Monday, December 07, 2009
Monday, November 02, 2009
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
More photos..
Today I finally put my trusty Nikon D70 to rest. Still taking great shots up to and including today.
Times are a changin and i finally bit the bullet to upgrade to the new D90.
Times are a changin and i finally bit the bullet to upgrade to the new D90.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 02, 2009
Not a momment too soon....
October 2nd... it is five days until Julie's due date. Julianne and I were out last night at the Leafs home openner. (the lost to the Habs 4-3 with 12 seconds left in OT) Julie's mom stayed over to watch Russell and she helps watch the little guy as we get ready in the morning. I leave for work and shortly after, Julie takes Russell to daycare and then, to the Nissan dealership to get the oil changed in the Altima.
Around 10 in the morning I get a call from Julianne who is at the dealership. She says she feeling mild contractions around 10 minutes apart. Now for our long term readers, you may recal when Russell was born, we ended up going to the hospital twice. First we were sent back because the contractions weren't strong enough and Julianne wasn't dialated enough. see LCBO night!!! (aka - Russell day -1) When they finally did admit us, we were in the hospital for over 18 hours until the final push came. See Russell Day 0.
So with this news, i figure the baby is coming today or tomorrow, pretty much just like Russell. (4 days early again) I tell Julie to call me immediately if anything changes but we agree to go about our day.
Closer to noon, Julie calls again. She is at home now, not much change in the contractions. She asks if I can pick Russell up from daycare around 3:30. This would be after his nap. At this time, Russell is actually out in Whitby apple picking with his class. I agree I'll leave work early and get Russell after his nap.
I trekked down to Yonge and Eglinton with some coworkers to a Mexican restraunt. Chimichanga...really good, authentic Mexican cuisine. (verified by my Mexican coworkers) I get back to the office at 2, and receive another call. It's Julianne again. The contractions are getting stronger and are about 7 minutes apart. I leave work immediately. Julie asks that I pick up Russell on my way home and she will ask her Mom to come from work to watch him. Now in my head i'm still thinking no problem. The "book" says if its your 2nd baby, come to the hospital if contractions are between 5-7 minutes. Then I figure even if labour is twice as fast as last time, this baby isnt coming until after midnight.
I get Russell around 2:30 and get home about 2:50. By this time, Julie's contractions are quite strong. I still have the magic 5-7 minutes in my head and she says they're still about 7 minutes apart. We're back on the road to the hospital in a few short minutes. Of course its easy to tell when the contractions are because she's squeezing my hand every time one come. According to the clock on the dash board there was one around 3:00pm.... next one was 3:04 !!! whoa, that ain't no 7 minutes!!! Next one was around 3:07 then around 3:11 and we're parked at the hospital.
Roughly 3:15 we arrive at the reception desk to the maternity ward. Some other couple is there registering. (not having a baby, just giving their info) Julie has to sit down by the desk and holds me as another contraction comes over. I'm anxiously trying to get the lady's attention and she eventually takes our health card and hospital card. I ask her if we should go straight to triage but she makes a wait as another contraction come over Julie. Finally, she lets us go ahead.
We get into the triage room and there's no available nurses. One nurse quickly gives Julie a gown to put on and promptly dissappears to attend to another patient. Julie gets her top off, and the gown over her head when another contraction sweeps over her. She sits back down on the chair beside the bed as she holds on to me. Julie says "Ron, I think this baby is coming now!!!" The nurse must have overheard as she popped back and told Julie to get on the bed, get on the bed right now. She partially pull Julie to the bed as she still held on to me. Another contraction and the nurse is telling Julie to lie on her side and breathe and NOT to push. The nurse and I scramble to pull of Julianne's pants. I can't remember anything about how to breathe but I'm trying to help Julie as she's clearly feeling the pressure. The nurse is now frantically trying to call for help and telling Julianne not to push.... just then.... WHOOSH... Julie's water sprays all over the table and halfway across the triage room. She rolls from her side to her back and I look down only to see baby's face!!! I say the head is out !!! and the nurse is still frantically telling Julianne not to push... seconds later Julianne whinces again and the entire baby is out on the triage table!!! The nurse is calling for blankets and finally the blankets and the docters and interns all arrive. I take a good look at the baby, its moving, its breathing okay, and look once, twice, a third time before I tell Julianne that it's a girl !!! The nurse asks me what time it is... I look down at my watch and respond... 3:28.
