"A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again"*

Nan had left and things seemed even quieter than they normally do. Deafeningly quiet. It was time for an adventure to take everyone's mind off the fact that we were feeling a bit lonely here on the prairies. But something we hadn't done before. Something exciting and different . . . but not too far away since we had to be back for lunch. Then Supermom remembers a big lake just moments down the road. Yes, that's right. A lake. Ducks Unlimited flooded this vast stretch of prairie to create a bird sanctuary. A friend told me there were dozens of species of birds, including pelicans. We had briefly driven by this area but hadn't really explored. Now seemed like the perfect time. Bird-watching isn't up there on my list of favourite pastimes but it sounded like a unique outing. So we threw some things in a bag - sunscreen, hats, bug repellent, books, Piggy, "Baby Ee ee" (Rosie's stuffed monkey), "Baby"(Rosie's doll), diapers, wipes, snacks, the cover of the "Annie" soundtrack (don't even ask), kleenex, more books, Tylenol (for me - and by the looks of this list, are you surprised?) and then we were off.

It began as a fun adventure. We chatted along the way in the car about lakes and birds and bumpy roads and cows. Rosie piped in a few times with her ideas about animals and she got really excited when a plane flew overhead ("Bop's plane" she always says). At last we turned down a grid road which seemed to go nowhere. Just when I was about to turn around, we came over the crest of a hill and there it was - the biggest body of water I have seen in this area of the world. It was very exhilerating.

Brook and Rosie led the way down to the the water, anticipating fun of some kind

It was a long walk so there was time for a few pictures

This is it!

The girls posed for me, though it was so windy that Brook needed to hold her hat

Soon after we made the lengthy walk down to the water, I realised that it was really smelly. Really. And really grungy. Really. Then my job became making sure Rosie didn't swim in or drink this disgusting water. Brooklyn became statuesque, frozen to the spot by her fear of the filth surrounding her. She mentioned numerous times in the span of about two minutes that she smelled something funny and she didn't think it was Rosie. Then she decided she wouldn't go any further. So I chased Rosie, keeping her from the water, eventually resigned to carrying her kicking and screaming back to the car (we had been there for five minutes tops) while Brookie cried - no screamed - for me to come and carry her. We all were less than chipper on the slow walk back to the car through the grunge, the dry, prickly grass (this also got a rise out of Brooklyn as it scratched her legs), the broken beer bottles ("No, Rosie. Don't touch that, Honey."). Finally we all piled into the car, I scarfed down a couple of Tylenol and took a few moments to go to my "happy place" which looked nothing like this stupid lake. Brookie and Rosie calmed down when I passed out a snack or two and sat in relative silence until Brookie asked, "Mommy, where are the birds?" That's right. We didn't see one.

~Mandy

*This title is borrowed from a fantastic essay by David Foster Wallace. It just fit so pefectly, I couldn't resist.

More Fun With Nan

We also went to Crescent Park in Moose Jaw while Nan was here. When you have small children, parks are a large part of life. This park is especially fun because it has a wading pool and water "splash" area. Seeing as the temperatures were well into the high 30s we thought some splashing was in order.

In true Brooklyn fashion, she cautiously approaches the spraying kids

Wee Rosie wants a bit of the action

Rosie was surprisingly controlled, hanging back to watch for a bit

Look at that face!

Needless to say, we all had a great time. After lots of water fun, we enjoyed a little picnic in the shade and then left feeling much cooler. Another good park day with Nan.

~Mandy

A Visit from Nan

Sean's mom (aka Nan) came for a visit this July and it was wonderful to see her. The girls were very excited about going to the airport to pick her up and then it was fun, fun, fun for 6 whole days.

Here are Sue and the girls at Wakamow Park in "the Jaw". It is one of our favourite places to hang out.

The girls got cute new summer outfits from Sue (shown here) and gave them a test run in the sand.

After a day at the park, it is always good to wind down with yet another viewing of "Annie" or as Rosie says "Morrow".

~Mandy

Bathing Beauties

In July we splurged and got an Elmo pool for the backyard. This happened for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it can get a bit . . . well . . . boring around here when you have two little preschoolers looking for some action during the day. Also, it can get super hot around here (and yes, it is a dry heat but the oven is a dry heat too - think about it). So we set up the pool, filled it with hose water and waited longer than the girls really wanted to before we could actually swim without going numb from the waist down. But once we got it ready to go, it was hard to get the girls out!

Rosie is just floating by, waiting for the cabana boy to bring her a drink

Brookie wasn't nearly as relaxed at first

and then the drama began. Notice, if you will, the smiling father in the background filled with sympathy

Rosie is just coming up for air, having caught on to dunking her head and loving it

On really hot nights, Sean and I would sneak out into the dark for a quick dip before bed just to cool off. It was great until we realized that our neighbours could see us out there from their basement window. They said we looked so funny sitting across from each other discussing our day in the Elmo pool. Right now, we will take anything we can get!

~Mandy

Time for a Hair Cut

Rosie has never had very much hair, and what she has is so fine and blonde. But the day finally came this summer when she needed a cut. She was developing quite a mullet (long and curly at the back and short at the top) and since we had no plans for her to play hockey, it was time for a new look. We went to our friend, Val, who cuts hair here in Caronport. She has been cutting Brookie's for a while. So Rosie climbed up into that big chair, complete with a wooden booster, and she sat the stillest she has sat . . . well, ever while Val cut away.

Of course, Rosie has a snack for the occasion

She wasn't a big fan of the huge black cape

Here Val is showing Rosie some sparkles she put in her hair for a special finishing touch

When we were finished, Rosie was even cuter than before with a little pixie cut. An appropriate "big girl" event for our new little two-year-old!

~Mandy

Family Pictures

Friends of ours came over for a visit before they left Caronport. They moved back to Ontario(we were a bit jealous). While they were here, they took some pictures of our prairie family. We hung out in the back yard and walked down our back lane and they captured some great moments. These are only a few of many that actually turned out quite well. Of course, everyone who knows Rosie will know that many didn't turn out as well. She has a way of doing exactly the opposite of what you want, especially when there is a camera involved.

Thanks, Rebecca and Josh. We miss you already! ~Mandy

A Midsummer Night's Dream . . .

where fairies frolick in the sun's last light,

Awaiting certain mischeif come the night.

~Mandy

Pretty in Purple

Brook and Roz glamming it up

What more needs to be said?

~Mandy

Rosie Roo: Part 2

In the evening, we continued the birthday celebration. Rosie had so many presents to open, thanks to all her family from "far away" who sent things in the mail. Thank you, wonderful, thoughtful family! So we broke into those presents, which had been in hiding for a few days.

Rosie got a few more neclaces to add to her "bling" collection

and a beautiful new fairy princess skirt in purple - one of Rosie's favourite colours

She also got her own little tricycle, which she is still trying to figure out. I think it is just too slow for her so she prefers pushing it

And the big finale was an ice cream cake we shared with our friends, the Matthies.

It was a wonderful birthday. We love you, Rosie Roo!!