Our Crazy Life

A few lacrosse photos!!!

Carter wanted me to share of few of these with you . . . .

This was a very sweet goal from outside with a very powerful (and obvious downward) shot . . . 

   

 

 

 

 

 

END OF MAY 2009 REPORT

Hello again from the nation's capital !

As Marlene out it, where did the month go?  It passed way to quickly.  When you are busy time flies.

We had a couple nice days at the beginning of the week.  Other than some sun on Saturday we have had rain and cool weather.  The Iris' have begun to bloom.  The bleeding hearts continue to brighten the yard.  They multiply like weeds.  The chinese, orange, poppies are starting to bloom.  Bob has also discovered them like he did the tulips, bleeding hearts, iris' and peonies.  The only flower he hasn't yanked from the ground are the lily of the valley.  They are still as fragrant as ever.  It is quite entertaining to watch him grab an Iris and run around the yard like he has discovered the best toy in the world.  He is also growing like a weed.  He would eat like a horse if left a bowl full of food.  He gets fed two heaping spoons of organic yogurt and a big half cup of dry dog food twice a day.  Believe us he defacates enough that he gets more than enough food.  The new dry dog food, before grain, is high in protein enabling him to digest his food better: less shit to pick up.  He loves to go for a walk and never runs out of energy. 

Our week was much the same.  Carter had competitive lacrosse practise on Monday and Wednesday and a game Saturday.  He scored two goals yesterday and also assisted on a couple goals.  We played a house league game on Tuesday and had practise on Thursday.  He scored two goals and had a couple of assists on Tuesday and sweated hard on Thursday.  His coach worked the boys hard on Thursday as they tied Tuesdays game 5 to 5.  We were short three players on Tuesday and still tied, not bad! 

Carter spent Friday night and most of the day at Camerons house.  They have three very active boys so the addition of another is quite generous.  Paula and Randy enjoyed a nice vietnamese home cooked dinner and outing to the movie Angels and Demons. 

Saturday was a nice sleep in morning less letting Bob out at 5:30am and again at 8:00am.  The usual household chores were completed and Paula did the grocery shopping.  Carter was retrieved at 1:00pm for his lacrosse game at 3:00pm.  We returned home for yard chores and BBQ'd gourmet burgers before returning to the arena to take in the Jr B Griffin game.  They took on the New Market team.  The Griffins played a very good game but lost in the end by one goal.  We expected a white wash.  The Toronto and area teams are way more competitive at every level because they have ten times the population.  It is fun to watch them play. 

Today was a quiet one in the morning.  The sun was shining and it looked like it was going to be another nice day.  The clouds rolled in mid morning and up until an hour ago it was cloudy, cool and raining.  The sun has reappeared but the wind remains and it is only 8C.  Carter is in the drive shooting on his net alternating between the lacrosse and hockey stick.  He played 4 on 4 with the Atom players this afternoon scoring a few goals.  He was a bit of a show boat today with his two handed praising of his stick, like Ovechkin, then tripping on the stick.  Most had a good laugh.  His dad was busy pouring water down thirsty throats to witness both the goal and the performance.  He also cradled his hockey stick on and off the ice.  Like his lacrosse stick.  A fellow volunteer and parent identified the habit during a game change.  Carter wasn't even aware he was doing it.  He was asked to play with the pee wee's afterwards.  We grabbed the opportunity.  He played as well or as good as any of the other players.  He even scored a couple goals.  We were worried he would be tired but with all the exercise he has been getting lately he never showed any signs of tiredness and stepped up to the challenge. 

We have since made pizza and are awaiting it to finish baking.  Oh, there goes the buzzer.  Umm Pizza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy some pictures below or above and have a great weekend.  We envy those who have relocated to the cottages for the summer.  Hope the weather warms up soon!

 

 

SUMMER WEATHER RETURNS

Hello again from the nation's capital !

Don't know what happened to the novel we wrote last week.  It was too long for the blog I guess.  It highlighted our lovely weekend with Roberta and Megan.  Roberta summed it up pretty good.  Despite the weather, which they brought from the West, haha, we had a great two weekends.  We loved having them here and can't wait for them to come again. 

We had another busy week with lacrosse, school work, work and house and yard chores.  We won our game on Tuesday bringing another round of whining from the opposition coach.  We traded a player with him.  Hopefully he will be happy.  Our team played awesome.  They passed the ball a lot and controlled the floor pretty much the entire game.  We skipped practise on Wednesday because it was to late for a ten year old.  Carter spent the afternoon and evening with Patrick.  We took advantage of the Peters family offer and did a run to Cosco and for groceries.  Thursday was house league practise and we pretty much scrimaged.  The kids have the throwing and catching down, just need some practise blocking, hitting and throwing at the goalie. 

Carter invited his pal Cameron over after school on Friday.  The two of them entertained each other for four and a half hours.  After dinner we let them ride to the park by themselves.  We walked over with Bob later to bring them home.