(so backtracking here... Julie did cave in and asked the ultrasound technician to write the sex of the baby in the file so she could find out from her Doctor if she wanted to. Eventually she asked, and was told that we were expecting a Boy!!)
The next 90 minutes or so were filled with us moving to an actually room, weighing the baby (7lbs 4oz) a string of visits from the doctor or nurse to do some of the paperwork that is usually done when checking in.
In the momments between the visits, Julianne and I just looked at each other, and looked at the baby (still to be named) somewhat in disbelief in how fast everything just happened, what may have happened if she came just a minute sooner, and how perfect our newest little one was.
Around 10 in the morning I get a call from Julianne who is at the dealership. She says she feeling mild contractions around 10 minutes apart. Now for our long term readers, you may recal when Russell was born, we ended up going to the hospital twice. First we were sent back because the contractions weren't strong enough and Julianne wasn't dialated enough. see LCBO night!!! (aka - Russell day -1) When they finally did admit us, we were in the hospital for over 18 hours until the final push came. See Russell Day 0.
So with this news, i figure the baby is coming today or tomorrow, pretty much just like Russell. (4 days early again) I tell Julie to call me immediately if anything changes but we agree to go about our day.
Closer to noon, Julie calls again. She is at home now, not much change in the contractions. She asks if I can pick Russell up from daycare around 3:30. This would be after his nap. At this time, Russell is actually out in Whitby apple picking with his class. I agree I'll leave work early and get Russell after his nap.
I trekked down to Yonge and Eglinton with some coworkers to a Mexican restraunt. Chimichanga...really good, authentic Mexican cuisine. (verified by my Mexican coworkers) I get back to the office at 2, and receive another call. It's Julianne again. The contractions are getting stronger and are about 7 minutes apart. I leave work immediately. Julie asks that I pick up Russell on my way home and she will ask her Mom to come from work to watch him. Now in my head i'm still thinking no problem. The "book" says if its your 2nd baby, come to the hospital if contractions are between 5-7 minutes. Then I figure even if labour is twice as fast as last time, this baby isnt coming until after midnight.
I get Russell around 2:30 and get home about 2:50. By this time, Julie's contractions are quite strong. I still have the magic 5-7 minutes in my head and she says they're still about 7 minutes apart. We're back on the road to the hospital in a few short minutes. Of course its easy to tell when the contractions are because she's squeezing my hand every time one come. According to the clock on the dash board there was one around 3:00pm.... next one was 3:04 !!! whoa, that ain't no 7 minutes!!! Next one was around 3:07 then around 3:11 and we're parked at the hospital.
Roughly 3:15 we arrive at the reception desk to the maternity ward. Some other couple is there registering. (not having a baby, just giving their info) Julie has to sit down by the desk and holds me as another contraction comes over. I'm anxiously trying to get the lady's attention and she eventually takes our health card and hospital card. I ask her if we should go straight to triage but she makes a wait as another contraction come over Julie. Finally, she lets us go ahead.
