we're BACK

Well we made it back.



We only forgot three things in various places: Jake's seasoning salt (available only in the states - McCormic's) at Rhiannon's house, and my sweater and a lighter at Julie's house in Welland. Oh and a big bottle of ibuprofin in Johnstown. But that's okay because we stocked up on Aleve - the best headache and other pain reliever E V E R.



The last few days of our trip were nice and relaxed, and so we stayed another day.



On Friday Rhiannon and I went garage sale shopping, and it was a really great way to see lots of the town. I wish I had brought my camera, because we passed by the guardrail that they used to live in. Haha. That's not true. There used to be a house on a tiny scrap of land beyond the guard rail (or maybe the guard rail wasn't there at the time) on the side of the mountain road, and the first time Jake showed it to me, I thought he was pointing to the guard rail and saying "we used to live there.." because hey, they moved around a lot and sometimes didn't have much money.. anyway I wanted a picture but did not get one this time. Maybe next time. At the garage sales I got a Great American Cookie Cook Book which is hardcover and gold-edged for TWO dollars, 16 pieces of clothes (t-shirts, shorts, tank tops) for the boys AND runners for Sage all for $5, a very cute dog-skin rug (stuffed dog, not real) for $1, a back rubbing rolly thing for a quarter, and a really nice daisy throw for $1. I would've also gotten a water and sand play yard for $10 but SOMEONE beat me to it by mere seconds *glares at Rhiannon*.



Also on Friday the toilet in the downstairs bathroom exploded. The one we were using. They just bought this house 2 months ago, and didn't use the downstairs bathroom a lot until we got there. Dave and his brother tried to snake it themselves but theirs wasn't long enough, and Dave said "I've never seen a turd fountain before.. and now I have". They ended up calling in a plumber.



What else happened? Oh lots of stuff. I'll get the pictures organized and post 'em soon, but for now I think I am off to bed. I had to forfit my buffer day between travelling and work, so it's an early day tomorrow for all of us.



But first: A Progress Report (a la Carol and Vanessa)



Sage

- can play peek-a-boo like a champ

- continued to snub Rhiannon by turning his head away from her when she smiled at him until the very end

- doesn't say a lot of words but will use "Elmo" for many different uses, including asking for milk, asking for Elmo, showing me his soother

- learned all about stairs while in the States and is quite good at going up AND down

- slept most of the car ride, there and back (THANK GOD)



Hayden

- plays peek-a-boo with Sage or anyone who will play with him

- now bites his bottom lip when he's doing something bad like hitting or pushing Sage

- will mimick Sage's non-words and actions

- LOVES Rhiannon and everyone else he meets (I should maybe teach him about not trusting strangers soon)

- watched Elmo in Grouchland about 15 times, Franklin 10 times, Finding Nemo 7 times, and the Treehouse recordings not so much during the car rides and fell asleep maaayybe 4 times total during the whole car trip.

- had his first "peeing on the ground on purpose" lesson from Jake on Penetanguishene sideroad and liked it so much he did it twice in 10 minutes

- wants whatever toy Sage has, even if Hayden himself had it 5 seconds ago



Jennifer

- did 95% of the driving without complaining

- hates chew

- is sick of McDonalds

- noticed that the kids' colds have cleared up just in time to go back to daycare and a fresh new batch of germs

- likes I-79 the best of all the highways we were just on

- LOVES the Montana's engine for passing



Jake

- is a great navigator/kid gopher/drink getter/snack passer

- loves chew

- is not sick of McDonalds

- has a GREAT family