Mad Scientists

Kyle and I are working on some shapes using some strange material.  Look at the focus on us young scientists.  If only we always had that focus in our classroom. 

The Whitecoats

Off to the lab, to do some experiments.  Is that lemon juice on the table?  What in the world of mad science are we going to be doing?

Whose Got the Answer?

Following the tour of the animals, we were brought into a classroom setting to learn a little bit more of what we had just seen.  Looks like a few of us remembered what he had learned. 

Sheeps

Sheesh, this sheep sure is friendly.  Hey Mister sheep, can you spare some wool?  We sure could use a warm sweater.  Winter's over but it's still pretty cool out. 

Pat, Pat

This black cow seems to enjoy a nice petting, in the same way that Marley does.  A little scratch behind the ears always feels good.  Hey mom, I can handle this.  Is there room in our backyard?

Look out behind

There's a calf about to give you a nudge Soren!  Mooooove out of the way. 

Single file

Keep in a line.  I bet the farmers use this technique for the animals because they sure seem good at controlling this. 

Back of the class

Here I am at the back of the class, enjoying the opportunity of a little bit of clowning around.  However, Mommy is on the camera and she's going to keep me in line. 

Paying attention

Since this was a school trip, it was still very disciplined - well, probably more disciplined than my class room.  There's Mme Diane with the glasses enjoying the action and not being the teacher for a change. 

Field Trip

This was a great way to spend a school day - down at the farm!  The experimental farm that is.  The best part is Mommy got to come along as a parent supervisor and thus all these great photos. 

Our Kettle Boys

We've been branded and now we are the Kettle Boys.  This wooden block was branded by one of the boys using a piping hot metal brander.   Fortunately, it was our wood that was branded. 

Smoky Vat

This really is hard to believe that maple syrup comes from this, but it sure is mesmerizing watching the heat and smoke rise from this.  I wonder, can I dip a pancake in this? 

Hot, Hot, Hot

This can't be the dippy, I know!  I like my dippy cold on top of my French toast and pancakes.  I don't like it steaming hot and in a massive vat.  Mommy, this can't be the same stuff. 

More crafts

The rapid melt which occurred this year dramatically affected the maple syrup production.  It also reduced the number of visitors at Fortune Farms, despite the always entertaining Kettle boys.  They sure had us mesmerized. 

Carvings

This reminded us of the great market in Havana where numerous arts & crafts were sold.  The early spring thaw with temperatures soaring into the high 20's in March didn't hurt either.  Although I don't see the throngs of tourists or hawkers.  Yet, the Kettle Boys had some really neat stuff. 

Fortune Farms

This was a real cool visit to see where our dippy comes from.  In the spirit of a Sugarbush, we went to Fortune Farms to check out the Kettle boys and learn how our maple syrup is made.  Imagine, we had this stuff in Santo Domingo and we didn't know it came from Canada. 

Mr. Potato Head

No, I'm not calling little cousin Conor a Potato head, even if he is Irish.  I'm showing him how to create a cool looking Mr. Potato Head.  All this up at the Wipe House, where we go to play in the Winter Wonderland. 

Step by Step

This was clearly a challenging puzzle which required some serious studying of the instructions.  Even though Darius loves Star Wars too, perhaps it was best that I work on this alone.  He can enjoy it when it's ready to play with.  That could be another month...

Star Wars Lego

This one of the great prizes I received for my bday, especially for a focused puzzler like me.  With the snow outside as a backdrop, even Marley can attest that this was a good day to stay inside and build some lego. 

Birds?

Did something land on your plate Glamma?  There's no birds in here.  We're in a grocery store in the middle of winter.  What could possibly have your attention on the ceiling?  Has Darius climbed the walls again?

Waffle Time

This reminded Mommy and Daddy of an old show called "Just Like Mom".  Just like in that show, the kids did the cooking.  Now fortunately, we had some professional help and Mom did not have to eat ours.  But I think she and she liked them. 

Applause

Well done, young man!  At least Adam was impressed with a wholehearted and genuine applause.  The others did not get the cue that they were supposed to clap. 