We get into the triage room and there's no available nurses. One nurse quickly gives Julie a gown to put on and promptly dissappears to attend to another patient. Julie gets her top off, and the gown over her head when another contraction sweeps over her. She sits back down on the chair beside the bed as she holds on to me. Julie says "Ron, I think this baby is coming now!!!" The nurse must have overheard as she popped back and told Julie to get on the bed, get on the bed right now. She partially pull Julie to the bed as she still held on to me. Another contraction and the nurse is telling Julie to lie on her side and breathe and NOT to push. The nurse and I scramble to pull of Julianne's pants. I can't remember anything about how to breathe but I'm trying to help Julie as she's clearly feeling the pressure. The nurse is now frantically trying to call for help and telling Julianne not to push.... just then.... WHOOSH... Julie's water sprays all over the table and halfway across the triage room. She rolls from her side to her back and I look down only to see baby's face!!! I say the head is out !!! and the nurse is still frantically telling Julianne not to push... seconds later Julianne whinces again and the entire baby is out on the triage table!!! The nurse is calling for blankets and finally the blankets and the docters and interns all arrive. I take a good look at the baby, its moving, its breathing okay, and look once, twice, a third time before I tell Julianne that it's a girl !!! The nurse asks me what time it is... I look down at my watch and respond... 3:28.
(so backtracking here... Julie did cave in and asked the ultrasound technician to write the sex of the baby in the file so she could find out from her Doctor if she wanted to. Eventually she asked, and was told that we were expecting a Boy!!)
The next 90 minutes or so were filled with us moving to an actually room, weighing the baby (7lbs 4oz) a string of visits from the doctor or nurse to do some of the paperwork that is usually done when checking in.
In the momments between the visits, Julianne and I just looked at each other, and looked at the baby (still to be named) somewhat in disbelief in how fast everything just happened, what may have happened if she came just a minute sooner, and how perfect our newest little one was.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
September 29th, Just one of those days
approx 4:00 am Russell wakes up and asks for Daddy. I go down to fix his blanket and fall back asleep on his bedroom floor.
6:45 am - all is quiet in Russell's room, I can slip back up to my bed to get a bit more sleep until the alarm goes off... however, when i go to check the time upstairs the lights are out on the clock... damn the power is off, what time is it? Checking my phone i see its almost 10 to 7, the alarm is usually set for 6. I wake Julianne and scramble to get ready in the dark. New problems is that without power, the boiler won't start so theres no hot water. Also Julianne can't get her car out of the garage because we can't move the lift so I'm now dropping Russ at daycare and Julie at work instead of going in early.
8:45 am - in the morning scramble to get to work, i've forgotten my access card for the office so i'm pretty much stuck to the desk all day borrowing a pass for bathroom breaks.
4:30 pm - have to leave work early to pick up Julianne and drive her to her farewell dinner near Yonge and Eg. Still have to drop her off and pick up Russell before 6pm.
5:00 pm - realize that Julianne has forgotten her purse at work. Everyone is gone for the day so she has no phone, car keys or wallet. Strategize for tomorrow to get bag as today was her last day at that office.
6:00 pm - pick up Russell from daycare and went to McDonalds for dinner. Great playland at Vic Park and St Clair except have to struggle with Russ to get him to finish his food before releasing him to the play area.
7:00 pm - takes a turn for the worse... Get home, power is thankfully back on but the garage door wont go up. Leave Russ in the car in the lane as i go in to try to get it working. Get it up manually be door is crooked and wont close correctly.
8:30 pm - Julie gets home, Russ is in bed asleep and I go back to the garage to fuss with the door. I serious screw it up and the cables come off the rollers. Concede and phone a service company. Rate is $65 to come tomorrow or over $200 to come tonight. I send an email to my PM to work from home and schedule an appointment for the next day.
9:30 pm - Julie is feeling pains in her tummy and starts timing the gaps... phones her mom to come down incase we need to jet to the hospital. I go back to the garage to see if I can atleast open the door to get the car out. Oh and if you recall Julie forgot her purse at work, of course her heath card is there too.
10:00 pm - Garage door is now totally screwed. Can't move it at all. I call the repair guys back and change the appointment from tomorrow to ASAP.
10:45 pm - Julie's mom arrives. Julianne is still feeling pain and I'm scrambling to ensure all our bags are packed.
