fundy national park

This weekend was our first camping trip in a tent and our first trip to the Fundy National Park. There are no babies left so there's no reason we couldn't get back to nature. We've sold the tent trailer, the motorhome and we're working on a simpler, more familiar approach. No heat, no AC, no TV.  I believe we were at the site for 10 minutes before Elliott told us he wanted to go home.  I'm not going to lie, he asked many times over the last two days to go home. But, there were also many times he informed us he did NOT want to go home. I think Cody and I had similar internal struggles. To be fair to all four of us, yesterday was too hot (31 degrees). We are Canadians and are still acclimatized to much cooler temperatures. Heat = misery for team Jorgensen. Oh and there was a small black fly issue. They really got the kids down and by breakfast this morning Cody and I were losing it as well.

Taking an average, we had a great weekend. The Fundy area is very scenic: beautiful views of the Bay, the mixed forest, rough beaches, cliffs and of course the famous Bay of Fundy tides.  There were many highlights: the town of Alma for its beaches, cooler temperatures and classic Maritime scenes, Cape Enrage for its fog and working light house horn. And the people. Man it must be early in the tourist season because everyone was on their A game. Unbelievable hospitality was shown to us; a family who in reality live up the road.

I have an iphone in my pocket these days so I have a lot of photos to share.
And share I will:

 As is the Biggar-family way, the kids are bird watching at a scenic stop.

Maritimers love ice cream, especially next to smelly Lobster boats.

I personally adore the classic Canadian National Park sign.

Cody watching the kids collect shells and toss rocks on Alma's rocky beach.

Our treasure hunter...

Versus our muscle man who was only satisfied throwing boulder-like rocks into the Bay.

Finally. Fire time = S'more time.

It's raining, it's poring...

and our two kids are snoring.

Day two and much cooler as we explore Cape Enrage.

Team Jorgensen in the fog.

Be quiet! The fog horn was so loud.

Giddy at a new adventure.

 Forcing a photo.

 I don't know if the view translates, but it was special.

 Back to the boulder throw.

Kate's latest treasure: the tiniest snail she could find.

Kate's favourite weekend memories: collecting shells; Alma's sticky buns.
Elliott's favourite weekend memories: sleeping in sleeping bags, in the tent; learning to go down the fire pole at the camp site's park.
Cody's favourite weekend memories: watching the kids sleep in the tent; Elliott yelling at the Lighthouse fog horn, "I know, I know."
Aimee's favourite weekend memories: watching Kate teach Elliott to slide down the park's fire pole, walking the rocky shoreline with my three explorers.

New Brunswick I have to hand it to you, you surprised and delighted us this weekend. Respect.

Until next time, lots of love,
CAKE

may 29, 1953

Growing up I knew this date to be significant for two reasons, one being the day that the New Zealander, Edmund Hillary and the Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the second being the day my dad, George Henry Rau was born. So that can only mean two things - it's the anniversary of the ascent and it's my Dad's 60th Birthday.

It feels like a huge milestone and I'm so sad to only be able to gift him things, and thoughts, and not be able to wrap my arms around him and give him what he always loved best, hugs and love. Dad, I know I have been fortunate enough to know you for over half of your life, yet still feel that I missed out on knowing you in your most compelling years. The stories of your youth are in many ways the stories that filled my youth and fuelled my imagination.

You are a hard worker, a dedicated husband, dad and grandpa. You are complex; a pain; a love. You were the first man in the life that you helped give me. I love you today and always. My arms and heart ache for you. I love you.

 

Happy 60th anniversary of your day of birth. kisses and hugs - Aimee and the gang

the call of the wild

It's that time of year again - Dobson time. It's a very precise Spring window where a family can enjoy the Dobson trail without being eaten alive. It seems to have been a day on the cusp - the evidence was in - the hatch has begun. The kids didn't seem to mind though as they were busy throwing rocks in the water; inching closer and closer to the edge of the water or cliffs. At one point Cody arrived just in time to catch Elliott as he seemed to be jumping into the fairly fast moving flow. What a kid. Three minutes in and his boots were full.

 Cheese.

