Which is 89.6 degrees on the farenheit scale.  With the humidex it was 41C, which works out to be 105.8F.  And on this, the first hot, hot, sweltering Saturday of the summer we did not one but two outdoor activities.

First was J’s first day of soccer.  Now, Hubby and I consider ourselves mildly athletic. So by putting that together, J should be a pretty good athlete.  And so far, he is a shining star (at soccer, he didn’t do so well with the gymnastics).  His abilities seem to run along the lines of hockey, football and soccer so far.  He is great with his hands and feet in such a way that he has a wicked slapshot and a fabulous arm.  And so far, so good, his kick is dead on.

Here is a shot of him doing some of his skills training (should I admit that I took 250 photos?  Some were of his best buddy, who ended up on the same team).

And then, as if that wasn’t hot enough, Hubby and I packed the kids back up into the truck and headed over to our first ever local running event.  Originally I was going to do the 5K and Hubby the 10K, but I was a little nervous to push the kids and run 5K by myself, I didn’t think I could do it with both of them in the stroller and Hubby hadn’t been training at all so he didn’t want to run the full 10. Apple is no sweat, but J!  He is 55lbs, so I would have been pushing a little much.

It was Hubby’s idea that we do the family fun run/walk.  It was 2.5k.  In the end, with the heat and humidity it turned out to be the perfect length.   J even got out and ran for a bit, but as soon as he slowed us down Hubby had him jump back in the stroller.  There was a tot trot too, but since it was so hot we skipped it for fear that J would be melting and Apple would get heat stroke.

The best part was that this was our first time doing sports together as a family.  A was missing, but he probably wouldn’t have wanted to come, being 16 and all.  I look forward to a few more of these it was really fun getting out, the four of us.

 Two very efficient flight crews, One plane held, Two sleeping Children, One Tired Mama…

…Two Happy Cousins that didn’t leave each others side all day long…

…PRICELESS.

I was so busy after the Tulip Festival planting our own flowers and packing for our trip that I haven’t had time to post.  Yesterday was flight day and once we left Hubby at Security and headed to our gate, it was then that we found out that the flight had been delayed by an hour.  I pulled out the computer and we watched a movie to pass the time.  Apple used up most of her pre-bedtime happiness, so I was very worried for the four hour flight to Calgary.   I was also worried that we were going to miss our connection and I would have to haul these two to a hotel in Calgary at 10pm at night, all by myself.

Halfway through the flight when Apple had finally fallen asleep (after a few tears) and J was trying desperately to stay awake the wonderful Westjet flight attendants informed me that they were going to hold the flight back to Regina (yes we flew over Regina and back again).  I was thrilled.  We landed in Calgary and I had to carry a sleeping Apple and wake up an overtired J.  He was such a trooper he managed to stagger quickly to our gate.

The Westjet Crew in Calgary were nothing short of fantastic.  When I casually mentioned to the ticket agent that I didn’t have time to call my Sister back to let her know we were going to make the flight, she offered to do it for me.  She took the number and called!  By the way, this was when the agent was carrying my bags so I could push the stroller and drag J along.  Then we get to the plane and our bags are stowed, J is comforted and most importantly… I was not rushed.  Apple stayed asleep and I felt like the Crew actually cared that me and my children were happy.  One of the attendants was so caring that he almost made me cry.

My Brother-In-Law met us and we were in bed by 1am (3am Ottawa time).  Apple was up at 5am!!!  Yes, Mama had four hours sleep.  I woke J when his cousins were up in the morning and the fun did not stop until they were asleep at 8pm.  And that alone is worth the price of a ticket right there.  J and his cousin LJ are seven months apart in age, but glued to the hip when they are together.  There were no tears, no fighting, nothing but fun and laughter.  I hope to report more fun and games as the week goes along….