Happy Halloween!

Almost two weeks ago, Drew hosted the launch event for his awesome Cobalt Adventure (best way to find is through google). Here he is with Cobalt's Poet Laureate Ann Margetson as she read the poem she wrote for the occasion. They had an amazing turnout; Cadence and I were very proud!!


Last weekend the city sponsored a family pumpkin festival which was really a group pumpkin carving followed by free candy and cupcakes. We did our own pumpkin, and Cadence ran into his friend Benny; the two had a blast playing post-cupcake.



Meredith brought Cadence a "sprout buddy" little guy she picked up in the Junction, and here he is with him about a week post-watering. I wish we had a picture of him now; his hair is out of control!!


We were so excited that most of the Gauleys made it up for Thanksgiving! It was a great visit, and of course Cadence was so happy to see all his family.


He wanted to show off his Halloween costume, since they wouldn't see it on the actual day...and Lenny (little white dog) was not impressed. Which impressed Cadence (that he was effective as a scary shark). Actually, he did his best on Halloween to growl at people when he asked for candy and in several cases that actually got him a double share.



Playing some road hockey Sunday before lunch. The kids up the road, who take Cadence's bus, have really taken Cadence in & have even sawed down a hockey stick for him, to live at their house, for driveway/carport hockey after school (their house is on our way home, so it's turning into an occasional stop-off after the bus). Now Drew's done the same, so road hockey is growing in popularity. Poor Tofu has to stay in the house when they play, though, as he steals the ball. (note: I really hope the affinity stays with casual road hockey, as I really am not drawn to the life of a hockey mom.)



We had a great time on Halloween--there was enough snow in the morning to do some toboganning in the yard, then after lunch we headed to a friend's party for the afternoon. Then, we did a group trick-or-treat in Cobalt. Of course, we drove back home & covered our own street as well, getting home just in time for bed. One of the highlights was our neighbour who knew Cadence would be her only trick-or-treater, so she made him a gigantic (i.e. the whole batch) chocolate chip cookie shaped like a pumpkin, with orange icing etc. I can't get over how intense the sugar rush is after every bite. Yum.

Little sharkey hitting the streets in Cobalt. At one house there was a guy expertly dressed as a zombie (I wasn't sure he was real), with a real axe in his lap. Cadence and I both hesitated in the doorway, unsure what to do...then the guy I guess figured we were freaked out and threw a candy to me. The real axe was pretty intense. I think I was more scared than Cadence was.

Fall 2010

We've had a wonderful beginning to fall. Cadence has started school, and every day is a happy guy getting on the bus & happy getting off, playing happily on his own when we get home til supper is ready. Every day, he and I leave the house at 7:45 to walk what for me alone is a 10min walk, up the hill to catch his bus for 8:20. He gets along really well with the 3 other "big" kids (gr 4-5) who also get on the bus there, and it's great knowing they're watching out for him (one day he didn't get off at his school and one of the other kids was good enough to let the driver know. By then they were at the next school so he had to reroute back to Cadence's school for a drop-off. He chalked it up to a good adventure, which is great.) I leave work at 3:30, walk to the bus stop, then the two of us walk home together. Really nice chatting time.

Anyways, here is an update through pictures of (some of) what's been up since we got back from vacation..
Of course we went to the fall fair, although I was fighting a cold on the day of the parade, so I missed it! Drew & Cadence went. The day before, we went after school & Cadence played a couple of games. He was an old pro, after having gone to the midway in KL a few weeks before. No entries into the home crafts competitions for us this year though; just not enough time. I'll get back in there next year.

Our team: the Polyester Spellers. Hence the shirts.

A bunch of us from work participated in the Literacy Council fundraiser spelling bee, which I've been wanting to participate in for years. This year I finally made it, and it was SO MUCH FUN. Of course I got my mom to join our team, and it turned out to be smart--having a team member who studied latin in school is a big asset at this kind of event. To top it all off, we WON FIRST PLACE! We're already getting ready for next year :) When I told Cadence the next morning about the win and showed him the trophy, I asked if he was proud. He sort of nodded. Then I asked if he would have been proud even if we hadn't won, he gave me a big nod. Great--my teachings are sinking in.

We're fortunate to have a really energetic group of physical activity enthusiasts in town. This year there's been a series of "Get fit in Timiskaming" events and today we made it out to our first (it was the 4th in the series). Each one's been at a different location; today's was at the cross-country ski club through the trails. I couldn't figure out how to make it work (friends did it with a jogging stroller; I'll do that next time), so Cadence participated first in the toddler 100m dash, then we all did the kids' 1K (aka the piggyback run), and then Drew joined in the 5k (there was also a 10k) while Cadence & I went inside for hot chocolate. Cadence had a BLAST running & laughing the entire time and he can't wait til the next race event (November). Next time I think we'll all participate, which will be super fun.
Cadence loving the toddler 100m dash. It was incredibly exciting & cute to watch all these kiddies racing.

