El Mustachio

Ron's going to kill me for this post, but I can't help it. I found some older photos that I forgot about on the laptop.

Here is the reason why he should never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever grow a moustache again. The results are too funny to take him seriously.

And one more, shot in the "white trash" style:

I saw some ships a sailin'

So I finally am getting around to putting up pictures from last week of the tall ships. I love this festival! I could have gone both days on the weekend but I don't think the kids would have been up for it. There was a pirate activity centre with lots of neat stuff but you can only do that so many times...

The ship in the back with the slanted masts is a replica of the Amistad (you may remember the film) which has a very sad history. The story is better told in this link, if you are interested http://my-waterfront.ca/tallships/the-fleet?ship=19

What I found interesting is that all the ships look so much larger in the photos but when you get on them they are much smaller (most of them) I cannot imagine living on some of them and the conditions that people must have endured (especially slaves who were packed in level on top of level)

A look at the front end of the Amistad. The man in red is part of the crew that tells the story and answers questions.

The next ship was actually bigger than it looked in the photo, this one is American (of course) that was taken from the Germans as part of war reparations. It's now part of the US coast guard fleet.

Click here for more info

Ember refused to be in the photo :(

I love how all the rigging looks, and especially with the sails up

We only got to tour about four boats since it takes a while and Ember petered out quickly. Ron was nice enough to take Ember home for nap time and let Amelia and I stay to look. The last boat we saw was the Bounty (you may also remember the film "Mutiny on the Bounty")

This ship was also used in two of the Pirates of the Caribbean films.

Amelia unhappily posing so you can see the scale of the "baby canons" on the Bounty. We left shortly after.

In all it was an awesome day, warm but not hot with a cool breeze. Tonnes to see and do. It was soooo busy. There was also a lot going on with the 200th anniversary of the war of 1812, so lots of people in costume with muskets.

Ok last photo:

this is probably where the girls would have chosen to spend the whole day, if we let them. That be treasure they be finding! Yaaaarrrrgh!

crazy hair

I just love taking pictures of the girls when they have crazy hair or crazy expressions. Just thought I would share a few.

This one has both :)

I know they will hate that I saved all these silly photos, but I'll live with the consequences.

Lookin' for clues.

Covered in marker, sweeping the floor, crazy hair and that far away look. Does it get any better?

Amelia's self-styled hair.

Ice cream sandwiches and sprinklers

'Nuff said.

btw, that's not a bikini that Ember's wearing but a "kiwi"

Changes, part II

I had a short pang of sadness as I realized yesterday that it would be my last Friday morning with the girls for a while. I've got a job!!

Well... for a while. I was offered a temporary position at Nova Scotia Community College to fill in during summer and help out in September.  When I applied for a job with NSCC in February (see previous posting "Ch-ch-changes" or whatever I called it) the HR guy said it was close, but I thought he was just being nice. I guess it was closer than I thought. The position is mornings, 5 days a week and only lasts for 2.5 months, but it's a foot in the door and more experience for my resume (which was getting very out of date)

This time, I'm excited and not feeling torn. It will be the best of both worlds - making a little money, getting experience and interacting with adults in a different environment - plus we can still do fun family stuff in the afternoons and on weekends!

I was originally to start on the 16th July, then the 23rd, now they have finally agreed on the 18th so I can get trained before people leave on their vacation. Hmmm... now I just have to practice talking to adults and remember my training!! Wish me luck!

And oh yes, because these things always happen at once, Ron is going to Ottawa for about one month to do the Honour Guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is a real honour for CF members, so he will be gone July 23. Hopefully our transition will be smooth and I will be able to handle the girls myself. This is the first time in almost 2 years that Ron will be away for any length of time, so that will take some getting used to again! EEek! Wish me more luck -LOL!!

Since I hate posting without pictures, here is are some shots from one year ago in honour of our first year in Halifax.

Those hot summer nights...

are causing the Smith family some sleepless nights!

Both girls are napping now, which is unusual since Amelia has stopped napping a long time ago. She usually has quiet time in her room where she can read or play quietly. Not today. Getting to sleep at around 9pm last night and being up at 6:15am this morning will do that to a 2 and 3 year old.

It also doesn't help that our house is like a sauna, the sun is still shining until 9:30pm, and the girls are now sharing a room (most of the time). I have been trying to transition the girls into sharing a room for about 2 months, but in hindsight this time of the year was not the best choice - given the factors above. The novelty of being in the same room has not worn off yet, so there is still a lot of giggling, jumping from bed-to-bed, potty breaks, and the occasional quarrel. Oh well, that's the way it goes I suppose!

I'm glad we don't have the heatwave that's happening in the US, or we will all be moving into the basement and I'll be sleeping on the couch!

This was taken at Grandma Carol's in April after the girls stayed up partying until around 11pm

I hope everyone is staying cool, as you enjoy these hot summer days (and nights!)

First beach day!

We had our first beach day of the year on Sunday. It was a perfect day, so hot you actually wanted to jump in the cold ocean! It didn't even feel as cold as usual.

This year we plan to make it to the beach (any beach - there are lots to choose from) as often as possible. We might as well enjoy the coastal living while we are here!

Take a look at the beautiful mermaids I found in the sand!!

I know it's been almost a month since my last posting. We have been keeping busy but I don't always take the time to do this as often as I would like to. I am realizing that I don't always need to make my postings long and detailed as a letter would be. I'm going to try to write some shorter postings more often and see how that works for me. Y'all are be no means obligated to read every single one!!