Sunset Ceremonies

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Keith & Darcie Dow <keith.darcie@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Jun 29, 2011 at 1:53 PM
Subject: Sunset Ceremonies
To: darciedow@posterous.com

One of the great things about living in Ottawa, Canada (and there are many) is the Canada Day celebration. The Nation's Capital is be greatest place to be to feel the patriotism, see the diversity, and experience the nation united in fun.  This year we won't be heading downtown for the festivities as we expect it will be even more crowded and crazy than usual, what with Will and Kate, the Royal Couple, in town.  mayhem.  However, there are many activities to go to that don't happen right on Canada Day that we can participate in.  For example, last Sunday night we took the kids to the Sunset Ceremonies at the RCMP Stables.  I had never seen the Musical Ride before and had only seen Mounties a few times around Parliament or in passing.  Typically, in American TV they are portrayed as 6-foot-tall men in the red surge, big hats and funny pants saying "Aboot" and "Please" and "Eh" in heavy repetition.  Truthfully, we Canadians do tend towards the extreme in manners, many of us do say "Eh?" and the Mounties do wear that funny uniform.  They are also a national symbol of sorts for honour and dignity and general uprightness. I do like the Mounties.  

For those of you who have no idea what the Musical Ride is I'll include this short video clip - although the pictures are much better.  We were on the right side of the arena for family pictures but not for horsie pictures.  I do apologize.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Conversations with a 4 year-old.

On the way to church Keith thought he take advantage of a "teachable moment" with Isaiah and try to teach him a new "day of the week".

Keith: Isaiah, do you know what day it is?
Isaiah:  Play with toys day!
Keith: Well, yes, you're going to get to play with toys.  But do you know what day of the week it is?
Isaiah: You don't have to go to work.
Keith: That's right, and what day does Daddy get to stay home on?  What is the name of the day?
Isaiah: Hannah.
Keith: No, not Hannah.
Isaiah: Uncle Trenton.  David.
Keith: (laughing)  No, it starts with an "S"
Isaiah: Saturday!
Keith: Yesterday was Saturday, so today is..ssssss
Isaiah: Saturday!
Keith: Yesterday was Saturday, today we are going to Kidmax.  What day do we go to kidmax on?
Isaiah: Saturday!
Darcie: Sunday, Isaiah.  If Kidmax is on Sunday and we're on our way to Kidmax, what day is it today?
Isaiah: Saturday!
Keith: Isaiah, see that big bright ball in the sky?  What is it called?
Isaiah: The Sun!
Keith: That's right, the sun.  So today is Sunday.  Do you know what tomorrow is?
Isaiah: Cloud Day!

:: right now ::

Right now I am...

~ smiling at how cute it is that Lucy has now named two of her babies "Sophie" after the little girl we met at the beach on Saturday
~ marveling at how many words come tumbling out of that small face each moment she is awake
~ hoping I remember this phase of Isaiah's homeschooling where is he so excited about letters and constantly asking "What does that start with?".
~ realizing he won't always be this exciting about learning everything
~ remembering the look on Lucy's face when I caught her putting on my make-up this morning
~ grateful for Keith and what he brings to our marriage and rearing our kids.  I am so glad I am not in this alone.
~ humbled by the sermon last Sunday
~ naively excited about the prospect of camping with our kids
~ smelling fresh bread
~ rather amazed at how much can get done when you embrace a rainy day indoors with your kids
~ happy to see the little green heads popping up in the garden rows
~ enjoying my busy hands and my full heart...and a little bit of chocolate brownie.

~this moment~

Joining SouleMama and her followers in this moment - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Weekend Surprise Trip!

Saturday morning Keith woke up and said "I have some big plans for us today!"  Then he promptly went downstairs to make pancakes.  I got up and started to get the kids ready for whatever these plans were.  Then he said "Pack overnight bags."  Yes, Sir!  Our last two residents had moved out on Friday so we had the house to ourselves and consequently the opportunity to take a spontaneous overnight family trip.

After a yummy breakfast and whirlwind packing for four people (for all contingencies - since I had no idea where we were headed) along with a picnic lunch we all climbed into the car.  Keith stopped at the grocery store to pick up "Buns for our sandwiches" and came back with three full grocery bags.  I discovered two giant bags of carrots.  He said he was looking for a peeler since he thought these would be a nice snack.  Odd, I admit.  But I didn't think much of it.  Keith does weird things sometimes.

After crossing into Quebec and driving for an hour or so we arrived at our destination:



Auberge Montebello.  Beautiful.  The famous Chateau Montebello Resort is down the road but we had no complaints about our comfortably priced hotel.  Big room, two Queen beds, a set of bunkbeds and a pack 'n play.  Perfect.  We dumped our gear and then Keith said "Aright, let's go!"

Back in the car.  10 minutes later we arrived at Surprise #2: Parc Omega.  I had never even heard of it and was thrilled that this is what we got to do!  The immense carrot purchase now made sense.

Feeding the fawns.  By this point, even Lucy had the nerve to come close.

Our little family

There were, of course, animals we were not permitted to feed carrots to.  These were behind fences.  Lucy is trying to give you a hint as to which animals these were.

Lulu pretending to be - well, something ferocious.

There were the Black Bears (Lucy's favourite), the Timberwolves, the Arctic Wolves, the Coyotes, and the Buffalo.  Apparently, the Buffalo might wreck your car - even if they aren't trying to be aggressive.

The Ibex were a true crowd-pleaser.  And very polite.

Mr. Ibex taking advantage of the fact that Keith frequently ignored the Omega safety rule of keeping windows half-closed at all times.  Stupid driver's-side window controls.

Our navigator

I think this is a great destination for families with kids.  We did the drive-around safari first.  Then we did two walking trails (one with a golf cart) where you could feed the deer without the safety of your vehicle.  The bonus was the park admission was included in our hotel cost.

Lucy's Omega highlight - riding in the front of the golf cart with Daddy. Well, that and the pigs!

It was a fantastic family getaway weekend for us - a time of refreshment and reconnection.

Isaiah's look of Terrified Pride - My wee boy is growing up.