Thursday, May 29, 2008

School's out for Summer!!!

Down here school finishes in May. 'Summer' is June and July, it's weird!!! Thing is I couldn't imagine trying to concentrate in June down here with this amount of heat.
I am getting better with the heat. I was horrible! Actually, I couldn't even take the heat in Toronto the first year or two we were there. It's really hot there in the summer, compared to NS. I think that I have adjusted pretty well down here though. The first year, by this time I couldn't leave the house. It was horrible. Now, I could go for a walk in the middle of the afternoon.
Now, when we go home in the summer I find the weather perfect! Two years a go when we were home we went up to the Valley to visit my brother Russell, who was living there at the time. We had supper at a restaurant and we opted for eating outside (at that age outside was perfect because Geordie could semi-run around). Callum and I thought it was 'lovely', I vaguely remember thinking that I could do with a light cardigan. Meanwhile, Russell was sweating up a storm and thought it was hot as hell!!
When it comes to winter, after living in Toronto I don't find Halifax that cold. You would think with almost 5 years down here I would...but I don't!!
The other day when we were at the beach we were a little chilly, so chilly in fact that Geordie did this to stay warm after he had been in the water (it was even his idea)...


Funny thing is it would have been seen as an incredibly warm day back home! That day the temp was in the mid to high 20's (Celsius) and the water was around 22 (Celsius). We would have killed for that (at anytime) of the summer 'down Bayswater'.
We still had a great time. Callum enjoys body boarding and is quite good at it. He can even do it without the board... Of course Geordie wants to do it too. This is him getting started...



this is a video; click on the triangle


Of course 'the boys' also had to dig a big hole...



Now we are back in Temple, and I am enjoying Geordie being out of school. We don't have to be so rigid with bedtime and Geordie and I are having a good time together. We have great neighbours who Geordie loves to play with and he is at an age right now that he can go out and play with "ma' girls'' (seriously, that's what he calls them. Aaliyah and Kayla are 7/8 year old twins) and I am able to do things in the house while looking out every so often (we're also at the end of a cul-de-sac). Next week Geordie starts swimming lessons and I think we're going to start 'field trips' on Friday. I'll get back to you on that!! Once again, I am a great planner and ideas person...just not great on the follow through!!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

MacKenzie genes...

You see those cute little feet...
...you wouldn't believe how much they stink!!!!!

When the Princess is away...


the riff-raff will play!!

Rollin' down the street...

Geordie ALWAYS wants to go for a drive in Grandpa's cars...he settled for driving in Grannie's!!!



Note that the air bag is turned off on Geordie's side!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Back to the grind...

Well, we are back from our long weekend in Wilmington. Missed one day at the beach due to rain. So, instead we went to the Fort Fisher Aquarium. I'm pretty sure Geordie has gone every year for the last three years. It's funny to see the difference each year. The other years it was things that were like Nemo that caught his attention, this year it was much more. Lately Geordie has had quite an interest in the ocean and anything to do with it...he seemed to really enjoy it all. Sure, he went through it all fast but while there he taught Grannie and Grandpa the signals that divers do ('going up', 'stop', & 'okay'), he pointed out the 'ten-ca-toles' on the jelly fish and how the sea horses swim upright...to name a few.


The 'touch pool' Geordie was there with Callum and Grannie for a LONG, LONG time!



They are touching a horseshoe crab.



Geordie loved these frogs, they are called Poison Dart Frogs and they come in all kinds of different colours. They were quite cute...once you take away the name!


This was the 'adults' favourite fish, I forget what it's called but it seemed to love smiling and watching the children. We felt that it looked a little... 'ditsy', 'spacey', 'air-heady', etc...

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Mummy is 2 for 2!!!

