Each summer we do a few 'fun days'. This year one of the fun days was to Canada's Wonderland - the land of roller coasters, fun rides and fabulous water park (including wave pool).
After getting through the gate, Eldest announces that she might not want to ride the roller coasters....What?!....after paying so much just to get in Mr. Incredible announced, "Oh, yes you ARE!"
After bumper cars and some other requisite fun amusement park rides we moved on to the main event.
Eldest could not necessarily be considered a 'thrill-seeker' but off we all went. We started off mild with the Ghoster Coaster (classified as a High Thrill Ride). We then moved on to the Silver Streak in Zoom Zone (also a High Thrill Ride), then we 'kicked it up a notch' to the Mighty Canadian Minebuster (classified as an Aggressive Thrill Ride), and lastly - The Fly (which is only a High Thrill Ride - but I didn't enjoy it really). The Fly has you weaving this way and that, all the while feeling like you are going to tumble down to your doom.
The wave pool was lots of fun for the girls. Little One (Ketchup) had to have a life-jacket on as a height required precaution but is really an excellent swimmer. Poor thing looked like a duck with her tail sticking out of the water as she tried to copy her sister and dive down into the waves. They loved being 'washed ashore' by the waves and couldn't stop laughing.
The girls liked the Riptide Racer but only went down it once due to the long lines.
I personally always enjoy the Lazy River. I like the idea of floating around on your very own inner tube.
We finished the day, as we started, with bumper cars (aka Krachenwagen) and then headed off for the parking lot and home.
It was a wonderful family day and the kids declared that we were the best parents EVER for taking them there.
Their sleepy smiles as the dozed in the back seat were all the reward I needed.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Road Trips...Oh the Joy!
So it's almost time for our yearly trip to Ohio...only difference is, this year we are leaving our hotel room home behind instead of our old house for a few days.
The kids only make this annual trek memorable. Mr. Incredible and I will be driving along only to be asked to look backward at two silly faces...one filled with a mouthful of grapes for teeth (Ketchup) and one with small square crackers for teeth (French Fry).
A few years ago, we went a different route home due to an excursion out to Pennsylvania to visit Mr. Incredible's friend, who lives out that way. I had brought several cds along with us for some fun driving tunes that didn't involve anyone having to recite their abc's...music ranged from the Steve Miller Band all the way to Ricky Martin.
The kids have always loved music; our music in particular. As a side note, we were once at a stop light in our home town...I think we were coming home from a dinner out (this must have been at least three years ago). The car beside us was laughing in hysterics and it was because of our kids. There they were head-banging in the back of the van to Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion". As I rolled down the passenger side window to explain, they started laughing even harder! What can I say, that's just how we roll.
Little One (aka Ketchup) has long loved the song "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash and first started belting it out around the age of three.
Anyway, I digress...so we're driving and listening to Ricky Martin. As usual the kids have picked up on the lyrics and are singing their hearts out in the back seat. The little ditty in question here is Ricky Martin's "She Bangs".
Now, in retrospect, it was bad timing that I was sipping iced tea at the time because it literally almost came out my nose when I heard, "...she smells like a flower but she stinks like a pig..." sung in unison at the top of both of my angels' lungs (correct lyrics substitute 'stinks' for 'stings' and 'pig' for 'bee').
Hubby and I could hardly contain ourselves.
I should mention that, at the time, Mr. Incredible - who refuses to ask directions - had taken a wrong turn and was lost (although he took forever to admit it).
The performance certainly took the edge off the fact that we had no idea where we were and it was getting dark too.
I'm sure the girls will add to the excitement again this trip. I'm looking forward to telling you what antics they are up to next!
The kids only make this annual trek memorable. Mr. Incredible and I will be driving along only to be asked to look backward at two silly faces...one filled with a mouthful of grapes for teeth (Ketchup) and one with small square crackers for teeth (French Fry).
