Santa Comes to Town!!!

Despite the rain and cold temperatures today, there was still a good turnout for Sydney's Annual Santa Claus Parade. When we first arrived, there was limited parking close to the street but we did managed to find a spot conveniently located in front of a bus shelter, so we hung out inside the shelter until things started to roll. Our friend, Simone, joined us to view the parade too which was nice. The parade was a good length this year and Tyler enjoyed every minute. Here's a few of the highlights we witnessed today. Enjoy!

Bethlehem Walk

Tonight Mom, Tyler, along with Charmaine, Kelly, and Cameron had quite the incredible experience; we walked through the town of Bethlehem! Of course, it wasn't the actual town but rather a reenactment organized by one of the local baptist churches. This is the second year they have put on the reenactment and it is such a huge success that people from far away as Halifax travel to see it. This was our first viewing of it and after we participated we could truly understand why it is so has become so popular. Tonight was actually our second try to get into see Bethlehem. Last night, we came and the lines were just too long to wait with our boys. It was also misty out so we would have been wet by the time we got inside the tent. So tonight we came much earlier before the line got too crazy. While we were waiting in line, Roman soldiers were making sure the crowd was under control and asked us if we paid our taxes. And we had to register with the census before we could enter the town. Once in town, we passed by several vendors including carpenters, blacksmiths, basket weavers, fish markets, produce, a synagogue, mosaics, pottery, and a jail. Each were occupied with actors playing out their part to give us an accurate sense of what life was like back then. As we got closer to the manger, we could see the star up in the sky and we could hear the shepherds telling us of the wonderful news. The last stop before the manger was the inn. The inn keepers were played by neighbours of ours, however we didn't realize this until we actually saw them there. The event was free with silver donation asked at the end to benefit the cancer unit at the hospital. Afterward, there was free hot chocolate and cookies in the church hall. We couldn't believe how awesome the experience was. It totally surpassed our expectations. From the outside, we thought we were just walking into a tent, however once inside everything was totally transformed to make you feel like you're actually in another time. It really made you remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. I can really see this event expanding over the next few years. I'm grateful to have experienced it!

Thanksgiving Day with Daddy

Well, even though we are miles apart from each other, we did get to spend most of the day in each others company via the web cam. It had been awhile since we used the cam and boy did Tyler enjoy seeing his father. I haven't seen him that happy in a long time. Tyler laughed up a storm with Steve. It was so cute and heartwarming to see. Then we got a special treat; we saw Steve on national T.V. during the football game. If you were watching, you may have noticed they had a group of soldiers holding a sign that read "Michigan National Guard". Well, Steve was behind them looking through a small window waving his arms. We saw the group, but didn't notice Steve in the background :(. However, Steve recorded it so hopefully he will post it here on the blog soon. We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Baghdad Hedgehogs

I guess there are hedgehogs in Iraq! There were two little guys in cages when I came into the office. I don't know what became of them. Hopefully they are in a better place.

Little Miss Spider at the Mall

We spent the afternoon at the mall watching bugs dancing around and singing. However these weren't just any old bugs, these were famous bugs! Little Miss Spider and her Sunny Patch friends were here for a show. Some may be familiar with the kids novel or TV show. By the time we got to the mall, it was already packed. We did manage to find a few chairs that weren't already occupied, but they weren't exactly the best seats in the house. The show was free, so we didn't complain. They held auditions the weekend before for little bugs who wanted to be in the show; it was nice to see some locals share some fame. Overall, everybuggy had a great time!

Too Close for Comfort

This photo was taken by Steve yesterday from his office. Five people were killed and 12 were injured when a woman detonated a bomb at the entrance to the base Steve works. Iraqi soldiers and civilians were among the causalities. Steve's office heard and felt the blast. From time to time they do hear blasts, however this is the first time to have one this close since they've been deployed there. Please continue to pray for Steve's safety. He promises me that he will try his best to stay away from the entrances as best he can.

