Camping at Killbear - 2008

We are back from our camping trip. For some reason this one was a bit tough for me. I think it started because we were woefully unprepared. We have been so busy with work that we didn't do any prep work. On Thursday morning we threw our camping stiff into eth van, decided to go groceries shopping once we were there and just headed up to Killbear Provincial Park.

The Park itself is one of the best I've been to. The campsites were decent and we were all within a few feet of the beach. Our particular campsite was perfectly located. We were close to the facilities (which were very clean and didn't smell at all), we had both sunshine and shade, there was plenty of room for all our stuff, we had two picnic tables and we could see the beach from our site.

Anyhow. When we arrived CJ started setting up while Helen and I took the kids to the beach right away (to get rid of some of their excess energy as well as to get them out of the CJ's hair so he could set up in peace. Dave and Brian both helped CJ set up quickly (the others all arrived the day before) so that was nice. Unfortunately since we hadn't gone shopping yet I felt stressed and anxious to get us some groceries and ice before I could relax and have a drink. Secondly Sebby was being cranky but wouldn't nap. I knew that he'd fall asleep right away if I got him in the van and started driving. Helen said she'd come with me, which was cool. Parry sound was the closest place to get groceries and that was about a 25 minute drive away.

Side note my back had been killing me all last week. I went to the doctor on Monday and he had me go for X-rays. Apparently my bottom two vertebrae are super close together. he said that I needed to book an appointment with my doctor to get an MRI to check on the discs. But in the meantime, he gave me some T3's to get by.

So I had been taking a few T3's every day and I seriously think they totally affected my mood and made me very anxious and moody. Every little thing on Thursday and Friday ticked me off. The kids, the groceries, the fact that the ice melted, the bugs, ... everything. There were some cute/fun/nice moments in there too. For example, when Kenzie stuck up for her little brother. The two Sebastian's were having a tiff and big Seb called Little Seb "dumb". Kenzie jumped right in there and said "Sebby is not dumb. He can be very rascally sometimes, but he is a good boy. You shouldn't call him dumb because it's not nice and it's not true". My heart melted and I had to stop and give her a huge hug for that.

Luckily the kids and (I hope) CJ still had fun. Poor CJ had crappy sleeps the first two nights. On the first night he ended up sleeping on our "crappy" mattress which pretty much deflated to about 30% by the end of the night. So not only was CJ pretty much sleeping directly ion the floor, but because there was still some air in air it made Sebby roll onto CJ every time he moved. The second night we had the brilliant idea to let the two best friend/married couple/ girls - Sophie and Kenzie, sleep in eth same tent. CJ got them all set up in the small play-tent. Unfortunately Sophie got a bit homesick and had to go back to her site. CJ didn't want to leave Kenzie sleeping in the tent by herself so he crawled into the small tent with her and proceeded to have another terrible night's sleep.

On Saturday (our last full day) everything seemed to get better. Even though the day started off with a thunder storm and downpour, we had a fun time making a huge communal breakfast and trying to stay somewhat dry. After brunch CJ and I headed back into town to look for a cot for him. We were able to find a couple cots for he and I to sleep on. By the time we got back to camp the kids were asleep in the car so CJ and I had some downtime to rest and relax. After the kids woke up it was back to the beach for more fun.

I stopped taking the T3's and had a few goblets of wine and I was feeling NO PAIN and was happy as could be. I think my favourite part of the whole trip was Saturday afternoon evening. The kids were entertained and happy, the adults were relaxed, sunned and drinking - and the weather was perfect. Brian and CJ serenaded us with some tunes. It was a good evening. and to top off the great evening CJ and I had decent sleeps on our nice comfy cots.

Unfortunately yesterday was our last day and so after a breakfast of champions - a couple pounds of bacon, fresh coffee and leftover hotdog buns - it was time to pack up and head home.

Click here to see a video of the trip.

The ride home was relatively uneventful. Although the kids cracked me up a few times...

we hadn't even left the park yet when Seb whined "are we home yet" - it was just so stereotypical that CJ and I had to laugh.

Then there was this conversation that we overheard:

Kenzie: Sebby do you know why I am older than you?
Seb: why?
Kenzie: because I was "borned" first.
Seb: awwwww that's not fair!!!

Anyhow... enough rambling. It's time to get back to work. Oh one more thing. While I was gone there was a groundbreaking ceremony for the project I have been managing for the past year. Here's an article about it. I am kinda pissed that I missed it - but the feds didn't ask about my schedule when they were organizing the big event - it was all about the minister's schedules and the mayor's schedule etc... ha ha ha. Just kidding, I'm happy that I was gone to avoid all the craziness surrounding the event.

summertime

I love summer. And it’s going by way too fast. I love summer evenings. After work, we are usually busy with some sort of kids extracurricular activity – swimming or soccer. When the kids don’t have anything planned then CJ and I usually end up sitting out front watching the kids play with their neighbourhood friends.

Last weekend I decided to invite the Wood kids over. Kenzie and Sebby both get along really well with Sophie and “big” Sebby. Interestingly, Rachel wanted to come over too. She is 9 and so I didn’t think she’s want to come, but I guess my invitation which included baking cookies, swimming and going to the park was appealing enough.

Since Sue was gone to Isle of Mann I asked Brian if Jenna might like to join us too. It was a fun day. The kids totally entertained each other and CJ and I had more R&R than we usually do. Kenzie and Sophie played with their new Build a Bears outside. Rachel and Jenna made necklaces, and the boys were wild and jumped on furniture downstairs.

















I love this picture. All 6 of them are smiling/laughing.


On Sunday night Andrea and Chris came over to babysit for us and CJ and I went out on a date night. We just went to East Side Marios for some drinks and appetizers in the bar, but we enjoyed it!

On Thursday Kenzie and I took Shannon to soccer (Brian was in a bit of a predicament – 3 girls all playing soccer at 7:00 at different fields and his wife still out of town). Afterwards Kenzie and I got our nails done. It was fun. The place we go to totally makes it fun for Kenzie. They paint her finger and toenails with polish and add little flowers. All for $10.

As we were finishing up, Helen (with Seb and Sophie) met up with us. We headed over to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. It was fun. The kids entertained themselves and Helen and I chatted and had a few laughs.

On Friday night Kenzie and I headed over to Andreas to babysit Jordana. Jordana was in a great mood. We had a ton of fun and got in lots of laughs and cuddles. Could this little baby be any cutter. I love her soft hair and sweet smiles.













Yesterday Omi came to visit. The plan was for us to have a barbeque and then go to see “The Secret Garden” at a local park – they have an outdoor theatre and host a number of plays throughout the summer. Well, mum showed up and we were chatting inside when the skies opened up. It was actually really fun. CJ was bbqing, so mum and I sat on the front porch and enjoyed the wine and watched the rain coming pouring down. Seb was still sleeping… he fell asleep for a nap at 3:00, and Kenzie was watching a movie.



When dinner was ready Seb was still napping (this was now ~ 7:00) and he had no intention of waking up (despite CJ, Kenzie and I all trying to get him up). So the rest of us enjoyed a really nice dinner. The food CJ made was amazing – teriyaki salmon, asparagus and rice… mouthwatering. It’s amazing how much more enjoyable dinner is with only one child. No fighting, no whining, … It was so nice.
Anyhow. I convince mum to stay over instead of driving home. So at about 8:30 she took Kenzie to bed and CJ and I went to bed too. Seb was still sleeping.
Ha ha ha. So that explains why I am up at 4:00 in the morning. After a good 12 hours of sleep, Seb decided it was time to get up from his nap. He was very hungry and thirsty ha ha ha. So now he is in our room watching The Backyardigans and eating Bear Paw cookies and drinking chocolate milk. I am tired…. Lol. Thank goodness its the weekend.

When everyone else wakes up I will see if mum wants to take the kids to church with me. It would be the second time I’ve been to church since moving back to Canada – yep bad catholic. In the afternoon the Woocks are coming over for a visit and a drink. Sue got back from Isle of Mann yesterday so it will be nice to catch up with her again.

Our front patio

Yesterday morning Angela & the kids came over to visit. While the kids played, she and I sat outside and chatted. I mentioned to her that we were planning on bringing the kids to Omi’s in the afternoon and that CJ and I were going to plant the flowerbed out front (we just had the patio finished last week). So Angela put together a plan for us. It was great!




By the way check out the flower yard out back this year. It looks nice.




After dropping the kids off, CJ and I hit Home Depot and then Terra’s (which has got to be the best nursery ever). We picked up a ton of cool plants including climbing vines, a weeping mulberry tree and a bunch of perennials. I also bought one annual because the colours were so pretty. So having the whole evening to ourselves, CJ and I headed home. We made ourselves a couple delicious G&T’s and started working. CJ even buried a soaker hose while we were planting and he will be hooking it up to our rain barrel – how Eco-friendly.

Here are some before and after pics of the fruits of our labours.















This is the planter I got from Terra’s a few weeks ago. I love it!

By 8:00 we were done. CJ grilled up some steaks and I made a fab salad and some kick-ass guacamole. We enjoyed a delicious dinner before retreating inside and watching a movie.
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Pinery Camping 2008

Too much to write about... so instead here are a few of my favourite camping moments…

Arriving at the park and setting up.



Heading to the beach for the first time.







Kids having fun





Roasting marshmallows around the fire.





Sebby falling asleep early on his “trying day” and sleeping 13 hours straight! (he had two bites that swelled up and made him miserable so he was a clingy, whiny mess all day. I was thrilled when he fell asleep.)

Coffee in the morning with guitar music.


Kids enjoying croquet.




The second day at the beach… the weather was perfect.








CJ and Brian playing guitars.


Bev doubled over with laughter when she realized that Helen was talking about putting the asparagus into her food cooler and not her (drink) cooler.


Pot luck dinner at our campsite.






Kids enjoying banana boats


Kids all coming to say goodbye… poor Boo was crying in the back seat. It broke my heart.


and I will leave you with this one....