A few years ago, we went a different route home due to an excursion out to Pennsylvania to visit Mr. Incredible's friend, who lives out that way. I had brought several cds along with us for some fun driving tunes that didn't involve anyone having to recite their abc's...music ranged from the Steve Miller Band all the way to Ricky Martin.
The kids have always loved music; our music in particular. As a side note, we were once at a stop light in our home town...I think we were coming home from a dinner out (this must have been at least three years ago). The car beside us was laughing in hysterics and it was because of our kids. There they were head-banging in the back of the van to Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion". As I rolled down the passenger side window to explain, they started laughing even harder! What can I say, that's just how we roll.
Little One (aka Ketchup) has long loved the song "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash and first started belting it out around the age of three.
Anyway, I digress...so we're driving and listening to Ricky Martin. As usual the kids have picked up on the lyrics and are singing their hearts out in the back seat. The little ditty in question here is Ricky Martin's "She Bangs".
Now, in retrospect, it was bad timing that I was sipping iced tea at the time because it literally almost came out my nose when I heard, "...she smells like a flower but she stinks like a pig..." sung in unison at the top of both of my angels' lungs (correct lyrics substitute 'stinks' for 'stings' and 'pig' for 'bee').
Hubby and I could hardly contain ourselves.
I should mention that, at the time, Mr. Incredible - who refuses to ask directions - had taken a wrong turn and was lost (although he took forever to admit it).
The performance certainly took the edge off the fact that we had no idea where we were and it was getting dark too.
I'm sure the girls will add to the excitement again this trip. I'm looking forward to telling you what antics they are up to next!
Ketchup gives Independence a whirl
I have always been a mother who promotes self-reliance and independence; I think these are life skills best learned early on. Eldest has always been keen to follow with my program but Little One has been somewhat more hesitant (and that's an understatement).
I was the mom who, in the waiting room at preschool, would pull out a chair and let my child take their own boots off in the winter and put on their own velcro fastened running shoes. Other moms have always marvelled at the fact that Eldest is so independent - and I can't say that I haven't been extremely proud of that fact.
Little One though, has given me a lot of resistance (picture a donkey) in terms of doing things on her own. Commonly heard requests include, "I can't cut my waffle mommy and I'm sooo hungry!", "I can't carry this, it's too heavy!", and my favourite, "Can you do it for me, please?" Believe me, I've tried the tough approach - that poor kid has sat there for a good 45 minutes staring at a waffle before. All I ask is that she at least try to do it.
This morning though, we turned a corner! After placing a waffle in front of lovely's face, without prompting, she actually picked up her fork and knife and cut the waffle! Not only that but she didn't request my help or complain about doing it either - joy!
I'm hopeful that this is the start of some great things.
I was the mom who, in the waiting room at preschool, would pull out a chair and let my child take their own boots off in the winter and put on their own velcro fastened running shoes. Other moms have always marvelled at the fact that Eldest is so independent - and I can't say that I haven't been extremely proud of that fact.
Little One though, has given me a lot of resistance (picture a donkey) in terms of doing things on her own. Commonly heard requests include, "I can't cut my waffle mommy and I'm sooo hungry!", "I can't carry this, it's too heavy!", and my favourite, "Can you do it for me, please?" Believe me, I've tried the tough approach - that poor kid has sat there for a good 45 minutes staring at a waffle before. All I ask is that she at least try to do it.
This morning though, we turned a corner! After placing a waffle in front of lovely's face, without prompting, she actually picked up her fork and knife and cut the waffle! Not only that but she didn't request my help or complain about doing it either - joy!
I'm hopeful that this is the start of some great things.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Art Appreciation Day
...Welcome to Art Appreciation Day...
In our inaugral edition, we celebrate the images of this blog's namesakes.
Images are composed using pencil sketch accented with Crayola coloured wax.
The first portrait was done by Eldest (aka French Fry) of her dear young sister (of whom she is singing with, at the moment, in the kitchen) and the second (larger) portrait was done by Little One (aka Ketchup) of her big sis.
