The Count Down begins...

I am heading back to work as of next Monday.  After 19 months off, I am going back to my old school to teach in a job share.  I will be in school every other day.  It just seems so strange.  Not sure how to name my feeling, but I know it's what I have to do for now.


Last Monday of being a stay at home mom...

A couple more little strawberries.  I'm sure they wonder just as often as me where in the world was the summer time weather this year.  Today Sam picked all my berries (there were three, including one white one) and ate them.  Initially I couldn't believe he did it, but then realized that is exactly what I grew them for.

All my peas in a row... there are even a couple VERY skinny pods beginning to show.

There is something that strikes me about how peas reach out and grab stuff.  They tightly grasp onto anything that will hold them upright.  I can sympathize with them... it's how I feel about this coming school year and how I will be needing to hold on tight to my colleagues to help me through.  That I will want to snuggle and squeeze every moment out of Sam on my days off.  I get you peas, I get you.

Sam always wondering what his mommy is up to.

Peek a boo my handsome boy!

It was the perfect sky to take pictures of Sam looking down at me from his slide.    Too much fun.  Moments like these are what I will miss most.  Look at that face... can't help but smile.

I hope my students work this hard... you can see the determination in his face.  He was trying to fit a rock into the grip of his play wrench.  Obviously a tricky task.

I also hope my students take the time to sit and think things through like Sam does.  I really believe Sam is an old soul. The kind of baby who has been in this world before, who looks at things and remembers them from another time, who loves his little life and appreciates all the things around him. 

Self portrait... not the best picture I've ever taken, but I love it all the same.  Another perfect day with my boy.

Going on a Tiger Hunt... I'm not afraid!

We had so much fun at the zoo last week, that we decided to take Auntie Angie with us for an adventure yesterday.  Another wonderfully gloomy day (have we had much else this summer!?!?!) so all the animals were out and ready to show their stuff.


We started the adventure in the African Safari.  We got to see the 45 year old hippo getting his teeth brushed and the lions awake for a play.  Our lion visit was ended abruptly when the lions started to 'wrestle' and I thought Sam was maybe a little young for the birds and bees talk!!!

The zoo was not busy at all, so took advantage of it and played on the "big" kid playground.  Great Auntie Angie took me up to the top!

Sam made it down this huge caterpillar slide all by himself. 

Crawling out and wondering where we should go next!

We watched the elephant for quite a while . She was pacing back and forth and each time she got up close to us, she gave herself a dust bath.

Here she comes again!!!

Sam would make his elephant noise and nose at her.  SOOO CUTE!

We were very lucky the tiger was out and about prowling his cage.  He even took a little swim in the pond!  The picture doesn't show depth very well, but he was only a couple meters from the glass.  Sam and the little boy next to us did their very best roars!

There is a new playground at the zoo, built just for 0-5 year olds.    Great place for babes Sam's age to play without worrying he'll become a speed bump under the feet of a big kid!!!  Auntie Angie is always up for fun and sends Sam down the tube slide!

 We did the tour of the Prehistoric Park at the end of our visit to the zoo.  It's definitely a lot cooler than it used to be with the Dino Alive exhibit in there.  However, giant roaring dinosaurs seem to make most kids cry.  Not brave Sam!!!  Actually, I looked back in the wagon and he was sleeping sitting up... I guess it was time to go home!

Sam the Gorilla Whisperer

Sam and I spent a cloudy day at the zoo on Thursday.  I was a little bummed about the weather until we started looking at the animals.  The cool temperature made all the creatures very active, so we got to see everyone in action.  It was also a special trip because it was the first time I think Sam could see and realize that there were animals in all the cages.  Though we had a fun day looking at many different animals, the gorillas were a definite highlight!

There were a couple gorillas playing indoors.  Eating and monkeying around.  Sam thought it was very exciting... he had no idea what was in store for him.

We headed outside.  It was sprinkling a little so most the gorillas were taking cover throughout their yard.  This gorilla is the mommy to the small gorilla in the back ground.  When I parked Sam here, she sent her baby away and came to sit right in front of us.  Every once in a while she would reach back and knock on the glass.  Very funny, but nothing compared to the next phase...

She quickly spun around and slapped the glass.  She ran off and grabbed this small tree and brought it back to us.

After sitting staring at us with tree in hand she began to dance and dance and dance.  Every so often she would stop and slap the glass (you can see her hand prints) and then dance again.

