Thursday, June 7,2012 TA, Owen and I walked down to the plaza. It was a beautiful warm sunny morning. We bought coffees and TA and Owen went on to TA's school to show Owen to the staff and return some paper work re her mat leave while I stayed at the plaza. The coffee is so very good here. I really miss it when I go home. After TA left I went searching for children's cutlery. Not as easy as you might think. The most expensive store had a really nice expensive set and another nice one,but both had big thick handles which made no sense to me for little hands. I tried the pharmacy next and they had an acceptable set but only had pink left. My last hope was a small department store and I did find a nice set. I particularly liked that there was an "a" on the bottom of the fork, "b" on the knife and "c" on the spoon. So when the place is properly set the letters are in order. Someone thought this one out! That would be in contrast to who ever designed the huge handled ones that a wee hand could never get around - at least not to hold properly. My main objective accomplished, I looked for a long sleeved blouse as I had brought several short sleeved ones but only 1long sleeved one. Weather is too warm for sweater but early and late in the day a long sleeved blouse would be perfect. (Am I boring you yet?) found a nice royal blue/navy plaid one but it was $50. So I went on looking. Found nothing so went back to try thr blue plaid one on. When the clerk brought it down from way up above, I discovered it was 100% cotton. Arrrgh, it will not travel well and I do not iron. Otherwise it was perfect so I left empty handed. By then it was time to meet up with TA. the minute we crossed the street from the plaza it started to rain! So not only is it raining -and those of you that know me well know how much I HATE rain give me snow instead- but the walk home involves two hills, the second being at 45 degrees. Not fun, not fun at all. TA called Pete when we got home to see if he wanted to meet her to return his birthday jacket from Bruce and I as the sleeves were too short. He agreed so TA left with Owen to pick up Ashton from kindie and go on to meet Pete.. I was on dinner so stayed to get it together. I made a meatloaf. Then decided I might have enough energy to make the apple pie Pete has been waiting for. Sure glad I brought that Crisco at Christmas. Pie made and in the oven, popped in the meatloaf too and some potatoes to bake and I figured all was great. The family get home about 5:15 and TA asks when dinner will be done and I respond with "about six". Then I find out that is too late for Ashton. Guess I had not been paying to much attention to the timing of dinner. So TA decides to order fish and chips which was on tomorrow night's menu. Fine, except Pete had trouble finding his wallet -yes for those of you paying attention and have not totally snoozed off yet-he had just come home and with his wallet. By the time he had found it and returned with the fish and chips, you guessed it, the meatloaf was done! So meatloaf it is for tomorrow night with leftover apple pie. Normal routine and bed. After hating his bath for the first few days Owen is now extremely content in it. He is so much more laid back in general than Ashton. His neck muscles are very strong as he holds his head up well and has quite a grip on fingers too. Then last night he surprised me with a vicious kick to my stomach!

Monday, June 4, 2012 Queen's birthday today so Pete is off. Pete stayed home to get a few things done while the three of us went to Albany to try to exchange Pete's birthday jacket, but they did not have the size he needed. We checked out The Warehouse specials and picked up a couple of things. Home to make a BBQ lunch as Leo was coming over. I get to see Leo at least once each time I come. After Leo left Pete took Ashton to play at his friend, Jacob's, while he had a beer with Nick. Both boys had a good afternoon. We were supposed to be napping but Owen had other plans. Finally to the pictures of the back garden I wanted to get. Not as nice as if I had taken them at christmas. I did get the lemon and lime trees with fruit on them. Everyone had a good sleep for a change last night. I was told this morning that I was "borrowing Daddy's bathroom"

Sunday, June 3,2012 TA and Pete returned after a lovely dinner to Ashton and I in bed. Apparently Owen slept through the whole dinner. He had been fed prior to leaving home and did not wake for another feeding until he arrived back home. I was up several times with Ashton but then he ended up sleeping until 7pm! We had breakfast and then headed off to the zoo. The most interesting thing that happened is that as we were walking by the emu enclosure, the emu decided it liked Ashton and turned around to start walking beside Ashton. Ashton was then able to actually pet it. We had a nice picnic lunch and upon passing the rhino enclosure found them tusk to tusk in a bit of a small altercation. The elephant was quite far away, but while we watched actually came quite close to us and put on a bit of a show for us. We came home hoping that everyone would get a nap, but apparently I was the only one that did. Had a nice lamb dinner with a spinach mixture in phillo. Aston finally got to see the end of Nemo that he was supposed to see last night and did not because he beat me to the controller and pushed a button and I could not figure out how to get it back to the DVD. Early bed for all.