I personally think these are worthy of display in the finest of art exhibits - but I suppose that's my job as mom and head cheerleader.
I especially like the attention to detail and wonderful use of colour.
Enjoy!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Living the Suite Life
Since the beginning of June, my family lives in a hotel...that's right, a hotel.
What pray-tell could be the reason for this uprooting of our family?
A new house in a new city where Mr. Man's new job is.
Mr. Incredible started his new job in March and really enjoys it. It is a job with plenty of responsibility - no different then lots of others out there. This new job came with a suggestion that our family become "part of the community" and so, with that, we put our plan into action to do just that.
Our builder insisted that we hustle-hustle and sell our home so that we could move forward with plans for building in the new city...hustling to get nowhere - fast. It turns out all the hustling got us was an extended stay in a hotel - BUILDERS!! Aaargh!
I can't complain too much, I guess. The meals are good and I don't need to cook or clean (with the exception of some tidying and dishes). There is an exercise room and pool to keep the kids happy and entertained and built-in playdates with kids from other families in similar predicaments...and so began the joke...living the Suite Life (similar to the show of the same name).
The kids love it, and I guess it's not so bad.
What pray-tell could be the reason for this uprooting of our family?
A new house in a new city where Mr. Man's new job is.
Mr. Incredible started his new job in March and really enjoys it. It is a job with plenty of responsibility - no different then lots of others out there. This new job came with a suggestion that our family become "part of the community" and so, with that, we put our plan into action to do just that.
Our builder insisted that we hustle-hustle and sell our home so that we could move forward with plans for building in the new city...hustling to get nowhere - fast. It turns out all the hustling got us was an extended stay in a hotel - BUILDERS!! Aaargh!
I can't complain too much, I guess. The meals are good and I don't need to cook or clean (with the exception of some tidying and dishes). There is an exercise room and pool to keep the kids happy and entertained and built-in playdates with kids from other families in similar predicaments...and so began the joke...living the Suite Life (similar to the show of the same name).
The kids love it, and I guess it's not so bad.
Who are Ketchup and French Fry?
Not so long ago or far away, two little darlings were born...(well, technically the first one was born and then the second was born about two years and two months later...but I digress).
My first daughter (aka Eldest or Bella) was born on a cold, blustery day in January of 2002 and my second daughter (aka Little One, Monkey or Pickle) was born on a bright, sunny day in April of 2004. I often wonder if their (sometimes) opposing dispositions are in any way connected to the seasons or weather conditions under which they were born.
Our house is always filled with lots of singing, dancing, drawing and creating...their is no shortage of creativity in our household, that's for certain.
One day, while we were commenting on how Little One likes to put ketchup on just about everything, Eldest suggested that a good name for her would be Ketchup! Little One responded that if her name was Ketchup, then her big sis should be called French Fry - which we all saw as a testament to the fact that since ketchup's greatest complement is French fries that her greatest complement is her big sister; her built in playmate and best friend.
These special nicknames symbolize a shared love between two sisters who get along so well together...well, most of the time anyway ;)
My first daughter (aka Eldest or Bella) was born on a cold, blustery day in January of 2002 and my second daughter (aka Little One, Monkey or Pickle) was born on a bright, sunny day in April of 2004. I often wonder if their (sometimes) opposing dispositions are in any way connected to the seasons or weather conditions under which they were born.
Our house is always filled with lots of singing, dancing, drawing and creating...their is no shortage of creativity in our household, that's for certain.
One day, while we were commenting on how Little One likes to put ketchup on just about everything, Eldest suggested that a good name for her would be Ketchup! Little One responded that if her name was Ketchup, then her big sis should be called French Fry - which we all saw as a testament to the fact that since ketchup's greatest complement is French fries that her greatest complement is her big sister; her built in playmate and best friend.
These special nicknames symbolize a shared love between two sisters who get along so well together...well, most of the time anyway ;)
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