A while back we had a situation with a lunchable...I won! Well, it happened again! Once again, I won!!!
The other day when we were getting ready to go away and Geordie and I had to run to the grocery store. While there we passed by the canned spaghetti. Geordie saw the microwavable Chef-Boy-Ar-Dee things and started asking for one for lunch, explaining that all his friends eat them, "all the time Mummy!". As we were rushing around and I still had to pack I thought, why not! Plus I then wouldn't have to (A) make lunch and (B) clean up the dishes.
We get home, I heat it up, wait the minute that it says too and then put a spoon in it and give it to Geordie. He takes two bites, "oh Mummy, this is gross! I can't eat this, it 'sgusting! Can I have a sandwich and some cantlope?"
So instead Geordie enjoyed a peanut butter and jam sandwich (with REAL pb and REAL fruit jam on 100% whole wheat bread) with some cantelope on the side!!!



Once again I win the war on healthy food for my child and this time I wasn't even trying!!!! Now that's skills!!! I also had a smile on my face as I made the meal and then washed the dishes...by hand!!! Yes Dad, you read correctly...by hand!!!!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TURKEY LEGS!!!


Today is Lynn's birthday! She is now 31! She is very nice and my bestest friend! We love Lynn!!

What did you do yesterday?


This is what I did...

Thursday, May 22, 2008

We're off...

...to Wilmington for the long weekend with Grannie and Grandpa. Let's see how much fun this is going to be;
This was 2000


This was 2005


I can only imagine what 2008 is going to be like!!!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The look!

We try to keep caffeine out of Geordie's diet...minus chocolate! This is what happens when Callum gets something that Geordie wants!

Geordie does come from a long line of 'looks'. I know that I can do a pretty good 'look' and my Grandmother (Nan) does one that doubles the size of her eyes. On Callum's side there is something called the 'Hamilton stare'...and it can be scary. It's so powerful that it can cross continents, well, major bodies of water!!! I received it once...in writing!!! I swear to you, I felt the stare jump right off the page!!!! ;)







picture; Halifax, NS 08/07

From the office of Geordie...



The other day Geordie and I were home. He was doing my hair. WE WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE HOUSE;

Geordie: "Mummy, you are the most beautiful girl in the room".










picture; Halifax, NS 08/07

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Geordie's Plans!

Thursday we will be heading over to Grannie and Grandpa's place for the long weekend (what I like to call American Victoria Day weekend, as I can never remember what it's really called!).
Tonight Geordie and I were discussing what he wants to do when we are in Wilmington. These are his plans, in this exact order;

1) go to "Chuck E Cheeses"
-he still has yet to be there, he sees the adverts on PBS and he knows that we pass one in Wilmington.

2) go to the BIG playground

3) play racing with Grandpa
-it doesn't matter what time we arrive in Wilmington, it could be noon or midnight. Right after hugs, Geordie makes sure everything is still in the same place and then gets out the dinkies (matchbox cars) for racing with Grandpa.

4) beach!


Callum's plans, I would say, revolve around beachin' it and working on the racecar (guess that's the 'big boy' version of Geordie's!)

Grandpa's plans, will revolve around the garage and being fed.

Grannie's plans, will revolve around everyone else's plans!!

As for mine...I'll get back to you!!!!

Monday, May 19, 2008

That, my friends...is Karma!!!

Yesterday we were eating lunch. Geordie finished his and wanted cherries. He was told twice that either Callum or I would get them when we finished our meal. Geordie asked one more time...

Callum: "Geordie, if you say the word 'cherry' again you will not get any".

Geordie: "lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard, lizard..."


picture; when Geordie was silent 06/04.

The new family member...

So...we finally broke down and got a 'pet'. We tried fish awhile back but that wasn't successful, especially when Geordie feeds his snack to them, at the time I think he was eating goldfish and raisins.
About two weeks a go we were over at our friends, The Grey's house. They have some anoles as pets. Geordie and Nora Jane were playing with them for a bit and then went outside. We left about 45 minutes/an hour later. When we arrived home Geordie had to go to his room because he was not listening well when we left. He didn't put up much of a fuss and was a little too quiet, I just put it up to him being tired.
Think again!!!! The next morning when Callum and Geordie were getting ready for school/work I suddenly heard Callum yelling my name. Under Geordie's bed, under his sheriff Woody hat was li'l NJ. Yes, our child had 'borrowed' his best friends anole. We came to find out that he put it in his pocket when we were in the Grey's house where it stayed while he played outside for almost an hour.
So, to make a long story short (as if I can?!?!?) move to the present and we now have an anole.