Have I mentioned our weather.  We have been enjoying blissful hot summer temperatures the last four days straight.  It has been especially nice enjoying an espresso outside with Bob at 6:30am.  Randy spent the entire afternoon working on the yard on Saturday.  His neck and arms are a tad sun burnt: looking more and more like a red skin everyday. 

Carter and Randy spent Saturday morning enjoying a couple of lacrosse games.  Our team didn't have a team to play so we cheer on the other teams.  We saw some very exciting games.  We ended up at Earl Armstrong Saturday evening watching the Junior Griffins beat Knanakwe.  It was a nice victory.  Carter spent the early evening at Camerons B-day party.  They played video games at I-play from 6:00 to 8:15pm. 

Today was hockey at 10 and rushing to the other side of the city for competitive lacrosse at 12.  Carter played spectacularly at both.  He made some awesome passes and blocked like a bull in lacrosse.  He scored about five goals at hockey and wowed his dad with his fancy dancy skating skills.  He has been under the weather with a fever and stuffed nose since Friday.  He is in good shape so it is obviously not bringing him down.  He took a nasty hit today and ended up with big bruise on his arm.  Hopefully he hit someone as hard.  Ha!

Paula BBQ'd us an awesome dinner tonight after she returned from her scrap book crop.  She drove out to watch the lacrosse game.  She is currently preparing our meals for the week.

Well, that is it from our house.

Hope you are all enjoying the same weather.

Starting over . . . .

Not sure what happened to our last post.  Randy wrote a novel and Paula added some great photos!  So we will try again.  First with the photos . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY VICTORIA DAY

PALENS ROCK OTTAWA - CITY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

Hello again from the nation's capital !

Roberta and Megan arrived safely Friday evening after a long flight from Saskatoon.  They arrived to nice warm humid weather.  Unfortunately they brought cold rainy weather from Saskabush.  It has been cold and rainy all weekend.  We still had a good time no matter what the weather.

We enjoyed a nice light late dinner on Friday and had a nice time getting reaquainted.  We had all experienced a long day and were in bed way before midnight.  In other words, Roberta and Megan and Paula ran out of wine so we all went to bed. 

We were all up early Saturday morning.  The Tulip festival was the first priority on our list after a hearty cinnabon breakfast.  The tulips were awesome.  The rain was not nearly as welcoming.  It started to rain a half hour after our arrival and continued for the rest of the day.  It did not deter our enjoyment.  The tulips were plentiful, colorful and in full bloom.  They are perfect this year with no winter kill.  It has been a perfect spring for flowers.  We each enjoyed an organic beef burger for lunch and hustled off to lacrosse. 

Carter played with the competitive 2 Novice team on Saturday afternoon.  They were trounced by the Kingston Celtics team.  It was hurtful watching their disorganized makeup team fumble their way on the floor.  They had to call up a number of house league players fill a few gaps.  We have never seen so much ball hogging at a lacrosse game.  None of our players passed or played as a team.  We were beat by a score of 1-12.  Carter hustled out of the dressing room and we made our way home.  He was then picked up by a bud and spent the balance of the afternoom at his home playing video games.  The four of us went shopping for dog food and toured the homes of the rich and famous.  We gave Megan a tour of the local touristy hot spots and ended up and Sushi Kan for dinner.  Roberta was a bit leary at first but by the end of the meal we had her using chop sticks and eating whale blubber and raw dolphin liver.  Yuk yuk!  We order a vast array of rolls and sushi dishes including teraki chicken (the only thing we did not finish).  The ice cream is home made and was a nice finish to a distinct meal.  We came home and watched some hockey and put Carter to bed.  Megan and Randy went to the Star Trek movie.  It is the best movie of the season by far.  We haven't seen so many people at the theatre since we moved here.  We were totally lucky to get tickets and even luckier to get good seats.  The entire theatre was filled.  The movie did not disapoint us for one minute.  There were lots of laughs and even more thrilling special effects.  The movie has a true human connection.  You must all see this film. 

Today was an early bacon and egg breakfast, cooked by Randy of course, with Paula and Carter rushing to lacrosse, an out of town game, and the rest of us driving to the parliament buildings only to be disapointed we couldn't get in for a tour.  We waited in line for an hour then were advised it would be another two hours before an english tour.  We left and traveled to Quebec to the Museum of Civilization for a two hour tour. 

Our week was much the same with lacrosse practise Monday, a game on Tuesday, the annual GCMHA executive meeting on Wednesday, lacrosse practise Thursday and our most enjoyable evening Friday picking up Roberta and Megan from the airport.  The game on Tuesday was a nail biter.  Our team was down two goals after the first period.  It was a little stressful on the bench and in the stands.  The team rallied back in the second to tie the game at 2.  Carter scored the winning and clincher in the third to win game 5-3.  It was a fast hard hitting game against a team that we all know well and play with at hockey and the competitive 2 team.  We were all exhilerated with a win.  We now have 2 wins and 0 losses. 

