X marks the spot

See that X? There we were, that weekend Vern was away.

Ben, and me carrying Kait in the sling, cheering Jon and his friends on in their last soccer game of the season against another school.


Even without the game, the fall colours were peaking then, and the weather warmed up nicely for us not to be holed up at home!

No, it's not like Ben at all though, to sit still or stand around and watch the whole game.



But yes, he was being a pretty good sport, and we hung around for as long as it took.

And wherever we "strayed", be it to the playground nearby...

... or just running about...


... we were always close enough, to still be able to watch, every now and then, the team putting their best foot forward! And they did, winning this game, that couldn't have been a better way of wrapping up the soccer season!


Would you like to join us for a little walk in the park?...



I was wishing this wasn't such an urban setting, and had tried to capture the colours such that the manmade structures would not mar their natural beauty...


And look beyond the leaves, you can see some of the trees balding already!



Finally, it was time for the customary pizza party to celebrate another wonderful series of games that were a combination of wins and losses. Us parents' way of encouraging our children to keep going, besides gestures to thank the coaches for their hard work.
And yeah, more playtime for all the children!

All the way back to the car park, Jon and Ben didn't stop...

One boy dares the other, "I'll race you!" ...

And off they go...

Again, and again...

... with me, carrying Kait, hot on their heels! *pant* *pant*

Was I exhausted? That's an understatement! My back ached terribly from wearing Kait in the sling for nearly three hours. But she was a darling, and fell asleep for most part of the time (and only because of how snug she was in the sling). A stroller wouldn't have worked the same.

So then, quite the fine day it turned out to be, considering how we'd started out that morning! Some crisis management there, with me trying to multi-task a choked toilet, and a baby crying to be carried; while at the same time, hounding one boy to do his homework, and the other, I did not manage to distract, and he spilled yogurt all over the rug!


Back home, later that evening...

The boys and I were hungry enough to eat this up among ourselves. One of my favourite meatless meals to make, for how straightforward and fast it is.

Meal in a jiffy
Just season fish fillet as desired, and leave in oven to bake same time as the garlic bread (or whatever bread of your choice) is toasted. Or substitute rice or mashed potatoes as the carbo. And serve with greens on the side.

Dressup Fun

At the same time election signs dotted lawns here (and you'd know who's in whose camp), houses were also decked out with decorations for that yearly trick-or-treating that children would look forward to.

And while we watched from the sidelines Americans going to the polls to elect their president yesterday, our boys did get to be part of the dressup fun for Halloween last Friday. I'm glad we didn't have to miss out on it even though Vern was away.

Right: Jon and Ben with Princess Hope and Carolyn as Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, all ready to go trick-or-treating on Halloween night.

We don't live in the same neighbourhood, but it was really nice of Hope and Carolyn's mom to ask us to join them.

And so, we arranged to meet not at each other's place, but their friend's. On that particular street, not a single house wasn't decorated with some nicely carved out Jack o' lanterns. Chances were, no kids would be turned away when they went a-knocking on those doors for some yummy treat, often in exchange for a joke or two!

Here's how I carried Kait around that evening...


And she goes from awake... semi-awake.... to... semi-asleep... asleep! See what I mean, the sling/me as "walking sarong" does the trick?!

Once home, after all that traipsing, the boys were more interested in dividing up the spoils than talking to their daddy when he called us from out-of-town that night! Actually, they already snuck some to eat on the drive back... tsk, tsk, tsk!


So, Ben is a soldier...


Can you guess what Jon is dressed up as? You may have Ben's Tootsie roll! ;p


Meanwhile, hoping the other old trick of "out of sight, out of mind" will work to stop the sweet treats!

Reason to smile

So sweet of you all for caring... I'd like to say a BIG THANK YOU with these smiles from Kait!

Vern is back, yes! He was away for only four days, but it's different from when he has to work late, home alone with the three kids 24/7.

The toilet backed up and I had much worse than an explosive poopy diaper on my hands. And not that the regular stuff hasn't got my hands full already -- making sure the kids were clothed, fed, and bathed (and the bathroom clean again), there's the greater challenge when the boys would lock horns with each other, and with me... oh, the frustration, the despair, as always, sigh! And especially when it's not just the baby, but the three kids crying for my attention all at the same time. And I tried not to be discouraged when she wasn't sleeping so well again.

In the end, my top sanity saver was the activities going on, besides school, that gave us the perfect excuse to be out and about! Because, out of the confines of the home (and four walls) = kids can't drive me up the wall?! ;p

OK, that's not completely true. But Jon and Ben did get to run around and burn off some energy. And with Kait snug and comfy in the sling I carried her wherever we went, she caught some rest that way, too! As for me, I just can't enough of the pretty fall colours! (More on this, later).

I'm also really grateful for that one close shave (read: mini heat attack!), when Ben's fingers almost got crushed! It's a serious reminder for me to check thoroughly before closing the door after any child.

Thanks again for thinking of us, and for praying for our safety and God's protection. Wouldn't have done it without your support =).