Christmas Comes Early

For the past three weeks, Steve and I have been expecting my Christmas present to arrive. Steve sent it priority and we were beginning to worry that perhaps it got lost in the mail. So I was sooo happy to see it come today. Steve instructed me to open it immediately. He said it couldn't wait until Christmas. And he wouldn't give any hints as to what it was, though my first guess was that it was something edible. Boy, was I surprised to open the box and see a laptop. And it's not just a laptop, it's a PINK laptop!!!! Pink is my absolute most favourite colour!!!! This is the best present ever, except of course having Steve home with us for Christmas. Thank you sooo much for my Christmas present, Steve!!!! I LOVE it!!!! Very special birthday greetings are being sent to Steve's grandfather today. Happy Birthday, Grampa!!!! We wish you all the best today and always.

LIVE ON TV TURKEY DAY!!

Feel free to watch the Tennessee Titans at the Detroit Lions on CBS at 12:30 PM ET. We will be broadcasting live from our press conference studio. We will have fans here watching the game and CBS will cut to our studio and we will be seen live during the game! I will be working the event, but will get out to be seen on TV!

Franklin's Family Christmas

This afternoon we attended the long awaited Franklin's Family Christmas show with Charmaine and Cameron. For those not familiar with Franklin, he is a turtle who can "count by two's and tie his shoes". Franklin started out as a children's novel, but also has his own animated series shown on PBS and Tree House. Tyler and I first became a fan of Franklin through his books, though I was already familiar with him through my childhood. Tyler was ever so happy to have his little buddy, Cameron, to join him in the fun! Before the show, Charmaine and I picked up Franklin shirts as a souvenior. We got a quick photo of the boys wearing them and they looked so cute together! Charmaine and I noticed that there were security guards at the children's event. We really didn't see a reason for them being there, however soon after the show started we could understand why they were there! The kids rushed to the stage as if it was a rock concert! Tyler wasn't very long before he joined the bunch too. They got a much better view and the kids enjoyed the show more in the company of each other. The show was 90 minutes in total with an intermission. It was very well put together. Charmaine and I were highly impressed with the quality of the production! There was lots of singing and dancing. Tyler even hummed to Silent Night and clapped to some of the songs. Both boys had a fantastic time as well as Charmaine and I.

TBs from the Heart

Travel Bugs or TBs, for short, are the trackable items that move from cache to cache usually with a specific mission. Today Rhonda totally surprised me when she placed a TB in honour of my dad in a cache. As many of you already know, my dad wholeheartedly loved his job as a cement truck driver and even named his truck "Maxine". Rhonda named this TB "Maxine #8" and said it was in tribute of my dad. I was almost in tears when I saw the cement mixer in her hands because I knew exactly what she had done. Both my mom and I are so touched that she has done this to honour my dad. I can vision his smile right now. This would have totally made his day! Another very special TB released by good friends of ours is the "Looking for Tyler" TB. Katherine and Rodney placed a TB when they came to visit here in Cape Breton in honour of Tyler. It is a Winnie the Pooh TB that is looking for his friend, Tyler that used to live in Maryland. His mission is to find Tyler and other Tylers along his travels and then return back to Maryland. Thank you to Rhonda, Katherine, and Rodney for tributing your TBs for the special people in my life!!! You guys are very special to my family as well :)

New Release: Tyler's Car Book

Another rainy day! What to do, what to do? I decided to skim through this awesome book that Charmaine photocopied for me called 'The Toddler's Busy Book'. It's filled with wonderful ideas to keep your toddler well entertained. I found this neat craft idea that I thought Tyler would very much enjoy. First I cut out several photos of cars from a flyer we received in the mail the other day. Next I had Tyler glue the cars to a book I put together made out of construction paper. Tyler had a marvelous time gluing all the cars to his book. When it was all finished, he said he had to get his reading glasses on. Mom and I nearly died laughing when we heard him say that! Then he laid down in the living room looking through his book. When he finished, he said, "The end!". He always says this when he is finished "reading" a book...LOL This is Tyler's first book he made. I'm sure there will be more in the works. You never know he may become a famous author someday.

