...and we were there too.

This was early August, and a week on the Magdalen Islands was a welcome segueway between my summer job and another year of teaching. There were five us: Kevin and Angélique with Ruth, Simeon and me, and we started on PEI, where (as you can see) we took some time to reflect.In a shop window, downtown Charlottetown. Simeon eased comfortably into his role of smile-magnet in the backpack carrier worn by his papa.

...and in a very cool mirrored folding screen.

Sunset over Cavendish Beach. Here we had spent the afternoon, swimming, reading and sunbathing - which was to set the tone for the entire week ahead. The next day, the end of a five-hour ferry ride found us sailing past the enchanting Entry Island, the first in the Magdalen archipelago. We would return to it late in the week, to climb those hills and roam the trails a while.

The house we were staying in had a greenhouse, and that greenhouse had a snail. This snail. I think he dreamed of flying while he traversed the glassen roof.Suppertime - nothing to see here, everything under control...

Most nights, after supper was had and the sun (who'd had just as long a day as us) was going down, we'd walk across the road and onto this beach, which every night looked like this: not a soul around, just us, the sunset, and the Atlantic rolling in. Almost the entire archipelago is surrounded by sand, after all, so it's not hard to find a beach with no one on it. And then we'd gather driftwood, light a fire, and plan the next 24 hours....the plan usually involved a lot of sleeping on beaches and shopping in shops and eating in

cafés. The following is in Café de la Grave, once a general store. Evenings there were bliss: live music, fine coffees... what more can I say?

Simeon gets rock-skipping tips from Kevin on a windy day.
Miles and miles and miles of this, and hot hot hot (though warm weather is uncommon there). What a welcome break it was from the unending shower that was June and July.
Entry Island: We hiked, Simeon rode. It was a good day.Atop the aptly named Big Hill.

Horses and cattle roam the back of the island, the residents having found it needless to build a better fence than the Atlantic Ocean.I'm not kissing this horse; it only looks that way.


Inside the island's tiny church, the notes of hymns are transcribed in solfège for the organist.

Roving.

In our humble opinion (of which I've been asked, "If your opinion's so humble, why do we keep hearing from it?"), the Magdalen Islands is one fantastic getaway, very close to home. Give it a shot.

Simeon Does the Magdalen Islands :)

The next three are courtesy, with our thanks, of Angélique.


Go ahead - pick a favourite;)

Picnic at the Park

A few weeks ago we went for a walk at the Irving Nature Park (we've got a lot of catching up to do with our posts, I know). Well, we had a false start on Saturday when we packed our lunch, stroller, etc. etc. etc. only to find out in the parking lot that we (ahem, Sean) forgot the handle for the stroller. But on Sunday we were back with all our gear in tow. It was a bit cloudy, but great Saint John weather for April. We ate our lunch of bread, meat, cheese and apples on the beach- Simeon seemed particularly fond of the apples:Simeon warned us of some approaching danger so we decided to skedaddle--but not before a short photo-op with daddy!

Hey look!

I have a flower! Ok, so not that impressive but at least it's something. I've decided to put in a vegetable garden and just focus on cleaning up the yard for this year (i.e. get rid of the ugly gravel and industrial pavers that the previous owner thought were decorative. Sigh.) Next year I'll worry about planning my flowerbeds. For now I'm waiting to see what's coming up from the ground; and the answer is a whole lot of nothing. I choose to see this as a blank slate for next season, rather than a depressing rectangle of dirt :) I hope your yard is a bit more cheery - come see us for some veggies in a couple of months!

Lately

To supplement the income I've signed a part-time contract with Seaboard Transportation, hauling their trailers with my Accent. Sure it's destroyed my gas mileage but, hey, I'm hauling fuel - I help myself now and then.

Three Mirrors

Shelburne, N.S., Easter weekend.

Ephesians 4:5

We were in Shelburne Easter weekend for the baptism of our niece and nephew. Here, with his father, is Shiloh before his baptism -

and Abby after hers -

It was a lovely visit; many thanks to our hosts:)

Superstore, I applaud you!

