Sept & Oct ....

Woops a few weeks have flown by yet again since my last update so here we go.

Finally Fraser is now in school full time and still all seems well, he is more than happy lining up for school in the morning and off he goes. He did come out of school recently, proudly pulled out a plastic bag from his coat pocket where he showed me his 5 pet grasshoppers and their food 'grass' and then promptly shoved them back into his pocket - you've got to love boys!

The last weekend of September saw a long weekend for the kids. So Friday morning Fraser went to play with Harry whilst I took Tegan, Mia and Lexi up to camp in order for them to try and sell all their Girl Guide Cookies - what a success they had on the unsuspecting soldiers and managed to have a complete sell out. After collecting Fraser I took them all ice skating prior to a quick stop for lunch then a cycle ride around the prairie in order to walk Jinx before heading into Medicine Hat. My kind neighbour informed me first thing Friday morning that I had a large nail stuck in my rear tyre which wasn't the start to the day I wanted as Chris was out on the prairie on not due home for a couple of days. So on the way to Med Hat I called into Kirk's Tires, put on a little lip gloss and they very kindly plugged my tyre for me, foc. Fraser thought it was great how they sorted out the tyre and was mesmerised for 5 minutes. After shopping as the kids had been so good all day we met up with Noo, Harry & Lexi and went out for tea - a great end to a busy day.

The remainder of the weekend was spent going to the cinema and then on Sunday I summoned up some courage and decided it was time that I did a weekend 'shinny' (friendly ice hockey game with whoever turns up plays). I was on the 'light' coloured team and after a couple of minutes of play whilst sitting on the bench I started to remember how much the guys smell whilst playing hockey - mind you I'm sure I don't smell of roses. It was a good game and good experience so I intend to play lots more.

Prior to doing the weekend shinny I had participated in the week long 2nd year skate school, which was a great feeling getting back on the ice and trying to remember all the things we had been taught from the previous season. This week 4 Oct is hockey school and then the games begin, starting Friday with a shinny against the 1st year guys. Sam T also organised a girls night to visit a local store in Medicine Hat called Source for Sports - a hockey store. BATUS and Source for Sports have a good relationship therefore they were happy to put on a night just for us girls, providing us with nibbles and wine/beer and enabling us to have the store all to ourselves and ask any questions regarding hockey. I would say most of us girls bought something - well I mean girls in a shop and not buying anything! Some girls spent a little more that others especially after lots of wine.

Pat & Rick arrived in Canada on the 30th September and so far the weather has been fantastic for them with lots of Autumn sunshine. They were in time to see Tegan and Fraser participate in the schools Terry Fox run which took place on Friday. Friends Sam T and Sam D also have their parents out visiting Canada so Saturday night we decided to take them all to Ralphs Texas Bar for a night of cowboys and two stepping - brilliant fun. Sunday was a picnic in Echo Dale park and a walk along the Saskatchewan river again in fantastic fall sunshine.

Monday 4 October 8 girls went western style horse riding to celebrate Noo's birthday - I forgot how high you are once on a horse. We went on an hour long ride out over the prairie - a great way to spend a Monday morning and all the horses behaved. On returning to the village Laura very kindly provided birthday lunch for us all and all the visiting mum's came round to join in.