11:10 pm - garage guy arrives. $225 for the visit plus parts. He puts the cable back but the door is really sticking as it rolls up and down manually. Hasn't tried it under power and he starts telling me all these things i need. New rollers $150. Suck that up and agree to change them. Job takes about 5 minutes. Now strongly recommends a surge protector for $50 and a new coil for another $140. There's not fricken way i'm dropping another $200 when the door is now working.
12:10 am - Julianne and her mom are asleep on the couch, her pain is subsiding. I pour a scotch to unwind a bit, but still need to get Russell's stuff together for daycare tomorrow.
1:00 am - finally get to bed but can't really sleep. Start web surfing on the phone.
approx 2:00am - Russell wakes so I go down to fix his blanket and finally fall asleep on his floor again. Good night.
6:45 am - all is quiet in Russell's room, I can slip back up to my bed to get a bit more sleep until the alarm goes off... however, when i go to check the time upstairs the lights are out on the clock... damn the power is off, what time is it? Checking my phone i see its almost 10 to 7, the alarm is usually set for 6. I wake Julianne and scramble to get ready in the dark. New problems is that without power, the boiler won't start so theres no hot water. Also Julianne can't get her car out of the garage because we can't move the lift so I'm now dropping Russ at daycare and Julie at work instead of going in early.
8:45 am - in the morning scramble to get to work, i've forgotten my access card for the office so i'm pretty much stuck to the desk all day borrowing a pass for bathroom breaks.
4:30 pm - have to leave work early to pick up Julianne and drive her to her farewell dinner near Yonge and Eg. Still have to drop her off and pick up Russell before 6pm.
5:00 pm - realize that Julianne has forgotten her purse at work. Everyone is gone for the day so she has no phone, car keys or wallet. Strategize for tomorrow to get bag as today was her last day at that office.
6:00 pm - pick up Russell from daycare and went to McDonalds for dinner. Great playland at Vic Park and St Clair except have to struggle with Russ to get him to finish his food before releasing him to the play area.
7:00 pm - takes a turn for the worse... Get home, power is thankfully back on but the garage door wont go up. Leave Russ in the car in the lane as i go in to try to get it working. Get it up manually be door is crooked and wont close correctly.
8:30 pm - Julie gets home, Russ is in bed asleep and I go back to the garage to fuss with the door. I serious screw it up and the cables come off the rollers. Concede and phone a service company. Rate is $65 to come tomorrow or over $200 to come tonight. I send an email to my PM to work from home and schedule an appointment for the next day.
9:30 pm - Julie is feeling pains in her tummy and starts timing the gaps... phones her mom to come down incase we need to jet to the hospital. I go back to the garage to see if I can atleast open the door to get the car out. Oh and if you recall Julie forgot her purse at work, of course her heath card is there too.
10:00 pm - Garage door is now totally screwed. Can't move it at all. I call the repair guys back and change the appointment from tomorrow to ASAP.
10:45 pm - Julie's mom arrives. Julianne is still feeling pain and I'm scrambling to ensure all our bags are packed.
11:10 pm - garage guy arrives. $225 for the visit plus parts. He puts the cable back but the door is really sticking as it rolls up and down manually. Hasn't tried it under power and he starts telling me all these things i need. New rollers $150. Suck that up and agree to change them. Job takes about 5 minutes. Now strongly recommends a surge protector for $50 and a new coil for another $140. There's not fricken way i'm dropping another $200 when the door is now working.
12:10 am - Julianne and her mom are asleep on the couch, her pain is subsiding. I pour a scotch to unwind a bit, but still need to get Russell's stuff together for daycare tomorrow.
1:00 am - finally get to bed but can't really sleep. Start web surfing on the phone.
approx 2:00am - Russell wakes so I go down to fix his blanket and finally fall asleep on his floor again. Good night.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Fast asleep
So every night I check on Russell before going to bed and his sleeping positions are usually good for a laugh. This is tonight.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Moon man
Russell often points out the moon in the morning sky. Today however, he added some more commentary. 'I go up there'.
