Some fun videos for you

We've been busy over March Break.  Evy was in a play put on by the Funfolk Theatricals of Millbrook.  She was a munchkin and winged monkey in 'The Wizard of Oz' and she was wonderful.  Here she is (link below) describing her prowess on stage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTQI8XTVRYk&list=UUPDX4r9ir-a81zZvdDJtVkQ


And, bonus snow-shovelling time-lapse!  Yes, we got about 20cm of snow here on Wednesday. How super!  Notice how very very helpful Baxter is about helping with the hard work.  What a gem!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMLMQsCjuuw&list=UUPDX4r9ir-a81zZvdDJtVkQ

In running related news, the big day is 10 weeks away tomorrow.  This means I actually have to really start training (and not just taking the dog on brisk walks and thinking that's enough).  Must start logging some kilometres, no matter if it's snow, ice, or rain.  Would some nice weather be too much to ask for?!!  OH, and so far I have raised $950!! WOOT!

Reviving the blog!

Ok, so maybe it's been 372 days since I updated the blog... but who's counting?  I think I developed a bad case of blog-malaise.  And, the truth is, my life really isn't exciting enough to warrant a blog.  Blah blah blah, diapers, blah blah blah, kids crying, blah blah blah, pretty picture of Millbrook.  That pretty much sums up all of my posts over the past few years.  

BUT.  I now have a good reason for reviving the mothballed 'Queen of Canadia'.  And it's all to do with my wee man Jack.  

If you're on Facebook or lucky enough to be in my email contact list, then you probably saw this the other day:

If you know me, then you know that family is the most important thing in my life. I am lucky enough to be related to some amazing, hilarious, wonderful, crazy and fabulous fools. We are a close-knit bunch, and when one of us is hurting, we all hurt. So, you can imagine how devastated we were last July when my adorable 3-year-old nephew was diagnosed with a rare and serious genetic disease - MPS II (Hunter Syndrome).

Those first few weeks after Jack's diagnosis were a blur of tears, heartache, and grief. I grieved for my brother and his beautiful wife. I witnessed their crippling debilitating pain and wanted to help them carry some of the crushing burden of loss they were feeling. My heart broke for Jack - for the hard journey he had ahead of him - would he make it to highschool? Have a first date? Go to prom? All of these little things we take for granted now seemed so precarious.

Grief erodes you down to your core. You realize what truly matters and can let the silly meaningless things go. You see what's really important. Love. Laughter. And hope. Hope that we can cure MPS II in Jack's lifetime. Hope that we have the strength to fight for him, and other kids with rare diseases. And a vow to do whatever we can to help.

Which is why, somehow, I found myself registering to run the Ottawa Half Marathon in May.

If you know me, then you know that slothful and lazy are my middle names. You know that the only time I might run anywhere (maybe) is for puppies, ice cream, or a glass of wine. I am the little girl who tripped through ballet, stumbled at gymnastics, and promptly gave up on any sports at all by the time I was ten. My personal version of hell consists entirely of that horrible f*cking Canada Fitness Award program we used to have to do in public school (Do you remember this horrid day? I dreaded it ALL year, my ENTIRE childhood).

Yet, here I am. It's March 12th and in 73 days I will run (jog, crawl, roll?) 21 kilometers. All for this little man. And for his parents, his grandparents, his aunts, uncles, and cousins. And for every other family who has been shattered by a diagnosis like his.

If you know me, then you know that I am now about to ask you for money. Lots of money. As much money as you can spare. As much money as you think a little boy's future is worth. Please help me. Please mock my attempts at running. Please laugh your asses off when you picture me, red as a tomato, probably barfing, but gloriously exhilarated and sobbing as I stumble over that finish line. Please come and cheer for me, and if you can't be there in person, then make a donation and I'll write your name on my shirt, on my arm, on my forehead (that's a premium large rental space, FYI).

Please join me on this journey.

Please be with me - in my heart, in my lungs, in my legs - as I find the strength to finish that last kilometre.

And finally, please prepare to burn a hole in your credit card as you sponsor me online via the link below.

Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. Your support means everything to me.

http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=2012&AID=2576&PID=408287https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=wkDvqQKGgDA&app=desktop

To learn more about Jack's journey with MPSII you can visit jacksjourney.ca.

So.  If that's not reason enough to start updating my blog, I don't know what is.  

I'll keep you updated on how my training (or lack thererof, considering this never-ending winter) is going.  I'll share fun pictures and videos, I'll keep harrassing people who haven't donated for money.  And, I'll include some of the same old boring posts about kids and life in Millbrook.