Moments before Elliott's big jump.

 One with nature.

One sort of with nature.

A last quiet moment.

Happy Sunday one and all. Cheers! Aimee

testing, testing, 123

We've had a busy week with Elliott. A lot of you probably know we've had some concerns with his diction and the volume he speaks at. I know he's super young but I had a hunch he was having some problems. He was recently assessed and it turns out there are a few concerns.  This week, he started speech therapy to clear up some "idiosyncratic"speech and to work on refining his vowel sounds.  As part of the process he also underwent some hearing tests today. A lot of speech issues are a result of a fluid build up in a child's ears, Elliott however does not have fluid issues or any other hearing problems. Super news. With that said, it turns out we have a loud kid with a speech impedement. A dream come true. Just kidding. He's doing awesome and I think he actually likes the structure and interaction with new grown ups. I'm totally impressed, he sits like an angel and does all the exercises and responded well to the hearing tests. He's a smart, confident kid. Moreover, he's a smart, confident, loud, funny sounding kid and we love him. 

 The B is for Bad Boy.

Kate news - she chopped about 4 inches off her hair yesterday. She was thrilled. On the way up to the salon we took an elevator, Kate's response: "Oooh I feel it in my belly. It feels like I have a baby in my belly and it just kicked me." Spot on my darling. Spot on.

TGIF and popcorn night. 

Happy weekend all y'all.

Kisses - CAKE

not for the faint of heart

Finally! These kids are getting to be fun. Like really fun. They're both making leaps and bounds with regards to knowing their bodies and beginning to test their abilities. After school today the kids rode their bikes and the four wheeler (aka gator) for two straight hours with no tears (despite a couple spills). They broke long enough for dinner and are now, back our there with Cody. I just returned inside after hearing murderous screams coming Elliott. It turns out that Cody just kicked Elliott's four wheeler into high gear for the first time and he was more than delighted. Do you think it could be pure coincidence that a Mountie just did a loop of our Court?

Here are our little things of beauty.

Elliott and his prized "motocycle".

 Ballet on a bike.

A Jorgensen convoy.

Elliott and his other prized possession - "mine four wheeler".

Here's where things get serious ... at least for the camera woman.

For me, today was one of those days that I am truly thankful for. Thanks little buddies: my cup runneth over. 

xoxo Mama

hmd

It's that time of year again - time to thank our Mamas for all they do and for all they have done. My Mom is basking in the heat and sand of Mexico so in a way I feel like my job is done. The truth is my card and gift did not arrive in time for her to enjoy (my bad) but she's gone to a better place. Enjoy your day Mom and know that I wish you were here with me. Why? Because I love you and because I'm sick and my kids could not care less. Google says it might be Beaver Fever due to my list of symptoms. It's nasty and strange.  But Mom don't you worry about me; I've got a new nurse man to take up the slack - time and distance has created.

So Happy Mother's Day Mama. Soak up the sun. Burry your toes in the sand. Get drunk on tequila but don't drink the water!

xoxo Aimee

classic canadiana

I knew it was coming, I remember it clearly from my days as a babysitter, I actually think it lead to my demise as a sitter. To be honest I thought we still had another couple years before the introduction of the the classic poop, pee, toot and bum jokes. And by joke I mean Kate will say "poop" and there is a burst of laughter. Elliott will respond with "bummie," again, laughs and giggles. From what I can tell Kate's teacher Mrs Raybould calls it bathroom humour. If Kate knows that term I'm figuring it's all the rage at school. I'm expecting that Elliott is going to be ready to jump into the laugh troupe's activities next September, he's a pro. For the most part I can deal with the silliness, it's just that it quickly degrades into making jokes about privates. I'm not going to get into the gruesome details here, they think they're hilarious, I find them grating.

A right of passage I suppose. I just don't know why they always start at meal times. I guess that's their idea of family time conversation.

Kate and I were printing words this weekend, she'd tell me what she wanted to learn. Way to prioritize my darling. And for those who are curious, the bottom words is Kate's other favourite activity writing letters and having me tell her what words she's creating - I called that one bait moi.

Happy hump day. aj and the little poopers