The question is in his lifetime would he go as a job or a tourist?
The question is in his lifetime would he go as a job or a tourist?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
It's alive!
When I got home on Saturday after eating ribs in mist, we all pretty much stripped down to bathe and tossed our clothes in the wash. Some time later Julie checks on the dryer as it's making a lot of noise for just Zippers and buttons. I'm summoned to the kitchen to find Julianne trying to put the battey back into her very moist cell phone.
The phone went through the entire wash cycle and half of the dryer. The phone was unresponsive.
I told Julie to let it dry over night. The next morning tried again and it all started up. Everything worked except the microphone so you could hear incomming voices but could not be heard. We discussed new phone options but we didn't have time to visit Rogers till Monday. Monday afternoon we retried the phone and it all works fine.
Basically if you have a dirty motorola phone, it's fine on the cold water cycle and a gentle dryer. Just make sure you give it two days to recover.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Potty Time
Okay, so last week we bought Russell a potty. We haven't been too good about sitting him down at regualar times each day. Wednesday, I caught him just a the begining of a pooh, so I rushed him over to the potty where he finished his business.
Tonight before bath he asked for the potty, sat down and quickly got down to some bladder business.
Great job Russell.
Tonight before bath he asked for the potty, sat down and quickly got down to some bladder business.
Great job Russell.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tigress Woods
Just skimming through some old photos and found a great one of Julie. Too bad she had to take a break from golf. She would probably be lifting the Lumber cup in victory this year if she had kept playing. Just check out the form.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Trinidad & Tobago 2009
So another month, and another flight with Russell. This time, the flight was twice as long as it was to Orlando but this time Russell had his own seat. Over the 5 1/2 hour flight he was pretty good. Slept a bit, cried a bit, ate a bit and watched movies a bit so we really can't complain.
This trip was all about packing and unpacking. We spent the first two nights at Grandpa Ken's place. Saturday was Alyssa's wedding & reception at the Trinidad Hilton. I booked a room on my Hilton points knowing that it would be better to have a bed close by for Russell to crash after dinner. That Hilton status paid off with a few complimentary drinks, and free buffet brunch for 4 (incl Russ) the next day. Probably worth an extra $150 on top of the room. After that night, it was back to Grandpa's for another night, then the next day a 20 minute flight to Tobago for four days.
Grandpa rented a wonderful villa in Tobago with a great pool and the odd indoor lizard. Finally unpacked for a few days. We took Russ on a glass bottom boat tour to see the coral reef, a little snorkeling and the Bucco Reef and the Nylon pool. Russell loved the water. We'll definitely have to get in more swimming this summer. I even got in a round of golf.
Finally we flew back to Trinidad & one more night with Grandpa before the flight home.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
A Rollercoster of a day...
Good news.
It's Sunday and its the first day of the golf season for me. The sun is shining, the forcast is great have a smooth ride up to the course. What a great start.
Bad news.
I get to the course for 9am because they sheet says the first tee off is at 9:30. Execpt, when i get there, they say 1st off is at 10:30 and I'm in the 7th group, so I'll probably start around 11:30. So instead of meeting Julianne at 3:30 like i said, I now have to call her back to explain it will be more like 5:30 or 6pm.
More bad news.
I start my round with a 9 then a 6, then a 10. Yes, 12 over par after 3 holes. Finish the front 9 with a 58.
Good news.
Louis is beating me by 7 strokes after 9 holes. I smuggly tell him that I'll still beat him today. He leads by 9 strokes by the 11th hole. Then by 6 strokes after 12, then by 3 strokes after 13, then tied by the 16. All in all, I did beat him by 3 strokes. Finished the back 9 with a 47.
Better news...
I met Julianne and Russell at Dairy Queen where George and Yvonne were very generous with us. I'm still stuffed with Ice Cream.
Terrible news...
So i get home. Empty my pockets onto the bed so I can change my pants. I take off my belt and gently lob it onto the bed, when i hear a sickly cracking sound.
