Craig has done it! He made it to his fifth birthday, a full hand of fingers.
He survived, folks! And he did it in style.
Before his birthday, when Kyler and I were discussing what we wanted to do as a family for him, Craig said he wanted to do mini golf like last year. When we told him we weren't planning on doing that, he pouted and said, "Well, then I don't want to do anything!" Then I told him what we were actually planning, and he changed his tune...
We started his birthday celebration on the Saturday before, and drove down to Drumheller... in the snow. Sorry, Kyler! But it was for a good purpose: to go to the Royal Tyrrell Museum!
After a quick (indoor) picnic lunch, we headed into to museum.
Caleb hasn't been there since he was a baby, so we wondered a little how he'd do. He absolutely loved it - maybe a little too much. Caleb would become obsessed with an aspect of the exhibit (a turtle or shark or the gardens or something) and keep coming back to it, refusing to move on.
When we finally would decide to force him to come with us, he'd cry and scream until he found his next obsession in the next room, and then he's fall in love all over again...
Calista is basically the perfect age for things like this. She is so curious and loved learning, and at the same time is actually old enough to start to understand and ask questions for herself.
So, needless to say, she loved going through the museum and learning all about paleontology.
And the birthday boy himself? Craig "liked it 100%."
He was excited and full of energy, running this way and that to look at everything.
The fan favorite of the day was an experience we'd never done before: we actually paid a little bit extra for a fossil casting course. Caleb wasn't old enough, so it was just Calista, Craig, and Kyler. For everyone, it was their favorite part of the day. They learned about what fossil casts are (copies made from molds of original fossils), why museums make and use them (protect or study real fossils, casts are lighter for display, and they can share casts with other museums), and then made one for themselves to bring home!
They absolutely loved it! I'm only a little jealous I didn't get to go, but hanging out 1-on-1 with Caleb was actually really nice, too.
Finally, we had dinner before heading home.
And then, on Craig's actual birthday, he... went to school! But we had a lot of fun playing in the leaves and taking a couple of pictures beforehand.
After school, he came home with a pencil from his principal, which he was thrilled about. He promptly asked me to sharpen it for him, and then Craig drew a picture of a long-necked, short-bodied, long-headed Headband Monster!
Oh, man, that boys makes me laugh.
As soon as Daddy got home, it was time to open presents.
Craig only got three this year, and he loved them all. Before he opened them, he thought one was a recorder ("And if it's not, I'll be really sad") and one was Legos ("Hopefully jungle Legos!"). Well, he was right!
The Legos are the biggest set I've ever done in my life!
The finished product!
All told, it took me two days to put it together while Craig helped, and he was thrilled about them!
Before playing with Legos or the recorder, though, the kiddos all a break with Daddy to read the spooky books that were Craig's final present, also a big hit.
Next up was dinner - pizza! - and then time for cake.
Chocolate cake. Obviously.
He didn't actually finish his slice, but he was pretty happy!
It's September, which means it's a new school year!
Calista had her first day of school Tuesday, going into grade 2!
Calista is most excited for old friends, and looking forward to seeing new friends and also old.
She wants to learn math, like times tables.
When Calista grows up, she wants to study ocean animals, and maybe even new ones, because a lot of the ocean is undiscovered, like only 5 to 10 percent or something is discovered!
She was so excited that she woke up early, so we had tons of time to play as we dropped her off.
And the next day, (today), Craig had his first day!
Ready to start kindergarten!
Craig is most excited for the playground at school.
He's looking forward to sitting and waiting and even playing in his class.
He wants to learn to speak Spanish; Craig already knows some words, like this: hola. When he grows up, Craig wants to be a dinosaur, a T-Rex!
Craig, all said with a grin, "How much will you miss me when I'm at school? I'll miss you so much that almost my eyeballs will fall out. Maybe you're eyeballs will fall out when you miss me."
Maybe, Craig. Maybe.
But that was only half our summer! There was more!
Kyler had few days off unexpectedly when the water main in his building burst. We took advantage of him being home and went to the zoo
He's trying to take the stick away from the beaver. I think the bronze beaver has the advantage...
and saw the elephant on a walk!
Also, cows.
Which were probably Caleb's favorite part.
We - the kiddos and I - headed to Calgary for a few days.
I was nervous to be solo-parenting out of a hotel room, but I also wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone in the name of summer. In the end, I'm very glad I did. The kids had a blast.
We went to Banff and hiked to Silverton Falls,
a hike I'd never done before.
Caleb didn't want to walk at first. He got over it. Mostly.
The kiddos listened and did really well being safe.
Except when Craig tried to give Calista a tackle hug at the edge of the cliff by the waterfall.
I took their pictures separately after that.
Caleb needed to be carried part of the way down,
but when we stopped for a little break by a stream I was able to convince him to finish the hike.
Craig and Calista did the hike without complaint!
Bathroom break shenanigans.
After the hike, we went into town to go to Cave and Basin.
Also, saw this car in the parking lot.
Calista only wanted to go into the cave once,
But Craig and Caleb wanted to go over and over.
Caleb in particular was fascinated by the water, enough that I was a little nervous he'd fall in.
Which is illegal. Good thing he didn't.
Going through townsite was completely insane, so I decided not to bother braving finding a parking spot. After the kids had gotten enough of the stinky cave, we headed back to the hotel.
We got to meet up with some friends, Nolan and Lyndon and their mom, Erin, at Telus Spark.
It was nice to hang out and talk with them, and of course play with science!
Oh, and nap. Lots of napping on the go for this little boy.
We also headed to the Calgary zoo.
Back before we knew we were moving to Edmonton, parts of the zoo was under construction in preparation for the pandas. I promised Calista when the pandas were there, we'd see them. Then we moved, of course, but with this trip I've officially kept that promise.
We also saw basically everything else at the zoo,
Baby camel!
Trying to decide if he should hug it or hit it.
which is, of course, exhausting.
But fun!
Calista got to be a "grizzly bear"
and show how they do training with their animals.
Calista and Craig's favorite part of our Calgary trip, though, was probably the hotel pool.
Calista went down the waterslide over and over,
Craig loved going between the regular pool and the hot tub,
and Caleb enjoyed splashing and holding on to me.
Thank goodness for flotation devices. I could not have done it without them!
I'm glad I had the courage to go on an adventure with the kiddos alone. Everyone had a blast and made some good memories, I hope.
I planted a garden this year, so this summer we've been weeding,
watering, and (literally) enjoying the fruits of our labor.
Yum!
As a whole family, we took some quick trips to a couple of provincial parks, Wabamun Lake
and Big Hill Springs
Calista was "testing" the water with a stick over and over again. I'm not sure what her results were.
Not pictured, but just off camera: Momma, unsure about having her two year old looking over the ledge. Approximately one second after this photo was taken, I scooped him up and made him hold hands again.
And in between it all, there was just time to play, be outside, have fun, be a kid, and enjoy summer.
I know lots of parents are excited for school to start, get their kids back on schedules and give the parents a break. But every end of summer, I dread it. It means there is one fewer year with my children.
One fewer year before they decide they're too old play together.
One fewer year before their best friends and playmates are no longer each other,
maybe even one fewer year before they hate each other.
One fewer year of childhood.
And I want to cry. I miss my children, even while they're standing in front of me.
Kyler and Jeanette got married on the 25th of August 2007, after knowing each other for four years and being each other's rebound date. It's a healthy relationship.
