Feb 7 (Sun):  We finally managed to take Mom for her belated birthday dinner last night with the added surprise of the grandkiddies along.  Mom was very pleased.  And we all loved Tucker's Marketplace.  Walked in and the first thing that Ben & Grace saw was this, the dessert bar!

I had Ben's hand and, as his eyebrows went up and his jaw dropped down, he inadvertently pulled toward the food.  So funny.  I also think he did a couple little jumps.  Andy says Grace also did a little jump and her hand went out reaching for the Chocolate Mousse.

As we sat eating our first platefuls, a lady from the next table leaned over as she just had to tell us how amazed she was at our children, sitting there properly & quietly, eating their salad & vegetables.  I think all 6 of us had the same initial reaction:  Hunh?  Then I told her we couldn't take the credit....they are my niece & nephew.  90% of the time they have very good manners.  The other 10% is just when they are wound up or overtired.

The food was fabulous and we even had schnitzel.  I was careful this time not to come home with a stomach ache like last time, but I was really dying to go back up to the carvery for more roast beef - and roast pork & apple sauce.  Mmmmmm.

After we parted ways with Mom and Dad, we came home for a quick change then went down to the ice rink at Spencer Smith Park.  It was -10^o so everyone was bundled up good.

This is Ben landing  with a bit of a lurch after a jump.

And Grace diverting around her fallen brother (there was plenty of fooling around and a good game of tag).

This morning, after a good breakfast and some Band Hero, we took the kids to their surprise.  It really drives them crazy when we say we have a surprise.  They try to guess repeatedly, which is kinda fun for us.  This time it was something new.  We went to "L'il Monkeys" - where we let them go wild for 2 hours.

One of the best things about this crazy playland is that adults are also allowed on all the gear...so Andy & I each got "encouraged" to come climb and go down one of the slides.  Poor Andy got "encouraged" 3 times. 

It was a good laugh for the kids watching us struggle our way through.  Otherwise we were quite comfy in a plush leather couch.

There's also sectioned off areas for toddlers, free Wi-Fi, a reasonably priced snack bar, a climbing wall, a hoops court, and some funky scooters.

For birthday parties, there are 4 or 5 theme rooms and, for some quiet time, they have a library.

I might have to have my next birthday party in that under the sea room!

Thursday, at work, we had a party for Beth, who has been with the firm for 25 years.  She's a HUGE Barry Manilow fan, so we had a Las Vegas theme for the party and did a Barry Karaoke Show.  I ran all the audio-visual equipment and was MC.

I made a joke about how I was ready for karaoke...after all....I'd been to all the practices!

The groups did a great job with costumes and moves, but only one woman on the entire staff can sing.  Still, everyone gave it a shot and there were tons of laughs.

Beth seemed to enjoy the show, and the Barry Jeopardy game that a few of the guys put together.

And she really enjoyed the coup that Karen, our Office Manager, pulled off.  Keep in mind that Beth goes to Las Vegas about 4 times per year - and she usually sees Barry every time she goes.  Karen was able to cut through all the red tape to get through to Barry's personal assistant, and the day before the party, an autographed picture of Barry was Fedexed to us.

It don't think we will ever be able to outdo this party.

Feb 14 (Sun):  Happy Valentine's Day!  

Hope you had a good one.  We exchanged cards this morning and Andy had bought me a cute, heart balloon Thursday when she went grocery shopping.  We also laughed when we heard that the kids got their cards from us in Friday's mail and there were soon little bits of red envelope paper flying everywhere.

Olympic Fever has certainly hit here!!!  Last night we had 3 feeds going at once - Women's Moguls on the big screen, Women's Hockey on PIP (picture in picture), and ski jumping highlights streamed on the laptop.  We've also got the Canadian flag hung out at the front steps and I've got a car window flag on the truck.

            

Today we went to see a play at our local community theatre, Theatre Burlington.  Denise had let us know about this and we ended up with a group of seven of us going to see it - and we all thought it was very good.  It's called "Breaking the Code" about British Mathematician Alan Turing.

     

He's most famous for cracking the Enigma machine, helping to win WWII, though he didn't get as much recognition as he should have due to his homosexuality, but what is less known is that he also is the father of the theory of the "electronic brain"...which was influential in the creation of the modern computer.

Yesterday, we didn't get to go to Ben's basketball as planned because he and Grace had a severe 24-hour stomach flu.  Yuck!  In the afternoon, we went to the Canon Theatre in Toronto where we saw "Little House on the Prairie, the Musical".  Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura in the TV series played "Ma" in this version.

        

But it really wasn't reflective of the TV show.  It stuck more to the book I guess.  It wasn't horrible, but didn't really turn our crank either.  It's not one we would recommend to spend your money to see - and they really shouldn't let Melissa Gilbert sing!  Afterward, Steven met us at Jack Astor's and the 3 of us had a really nice dinner before we hurried home to watch the Canadian women beat the Slovakians 18 - 0.

This morning, we were very pleased when Andy spotted the first birds we've seen at our feeder.  One entire filling of food had disappeared, but we hadn't seen where it went, though the squirrels were suspected.  So, we were very excited to see a couple of nuthatches this morning.

There was also a sparrow, but that was less exciting.  And then came trouble!!!  Look at this bugger! (The deer isn't real - the annoying neighbour has a stuffed one.)

Here he's got just one foot on the pole.

And here he's just hanging.

