's OCTOBER.. Christmas isn't for another two whole months. Who's funnier than people? I think it will be a lot of fun working there, Lisa and Cathie are loads of fun, and I can't wait to see all of their Christmas goodies, but not until 1 November though. Actually, I got the sneak peek today, yummy, I can't wait until it's all out. I love Christmas. Although, I'm sure by Christmas I may be sick of it all.

"The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes."~~Benjamin Disraeli

The Homecoming Parade...

Well, you might have noticed I have been extremely tardy with the blog. And yes, I did read all of your complaints. And ignored them. We have had an extremely hectic two months since Dan came home. Two months, can you believe that? If only the time he was away had gone that fast, but never mind.

Today was the Homecoming parade for Roto3. It was also a PD day for the kids (groan), which worked out well as they got to come with me to the parade. Basically it was a parade welcoming the guys home from Afghanistan, and 525 guys were presented well deserved medals for their work in Afghanistan. Our good friend Derek, and one of the soldiers from the Battery received a Commendation for their work in Afghanistan. Again, very well deserved. There were many, many proud families there today, including ours. It was the first time the kids have seen Dan on parade with the Battery. Pretty cool stuff when you are a kid. Pretty cool stuff when you are a wife too, by the way. We even got reserved sitting (too bad the wankers who organized it put us on the completely opposite end from Dan's battery, hence the lack of photos of the parade itself). 122 of the 190 soldiers and officers in Dan's Battery were there today. The kids were amazed to see how many soldiers he commanded, especially Elizabeth. Her big question, "Mommy, how does Daddy look after all of those soldiers when he can't even keep track of his own wallet? " A good question as he has lost it no less than 4 times since he came home, I kid you not, but we won't go there as it makes me really cranky. After the medal ceremony, Dan's Battery had a smaller ceremony where guys were presented some other medals they have earned over the last year. After the ceremony was all over, there was a reception, where the kids filled up on brownies and juice. You might be able to tell that from the pictures. Oh, and after we got home, Katty went off to a Brownies sleepover for the night, where she was going to eat more candy and chocolate. She's going to be loads of fun tomorrow! I'm sorry I'm going to miss it, I'll be out all day (more on that tomorrow). Tomorrow will be daddy's first full day alone with the kids since he got home. I'm pretty sure the skittle king left some extra bags of skittles here Thanksgiving weekend. Think I'll pass those out right before I leave in the morning! Mwahahahahaha!

You might wonder where Connor was for the photos.. he took off into the house before I could catch him.. to get his "fancy" clothes off. Boys!

"Be humble for you are made of earth. Be noble for you are made of stars."~~Serbian Proverb.

The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year...

After much anticipation, the first day of school finally arrived. Katty was so excited she was up no less than 10 times last night. The girls were thrilled, they've had their outfits ready for days. Connor, not so much. He could barely keep his eyes open. He wasn't what you would call thrilled about going to school this morning, though surprisingly, he did not complain once. Poor bugger, he's in a 5/6 split and he is the only boy in grade 6. The girls were so excited, they were ready and out waiting for the bus 15 minutes early. And as luck would have it, the bus was 15 minutes late. They were so not impressed (me neither).. apparently the bus wouldn't start. Call me foolish, but I would think they would check all of the buses before the first day of school to make sure they were all good to go. I know, I'm foolish. We finally got them on the bus, and then met them at the school to help them find their classes. Connor has the same teacher as last year, and we're so hoping he'll have a better year this year. Actually, he will have a better year this year or he'll be going to boot camp faster than he can say Nintendo DS. Libby quite happily went off with her new teacher. Her best friend Melora is in her class again, so she was happy as Larry. Katty almost ended up with the same teacher as last year, as the Frau is teaching a grade 1/2 split, but luckily she ended up in the straight grade 2 class. She is quite happy her friend Melissa is in her class, and they are setting together. I'm reasonably sure by the end of the week that will change because they are both chatty Kathy's. In fact, I'd bet money on it. They all came home happy, in spite of the fact they all had homework. In fact, I'd say Libby was positively giddy about having homework to do (don't know where she gets that from) Katty actually had 6 work sheets to do! Even Connor had a good day, no marks from his teacher, and he did all of his homework without complaining once. Let's hope he keeps it up. I know, I'm not holding my breath.

"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet."~~Aristotle