While cleaning out the backyard pool for Carter I noticed this curious little amphibian struggling to get out of the pool. Playing around with a program called VirtualDub I trimmed the video and found a “soundtrack” to impose on top of the video. So to be clear … that AIN’T me singing.
Also if you want a simple but nifty little frog game to play check out this link at Lickety-Splat
Nathan loves to have his hair brushed .. it lulls him into a semiconscious state but we found today that actually cutting his hair puts him immediately to sleep. He was awake at the beginning of the procedure but the first cut (for him) was the kindest of all and he zonked.
It made me think that perhaps he is like Samson .. cutting his hair saps him of his strength. Notice the similarities between the above photo and the painting done by Francisco Moore depicting Samson and Delilah. In the MIMK version however the role of Delilah was played by Nathan’s Gramma.
The picture says it all. We love both of them dearly and they are having the time of their lives in Canada this summer. Well .. I am extrapolating Nathan’s position from his sleeping and eating habits.
With the temperatures soaring into the 30’s we decided it was time to introduce Carter to the fun of the backyard pool. Just 3o minutes fill up time and bone chilling 10 degree water delighted Carter, Mother and Father alike. Check out the following vids to see all of the action. I should put up a nudity disclaimer but Carter said he is proud of his body and not afraid to show it off to the world.
Some confusion at first as Alice thought I was taking a picture but quickly Mama and Carter got “into the scence”. They are not method actors to be sure but when the Director yells “Action” you get exactly that.
In the second MIMK production notice the quick cat like moves from Mama to rescue her little boy after taking a header. I noticed that Carter was pretty quick too but Mama was waaaay faster.
In 3 summers here with children I failed to mention (actually to think about) 10 Mile Lake which is a small lake about 10 - 15 minute drive from the house.
It has provincial camping and a resort (that I have never been too), a decent beach and a playground for the kids. Upon seeing this gem of a recreation beauty Alice remarked “I could live here now” .. I will excuse her hyperbole to extreme exuberance but we had a pretty good day and hope for many more to come. Anyone interested in coming to visit … we have somewhere to entertain.
Carter Braves the Water
Carter Spys the Yazi
Nathan Kicking it in the Car Seat
When watching the Lethal Weapon movies (yeah .. I watched ‘em … you ALL did) I loved the fact that 75% of Danny Glover’s speaking part was encompassed by the line “I’m gettin too old for this sh*t”. Someone should be telling Sly Stallone the same thing about Rocky 6. Hey he is fantastic shape for a 60 year old guy but he IS a 60 year old guy.
Anyway my point of this entry is to update anyone who cares on my run in the 28th Annual GoldRush Fun Run occurring yesterday. The bragging part - I came in 2nd in my age group of 30 to 39 year old males AND there was more than 2 guys competing. The sad truth though is that I was 31 minutes for a 5.2K run which is a far cry from what I used to be able to manage and I never saw the guy who got first place the entire run. I might have been able to get 30 minutes but a lady bailed in front of me about 0.5 K into the run and I stopped to help her. Her friends were quickly on the scene and told me to go on so being the heartless bastard I am - I did. The run ends on a hill about 200 to 250 meters long and it is freakin steep. Unlike last year (33 min) I ran the entire hill this time.
As no photos exist of this particular event I have only this video to spice up this post
Geriatrically yours
Darren
My apologies to Queen but couldn’t think of a catchy title. Carter has now entered the world of the three wheeled. Yesterday Gramma returned from WalMart with a special surprise and Carter is loving it - not riding it - but loving it. He had a couple turns of the pedal but hasn’t managed sustained propulsion - yet!
We loook forward to many spill, thrills and chills!
That’s right - blame Canada for this happy smile on Nathan’s face
Nathan and Carter are settling down well to the life in Amma’s (Gramma’s) house even though our first night was a sleepless one. Jetlag is another term for hell!
On a brighter note this weekend is the annual Billy Barker Days celebrations for the town of Quesnel and we kicked things off by heading to the “Crash to Pass” - a stockcar race where mayhem is the name of the game. To win you need to be the last car able to complete 3 full laps of the Goldpan Speedway which means you have to take out your competition without being taken out.
It poured rain and we had to leave after intermission as Carter was delirious from jetlag and Grampa was soaking wet and frozen to the bone. Hot chocolates at Micky D’s helped warm up the insides. Fortunately we left Nathan with Gramma.
Upcoming festivities include Kids Day in the Park, the Parade, Goldrush Fun Run (5.2km for Dalong), the Rodeo and my personal favourite .. Nick Gilder of Sweeney Todd fame doing a free concert. Roxy Roller all the way!
Living large and loving life in the Cariboo.
No fancy pictures, no photos, no real words of wisdom cause I have NO time. We are leaving for Canada in about 5 minutes and just wanted to tell all of you that we will see you on the other side. A few days of silence will befall MIMK but rest assured barring technical difficulties we will be up and running b4 you know it.
Cheers
Darren, Alice, Carter and Nathan
After several months of residing with us Alice’s mother has returned to Jixi to look after her other grandchild, a niece by the name of Rong Rong. By the way Lao Lao is what Carter and Nathan (when he learns to talk) call her as it is the term for the maternal grandmother. It literally means “old old” but when put together it loses that meaning. For the paternal grandmother the term is Nai Nai which are the characters for “milk milk”. In any event we bid a fond farewell to Lao Lao. We miss her!
In China it is customary to do something special for the one month birthday as it is for the 100 days alive celebration. Today our happy little family and mama in law (well she is part of the extended family and she is happy I think) went out to JinShiTan Beach. The weather was foggy but not hot and we had a nice little lunch at Susan’s Pizza in ManJiaTan. Stan (our school librarian) must have been lonely cause he was even happy to see me! Without further rambling … Nathan and Mama
And not to be left out a picture of the 3 handsome Brown boys kickin’ back on the couch
Oh and feel free to comment on any post here .. even if what I put up isn’t earth shattering … drop a line anyhooo.
Ciao!