The horror!!!
The phone works but I get little shards of glass in my fingers when i use it. I really need to get this fixed this week as Russell watches Disney cartoons on it. It's a must have item for the flight.
It's Sunday and its the first day of the golf season for me. The sun is shining, the forcast is great have a smooth ride up to the course. What a great start.
Bad news.
I get to the course for 9am because they sheet says the first tee off is at 9:30. Execpt, when i get there, they say 1st off is at 10:30 and I'm in the 7th group, so I'll probably start around 11:30. So instead of meeting Julianne at 3:30 like i said, I now have to call her back to explain it will be more like 5:30 or 6pm.
More bad news.
I start my round with a 9 then a 6, then a 10. Yes, 12 over par after 3 holes. Finish the front 9 with a 58.
Good news.
Louis is beating me by 7 strokes after 9 holes. I smuggly tell him that I'll still beat him today. He leads by 9 strokes by the 11th hole. Then by 6 strokes after 12, then by 3 strokes after 13, then tied by the 16. All in all, I did beat him by 3 strokes. Finished the back 9 with a 47.
Better news...
I met Julianne and Russell at Dairy Queen where George and Yvonne were very generous with us. I'm still stuffed with Ice Cream.
Terrible news...
So i get home. Empty my pockets onto the bed so I can change my pants. I take off my belt and gently lob it onto the bed, when i hear a sickly cracking sound.
The horror!!!
The phone works but I get little shards of glass in my fingers when i use it. I really need to get this fixed this week as Russell watches Disney cartoons on it. It's a must have item for the flight.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Russell's Birthday Party
Unfortunately, Daddy scheduled the party on the same day as the BMO Wonderland day, but Russell still had a great time.
Singing Happy Birthday
Opening a gift
Dancing to the Thomas Theme
Singing Happy Birthday
Opening a gift
Dancing to the Thomas Theme
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Brunch with the mommy group
Angela invited us and the other families in Russell's postnatal class for Brunch on Saturday. It was a great opportunity for Russell to see some of his old friends. Carys, Sophia, and Delaney all go to Graydon Hall Nursery so it's been a while since Russell has seen them.
Watching Diego
(Russell actually looks like the smallest here. It was very cute, Carys said "Russell, sit here" Lucky little guy)
For reference...(1 year ago)
Hugs for Carys
Too much Zoolander for Russell
Watching Diego
(Russell actually looks like the smallest here. It was very cute, Carys said "Russell, sit here" Lucky little guy)
For reference...(1 year ago)
Hugs for Carys
Too much Zoolander for Russell
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Disney Trip
I was going to rewrite this post but in a nutshell, here is what happened on the trip in bullet form.
Mar 28 day1 - travel
We got a pretty late start today as we had a few false starts getting to the airport. Fortunately we arrived at park n fly with perfect timing as the shuttle pulled up as we quickly unloaded. AirTransat had a bonus for us with child loot bags including a beachball, etchasketch pad & kid sized headphones.
Mar 29 day2 - overcast
the buffet breakfast at ponderosa. $3.99, what a bargin
buy some essentials for the condo. Milk, OJ, Grapes, KD, Ketchup, etc.
At the Super Target, the checkout girl did not know what ginger was. Welcome to the USA.
drove to Texas Roadhouse for dinner (paid toll) but decided it was too early to eat.
drove to outlet mall - bought nothing (except for paying the toll again)
drove back for dinner at Texas roadhouse (yes, toll again)
drove back to condo... yes, more tolls.
Mar 30 Day 3 - Disney Animal Kingdom
straight to animal safari
lunch @ pizzasafari
tough to be a bug 3D movie
playing in the bone yard
Mar 31 Day 4 - Disney Magic Kingdom
trains trains trains
Tram from the parking lot to the ticket gates
Monorail from the ticket gates to the front gate
Disney Railroad around the park
Russell was in Choo-Choo heaven.
rode tomorrowland speedway with Russ
buzz lightyears space ranger spin
photo with Buzz
lunch as cosmic diner
small world
winnie the pooh ride
Carousel
Disney railroad
Apr 1 Day 5 - Shopping
breakfast @ Sizzlers ($4.99 and not as good as Ponderosa)
find a walmart
Premium Outlet mall (Bought nothing again)
Orange World (Bought Grapefruit)
Russell naps in the car
Downtown Disney
Apr 2 Day 6 - Disney magic kingdom
fast pass perfected - as you can see by out increased ride count
Aladin's Magic carpet
Enchanted Tiki Room
Lunch - tacos
Jungle safari
Tomorrowland Speedway (again but with Mommy this time)
Tomorrowland Transit
Peter Pan's flight (Russell did not like the dark)
Teacups
disney railroad
Apr 3 Day 7 - pool party
breakfast @ ihop
back to Walmart
swimming
dinner @ Kobe
Disney Boardwalk
Apr 4 Day 8 - departure day
breakfast & packing
Mall of Millenia (Bought nothing)
Cheesecake Factory for lunch
Killing more time at Millenia
Festival Bay mall (Bought some Quicksilver flipflops for Russ)
Prime outlets mall
Returned the rental car and got to the airport.
Our already late flight was delayed. Departed after midnight. Russ fell asleep just before boarding.
Russell wiggled and whined occassionally during the flight, arrived at Pearson after 3am
Got bags around 4am. Massive line for Park N Fly shuttle so daddy squeezed on without any luggage to get the car and come back for Mommy and Russell.
Home and in bed at 5am.
Mar 28 day1 - travel
We got a pretty late start today as we had a few false starts getting to the airport. Fortunately we arrived at park n fly with perfect timing as the shuttle pulled up as we quickly unloaded. AirTransat had a bonus for us with child loot bags including a beachball, etchasketch pad & kid sized headphones.
Mar 29 day2 - overcast
the buffet breakfast at ponderosa. $3.99, what a bargin
buy some essentials for the condo. Milk, OJ, Grapes, KD, Ketchup, etc.
At the Super Target, the checkout girl did not know what ginger was. Welcome to the USA.
drove to Texas Roadhouse for dinner (paid toll) but decided it was too early to eat.
drove to outlet mall - bought nothing (except for paying the toll again)
drove back for dinner at Texas roadhouse (yes, toll again)
drove back to condo... yes, more tolls.
Mar 30 Day 3 - Disney Animal Kingdom
straight to animal safari
lunch @ pizzasafari
tough to be a bug 3D movie
playing in the bone yard
Mar 31 Day 4 - Disney Magic Kingdom
trains trains trains
Tram from the parking lot to the ticket gates
Monorail from the ticket gates to the front gate
Disney Railroad around the park
Russell was in Choo-Choo heaven.
rode tomorrowland speedway with Russ
buzz lightyears space ranger spin
photo with Buzz
lunch as cosmic diner
small world
winnie the pooh ride
Carousel
Disney railroad
Apr 1 Day 5 - Shopping
breakfast @ Sizzlers ($4.99 and not as good as Ponderosa)
find a walmart
Premium Outlet mall (Bought nothing again)
Orange World (Bought Grapefruit)
Russell naps in the car
Downtown Disney
Apr 2 Day 6 - Disney magic kingdom
fast pass perfected - as you can see by out increased ride count
Aladin's Magic carpet
Enchanted Tiki Room
Lunch - tacos
Jungle safari
Tomorrowland Speedway (again but with Mommy this time)
Tomorrowland Transit
Peter Pan's flight (Russell did not like the dark)
Teacups
disney railroad
Apr 3 Day 7 - pool party
breakfast @ ihop
back to Walmart
swimming
dinner @ Kobe
Disney Boardwalk
Apr 4 Day 8 - departure day
breakfast & packing
Mall of Millenia (Bought nothing)
Cheesecake Factory for lunch
Killing more time at Millenia
Festival Bay mall (Bought some Quicksilver flipflops for Russ)
Prime outlets mall
Returned the rental car and got to the airport.
