Easter break away - part 4

And finally, on to Niagara Falls.

This time, there was NO line up to cross the border - so we are re-framing the experience as 90 mins each crossing. The Falls were magnificent. Though Seb was less than impressed by the drenching spray and I was unnerved by being 40 feet above the drop...

The kids found the games arcade - where Seb crashed out on skateboarding in record time. Bu with cycling now accomplished, skateboarding may be up next this fall.

Easter break - part 3

The rest of Rochester. Well, let me see.

The Susan B Anthony museum was closed on Easter Sunday despite advice to the contrary. So coupled with Museum of Play, I am up for a winter road trip.

The Falls were muddy but marvelous. However, the experience was marred by the 6 cop cars that were parked at various locations with the occupants peering over the edge scanning the waters...

I shall remember the actual city as the place where we coached the kids on umbrella etiquette. Have you ever given some thought to how much there is to learn about umbrellas? Open them outside - not in the car/hotel/restaurant/closet. The taller person usually holds it - high. Usually the other person takes the arm of the friend/sibling to stay close. That might necessitate a switch of arms. Don't twirl with them or poke with them because they can cause bodily harm. etc. Oh and lest I forget, wherever possible, colour coordinate with your outfit (case in point: purple of umbrella, purple of tights).

Easter Part 2 (a.k.a. Can you tell me how to get to..

Then it was on to Rochester for cheaper hotels and the national Museum of Play.

We swam in the pool everyday, watched the NHL playoffs on a big screen (for us), and played and played and played.

I hope the photos do the museum justice. Yes, there are brands but no, there is no marketing.

I can't say there was a clear favourite, though the mini-market was a hit with us all, as were Sesame Street and the national hall of toy fame.

So for those of you with children under the age of 10 or 12 who are within striking distance of up-State New York, it's well-worth a visit.

(And yes, we trekked to an independent toy shop as a 'break' to get them each a toy!).

Easter break away - part 1

Here with a slight delay are some of the adventures we had during our Easter break.

Friday: we headed across the border near Niagara Falls - along with 1/2 of southern Ontario. We waited 3 hours... at the border. The kids were amazing. We stopped at Buffalo's old-fashioned Museum of Science to see the Narnia exhibit. Sadly over-priced and under-imaginative, it did have some good video interviews with directors, costume makers, set designers etc. The Museum itself had a lovely sunny hands-on room and small room dedicated to ancient Egypt but from a middle-class priests' perspective, which was a welcome change from the Pharaohs.

When two brilliant people get together

http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/audioslideshow/2011/may/03/helen-oxenbury-audio-slideshow

We have loved Helen Oxenbury's works since my Aunt introduced them to us when Seb was born.

We have loved John Burningham's works since my cousin's family (daughter of above aunt) introduced them to us when Seb was born.

Turns out they are married to each other.

And (after several babies being on the way) have finally done a book together!

Tough night

Seb took the Conservative majority harder than the Habs loss. He cried with sadness that a wave of progressive votes went to the NDP across large portions of the country and that 60% of voters did NOT elect the Conservative,and yet we will get 4-5 years of their pinched-hearted,small-minded governance.

Can't say that I blame him.

Though he was immensely pleased that he helped create history in our riding: after 49 years straight of Liberal 'rule', our new MP sports the colour orange.

Suddenly, it was quiet

Auntie Roberta has long wanted to read the classic children's novel Minnow on the Say. We have a copy, she has a copy but with time zones and mood swings and well, life's events, the book never picked up a rhythm of its own and was twice lain down.

Third times the trick. We started it here last week and are now on Chapter 6. While we thought it was a grown-up book for Seb, it is Sophie who utterly adores it and keeps trying to sort out all the characters. We invited Auntie R to call at 12:15 on Sunday to read the next chapter. And lo, the house went quiet.

There is a hole in our house. Yay!

Renovations are gathering pace over the pond. Too bad our bank account can't keep pace...

Turns out that we hadn't made some key decision or other and that the hole has been there for some days... Not sure if the feral cats have found their way in yet - or robbers - or anyone else for that matter.

And check out those kitchen ceiling beams.

Young Habs celebrate

They beat the old guy 10-7. Their collective age totals half M's age so he is
chalking it up to young legs over experience.

Who knows maybe this trio will bring the Cup back to Montreal in 2025! By hook or by crook or by talent.

look ma, no training wheels!

I know I haven't posted any shots of our Easter caper, but flash forward to yesterday (is that possible?) when we finally had a lovely spring day which was spent at St Lawrence market, seeing Kevin & Arthur and outside!!

We don't really push our kids about skills - just manners. So 7 year old Seb was exiting winter to a bike that still had training wheels. Time to remove them we thought and away he zoomed with nary a look backwards - and only one scrape and tumble.

Glee was in his eyes and the breeze in his long locks.