The Games .....

.... have begun!  What is Little Smiley looking at?

Last Sunday we went to the big city.  When we arrived we met up with Mommy & Daddy and the little boys.  You might notice that Little Smiley has a goalie helmet (Clue #1).  What do you think he sees?  Another photo.....

.... (Clue #2) shows a goaltender on the rink below us.  Why is Little Smiley so intrigued with this goaltender???  Well....

.... maybe because he was an excellent goaltender and Little Smiley has recently become totally captivated by the game of hockey.  Take that and add to it the fact that the goaltender in the picture.....

.... is Daddy!  We went to see this game since it was play-off time, and we wanted Daddy to have a cheering section.  It was such fun!  Daddy's team actually won the game, but due to it being play-offs, there was a shoot-out at the end and unfortunately Daddy just couldn't stop that puck from sneaking into the net.  What about Munchie???  Well..

... he sat with Poppa and watched for a while, but there was a play area downstairs in the building and he decided he would rather go and play. It was a supervised play area, so he could stay down there while Poppa held on to a pager, that the staff would use if they needed him to come down.  Little Smiley....

...... went down with Poppa to have a look, but decided he would rather watch Daddy.

..... so they were soon back, and there he stayed until it was time to head downstairs to wait for Daddy....

.... where he charmed all the other players with his helmet and his smile!  We had such a good time and we were so proud of Daddy for the excellent job he did!  Now he is resting a sprained ankle that he got in a previous game  - he can finally give it a rest and let it heal!  Congratulations on a fine game Daddy!

Reality....

.... is setting in.  We are back in Canada.  In our backyard.....

.... there were still remnants of winter, but...

... the lilies are valiantly making an effort to grow up anyway.  Other plants are sprouting - but no beautiful flowered trees like there was in Florida!  The second day we were home....

.... we had received a skiff of snow overnight.  I was not too impressed and was already longing to return to that sunny villa in the south!  Oh well....

... Poppa went out and moved that blob of snow around.......it is now gone!  Even so, it is still..........

......... chilly enough for Taffy and Squeegie to put on their socks and their winter coats when we go out.  On a more positive note - got an e-mail from Auntie Denise to tell me she had accepted a 60-year pin for a member of our Catholic Women's League........

..... and here she is presenting that 60-year pin to the recipient - yes - that is Gramma Grace looking quite pleased to be honoured!  Thank you to Auntie Denise for bringing the pin to Gramma Grace at the Atrium Retirement Home.  Now I must get back to the housework, since I will be going to work next Wednesday.  More later about my latest knitting project.

Time Flies

I can't believe we've been home for a week already!  It took us two days to get the car unpacked and everything put away.  And I've done..... oh wait.... the trip home comes first!  Ok.  The first day.....

.... we got as far as Jonesville, North Carolina.  The weather was still balmy and we did not have any rain during our journey north.  You can see Zipper right at the front of this picture.  We had the best parking spot - right near the stairs leading to our second floor room....

.... where we deposited the bears and.....

..... after admiring the view from the hotel....headed down this hill to find something to eat.  We ate.....

..... here because it was quite close.......and........ then discovered just how steep that hill was as we climbed back up it to the hotel!  Whew!  The next day - another eight hours on the road - found us at our familiar Day's Inn at Niagara Falls.  After...

.... turning on the TV for Squeegie and Taffy, we went for a stroll down to see the Falls - only to discover that it was very chilly in Canada - so we strolled back up another hill back to the hotel for the night.  Next day (now it is Wednesday)....

.... it was a short drive up the highway to visit Mommy at work.  She came out for lunch with us.  And, a few hours later....

.... Poppa was holding the hands of his two favourite little people as we headed to McDonald's for supper.  It was a busy time, and for some silly reason I didn't have the presence of mind to take my camera in there..........and didn't get any pictures. Thank you to Mommy for this one!

One Week Ago....

.... today we were preparing to head north for Canada.  I worked my way....

... from one end of the villa to the other, dusting and making sure everything was in order.  I started at the Pooh room.... knitting central was gone.... moved on to.....

.... the twin room at the front of the villa, all our stuff had been loaded into the car. and then to....

.... the double room.  I checked the closets and the drawers to make sure we had all our stuff was out and everything was nice for the guests coming in when we left.  I headed to.....

... the kitchen, checked....

.... the dining area - office central had disappeared,  glanced around....

... the sitting room, where the bears were waiting for us..... I looked in the .....

... master bedroom - everything looked to be in place.... and finally...

... found Poppa putting the finishing touches on the master bath....

.... where everything looked to be in place.  And then with the thermometer reading 78F, we locked the doors and we were on the road again....but that is tomorrow's story!

Last Day

Today is our last day at the villa.  Poppa is very busy....

.... he started out at the pool, sweeping up any dust that had accumulated out there, and then ......

... re-arranging the patio furniture to make it look inviting for the guests coming in tomorrow.  Now he is cleaning the floors.  I have finished dusting everywhere that he hasn't already cleaned.  The cupboards and the fridge are empty except for the dishes and pots.  Everything is packed except our travel bags, the computers and the bears.  Last evening....

... we went to Celebration to attend Mass at Corpus Christi.  The number of people attending Mass has gotten noticeably smaller.  This is a side view of the church - there are too many trees at the front to get a good photo.  I snapped this as we were leaving the parking lot and forgot to ask Poppa to move his arm!  After church......

... we went to Granny's favourite spot for dinner.  Poppa had a pork chop and I had chicken tenders with macaroni and cheese.  For those of you who like macaroni and cheese - try it at the Cracker Barrel - scrumptious.  For those of you who don't like it, try mashed potatoes and gravy.  We both left feeling a little bit over-stuffed!  On the way home.....

... we were driving in the direction of this beautiful Florida sunset.  I couldn't resist taking a picture with the palm trees.  Each time we leave the villa.....

... we drive past these pretty cone shaped trees.  They have large, shiny leaves and always appear to be thriving.  BUT - if you look closely you can see white blossoms on these trees.  We were not even aware that they would get flowers - and were amazed.  After much driving around and finally getting Poppa to help me - we managed to find a flower low enough that we could get a close-up....

... of an actual flower!  Aren't they pretty?  Does anyone know what kind of trees these are?

What is.......

....... going on?  Well, I have been  packing bins.....

... with things we are leaving here awaiting our return.  What is....

... Poppa doing???? Well....

... he is doing his usual spring villa cleaning.... with Squeegie's help of course.  He did all the light fixtures and....

... all the cupboard tops and ledges and....

.... all the window sills and all the plants.  Now I just have to finish packing and dust all the furniture.  We'll clean the fridge, the bathrooms and do the vacuuming on our way out the door on Monday morning.  It will be sad to leave, but nice to see our little boys again.

The Easter Rabbit....

......... visited Munchie's house - I just received pictures recently.  It looks like....

.... the Bunny made a large drop-off!  Tons of candy and...

.... street hockey equipment.

Little Smiley just couldn't wait....

.... to get ready to go outside to play.  And....

... was soon practicing some moves while he waited for Munchie and Daddy to get ready.  It didn't take too long....

... and there he was - outside in the net with that big glove ready.

Soon they were all engaged in a great game and having a great time.  After a while...

... they switched places and Munchie played goalie.  They all enjoyed their game and Mommy enjoyed watching and getting pictures for me!  That Easter Bunny sure knew what would please the little boys!  Oh yes....

... the Bunny also stopped by the villa with treats for Taffy and Squeegie - he brought each one their favourite chocolate goodies!  Thank you Easter Bunny!