Exactly 6 Months from Today

For those who may not be aware, Steve is deployed to Iraq until May 18th. Initially, he was told that he would be coming home within the January-February time frame, however that changed because the army is taking over his job and he has to stay to train them. The army is scheduled to be deployed in April. With this being said, we'll be apart for a total of 11 months! It's difficult at times because we miss each other a lot and of course, Tyler misses his dad. Please continue to keep Steve in your daily prayers.

Tyler's Got His Order In

The elves have received Tyler's letter to Santa and they typed it up and put it in the local newspaper today! Today was the first day the letters were in the paper, so it was a nice surprise to see Tyler's included. When I read it to him, he put his head to the side and had a huge smile on his face. My mom quickly called around to the neighbours to ask them to save their copy so we have more.

See those little bunnies sleeping...

As usual, today we went to our play group. During song time, we sang one of Tyler's favourites. It is called "All the Little Bunnies". It's quite a cute action song where the kids pretend they are sleeping bunnies. Then all of a sudden they wake up and hop all over. It makes all the parents/caregivers laugh every time to see the children go crazy jumping and clapping their hands. It is so much fun for all of us! I really need to get a video some day of Tyler doing the bunny song. Here's how the song goes: Hop Little Bunnies Verse 1: Have your children pretend to sleep while you sing. See those little bunnies sleeping, until its nearly noon, Let us gently waken them, with our merry tune, oh how still, are they ill, wake up soon, Verse 2: Have your children wake up and jump and clap while singing Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop Hop little bunnies, and stop. Birthday wishes are being sent to Steve's brother, Brian, today! Brian, we miss you and we hope you have a fantastic day today!!! Also a Compleanno Bueno to my friend, Sabry, who lives in Italy. Wishing you happiness today and always.

In A Pickle

One of Tyler's all time favourite snacks is pickles! When you ask him what he would like to eat, the answer you'll more likely to receive is 'pickles'! He loves pickles so much that even first thing in the morning, he is already asking for them! Myself, I don't care much for them. However whenever I get a hamburger I always ask for extra pickles, just so that I can give him an extra treat. I usually kid around with him and tell him that he is a Pickle Monster, but he quickly corrects me and says that he isn't a Pickle Monster, but rather a big boy. I don't know though, if he keeps eating all those pickles, he may just turn into one!

Special Treats

Tyler was so delighted to receive a card of thanks from Janet this morning in the mail. Inside was a note saying thank you for the pictures Tyler drew for her when she was here visiting last weekend. There were also lots of sparkling and scratch n' sniff stickers. Tyler and I couldn't get enough of all the delicious scents. He also couldn't get enough of the note Janet wrote inside. He kept wanting me to read it over and over again. Then if that wasn't enough, this afternoon, my friend Simone gave me a cute little treat box to give to Tyler. She had it for him ever since Halloween. Unfortunately we didn't get to go her house that night. Tyler absolutely loved everything in it, especially the "beep beep car". Thank you sooo much Janet and Simone for being so kind and thoughtful to Tyler!

Tyler met the founder of Sydney today! Happy Birthday to my best friend, Erika!!! We miss you!!!

Skates Instead of Books

Our Wednesdays typically include story time at the library, however the next two weeks it is being canceled due to the room being unavailable to us. With this being said, we had the day free. The ice rink closest to my mom's holds their preschool skating on Wednesdays so we decided to take Tyler. This is the rink where I learned how to skate so it was a treat bringing my little guy here today. We spent half our time trying to get the bob skates to stay tight on Tyler's boots. Once we finally did, we almost got a full lap done but then one of his skates fell off! So back on the bleachers we tried again to get them to stay on his feet. Thank goodness Andrew's grandfather was there to lend a hand. It took some time to get the skates on however because the snap fell off and it took awhile to find it. Then when we got back on the ice, skating time was finished for the day! Even though we didn't get much ice time, Tyler still said he had fun and that he wants to go back again. What a good sport!