Getting ready for the Kids' 1K

Kids' 1K: on your mark...get set...GO!

Go Cadence go!!


5k/10k start: Go Drew go!!!!!

Vacation 2010

We did it! Three weeks shy a day in a tent trailer, on the road. Lots of adventure, and not enough pictures. I'll share a few highlights with pictures...unfortunately we don't have pictures for some of the best parts (I guess we were too busy having fun??) I really think there a hundred things we did that aren't in here...oh well. We'll save those for when we see you!

On the way out, we stopped night two just outside of Montreal for two nights. Drew attended an all-day concert & Cadence & I hung out. This campground in particular merited its own anthropological study--I would hardly call it any name related to camping...RVs parked year-round with perfectly manicured lawns, driveways, everyone drives around in golf carts with their wee dogs...interesting. But we had fun regardless...in part, because they had a pool and a playground. And of course our neighbours on the second night had guitars & invited us to sing by the fire. I must say, though, that travelling through Quebec and New Brunswick were hard for Cadence who really wanted to make friends, but most of the kids only spoke French. We'll save a more thoroughly Quebec trip for when he's had a little more practice speaking French in school, I think.

Hammering in the pegs in Montreal

Swimming with daddy at the pool (Cadence has begun role playing being a "big kid" and calls us "mom" and "dad" but when speaking as himself still uses the words "mommy" and "daddy." I sense we might be nearing a transition, though.)

Goofing off around the campfire after a long day together in Montreal


Our campground outside of Riviere du Loup had a great playground, plus mini play structures near almost all the campsites!


Drew cooking up burgers on the grill :)


Snuggling one morning just outside of Riviere du Loup.



We made a three-day stop at friends Miia, Chris, and Dylan in Halifax on our way out. It was great to see each other, and for Cadence to have a friend/little brother for a few days. Plus of course Cadence was more than excited to have toys to play with! (I gravely underestimated the need to bring toys along on the trip. Dylan was good enough to give, possibly unawares, a yellow dumptruck to Cadence when we left. Note the overwhelming presence of the dumptruck in all future images. Seriously, it saved us.)

We went biking,


to the beach,


and played in the rain. We also went to the kids science centre, MEC, and soaked up some good urban energy e.g. coffee & cheap pizza. We also ran into friends from New Liskeard, who recommended a destination for a later part of the trip (details to follow)


Of course, we were on our way to a family reunion. The trip out, the time there, and the trip back were each an adventure.
Upon arrival at family reunion headquarters

Our first morning in Advocate, we got to go to the Market just outside the campground. Of course, the new dumptruck came along.

Hanging out while the tide's out (the lobster boats are just out of the frame)

Day 2 of the reunion included a big cook-out at the beach. Cadence quickly became the official marshmallow-deliverer. We must have roasted 20 marshmallows...all eaten directly from the stick by 20 different people. At least we were all family.






Walking with cousin Susan to check out the fort built by cousins Hallie & Emillie

Watching fireworks later that night

Dinner on evening 3 of the reunion, at a fabulous restaurant: Wylde Caraway. I'd say it's worth the trip to Advocate just to eat there! I think Cadence was pretending he wasn't there.


The gang at Cape D'or

Packing up in the pouring rain last morning in Advocate.

The setup at Kouchibougouac National Park in New Brunswick, where we stayed 3 days and experienced the only true thunder & lightning storm that scared the bejezus out of me in the middle of the night. We rented bikes, swam with jellyfish, explored sand dunes, and a bog.

At the bog. Definite highlight, especially after we broke down and applied the DEET.

Carnivorous plant!




On our way to catch the ferry, in the rain, but someone just couldn't bear to leave the sandbox, which had provided good friends for the yellow dumptruck.


Exploring the beach at Riviere du loup while waiting for the ferry to the north shore

Looking for whales


A campground (another anthropological wonder) outside Quebec city had free rollerskating in the community hall, which of course we had to take advantage of. It was like a trip into the 70s (as I guess they might have been), with disco lights and loud dance music. And absolutely no protection (helmets, knee pads) at all. Good times.

This could have been taken anywhere--it was the same ending to every single day.

Attempt at a family pic for Christmas cards this year. A good idea sabotaged by an overdose of marshmallows.