I am not a big fan...AT ALL!!! I first was insistent that it was to live in the garage. That didn't work. It now lives in our playroom.



What's the name you ask?!?! This is what happened at the 'naming ceremony'...

Mummy: "Geordie, what do you want to name it?"

Geordie: "Stink!"

Callum: "You can't name it Stink! How about Steve?"

Geordie: "No, how about Geordie?!"

Mummy/Callum: "okay, but we might get things mixed up because your name is Geordie too"

Geordie: "how about Baby Geordie then?"

So Baby Geordie Wright it is!!

Baby Geordie eats crickets...


I'm still not comfortable with it!!


Friday, May 16, 2008

Things people think...and say... outloud!!!


Okay, you see the face I'm making in the picture?!?!

Notice the red swings behind?!

At this exact moment two redneck children just jumped on those swings and their father,
or should I say, 'the-ir Daddy' yelled;

"Get off'em, they for re-tarrrr-did kids!"

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Class photos...

Mon/Wed/Fri Class

Geordie is to the right of his teacher, Ms. Susannah.


Tues/Thurs Class

Geordie is on the bottom right.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

More...

Just so that you don't think I'm just picking on the US here are some more...

Australia
  • Children may not purchase cigarettes, but can smoke them.
  • You may never leave your car keys in an unattended vehicle.
  • It is illegal to roam the streets wearing black clothes, felt shoes and black shoe polish on your face as these items are the tools of a cat burglar.
  • It is illegal to read someone's tarot, or give them a psychic reading as these are forms of witchcraft.
  • Under Australian Communications Authority (ACA) regulations, your modem can't pick up on the first ring. If it does the ACA permit for your modem is invalid and there's a $12000 fine. - Telecommunications Act 1991.
England
  • Those wishing to use a television must apply for a license.
  • It is illegal to leave baggage unattended.
  • Picking up abandoned baggage is as act of terrorism.
France
  • Between the hours of 8AM and 8PM, 70% of the music in the radio must be by French composers.
Thailand
  • It is illegal to leave your house if you are not wearing underwear.
  • You must wear a shirt while driving a car.
  • You must pay a fine of $600 in Thailand if you're caught throwing away chewed bubblegum on the sidewalk. If you do not pay the fine, you are jailed.
  • No one may step on any of the nation's currency.

I am still trying to locate some in Canada!!!! So, if you know of any...

Weird laws...

I remember once coming across a web page that was designated to telling the various weird laws in different places. Such as;

