September

Once the camera really died it's as if time stopped... okay not really but I went to check on the calendar, see what we did the rest of September and well, there's nothing... I know that I went back to work in September, which was hard, but not nearly as hard as it was in January.  I know Kate cried everyday when Ken dropped her off at Antoinette's, but as soon as he was out the door the show was over.  I know there has been a whirlwind of school work, I wish I could also say housework.  I know Kate has been settling more agressively into the terrible twos.  I know I'm so grateful for my little family.  One minute Kate is scratching and flailing but the next minute she's giving hugs and kisses and saying sorry. My favourite is giggling with her.  Ken comes home from working all day and makes amazing dinners and asks what I need.  Life is busy, but good and I am thankful.

Destination Equitation

We saw the signs along hwy 10 and mocked the name, but we were curious.  When we hear there was going to be a horse parade we were committed!

It was a very brief parade but enjoyable.  After the parade we enjoyed the farmer's market in Orangeville as we frequently do on a Saturday.  We also bought Kate a cute monkey suit for Halloween.  I put the top on her in the store and showed her to a mirror.  She then proceeded to march around the store making delightful monkey noises!  So cute!

Kate is 20 Months.

Wouldn't sit and pose for a picture - at least not while smiling... I still think she's cute though.

The ROM

We finally made it down to the ROM to check out the terracotta warriors.  It was an interesting exhibit that I probably saw 1/8 of.  I took Kate on a speed walk so that Ken could take his time and absorb and discover.  If you are unfamiliar with the terracotta warriors, it's a really interesting story, one that Ken could tell better than I but hey, here goes.  The emporers of China were not only concerned with power and prestige in this life, but also in the world to come.  The planned their buriel tombs - somewhat like the pharoahs of Egypt.  The terracotta warriors were discovered by a farmer in 1974.  The First Emperor of Qin in 210-209 BC had over 8000 warriors sculpted out of terracotta and then had them buried with him - the replicas, not the real dudes.

I always find it such an incredible experience to be in the presence of history, whether it's visiting an actual site or seeing an artifact.  In this case it's even more amazing because of how far they came - through time and geography, for me to see.

Kate enjoyed the replicas of the horses in the exhibit but the real fun lay upstairs.  After seeing the condensed version, Kate and I made our way to the dinosaurs.  Enjoyable yes, but they couldn't hold a candle to all of the different "stuffed" animals.  The kids discovery zone is awesome, and Kate had lots of fun.