We're going to P.E.I.!

We booked a campsite for this summer: http://www.twinshores.com/

We're going to be there July 13-15 so if you're interested in meeting up with us for some tenting mayhem book soon. The MacDougalls are going to be joining us - the more the merrier!

We've never been to Prince Edward Island so we're very excited to have finally have this organized. This will leave Newfoundland and Labrador as the only province Marla and I have not been together.

I'm feeling better today - despite the Senators losing last night in double OT.

Declan's First Lacrosse game

Okay, I know I have been very Declan-centric lately but nonetheless he had his first lacrosse game today.
Despite the fact that the Tykes level is non-contact and players have to wear a full mask, kids must wear mouth guards. The smallest mouth guards available barely fit in the kids mouths! Below is a picture with Declan wearing his mouth guard.

Declan is on the Sackville Wolves and today he played the Dartmouth Bandits (in white). Declan is number 6 (in black). Here's him in the thick of things:

Again it was difficult to take pictures. The stands were protected by netting - I snapped one of Declan partaking in the customary post-game handshake. And finally, here's one of Declan acting like the tough lacrosse player he really is (post-game) - I guess he was having so much fun he forget to sweat!










BTW: Darby and Ella still exist. They had a tonne of fun not watching the game - instead they like to play hide'n'seek in the arena - NOT FUN for Marla and I!

Declan Lost a Tooth Today!

This is the first tooth to fall out the natural way. It was played with and wiggled the last couple weeks. (he has a couple teeth at the moment that are in the wiggly stage)

Recall: the first few teeth Declan lost was on account of that incident in the Fall of '06 when he beat up a bunch of psycho-ninjas bent on world destruction. Declan is our protector.

Canuckleheads

Sure we're Senators fans in this house but some of us do have divided loyalties. The past few birthdays, I've made Marla a cake and had the boys help decorate it. Marla expressed a desire for an ice cream cake this year so I obliged. (Am I to read into this that Marla does not appreciate my cake making abilities?) So we went to DQ this year and I allowed the boys to design it. They picked the colours and logo. This is what the boys came up with:

Ella takes after her mother:

We haven't been able to follow the Canucks this year - games start at 11pm out here on the east coast!!! I got to see a bit of the first game against Detroit but that was only because I was sick and happened to be up after midnight trying not to vomit. I'm better today despite the fact that our house is incredibly noisyl - today's attendance: Ella, Darby, Ryan, Colby, Liam, MacKenzie, Logan, Jarrod - who knows who Declan will bring home from school today with him. I'm supposed to be resting!!!

Does anyone else think of Yoda when they see Lou Lamoriello? Give the guy a wooden walking stick and grey cloak and he's Yoda.

Declan's Homework

This is a page of the school work that Declan brought home today.


I have Strep(?) Throat. I went to doctor today - I haven't been to work in a few days and it doesn't look like I'm going tomorrow now either. I even missed the parent-teacher interview last night. I haven't been the active blogger guy I want to be lately because of it - I'm tired all the time - even now. Hopefully the drugs kick in soon and you'll see more pictures coming.

First Lacrosse Practice

Well...actually it was the second but he refused to get out of the car for the first - so this is the first one he participated in. k - maybe it's the third because we didn't get the message about the very first practice - messages sometimes get lost at our house so I won't hold this against the manager.

We're not sure why he wouldn't get out of the car for the first practice - he seems to love lacrosse. When I get home from work he always want to play catch and right up until he wouldn't get out of the car on Sunday he had been constantly asking: "when i am going to be on a team?" and "when does lacrosse start?"

Declan is so good he scared the goalie out of the net with his wicked shot!

The lighting in the arena would not cooperate. I haven't read the manual for the camera either. It's an awesome camera and I'm sure Marla will be able to get better pictures of him when she somes to a game or practice. First game is this Saterday! The whole family is going to that one. He has one more practice before then.