Alabama
  • It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle.
  • Dominoes may not be played on Sunday.
  • It is illegal to wear a fake mustache that causes laughter in church.
California
  • Sunshine is guaranteed to the masses.
  • Animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of a tavern, school, or place of worship.
  • Bathhouses are against the law.
  • It is a misdemeanor to shoot at any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale.
  • Women may not drive in a house coat.
Florida
  • Women may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer, as can the salon owner.
  • A special law prohibits unmarried women from parachuting on Sunday or she shall risk arrest, fine, and/or jailing.
  • If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle.
  • It is illegal to sing in a public place while attired in a swimsuit.
  • Men may not be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown.
  • Having sexual relations with a porcupine is illegal.
  • It is illegal to skateboard without a license.
  • When having sex, only the missionary position is legal.
Kansas
  • Prohibits shooting rabbits from a motorboat.
Louisiana
  • It is illegal to rob a bank and then shoot at the bank teller with a water pistol.
Indiana
  • It is illegal for a liquor store to sell cold soft drinks.
  • Liquor stores may not sell milk.
Michigan
  • You may not swear in front of women and children in the state of Michigan.
Nebraska
  • It is illegal for bar owners to sell beer unless they are simultaneously brewing a kettle of soup.
New York
  • A fine of $25 can be levied for flirting. This old law specifically prohibits men from turning around on any city street and looking "at a woman in that way." A second conviction for a crime of this magnitude calls for the violating male to be forced to wear a "pair of horse-blinders" wherever and whenever he goes outside for a stroll.
  • It is against the law to throw a ball at someone's head for fun.
  • A license must be purchased before hanging clothes on a clothesline.
  • The penalty for jumping off a building is death.
North Dakota
  • Beer and pretzels can't be served at the same time in any bar or restaurant.
  • It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.
Ohio
  • It is illegal to fish for whales on Sunday.
  • It is illegal to get a fish drunk.
Pennsylvania
  • A person is not eligible to become Governor if he/she has participated in a duel.
Texas
  • It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing.
  • It is illegal to drive without windshield wipers. You don't need a windshield, but you must have the wipers.
  • It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.
  • It is illegal to milk another person's cow.
  • A recently passed anticrime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed.
  • The entire Encyclopedia Britannica is banned in Texas because it contains a formula for making beer at home.
Wisconsin
  • You must manually flush all urinals in a building.
  • Butter substitutes are not allowed to be served in state prisons.

These are all quite funny but yesterday I heard one of the best ones EVER!!!

In Carrollton they are not allowed to have sorority houses because when you have more than (approximately) 6 women living in a house it is then a whorehouse. Instead, the university built a dorm and each floor is a sorority. Fraternities are allowed to have houses.

So...not only is it a stupid law, it is a sexist law as well!!!!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Is this a genetic thing?!?!?

No matter what channel is on when Geordie turns the television on he can work his way to Speedvision. No joke...he always finds it!!!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Some things are just unbelievable...

Today I was complimented on my organization skills. For those of you who know me you'll know that I am as far away from being organized as anyone can be!!!
Organization is just one trait (or would it be gene?) that I do not have. For some reason I find that it is more acceptable for the father to be unorganized than the mother. It used to bother me a little that I wasn't and I would try my hardest to be, but I actually found it more stressful being organized than not. I have totally accepted my unorganized ways and love them...what it comes down to is; I can MacGyver myself out of anything.
I have also come to love my mother-in-law's "I can't believe she hasn't lost my grandson but I'm not really showing it look" that I get once in awhile.

So, today...the exterminator was over and needed me to move things from under the sinks. When we moved back into the house a couple of months a go I decided that I was going to have 'throw baskets' everywhere. Example, we have a basket in the living room that we 'throw' all magazines, books, papers in to make everything look neat. I pretty much have one in each room and I did the same for closets and under sinks. I am horrible at putting things back, and Callum isn't that much better so this all made sense to me!!!
Well, when I pulled my baskets out from under the sink with various items that always end up under the sink. The man said, "that's great, I've never seen that!"
When I did the same thing to the bathrooms, he said, "I'm going to have to tell my wife about this..." and then went on about how great of an idea it is and how organized I was.
I quickly set him straight and told him that this was because I am not organized, I see it more as being an organized mess. Either way...I WAS COMPLIMENTED ON MY ORGANIZATION AND I WILL BE TELLING ALL ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS TO COME!!!!

On a side note...

Geordie has not asked for a Lunchable since the incident!!!

Racing Callum!!

The last weekend of April we ventured over to Savannah for a race weekend. This time Callum was driving. A year and a half a go Callum went to 'race school' to get his racing license, so he had his 'beginners' and in order to get your full license you had to drive in two races in the next two years. On this particular weekend there were two races to do so this was it!!!

Here is Callum getting the pep-talk before going out!


That's Callum in the red car


If you look closely you can see Callum passing, or almost passing someone...

The team that we were with not only provided a car, they also included a four year old...
Nathan and Geordie were inseparable and it was great to have someone his age around who was familiar with racetrack etiquette. Hardly had to talk to either one of them!!!!