Welcome back!  oxoxo 

Me and my lil' man hanging at Sick Kids

REMEMBER THESE CURSED BADGES?  Me neither.
I only ever got a participation pin!

One month...

What it is about the return to reality after a holiday that makes all that rest, relaxation and fun evaporate instantly.  I was looking out at a grey and slushy day and thinking about what I was doing one month ago.

Well, I can tell you that exactly one month ago (give or take an hour or two) I was walking on the beach with my sis and her husband, taking these pictures:

Sigh.  Don't get me wrong, our holiday was fan-flibbety-tastic (except for Henry and the small matter of his reluctance to sleep through the night).  But it just seems SOOOOOO long ago.  

Oh well, there's lots to look forward to.  March Break shenanigans (Evy is starring in a wee play over March Break), Easter and Henry's 2nd birthday, and Spring!  Glorious Spring!

Rob has tapped our maple trees, so I can expect homemade syrup sometime soon, and the kids are going to granny and poppa's for a sleepover tomorrow night!  (My shouts of glee about this are drowning out poppa's groans of terror - it's a bit scary, actually, he sounds like one of the Walking Dead.  Or if he doesn't now, he will after spending the night with Henry, moo haw haw).  This is Henry's first night away from mom & dad!  Very exciting! 

So, I guess, in hindsight, I don't have that much to complain about.  Oh.  Wait.  Except for the fact that there is a reeking, revolting, stinking dead mouse somewhere in my basement.  I can't find it, but I sure can smell it.  There's just something so WRONG about getting a whiff of dead-mouse stink every time the furnace comes on.  Sigh.  Anyone want to come over for a slightly deranged version of hide n' seek?!   

That's your Millbrook update for this (mediocre) Thursday.  Happy (almost) spring to one and all!

Anybody there?

Hallooooooo!  Anyone out there?!  

I can't quiet believe it's been so long since I've updated the ole' blogeroo.  Sorry to my loyal follower(s).  Fear not, we have not been struck down by zombies (though I have been watching The Walking Dead).  We have not eschewed technology (though my laptop is about to blow up).  We have not moved to a different charming village (though Rob is tempted as the ridiculous Otonabee Regional Conservation Authority discusses draining Millbrook's pond and ripping out the dam).  Nope.  We're still here, just busy, and lately the bloggy has been low on the list of priorities. 

We survived Xmas barely (after all 4 of us were struck down with that festive horrible influenza-ish plague that was going around).  We welcomed in 2013 in style with great hilarity.  We got back into our regular routine, such as it is, after a long break from school and work.  And now we're just trekking along.  Surviving winter, playing, laughing, loving, eating (most of us), sleeping (some of the time) and enjoying our general hysteria, hijinx, and happy times.

Chimp 1 and Chimp 2 in their play tent.  Clearly, too much fun for Henry

Stay tuned as I do my best to update more frequently.  Lots of good times a' coming in the HigginJax household - a fun trip to Florida in the very near future; more winter frolic, tho not this week as the temp is hovering around -20ish; and more daily adventures with the chimps!

Remember

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day and like many Canadians, our household will pause a quiet minute to remember the many Canadian Soldiers who didn't make it home.

Back in a different life, when we traveled around the world, we had the honour of visiting many war cemeteries in Europe. It is a sobering and educational experience to stand in front of hundreds of plain white tombstones, trying to comprehend that each one represents a death. Some young, saucy, handsome and homesick 18 or 19 year old man (boy!) who died in brutal bloody battle. When I think about the teenagers I know, it seems hard to imagine any of them being willing or capable to make such a sacrifice. When I think of my own children, I can't imagine watching them march off to war.

One of the most beautiful places we saw on our many journeys was the Canadian War Cemetery in Agira, Sicily. From the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website:  

On 10 July 1943, following the successful conclusion of the north African campaign in mid May, a combined allied force of 160,000 Commonwealth and American troops invaded Sicily as a prelude to the assault on mainland Italy. The Italians, who would shortly make peace with the Allies and re-enter the war on their side, offered little determined resistance but German opposition was vigorous and stubborn. 

The campaign in Sicily came to an end on 17 August when the two allied forces came together at Messina, but failed to cut off the retreating Axis lines. Agira was taken by the 1st Canadian Division of 28 July and the site for the war cemetery was chosen in September for the burial of all Canadians who had been killed in the Sicily campaign. 

Agira Canadian War Cemetery contains 490 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.

Agira is an ancient hilltop village and the views from the cemetery were spectacular. It was a magical, heartbreaking spot - so beautiful and peaceful.  It was impossible to imagine it was once a battlefield.  The graves were so well tended, with hundreds of flowers between the tombstones. 
 