The other day I was perusing the internet and decided to check out the G.R.E.E.N. Insider's Report for Superstore and on the last page I saw that they're no longer going to give out complimentary plastic bags. Now they'll be charging 5 cents a bag and the proceeds are going to the World Wildlife Foundation. What a fantastic idea! A friend of mine was saying that these reusable bags that everybody and their aunt is peddling is just a big money grab (I agree with her). They're not working to reduce pollution they just want to profit from the warm fuzzy you get when you impulse buy it and then let it rot on the floor of your closet. Now, I know that some people are faithful in using them and I freely admit that I forget mine quite often - so I'm not trying to sound high and mighty here. But the point is that Superstore is offering a pretty big incentive NOT to forget them and in a way to quasi-bully us into doing what we know we ought to be doing anyway. So be nice to your cashier because I called customer service to express my appreciation and apparently they're catching a LOT of flack for this.

PS-It starts April 22nd and any reusable bag will do, it doesn't need to be their brand.

Welcome Home

Here it is! That last post was a bit of a lie... our phone lines have been fine for some time now:) Better late than never, I suppose.

*COTH will be offline until the phone lines in our house get rewired - keep checking*

It's official!

Sean and I are now homeowners!
We are extremely excited and are looking forward to moving in on Saturday. We'll post some pictures after we've settled, which shouldn't take long as we've had so many people offer to help us move in :)
Sean's had a rough few days because he's got laryngitis (wow, I spelled that right on my first try) but he's got antibiotics now and we're hoping that it'll improve drastically very soon.
Well, back to packing boxes. Toodles!

Squeaky clean

We've neglected the blog again, but this time we have a really good reason....we're moving! In 7 days we'll put our John Hancocks on the dotted line and we'll have ourselves a house. I can't WAIT to have my own backyard. I must admit, I'm still nervous that some catastrophe will befall us and it'll all come crashing down. Cheery, eh? That's why no pictures of the house yet. So...I'm going to post about Simeon instead (I'm sure no one will mind).

I was doing the dishes and I heard a lot of wild laughing coming from the bathroom where my son was supposed to be getting his bath. When I saw the cause of the ruckus I had to grab the camera.


We've always blow dried Simeon hair because 1) there's always been an unreasonable amount of it, and 2) his softspot always made me wary of towel drying the top of his head. Now he's taken matters into his own hands.

So that's an update and hopefully no meteors land on our home.

Bleak.

The Marina in Winter.

Walk like a man.

On January 15th at 4:34 pm Simeon took his first steps and quite unbelievably today is the first time I've filmed it! I know, shameful. Anyway, here's the longest clip I could get since he goes into convulsions of joy whenever he sees the camera, which equals falling flat on his bum.


He can go from one end to the other in our apartment without falling, although he isn't fond of performing in public so sometimes he makes me look like a liar :) Last night he got another haircut and we're going to visit great-grammie this afternoon; here's hoping he shows off for her.

Here's another one.

Early this morning:

"Mr. Carroll, I haven't been feeling good ever since I ate that wallpaper paste."
~Gr. 8 girl. (Yes, grade 8).

I swear... I should write a book.

Saturday

Yesterday - eleven and one-half hours on Poley Mountain. FUN :)Props to Mark for getting the trip together. I expect I'll be able to walk again any day now.

It's happening.

Today -

Gr. 6 student: "I checked the Wikipedia books - the stuff you asked for isn't in there."
Me: "You... checked the what?"
Him: "Wikipedia books."
Me: [blank stare, and then] "Do you mean the encyclopedia?"
"Yes."

Ever feel like you're fighting an uphill battle?

Child Pageants

So, I was staying up late again melting my brain by watching tv instead of being asleep like all reasonable people and I saw a very odd show called "Toddlers & Tiaras". It's about children (we're talking from 2-8 years old) who compete in beauty pageants! It's frightening the lengths that the adults go to to live vicariously through their children. Spray tanning, false teeth, big hair, make up and swimsuit competitions....... for babies! Insanity has a name and it's "little miss Texas royalty". I just hope that when the parents see it on the air they'll realize what they're forcing their kids into and stop. More likely, they'll make the kids watch it over and over again to see what they did wrong in the competition. Sigh~ I hope no one tells me how beautiful Simeon is anytime soon; I might run for the hills.

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night

(and Saint John was beautiful.)

Use with caution

Last week we stopped at Benjamin's Books in Rothesay and we found a toy that Sean had when he was a child. You spin the stick between your hands and it will take off and fly around the room. The downside is that you can't really control where it goes. As evidenced in the photo.

Simeon had a good laugh over it at least. By the way, does anyone know what these are called?

I would recommend...

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Sean and I went to the movies a couple of nights ago (big thanks to Jen for babysitting!) and it was fantastic. I was expecting a very predictable Hollywood film, but it was MUCH better than I thought it would be and I loved it! I don't think I've ever cried in a theatre, but with this movie you just can't help it. Unfortunately it seems that on Tuesdays obnoxious people get in for free. I have the happy ability to block out idle chatter during a movie so not much phases me BUT this group really took the cake. First, a woman decides she needs to pee (she's in the middle of the row) ok, no problem, it's a long movie. Not ten minutes passes when her boyfriend realizes "hey! I have a bladder too - I think I'll use it" so HE goes (and at one of the most critical moments in the story too). Am I the only one who learned to go before the movie starts? Then someone's on-call walkie talkie thingy starts talking/ringing for 3 whole minutes while everybody in the rows around us whisper "it's not mine, is it yours?" until the guy next to Sean realizes it's his. He presses a bunch of buttons, none of which prevents it from going off again 5 minutes later. In summary: if you haven't yet learned the basics of potty and cell phone etiquette- start renting your movies.

2. The Business of Being Born. This is a documentary about the virtual elimination of midwives in the United States (it's very representative of the situation in Canada as well). It's a lot of statistics but very interesting. It focuses on the relationship between drugs during labour and the increase of c-sections and other interventions. The basic message is to inform yourself before you give birth because the doctors don't necessarily know what's best. For myself, when I had Simeon I went in with the desire to avoid having an epidural. I was given something to speed up my contractions (presumably in the oxytoxin family) and if I had known then what I know now I would have refused or at least questioned it. No one explained what it did, they just said I needed it and they're the professionals. Before I start to sound like too much of a self-righteous hippy/conspiracy theorist I'd like to clarify that I'm not looking down on anyone or trying to make anybody feel guilty I'm simply saying that I think it's very difficult to get to the facts and actually be informed enough to give consent. We're constantly being told "oops! I guess that's not safe for children after all." and I'm sick of it. How about actually doing research before recommending drugs. Our nurse emphatically stated that epidurals have no side effects; now however you feel about epidurals it is a drug and ALL DRUGS HAVE SIDE EFFECTS, to deny it is either blatant lying or frightening ignorance. I can't take cold medicine when I'm pregnant but a stong painkiller is a-ok? {deep breath} Anyway, it a great movie and it's definitely worth a watch. They also show the history of various birthing methods since the 1900's which is CRAZY!!!

Christmas the Second

It's safe to say that Simeon enjoyed his second Christmas a little more than his first. Here he be, moments after receiving a rocking horse from his Mom and Dad.
This, I think, is my favourite shot from this Christmas: Grampy Coffey helps Simeon unpack his stocking.

Christmas Eve Suprise

Just got a very unexpected phone call from two Yemeni friends of ours, Hamed and Yousef (seen here), who are now studying in the United States. Thanks guys - it was great to hear from you!! Merry Christmas!

I know, I know. But not only have I been too busy to post things, I've also been too busy to take any pictures. After some threatening emails, however, here's a couple things I scrounged up. Merry Christmas to You.

Update: Simeon is standing now. Heartily refuses to take a step, but he can stand for quite some time:)

Last week we went skating at Harbour Station with his godparents Kevin and Angelique. While Kevin was at the helm of Simeon's sled I shot a bit of video before hitting the wall (keep your head up in the corner).

Love-triangle

Jack Layton, Gilles Duceppe and Stephane Dion; who would have thought? I feel like I'm in that movie where the awkward girl becomes popular against the odds, so the cheerleaders decide to take her down because they don't want her to become prom queen. Well if you haven't seen the film the bottom line is that the cheerleaders are vindictive drama queens. Sound familiar? The funny thing is that I didn't even vote Conservative in the last election (wasn't that just last week?) but I am furious that these guys - in the interest of the Canadian people of course- are trying to overthrow the government. Who do they think they are???? I'm so glad that we voted, our voices were really heard weren't they. I've called the NDP and the Liberal offices and left messages saying how outraged I am. I haven't bothered the Bloc because I don't hold any hope that they'll care what I have to say - Plus if I'm forced to speak to someone in French I'll make quite a fool out of myself. In short, if you're as upset about this as I am please contact the NDP and Liberal offices.