Lest We Forget

To honour our veterans here in Canada, we wear poppy pins on the left side, symbolizing that they are remembered in our hearts. There are parades and wreath laying ceremonies. Banks and stores are closed for the day. Children have the day off from school. I remember when I was in elementary school, we had to memorize the "In Flanders Fields" poem by Canadian soldier, John McCrae.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

When Steve and I took our Europe road trip to Norway when we were stationed in Sicily, one of the countries we visited was Belguim. We stayed in Ypres where in the First World War, the town was almost completely demolished. There are many war cemetaries in the town along with memorials to those who lost their lives to fight for our freedom. Each night the town holds a parade followed by a wreath laying ceremony. Veterans come from all over to participate. Steve and I had the chance to see the parade and ceremony, which was quite touching. It is a memory I will never forget. Thank you veterans!

A Visit from Janet

It's been at least 6 years since my friend, Janet, and I spent time together. This afternoon she came over for a visit and to meet Tyler for the first time. She surprised Tyler with a truck, a book, and crayons. Of course, Tyler made instant friends with her. Janet is a teacher so she was super good with him and they had fun together. Meanwhile, the two of us talked about what's new and old since the last time we were together. Janet is a terrific friend and we were so glad she could come over for a visit. We are looking forward to spending more time together soon!

The Geotrekkins attend Flash Mob 2008

If you are unaware of the term "flash mob", let me explain what it's all about. A flash mob is a planned gathering of a large group of people who get together in a public place, do something unusual for a short period of time, and then go on there on their separate ways. Each year geocachers from all around the world hold their own World Wide Flash Mob. We get together on the same day and time, take a photo, trade stories or trackables, and then separate. Steve decided take on the task of planning and hosting the flash mob in Baghdad. Even though we've been to several caching events, we've never hosted our own, so this was very exciting and another milestone to add to our long list of caches. He held his flash mob at what used to be Saddam's pool at the palace. Three other cachers showed up and after the event they got together and found a few caches in the area. Steve said everyone had a great time and it was a success! I also attended the flash mob for my area. It was wonderful seeing all the local cachers again. The cache page said to wear "hunter orange", but as you can see in the photo, myself along with Rhonda and maybe one other person, were the only ones who followed that rule. Nevertheless, it was a great time. It's just too bad Steve and I couldn't attend the same one. I'm very proud of the terrific job Steve did in hosting his very first event. Perhaps when we return to Maryland, we'll both host another event.

Tyler's Fall Collection

This is usually our day for skating, however my mom woke up this morning not feeling very well. Since Tyler needs two people to help keep him up while on his skates, we decided it was best to make alternate plans. So instead of heading to the ice rink, Tyler and I visited the park. Petersfield was just full of leaves, some fallen to the ground and some still in the trees. Tyler and I collected a lot of leaves today. He said he wanted to do some crafts with them. We had lots to chose from that is for sure! Leaves were everywhere! They were mostly yellow in colour, however we did manage to find a few beige coloured leaves to mix it up a bit. After we were satisfied with our leaf collection, we then had a blast running and kicking the leaves up in the air. Tyler is always full of energy so it was good for him to use some of that up. All throughout the park we heard lots of different sounds from squirrels to crows to even trucks from outside the park. Tyler liked to listen and then guess what he was listening to. And as always, exploring in the park is always fun. Tyler found a snail, an acorn, and lots of little bugs. Before long, it was time to get back on the road and go home to see how Nanny was feeling. After a little rest, she said she felt a little better. However seeing the leaves we picked for her made her feel much better.

Letter to Santa

Tyler "wrote" his first letter to Santa today. He told me what he wanted and I wrote it down on paper. Then we had some fun decorating the letter with some Christmas stickers to make it nice for Santa to see. Santa has a mailbox at one of the malls here, so we went and put it in the special box headed for the North Pole. Santa's elves are then going to read each one and publish them in our local newspaper for all to see. Here is Tyler's letter to Santa: