May Long Weekend

I can't recall the last long weekend we spent at home instead of in a vehicle traveling to see friends or relatives. We love going out and spending time with you and miss being close by. However, gas is at a premium and -- I'm kidding! That's never stopped us before, though it would make sense. No, we just needed a break, and we were in Calgary last weekend.

It was gorgeous outside! It was too nice to be inside, so we all enjoyed the sunshine. Of course, Judah was continually escaping from our yard, so I consulted my neighbour and built a make-shift fence to keep him penned in. I built a stand and ladder from the scrap wood in our yard for the slide we found on its way to the dump for the other two kids. Then we raked the dead grass from our lawn and loosened the dirt in the multiple dead spots to prepare them for seeding. The yard was in slightly better shape than the trailer when we arrived, but we figured it was more important to take care of the interior first before even considering the exterior. Faith also dug up the old flowerbeds in the backyard and removed all the sod and rocks. There are 4 garbage bags full of pine needles and grass just waiting to be hauled away somewhere. I know how non-green that sounds, but at least wherever it goes, it's biodegradable. That's only half of the junk! Oh well.

I scolded Judah a few times for playing with my tools while I was building the fence. One of those times there was a nail sticking out of a board that Judah found with his thigh when he sat down from the shock of being reprimanded. He's fine. No tetanus...

I also went to take Micah on a bike ride on Friday night, but when he went outside he made an oopsie. I opened the door to find Micah standing there with a stunned look on his face and yellow paint all over his chest, legs, and shoes. I quickly assessed that the paint was Acrylic (phew!) and removed his shirt, getting yellow paint all over his face. I then rushed him to the back yard where I hosed him down. He was shocked multiple times. You know, at first you flinch because the water is so hot from the hose lying in the sun, and when you've adjusted to that temperature it turns ice cold and more flinching happens. We saved the shoes and pants, but his favorite shirt of the day was ruined.

On Sunday we went to Sunday School with plans for a picnic afterwards with some friends. Well, We hadn't planned on Sunday School being canceled. I guess that's what happens when you miss a week and it wasn't announced or in the bulletin the week before. So we ended up getting plants for the freshly tilled soil in the flowerbeds and a bit of play sand for the sandbox. Then we went to church where Faith was scheduled for nursery.

Then we went for lunch at the park in the middle of Moose Jaw. Faith made some awesome fried chicken which we enjoyed, and the kids all played in the playground. Aslynn let go of the swing at one point and went flying into the sand with a thud. I was afraid she was winded, but she got up with some help, spit the sand out of her mouth, and didn't even cry (which is a little unusual for her). Judah laughed most of the time. It sure helps to have friends around with kids close to the same age as yours also. Jon & Amy were there with their two kids, Elijah and Gracie.

It was all so relaxing. I didn't care that I got a sunburn even. Why should it matter? It happens every year anyway. The less hair I have, the brighter red I turn. Oh well - at least we are all reminded to put on sunscreen once I start changing colours. Even Micah...

- Mark