Easter in Ottawa

Warning: "Wicked" may be used non-ironically in this post.

This is a woodpecker. It is on this maple tree. Would you like to know something interesting about woodpeckers? Woodpeckers carry fungi on their beaks. They sometimes peck a few holes in a tree, you know, to see what's what. On the bug front. Sometimes, there's absolutely nothing going on. No bugs. Woodpecker flies off.

So here's the trick. You ready? Nah, you're not ready. Forget it. Woodpeckers are boring, right? What? Oh, ok, I'll tell you. Fungi feed on the tree, bugs eat the fungi. SOOOOO, when the woodpecker checks on that hole again later, it just might find some bugs munching on the fungus it left there. You now know infinity more about woodpeckers than you knew before. You're welcome.

Speaking of fungi, here's a fun guy! Uncle Mark is rolling the dough. Rolling the dough. Rolling the dough. Ok. That's enough already. Leave it alone. Seriously. Enough.

Hey! What's wrong with you?

Annick learned, for the first time, of the existence of Silly Putty. Puts that woodpecker thing to shame, doesn't it?

Cute.

Auntie Laura made a wicked batch of bean soup. That has nothing to do with this photo, but that doesn't make it untrue.

There is a Harvey's commercial on TV.

We had a wicked easter egg hunt. It all ended with a bunch of sharing. Commies.

She's got that socialist look in her eye.

A dropped Smartie created a mini Easter egg hunt for Mao.

Mao may not be the most adept at Smartie hunting... (Look behind him. And this was after a lot of coaching.)

Fortunately the kids were quite a bit better at finding the treats.

And then they stood by the fence.

Easter eggs were coloured. Is that dye safe? Because we used to eat the eggs after. So really. Are we all going to be ok? Let me know. I'll probably be awake.

Kaya gave a bubble sword demo.

Oskie had the knack, but would later hold the whole works upside down. End of bubbles.

Old school!

Birthday part 2, Cousins.

In the afternoon I sprung Emma out of school a bit early and we met up with the cousins at the biodome.

The kids relaxed in a giant penguin egg.

Then it was off to St-Hubert for supper.

Get the camera mom, they're going to sing!

The staff sang "Bonne fete, Pascale" for Oscar. No explanation.

More candles!

And ice cream clowns for all the cousins!

Friday

O: What day is it today?

A: Friday.

O: Am I still four?

International festival of Oscar's Birthday, Pt 1.

Yes, it's that time of year again. The robins have returned, the crocuses have bloomed, and Oscar is a year older. As Annick pointed out, it seems like he's been 3 forever.

The day started with a handmade card from Emmanuelle. ("I love you Oscar"

Then a hug from big sis and it was off to daycare.

...where there were more hugs from Sandra.

Papa brought the cupcakes.

Oscar gave out the party hats.

Do you like my party hat? I do, I do like that party hat!

Imagine some wonderful singing in the background.

Can you get mad at him?

Oscar has been up in his bed for 40 minutes. Occasional whining. Sometimes he does this. He wants a water bottle. He wants socks. He's taken his pyjama off and he's cold. He's upside down in his bed and can't find his pillow. He wants sleeves. He doesn't want sleeves. He wants another story: "One day!"

Not today. I go up to check out the situation. He sounds sad.

"What's up bud?"

"Hello Kitty's bow fell off."

"Do you know where it is?" (At this point I should describe who "Hello Kitty" is, in this context. Hello Kitty is the green, shamrock-eared bear in blue jean overalls that Oscar made with Grandma last month in Ottawa. But I guess you knew that...)

"No. It's lost. I lost it..." (Despair.)

"Well, maybe it's lost..." I go and turn on the light. Usually the light stays off except for extreme circumstances. I spot the bow. "Here it is." I put the bow back on, and Hello Kitty back into Oscar's arms. No more words. Light off. He's asleep now.

He's going to be 4 years old in 2 days and 47 minutes.