Wish Upon a Senator

I could not disappoint Alfie, Spezza and Karlsson.  This is why I put in extra effort to blow these candles out.  And look, they put in the right number.  Can you believe I'm turning 6?

Sen's Cake

Ever cool!  I received a Senators cake and got to enjoy the cake with my pals.  In case you're wondering, we didn't bake the cake. 

Party Pooper

I didn't know all of Soren's friends and so I was playing a little bit shy for the party and didn't participate in any of the baking.  What's more fun?  Baking or eating the baked goods?  Exactly!  Let's just hope they share. 

Get your waffles heereee!

Queue up kids, it's time to start mixing the waffles.  Everyone put on their chef hats and take a turn.

Toute la gang

We are the chefs!  Come meet the chefs!

Top LtoR: Lindsay, Lydia, Mathieu, Ian, Joel

Bottom LtoR: Noam, Soren, Adam, Benjamin

First arrivals

The first arrivals get their pick of the colours to write their names on the hat.  The next-door brothers, Adam and Noam, join up with Lindsay as the early birds.  Now if only they could draw a worm...

You're invited

Come on upstairs everyone to the party at Brown's.  Leave your grocery carts below and join the festivities.  Oh and bring your Senators paraphernalia as that's the theme in this neck of the woods.  Go Sens Go!  Go Soren Go!

Upstairs at Brown's

Yo, check it out.  It says right here on the board - Happy Birthday Soren!  How cool is that?  I guess the party is upstairs.  Come on everyone, follow me.  Never mind your groceries!  Who has a birthday party in a grocery store, you ask?  Me - Soren. 

Staircase View

This shot provides an aerial view of the organized chaos of a gift opening.  Notable, decorating the piano, are the colourful loot bags which will be offered as consolation prizes to the collection of invitees not receiving actual gifts. 

Prizes, prizes

The moment some of us have been waiting for, especially the birthday boy.  When every boy and girl gathers round the one lucky child to witness the revealing of the gifts, to envy them and to wish upon wish that their birthday was tomorrow.  Today it was Soren's wish. 

First party

Charlie's little sister, Samantha, and our neighbour, made a nice cameo appearance for what was certainly one of her first birthday parties.  Although Soren didn't mind, she did hog a little bit of the spotlight.  Not unexpected, for such a cutie. 

Shark Bait

Darius, with the flowing locks, certainly looks the part of this surfing dude.  He's having so much fun on the board that I don't think he notices the shark on the left eyeing him up for a feast.  Nemo, quick, can you warn him? 

Birthday Girl?

Marley and Darius stand by confused as Soren poses, with a cupcake icing mouth, as a little princess.  I wonder if everyone brought the wrong gifts, thinking it was for a birthday boy?  Alas, this was only a silly birthday joke. 

Cupcakes anyone?

In a twist on modern cuisine, each child was required to build their own cupcake.  Fortunately, the cupcakes were already made, so all we had to do was decorate.  And did we ever decorate?  There was icing, sprinkles, candies and chocolates everywhere.  Does that sound like a fun activity for junior chefs?

Surfer Liam

Yo Dudes, check me out.  I'm cruisin'!  Is this party ever outrageously gnarly!

Snow cones

Soren's 2nd birthday party was chez nous with all of the cousins invited over some good times.  As the weather outside was snowy and frosty, it was fitting we enjoyed some tasty snow cones. 

Hanging with Uncle C

It must be those maple leafs on the background tv as why else would Uncle Carl have escaped the festivities?  It's February and they're probably already out of the playoffs. 

Opa and his helpers

Miss Abigail and Masters Soren and Conor tended to Opa on this most of days, at least they did until they had finished their piece of cake.  They kind of disappeared after that.

Big breaths!

It's a good thing Opa keeps going to the gym regularly as he would need all of his lung power to blow out the number of candles for his years. 

So many people...

...so many parties.  Too many for baby Conor to keep up with.  February is a busy month with Soren's birthday, Opa's birthday and Valentine's Day.  Sheesh!  Pass me another bottle.