Friday,June 2,2012 Today was a busy, exciting day as it was Pete's birthday. Ashton was the only one to sleep through the night so everyone else was VERY tired. I got up with Ashton and TA got a bit more sleep and Pete got even more. Still not enough for anyone. When Pete got up, there was a birthday banner up, balloons and silly party hats as well as noise makers. TA made French toast with strawberry sauce and chicken bacon for breakfast. After getting everyone ready we picked up some fruit and sandwiches and went to railroad world. Besides a train there were animals to feed and pet as well as big wooden trucks and fire engines to cling on and hoses to climb up to. There was a lovely trail walk. We had a picnic lunch there. Home for naps for everyone except TA. She finished the last part of Pete's cake which could only be done at the last minute - three days to get this cake put together! When everyone got up we had afternoon tea with birthday cake. The we did grocery shopping. We got home after 6 and TA had made 7 pm dinner reservations. I got Ashton's dinner and put the groceries away while Pete and TA got changed. After they left I bathed Ashton and then we came up to watch the last half of Nemo. Unfortunately Ashton got to the remote a second before I did. Whatever button he pushed lost the tv signal and I could not get it back. So, no Nemo. Read some stories then bed.

Friday June 1,2012 Pete had a holiday today so after dropping Ashton off the three of us went on to the Albany mall so Pete could get some new shoes. Home for lunch and TA iced the cake. Still not done more to finish off tomorrow! Some cake. Pete picked up Ashton. Pete fixed my bed which broke in the middle of the night. Should sleep better tonight. Pete's birthday tomorrow.

Thursday, may 31,2012 Same morning routine of getting up with Ashton and keeping him in bed until 6 am when he is allowed to come up to watch a bit of TV while we cuddle. After breakfast TA dropped Ashton off at kindie. She the came home and made Pete's birthday cake. Only 8 layers with chocolate buttercream icing between each! Actually not as big as that would suggest as the layers are only 1/4 in.thick and take only 8 min to bake. More like a torte. TA's friend, Rachael, came over for a visit. Pete, TA and Ashton went for a walk to the plaza while I stayed with Owen. Dinner and another day is done. No knitting done in days!

Wed May 30

Wednesday,May 30,2012 Dropped Ashton off at kiddie and TA,Owen and I went to the Albany mall.We had a nice breakfast on b&e and a really good latte. Bought a few things for Owen and birthday prezzies for Pete. Home for lunch. In no time 3 pm and time to pick Ashton. TA, Pete and Ashton went for a walk while I stayed with Owen. He is such a gentle, PATIENT soul. Very unlike his brother at this age. His hair has frosted tips! So cute. He does have his father,s dark complexion. If he continues towards being another blond like his brother,that with the darker complexion, will be a killer combo.

Another busy day. Awake at 3:30. Ashton up at 5. Entertained Ashton until TA Owen got up. Made coffee and breakfast. While Owen napped, TA took Ashton to school. TA booked a chiro app't and I looked after Owen while she was out. He decided not to sleep as expected and he was hungry for 1/2hr until the milk came home. Lunch and an unsuccessful attempt at a nap. picked Ashton up at kiddie and stopped at the house long enough to get it together fora walk to the plaza. A tired crew made it back home in time to make pizzas for dinner. Tired,tired crew all. Owen was awake MUCH more today so hopefully he will sleep better tonight and that this gets him off his reversed day/night schedule.

Arrived safely.Flights were rather uneventful,although from San Fran was really rough 1/2 to 2/3 of the way. Did not bother me, but probably did others. I actually got 4 1. Hr naps. Ashton and Pete met me,but they had a long wait. 1/2 hr line to check in,1/2 hr for checked bag to show,1/2 hr line for security. Had breakfast then 1hr walk to the waterfall, lunch, watching Ashton play in the pool on this fantastic jumping castle style obstacle course which ran the whole length of the pool Then home for a great BBQ chicken dinner. Crash. Owen is very precious and unlike Ashton eats a lot and sleeps a lot. He has beautiful skin with a bit of a ruddy complexion.