Bowling and Ranchmens Party...

Firstly I must yet again comment on the crazy Ralston weather system that we seem to have all to ourselves. So we have gone from sunshine to snow back to sunshine and now gale force winds and rain which makes the prairie extremely boggy. Last week Chris's TSV has got stuck out on the prairie with several other vehicles and the season hadn't officially started (1 May) so at this rate they could all be stuck in mud! It also makes walking Jinx hard as my boots get so caked in mud you can hardly walk although it doesn't slow Jinx down. As I am writing this blog (Mon 3 May) we have just been told to expect 100km hr winds due tonight and snow!!!! What!

Two weeks ago we had a Ranchmen's Ball/seafood night in the mess. The Canadian's don't really appreciate getting 'dressed up' hence the western theme for the night. So with Chris and I appropriately dressed in our cowboy boots, shirts and hats off we set for a night of yee hi. The seafood night has always been a big thing in the mess but due to several reasons it was slightly downscaled this year but saying that the spread off food was great and much enjoyed by Chris who could eat lobster and prawns until he could eat no more. A group of ladies had come up from Medicine Hat to teach us all line dancing which was very entertaining followed by a brilliant 3 piece band who played until 1am when we had to go home.

As the boys were working on the Saturday Noo and myself took our children (5 in total) into town for lunch followed by bowling. Noo has found a great little bowling alley which is 5 pins with small wooden balls which means the kids can manage them on their own - great. All the kids had a great time and by the time we had driven back to Ralston the day was over. Lots more trips like this will be planned over the next 6 months whilst Prairie season is on.

Last week was Education week at Ralston school which commenced on the Monday morning with pancakes for breakfast. Tegan has already become a teenager and doesn't get out of bed on a school morning but Monday morning she was up and dressed and ready to be at school for 8am - to ensure she got her full share of the pancakes and sausages. Obviously Fraser was more than happy with his change in breakfast - beats cereal! The school also held a 'volunteers appreciation lunch' which lots of us were invited to on Thursday. Finally on Friday there was a 'soc hop' for all the kids - disco. Tegan chose her party dress finished off with her Spanish red and white polka dot shoes - looking at Grade 2 and above I am going to make the most of 'party dresses' as I don't think that will be her choice next year. The kids had a great time dancing and Fraser loved running around with his mates Cameron and Harry. The parent council provided a bbq for all the kids which I helped out on. Chris managed to make it up to the school just in time to see the older kids arrive for their disco - he was amazed how girls dress sense changes so quickly with age, I think he wants to keep Tegan aged 6.

On Wednesday night the Sparks and Brownies had a trip to the BATUS Fire Station which is located at the entrance to camp. I volunteered to help!!! of course I also had to take Fraser along who thought it was great. The guys were really good and showed the girls all round the 3 engines that they have letting them climb over them and press the siren button. We also got a ride on one of the engines through camp and over to an open piece of ground where they demonstrated the fire hose. All the kids loved the visit and camp home with stickers, hats and books.


So with Chris definitely out on the prairie all weekend plans had to be made. Saturday was a friend Zoe's birthday so Noo and I organised a birthday lunch for Zoe and all the kids and we even got to sit down and watch a dvd (PS I Love You) a good girlie film, obviously interrupted a million times by one or several of the children, but it felt very decadent for a Saturday afternoon.

Sunday I was brave and took Tegan and Fraser to Medicine Hat leisure centre swimming. We had a fab time with Tegan now jumping in and diving under water - such a change from a year ago when she wouldn't get water past her neck. Fraser - well he just wanted to do everything, including going into the big pool and jumping off the diving board - no fear, as I am treading water ready to drag him to the side. The pool is great as every so many minutes the waves start up along with a whirlpool section and all sorts of floats to play with and cheap $16 for a family of 4 (approx £10).

I am trying hard not to ask Chris when he thinks he will be home as the Medman exercises have started there is no hope - he is currently starting work at 5am and straight out on the prairie all day - but I think he loves it - much better than sitting in an office. Hopefully I will get him to make an input to the blog soon.