Agira Canadian War Cemetery, Sicily

Looking up the hill to the cemetery monument

Beautiful setting

The graves were lovingly tended by locals, who apparently love Canadian visitors

Other than Agira, we visited many Canadian (or Commonwealth) Cemeteries, including ones in England, and many in France.  It was amazing to be driving along and then suddenly see a Canadian flag and realize we were on 'Canadian soil'.  We saw many signs like this one:

This land is the free gift in perpetuity of the French Nation to the people of Canada. 

We went on a quick trip to Lille and Vimy in September 2006.  Nothing had prepared me for the visual shock of actually seeing this many graves in one place. 

The French Cemetery in Vimy

Vimy was heartbreaking, fascinating, and sobering.  The experience of visiting Vimy is really amazing because you can see where the Commonwealth and German front lines were and they've recreated the trenches for you to walk through.  You can see the massive craters in the ground from mines, and the visitors center includes information on what living conditions were like for soldiers. 

Canadian Cemetery, Vimy

Canadian Cemetery, Vimy

Craters from mines, Vimy

Trenches, Vimy

It doesn't matter if you support war or not.  It doesn't matter what side your ancestors fought on.  It doesn't matter if you're a pacifist, a communist, or young or old.  The only thing that matters is that people remember.  Remember what happened, remember why, and do everything they can to make sure that the men represented by these stones are not forgotten. 

Tombstones for unknown soldiers, Vimy

Thanksgiving and groaning

Not that I actually have anything to groan about (ok maybe the perpetually whiny and possibly still sick little boy who is on antibiotics and has been waking up in the 4am-ish zone the past few days). The real groaning is the pressure on the waistband of my jeans after a weekend full of overeating. Today? Lunch was lemon meringue pie with blueberry pie for dessert! YUM!! 

We had a lovely weekend with family and friends, including a marathon hike of the Millbrook Valley Trails on Saturday. I had Henry strapped to my back in a carrier and like to think that the exertion of walking 1.5 hours like that helped to burn off my solid and liquid excesses of Friday night. 

More frosty mornings, and a furnace that's coming on quite regularly, and the days getting very shorter all mean that Fall's in the air!  These chimps don't seem to mind it one bit:

This was the best smile she could muster, being saucy and all.

What a chimp

Grinning goofball

Millbrook is looking beautiful, as usual.  The Fall foliage is in full effect, and the geese have taken over the millpond.  I know they are a pain in the arse, but, I have to say I love this time of year where they land by the hundreds and the air is full of happy honking. 

All's looking good on Millbrook pond

Yesterday was the Higginson/Lee Thanksgiving dinner at Granny Barbara's cottage on Missisauga Lake.  It was as crazy and chaotic as usual with 19 (nineteen!) of us crammed into a tiny one room cabin.  Some of the guests didn't take up too much room, like beautiful baby Owen, celebrating is first Thanksgiving:

A living yam:  Sir Owen, the chubby cheeked

I have to say, I think that King Henry got his knickers in a knot as he was quite fine with being the only baby on the scene.  Too bad sucker, you're getting to be a big grown-up boy now!!

Henrew!

And back to reality this morning.  A quiet day here, filled with leftovers, snuggles on the couch, and about 400 books out of the bookcase (so far).  Also, lots of time for peeking out the window to admire the fall leaves:

Looking at leaves n' geese

An amazing range of colours on our Maple out front

So, Thanksgiving is over.... what could possibly be next?  Oh yes!  Only 11 days until these fabulous lovebirds tie the knot (or Tighe the knot, if you prefer!).  Can't wait!!!

Soon to be Mister and Missus Bo-Tighe

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. I hope the many things you were thankful for this weekend keep bringing you joy and happiness for the year ahead.  Like pie.  Or crazy kids.  Or a happy, noisy, chaotic household.  Bliss. 

Just another September Sunday

Just a lazy September Sunday here. We're saying adieu to September in an understated way, I guess. 

The leaves are looking purdy, the day is kinda grey and chilly. I broke down and finally put the furnace on - turns out an indoor temp of 16.5 is my breaking point. 

Here's the view from here on this lazy day.  
 

The maple is starting to turn

Sumac's gone hot pink - beautiful!

'Tumnal splendour

Time for toques, I guess

Mister saucy, out for a stroll

This is her 'I found a pretty leaf' face, or so she tells me

Chimps

We're thinking of Granny & Poppa today as they do the marathon drive home from New Brunswick.  Will be great to have them back in the province, but I'll try to give them a solid 24 hours before I recruit them for babysitting duties!!  (Oh, they'll be SO glad to be back!)

Happy last-day-of-September!