Then she stopped and posed like this.  Her final move was another giant glass slap and the she ran off to her baby.  I'm not sure if she was upset with us or wanted my baby, but it was a pretty amazing performance.  So worth a couple rain drops.  Sam kept looking at me like he couldn't even believe his eyes.  Very cool... I hope he's old enough to remember this experience!

Another mommy gorilla walked up to the glass right in front of Sam.  She seemed older and less wild than this other one.  She set her hand on the glass right in front of Sam and stared at him.  She had the sweetest eyes and looked at him very lovingly (sounds weird, but I'm not kidding).  I tried to get the camera out to capture the moment, but she wasn't interested in sharing with me.  I recommend a cloudy early morning at the zoo... you never know what could happen!

Thank God He's a Country Boy

We spent some time this past week at Shaun's parents' home in Bentley.  There is something about the drive to central Alberta that makes me feel like I'm heading to where my heart is.  The yellow canola reminds me of summers on my Grandparents farm, playing for hours with my cousins.  The green of a John Deere is a favorite of mine... I even painted my bedroom that colour when I still lived at home (my mom has since painted over, apparently it's not for everyone.)  Fresh air, the patchwork of fields for miles and miles, silence.  I love that both sets of Sam's Grandparents still live in this area of the country... it is the perfect setting for boy to visit and play.

Our second annual canola field photo together.  Last year's picture was taken on our VERY first outing since Sam had been born (over 5 months old).  The first thing that I ever wanted to show him was the yellow, rolling fields.

Gramma and Grandpa Connolley

Dad gets in on the fun!  You can't help but love these fields!

If only this photo had audio!

I think we found Sam's happy place!  I'm not sure yet how he'd feeling if he heard the noise up close, but for now tractors are a very wonderful thing!

Three generations of Connolley men... love them!

Splish-Splash Summer!

Not sure what it is about water that makes my little boy's eyes light up, but if there is splashing to do Sam is there!  Needless to say, we go through many outfits trying to stay dry.

Daddy stained and sealed the deck, so now a big rain brings lots of SPLASH-ability!!  Sam saw all the little puddles and couldn't believe his eyes!

Working hard at splashing but wondering how come he's getting so wet!

Karen invited us to her community center, which as a splash park... BIG HIT!

Parker and her Mommy try to spray us

Karen teaches Sam how to spray back at them!

Sweetest little thing my eyes have ever seen.  The basketball helps me love him even more!

Brave boy

Parker trying to lure Sam over (and I have no idea  a better way than a big bright ball!)

"Hey Sam, can you get that for me?"

"Anything for you Babe!"

Just hanging with his girl after tons of fun at the splash park... they were both a little scared of the water, but summer 2011 look out for these two!!!  They'll be into like no one's business!

Calaway Park - Here we come!

What a wonderful way to spend this sunny Sunday then at Calaway Park!  Sam's first time at the park and on rides (if you don't count the Mickey Mouse car in Walmart!) and it was a blast.  We met my parents, niece and nephew for a couple hours of fun.  I got to go on most the rides with Sam because he's such a mommy's boy (I think he wanted to make sure I didn't miss out on the fun... and he knows his daddy get motion sick!)  Interesting fact:  Calaway Park is the same age as me.  18 years ago we came on this same weekend to celebrate my 10th birthday and it was Calaway's 10th birthday too!

Here's Sam with his cousins.  Everyone is very excited to be at the park.  My recommendation... get there at opening (10am) because it's not as hot and the lines are great. 

Sam's first ride ever!  It was a really cool truck that went up and down like it was on a bumpy road... not sure which of my boys enjoyed it more!!!

Hot air balloon ride was neat... it's a young family sized ferris wheel.  Lots of fun and didn't go too high.

Here we are at the top!

Merry-go-'round.  Not a hit.

LONG line by the time we got to this ride.  Sam really loved it because he could stand and turn the steering wheel.  Unfortunately there were tears getting off because the wait was much much longer than the ride.

Egg ride... tons of fun!  There are quite a good number of rides for people Sam's size.    If you can find coupons to get into the park, its quite an affordable day with plenty to do.  I know there are shows to watch as well, but unfortunately they were the same time as nap time.

LUNCH!  Fries... not so yummy unless of course you are teething and then they are a really great thing.  Don't forget the ketchup!  Another recommendation is to bring a picnic lunch - food is expensive and leaves something to desired.  The Burger Bistro is less fancy than the name would lead you to believe.

All funned out!  Another wonderful first for our family.  See you next year Calaway Park!!!