First week of June

Wow! a new post before the month is up!?!?! I just had to share some of these pics from this week with you.

Monday was a chore day. Not much to report. We went to the school to play, got stuck there while a thunder storm passed overhead, then walked home in the brief dry period between thunder showers. I went to a staff meeting in the afternoon. We DESPERATELY need RN's. I have never felt the 'nursing shortage' so acutely before. There is a very real possibility that the hospital could have to close if we can't find more RN's to work. We'll be losing a few in the next month from our staff, and now we don't have enough people to fill all the shifts. Working an RN short is not an option, as there must be one RN in the hospital at all times. We only ever have 1 on shift, so there is no wiggle room there. We need more staff. 2 full time would be great! Anyone???

On Tuesday, the sun was shining and the temperature was perfect. The mosquitoes have taken a well deserved vacation this year, (they worked overtime the last 2 years) and we can actually play outside! So, I set up our hose and nozzle to spray a fine mist and let the kids 'have at it'. They had a blast. The mist was perfect for them to play with. Ethan got many a full on face spray and loved it. They got wet, but not dripping, and it was not as cold as a full blast. After a little while spraying Ethan, Evelyn decided to turn the nozzle on herself. I love the face she is making in this picture!


On Wednesday, we went to the year end party for playgroup. It was hosted at one of the Mom's houses. They live on a grain farm and their property was beautiful. They had a huge old farm house with a big front porch, a big red barn and a few other buildings all in excellent (and very old) condition. The best part was a huge 'club house' that was about 8 feet off the ground with 2 big slides and a few swings and hanging bars. The kids had such a good time playing. Their place is a little boy's dream yard.






On Thursday, we spent about 3 hrs at the school for track and field day. We've gone every year and Evelyn has always had a blast. This year was no different. She made the rounds and visited with most of the students. Ethan worked on his climbing skills at the playground. He is getting way too good at climbing. I really have to be on my toes when he is around anything with height! Ethan was also into all the balls. He made a bee-line for them as soon as we got there. He tried to sit on them. It was super cute to watch him try to figure out how to make it stay still, then turn around and gently lower his bottom onto the ball - only to have it scoot away. So, he'd try again. He got on a couple times, but it never lasted very long! He had a good time playing with a student at the school with Downes. She loves babies. She would try to tickle Ethan, he would run away, then stop and turn around and say "Ick'le Ick'le" while tickling himself, then start running as soon as she got close.

This year, Evelyn absolutely coveted the coloured ribbons the kids got for each event. She got a 4th place ribbon from someone, and went to ask for a pin to attach it to her shirt. The ribbon 'giver-outers' gave her a first place ribbon as well as the pin. So, she has 2 ribbons. She pinned them to her pyjamas last night. She pinned them to her clothes today. She told anyone who would listen about her ribbons and showed them proudly. Tonight, she pinned them to her jammies again... It's cute, but I'm not sure how long I can let her wear, and brag about, a couple ribbons that she did nothing to earn! We'll see how long they are important to her...

Today, we spent 8 hrs in Lac La Biche while the car was serviced and Ryan was in Bonnyville for his final Leadership Academy session. (He carpooled from LLB to Bonny) We played at 2 parks for almost 2 hrs. We walked along the lake. We ate out twice, and we visited the chiropractor. We went to the farmers market but didn't buy anything. Then, we played at a park for a little bit longer while we waited for Ryan's carpool to get back. I was wearing a pedometer that we got in a box of Special K. It registered that I walked about 9 km's. That is about what I guessed. Pretty good exercise for me!

Tomorrow, our friend Melissa is babysitting (free of charge!!!!) and Ryan and I are going on a 10 year anniversary of dating date. The plan is to go to the city and do a bit of shopping, see the new Narnia movie, then dinner at East Side Marios and home around 9-10 pm.