Medieval Times

James and his family came to Toronto recently on a shopping excursion. We spent an afternoon together with the families at Medieval Times dinner theatre. Andrew, Dylan and I decided to dressup in costume and really make this an experience.

The Castle Wizard and visiting Scottish Lord

Lady Antoinette and her Advisor
We all sat in the Yellow/Red section and cheered for our very effeminate knight (who did not win).

Overall it was great fun for the whole family.

Another Sleepover at the Science Centre

We were fortunate to take part in another sleepover at the Ontario Science Centre. This time Andrew, Dylan and I went with our neighbours Steve and his son Toby.

We started the evening with a dinner at a teppanyaki table in a Japanese restaurant. We watched our table chef create beautiful fiery volcanoes out of sliced onions and juggle his knives just a few inches away from our faces.

Later that night at the museum we were given the opportunity of dissecting an Owl "pellet". We learned that an owl has two stomaches...one to absorb the nutrients of the animal they have just ingested WHOLE and one to compact the creature's parts which are not candidates for absorption (i.e. the bony carcass). We dissected a beaked bird's skull and carcass from our pellet.

We made the mandatory slime....

And then we meandered around the many exhibits.

"Alas poor Yorick, I knew him well..."

"I know there is another kidney in here somewhere!!!"

Having another bad hair day!

Steve and Toby's peg design

After midnight it was "lights out" and we all bedded down on our sleeping bags dreaming of exhibits that come to life and dance around our heads.

Preacher Man

A few Sundays ago, Dylan had the experience of reciting a bible verse in church. I was so proud of him because, despite a microphone technicial failure, he kept composed and delivered his message with grace. (Talk about baptism by fire!) Be sure to hit the "PLAY" button for these videos.

He sat with the choir for the whole service and experienced the wonder of the service in full view.

I am grateful to our church for their constant innovative approach in engaging the congregation with God. Andrew and I have maintained our relationship with this church despite our having moved out of district. Our only disappointment is that our favourite minister will be going on sabbatical in a few months. Oh well....I am sure he will be full of stories when he returns.

In the meantime, the journey continues.......

Hallowe'en 2007

It has been a whole year since I started this blog last hallowe'en. As usual, the neighbourhood was rocking for this event!

We started off the festivities with a children's party at our house after school with 7 boys.

We started the night with the old classics such as the mummy wrap....

....spider web tangle

Afterwards we told spooky ghost stories while we waited for the pizza to come (which was 1 1/2 hours late)!

Dylan and a friend went trick or treating up three streets while Andrew and I took turns staying at home or minding the children. We all went to the (2) specially decorated haunted houses which where accepting donations for juvenile diabetes in exchange for entrance.

Later that night several of our neighbours congregated in front of our porch to chat and give a send off for our neighbours, Jamie and Alison, who will be working in Vancouver for 6 months. We promised to use their home for our new year's eve celebration (why be responsible for the mess in your own house). I suggested that they check ebay from time to time to see if it is listed as a short-term rental...tee hee hee..