Our already late flight was delayed. Departed after midnight. Russ fell asleep just before boarding.
Russell wiggled and whined occassionally during the flight, arrived at Pearson after 3am
Got bags around 4am. Massive line for Park N Fly shuttle so daddy squeezed on without any luggage to get the car and come back for Mommy and Russell.
Home and in bed at 5am.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Russell's Raspberries
Russell has figured out the most ergonomic way to consume raspberries, provided you have small finger tips.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Cobra Kai in the Tabata Dojo
Russell started the day trying to sweeten up Mommy.
and it worked.
Later on, we invited Kai over for Burgers and some play time.
and it worked.
Later on, we invited Kai over for Burgers and some play time.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Russell's Car Review
Russell loves cars. Infact, his teachers at daycare commented on how excited he gets with all forms of transporation... cars, trucks, buses, trains and airplanes. Infact he can say Airplane in Japanese... "Hikooki" When he was upset with daddy leaving him at daycare, they would give him a matchbox or hotwheels car and he would be very happy.
Since Russell was so happy with them at school, naturally, daddy had to select a few cars that Russell could play with (with daddy) at home.
The first two in the collection were the 1964 Alfa Romeo GTA, and the 2008 Tesla Roadster. Daddy had to get at least two cars, because what would daddy play with while Russell was playing with the other one.
Start with a classic. The Alfa Romeo GTA has always been one of daddy's favourites. We found that the Matchbox version has a higher center of gravity and is prone to oversteer. This is great for making skidding motions across the floor, but is prone to flipping over.
The other car was the Tesla Roadster. This pick was really more of a statement to the world in which Russell is entering. The Tesla is the first modern all electric sports car and is historically sigificant. As you can see, it is ultra low to the ground with just over 1mm of clearance. Handling is much different from the Alfa with more weight up front it is much more stable. However, more stability does relate in a little less fun in the driving experience.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Julia's 5th Birthday
We were all very excited when we were invited to Julia's 5th Birthday Party. It was going to be a long day, starting around noon at the indoor playground, and well through dinner at Mike & Sheryl's. Russell napped in the morning before we left but after 2 hours of running and eating he still needed a 30 minute power nap in the car.
He had a great time with all the kids.
Russell hamming it up at dessert... (hijacked from Julia's blog site.)
He had a great time with all the kids.
Russell hamming it up at dessert... (hijacked from Julia's blog site.)
Monday, February 02, 2009
Busy weekend
Friday was Russell's last day at Graydon Hall Daycare. I think Mommy and Daddy are going to miss the staff and all the attention Russell got there. He was a real celebrity around there with even most of the parents there knowing him by name. I think Russell is going to miss the blonde haired, blue eyed girls. Not too many of those at Ikebata.
Saturday we drove to KW to visit Quentin and Kim & Grantley. Quentin was very excited to meet Russell and gave him a detailed update as to what he's been upto. Unfortunatly, the rest of us just heard babbling.
Sunday we took a long overdue walk thanks to the nice weather. Later, Russell settled down for a bit to watch some football. (unfortunatly, Daddy didn't)
Monday Russell started his new daycare. Ikebata is a Japanese/English bilingual daycare. He was pretty unsure this morning about starting something new. I hope he's okay. We'll find out when Mommy brings him home later.
Saturday we drove to KW to visit Quentin and Kim & Grantley. Quentin was very excited to meet Russell and gave him a detailed update as to what he's been upto. Unfortunatly, the rest of us just heard babbling.
Sunday we took a long overdue walk thanks to the nice weather. Later, Russell settled down for a bit to watch some football. (unfortunatly, Daddy didn't)
Monday Russell started his new daycare. Ikebata is a Japanese/English bilingual daycare. He was pretty unsure this morning about starting something new. I hope he's okay. We'll find out when Mommy brings him home later.
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