Simeon/Simian

Neat

Ok here's what you do. Next time you have a bonfire, grab your camera. Set the shutter speed really high so that only the highlights of the flames get through and none of the ambient light. Then take pictures in continuous shoot mode so you get, like, 300 pictures in two minutes. You need that many because most will look like nothing except dark fire. Weed through them, though, and you'll find some seriously cool shapes, like these:

The upper half of this one looks like a slightly evil face: man with large mustache wearing a fedora (right half of face in shadow).


And here we have (in the upper left) a beast with ram's horns and long sombre humanoid face. Could be related to this guy.


This is Cosette from the Les Mis poster.


Here you can see a man - probably an early French explorer - looking sideways (to your right) and slightly back. He's wearing a large cloak and a strange hat.


This is among my favourites. It is a full-length view of a woman walking to the right, carrying a bundle of some kind. Her face is completely in shadow, but she looks determined.

Side profile of a viking head with horned helmet. Looking up and to the right.
This one looks like nothing (maybe a surreal seashell) but I love how solid it seems.

Block Party

Learns a new trick every day...

Walk on By

Enjoying his birthday present:)


And, for something unrelated - we forgot to post about Halloween! Simeon was a giraffe. In the morning we went to our mommy & me reading time where a lot of other animals were in attendance, including 3 lions, a bear and dog. That night we stuck around the house for a while passing out candy and then headed over to our friend's place. Simeon helped greet trick or treaters after performing his concerto...
then rejoined the herd. Unfortunately, his very uncool mom made him go to bed before they could reach the plains.
Sigh. Way to go mom.

Birthday boy

Simeon is one year old! November 8th was the big day and it was pretty low key, we sang to him when he woke up and gave him his present. The real hullabaloo was to take place Sunday night. I had to give him a little help in blowing out the candle, but he had no problem figuring things out from there. He got to have cake AND ice cream - his first real taste of sugar. His cousins were on hand to help out with the passing out (and opening) of the gifts...and they were great at explaining what birthdays are. I'm not sure he took it all in, but they gave it their best shot anyway.This past year has gone by so quickly. When I see babies now it's hard to remember that little bundle that we held in our arms with the fuzzy shock of hair. I can't believe all the changes that he's gone through already; first word, crawling, solid foods and the first time when he reaches out to be held only by you - but before I get too teary Simeon wanted to say: Thanks Grammie & Grampy for hosting a great party.

reflect

Nerf guns are fun.

It gets a bit shaky because I was laughing so hard myself!
PS- this was just after Halloween in case you're wondering why mini chocolate bars are strewn all over the floor.

44th President

Sean and I were very excited to see Barack Obama win the election on Tuesday. We stayed up until midnight watching the news - yes, Sean "the old man" Carroll voluntarily stayed up past ten. :) {I'm going to be in trouble when he reads this post lol}
What was really interesting to me was to hear the reactions from the black community the next day. Person after person (of all ages) was saying "I never thought I'd see the day that a black man was elected president" or "Now I can tell my kids they can be whatever they want to be and know it's true". It was incredible to me that in this day and age there is a whole people group who have felt excluded from success because of their race. I'm sure that I sound very naive, and I probably am - because honestly I can't think of an instance where someone's been discriminated against. I heard the N-word once and had I been a little older and a little bolder I would've said something instead of being shocked into silence. Racism is a problem in Canada, I'm not denying that but it's just not something that I've seen firsthand. In short, I congratulate the U.S. on this landmark in their history and I also want to say that John McCain had a wonderful concession speech and took back a lot of dignity that had been sacrificed during the last few weeks of his campaign.
That's my shout out to the USA.
Back to Simeon. :)

House sitting

We spent a week at a friend's house taking care of things and chasing Simeon around the place. He learned to crawl thanks to the hardwood floors and is getting around faster than ever.Simeon also got out the tools to do a few repairs around the house. He's currently trying to get into the local union.
But even after all that he's still raring to go (daddy doesn't have as much energy).
We also took full advantage of the backyard and Simeon had a great time.