The competitive 2 team played this morning in Athens, west of Brockville.  They managed a big win.  Carter scored a goal and an assist.  The team needed a win to gain some self confidence.  Once AAA hockey is over we will have a dedicated team.  Only wish that would come faster than sooner.    We also had 4 on 4 hockey this afternoon.  Carter scored a hat trick.  He was so proud and we are as well.  He was thankful his aunt came to visit.  He also competed in the Catholic schools chess tournament this week.  He got beat out by the third place contestant.  He had fun 'not being in school' for the morning.  He vows next year he will do much better. 

Randy BBQ'd the girls & Carter a steak, potatoe, asparagus and garlic bread dinner.  With a little help from the girls we enjoyed a delicious feast.  We ended the meal with a nice chocolate swirl cheese cake with fresh stawberries. 

We certainly hope you all had a great mothers day.

Happy Mothers Day Marlene, Ruth, Carol, Marianned and Leah!  Roberta got a hug this am. 

SUNNY SUNDAY

Hello again from the nation's capital !

Another nice day here in Ottawa.  The sun showed itself most of the day while we continued yard work and playing with Bob.  The little mutt got into a bit of trouble today.  Witness the following photographs.

 

Now is that a guilty face or what. 

Carter had lacrosse practise this am and hockey 4 on 4 this afternoon.  His feet were a tad tired for hockey after all the running on the concrete for lacrosse.  He and his mom bought shoe liners and he was thrilled with the comfort. 

Am being beckoned so must sign off for this week.

Have a good week.

TULIPS ARE BLOOMING

The tulips have begun blooming in Ottawa.  Sure hope they are still blooming when our company arrives next weekend.  Our weather has been so-so this week.  It was very hot Monday then it cooled down a bit for the rest of the week.  Cool mornings and warm afternoons and evenings.  The warm weather is welcome anytime.  We can all handle 20C.  Ants invaded our house on Monday.  Paula spent a good hour killing them in the cupboard.  Randy had sprayed the outside of the house on Sunday.  Apparently it drove them inside.  We have seen only a couple of them since Monday.  We are not alone; most of the neighborhood is infested.  The rain we have received to date is greening up the grass.  We will soon have to get out the lawn mower.  Maybe tomorrow.

We have had a fun filled week.  Lacrosse is in full gear.  We played our first game on Monday with a 11-1 win over team 2.  We have lost a couple players and gained a full time dedicated goalie.  Our team played a hard and fast game maintaining control of the ball for most of the game.  They hit hard and played very aggressive.  Carter scraped his knee and opened an old injury.  He was bandaged up and back on the floor the next shift.  He managed to score two goals and two assists.  One boy showed up for his first ever game.  He had never played hockey or lacrosse before.  We shoved him on the floor with little or no guidance.  After one trip on the floor I gave him some instruction and told him to watch the other players.  He went back out and got right into the game and even scored a goal.  He was so excited.  His excitement overwhelmed the team and they went on to score five more goals.  This is what it is all about, kids having fun!  Many of the parents commented that this was a welcome change to the politics and clicks of house league hockey.  It was nice to hear a 'thank you' from the parents and players after both the game and practise this week.  It seems to be the same no matter in which division you play.

After the game on Tuesday we were approached by a competitive coach scouting for players.  Carter and two other players joined his team for a game this morning.  All three players made an integral contribution in the game.  It is the Novice 2 competitive team.  They play mostly in town with only one out of town tournament.  Most of the players are in the same boat.  We can not make a committment to be at every game and practise but will show up when able.  It means we have lacrosse a minimum three nights a week with an additional three games a week.  The league game on Tuesday and two competitive games each on Saturday and Sunday.  Carter is thrilled and will get lots of exercise over the summer months.  By the way they lost today 0-?.  None of the guys seemed to mind.  They played against a full roster team of fifteen with only nine runners on their team.  It meant one had to double shift every shift.  The boys were totally bagged after the game but if asked they'd have all played another game.  

Not much else to report other than Paula attended the parent council meeting.  We think she attends just for the shear amusement considering some of her comments thus far this year.  Sometimes she comes home wondering if there is still intelligent life and other times in tears of laughter.  It keeps her entertained.  Carter studied hard on Canadian geography this week.  We will find out the results of his exam next week.  He scored very good on last weeks tests. 

We have a lacrosse practise tomorrow at ten and hockey 4X4 in the afteroon at four.  Carter's bud Patrick joined us this pm and the two of them will have a sleep over tonight.  They are total opposites but get along great. 

Paula is making dinner so best get to the table.  She is listening to the liberal party convention for entertainment.  Good god!!!  How unexciting and totally boring!  Another coronation of a total loser!  How many Willy's are in attendance?

Ciau!