I went out and chased him away.  Then, a while later I looked out and saw him actually laying on the tray, wrapped around it, with his face in one of the holes.  It looked like he was suckling his mama - but when I chased him off I realized he was a smaller grey one, that was way more afraid of me as I think I gave him a heart attack.  The first, big, bold guy took his sweet time leaving when I chased him off.  Andy & I have been discussing how we can keep the squirrels off - we're going to try smearing Vaseline on the pole.  And we think they broke our first feeder.  It had fallen and the glass smashed.  It had been a birthday gift so I was a bit upset, but then I went and got this one with a more sturdy wire to hang on and a plastic seed tube.

And finally, look at this plant we sort of inherited.....that is.....Scot and Monica wanted to get rid of it and Andy said we'd adopt it.  It' a monster.

It looks a bit better since this picture as I've removed the dying leaves, we've started cleaning the green leaves, and it's now taken to the new pot so perked up a bit - but seriously, it's a monster!  Pretty soon it will start getting moved around till we pick a permanent location.  It needed to be propped up till its roots took hold.

Tomorrow is the "Family Day" holiday in Ontario, but Andy doesn't get it off as it's not a mandatory holiday.  Federal government workers also do not get it, as Huguette explained to us today.  I plan to spend most of the day propped up in front of the Olympics.  We are absolutely loving watching them in HD on the 50" plasma and laughed tonight when one of the commentator's said how people with HD must be amazed at the picture they are getting.

Feb 22 (Mon):  For the first time this season it truly looks like winter! I know lots of people had a miserable drive home tonight (it took Andy 85 minutes), but from our perspective now, it's just gorgeous.  Andy got home about 20 minutes before me to find our driveway half cleared already by our neighbour from two houses over.....out playing with his snow blower.  Thanks goodness as it's really heavy and sticky snow.

As I write, Andy is out building herself a snowman.  I'm happy to be in charge of the fire as it took me ages to clean the snow off the truck to come home. As of 7:35 pm here, we have 15 cms of snow in our back yard - that's about 6 inches.

Kind of along the same train of thought (winter that is), I was really pleased to look out the window the other day and see this. (Neither camera got a stunning shot, unfortunately.)

  

Yesterday was a totally different weather story - very spring-ish.  We met Mom, Dad, Scot, Monica, Ben & Grace at Splitsville Bowling Centre to celebrate Monica's big 4-Oh!  It's actually tomorrow.

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY MONICA!!!

We had lunch before we bowled......at least we tried to.  What a joke.  The whole place was very disorganized.  We ordered lunch at the downstairs counter and were told they'd bring it up to us.  After ages, mine and Andy's orders arrived.  As the food was starting to get cold, we began eating while the others watched.  I felt bad.  At least they had condiments just in case they were feeling faint with hunger! (sarcasm)

Several more minutes ticked by so I said for Andy to give the starving kids some of her fries.  Andy & I both finished eating and no other food had come.  The kids and Mom finished Andy's leftover fries and Mom finished my salad.  At some point, a girl came up to apologize and say the kitchen staff had arrived late, were moving like molasses, and she'd just yelled at them to hurry up.  A couple minutes later, the food for Scot, Monica & the kids arrived, but it was time for us to start bowling.  Eventually, they finally brought Mom & Dad's food to the lane.  Of course, Mom was practically full by that time so had a nice doggie bag.

To apologize for the bad service, someone came and offered us cheesecake, which went over very well.

After our hour ran out, we went back to Caledonia for the celebration to continue.  It was so nice out, we played outside for a while.  Andy and I took on Ben in basketball - and we only beat him by cheating.  Then we had the Razor Tricycle Half-Pipe competition.  Mom and I were the judges.  Note the back wheels of the trike - they're castors, so your back end takes extra effort to control, but mostly you are swinging around.

Ben also was showing us his alternate modes of transport.

     

Eventually, we moved inside for presents and birthday cheese-cake. 

Andy also passed the 40th birthday balloon baton, so to speak.

I don't know what we were laughing at but it sure looks like we were having a good time!

Saturday night, Andy & I had been to another birthday party/dinner party for Craig's 60th, Sarodha, and belated for Andy.  We had a great time and Andy got quite the haul of presents.  Look at them lined up behind her waiting to be opened!

Craig liked the herb planter we gave him and Sarodha liked the garden butterfly.

David made a lovely toast to all the birthday celebrants, and to a great group of friends in general.

Earlier in the day, we'd been out to watch Ben's basketball game.  He is forthwith known as Benjamin "Air" Cooper! 

In the afternoon, Andy was happy to get some natural Vitamin D.  She knocked off a few small pieces with the splitter.

Our other excitement this week was me walking into the laundry room at 7 in the morning to hear:  "K-chhhhhi..........K-chhhhhhi......"  After looking around for the source of the strange sound, I realized the hot water tank had water dripping onto the burner.  The flame was also getting duller then brighter in sync with the K-chhhhhhhi.  Called Reliance and the next morning they came & installed a new tank.

And finally I leave you with this excellent video......Tom Brokaw explains the relationship between Canada and The United States, in a pre-recorded short film that aired on NBC prior to the Opening Ceremonies.

Feb 21 (Sun):  One year ago today Grama was taken from us by her combination of diseases.  It seems more like it was just yesterday.

Grama and me fooling around about 20 years ago.

More about the week and the weekend tomorrow.

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