My initial impression is that minor lacrosse is far better run than minor hockey. Declan is in TYKE and in hockey he was in NOVICE. Well TYKE lacrosse puts kids on teams and they play games every Saterday with referees. Novice hockey was maybe 10 minutes of intersquad games at the end of one of the weekend practices if the kids were lucky. What fun is that for a kid Declan's age who just want to play and have fun? You shouldn't put kids through practice after practice without a reward. Declan still has little understanding of the game - he rarely played the game this past year. They also put too many kids on the ice at the time for hockey - almost 60 in Declan's Novice program! Declan is on a lacrosse team with 11 kids - that's it. The lacrosse coach (Guy) also runs his practice somewhat military style which Declan really responds to well - I'm told that never happens anymore in minor hockey cause it upsets hockey parents. Halifax minor hockey must be where Sidney Crosby developed his whine.

Painting

Darby helped me paint the bathroom downstairs today. The bathroom was a filthy brown that had that über-lame sponge effect. It always looked dirty even when it was clean. Marla wanted to paint it a pale blue though I argued the fact that the tile is brown, the counter is brown and both the sink and toilet are that horrible almond colour (wannabe brown) AND most importantly there are no professional sport franchises whose colours are brown and blue - or college either! (yes, it's true - this is how I decide which colours go together. Sport franchises want spectators to feel comfortable cheering for them, more fans means more revenue so it follows that franchise want to solicit as large a fan base as possible. But almost always the popular primary colour combinations are chosen by existing franchises thus limiting the colour combinations available. Therefore, I am positive that vast amounts of marketing dollars are spent on determining which colours are best suited to solicit a positive response from the spectators - since I cannot think of a blue and brown team I conclude that these colours do not go together. It's clear that if brown and blue were meant to be together the marketing gurus would have picked up on that by now - right?. I tried my best to convey this logical and reasoned argument to Marla but she refused to listen.) I personally was hoping for an orange mist colour - à la Cleveland Browns.

Darby had a fantastic time and he's very proud of himself. Notice the careful, steady, two-handed, mature and studied technique; he'll be contracted by the Vatican before you know it just like the masters: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo - one of Darby's goals in life is to be the fifth Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

Here's the best picture. This confirms his Kealeyness. This is him imitating his grandfather:

Notice the tongue. Not quite in yet not quite out.

(I will fix the red-eye on this picture eventually and re-post later)

Marla wants you all to know that you can add comments and are welcome to do so - just click "Comments".

Lacrosse

We have four four-year-old boys in the house today. FOUR FOUR-YEAR OLDS! Liam and Colby who Marla is looking after today. Jarrod is visiting from down the street. And of course Darby. The house is rowdy. "Can we have a cookie!?!?!?!?!?".

Declan has his first real lacrosse practice this Sunday. We're all excited about it. He has been attending some lacrosse clinics. This will be the first time he'll be playing with an assembled team. I'm hoping he shows no interest in playing goalie. Definitely not because it would be an expensive position like it is in hockey - no, it's because only insane children would want be a lacrosse goalie. I do not wish to discover that Declan is insane.

The World Lacrosse Championship is in Halifax this year. I am hoping to take Declan to a game or two - we don't have tickets yet though. I miss going to the Ottawa Rebel games even though the team sucked - our boys would have loved going to those games.

We couldn't stay up for the Canucks game last night - I know they lost though and that the game went into overtime again.

Library

I took the boys to the library today to return their books - they were a day late and 7 books returned a day late = $0.70

For the most part the boys choose pretty lame stuff influenced by flashy covers of course. BUT NOT TODAY! Even Marla was excited with what we came home with: "Tron" and "The Little Engine That Could". That's right they picked the Disney movie Tron from way back in olden days (that's 1982). I hardly remember it but I am looking forward to watching it again - I just know I remember liking it. Perhaps I mostly remember the video games - that one where you were either a blue or red motorcycle thingy and you had to trap your opponent within your exhaust was awesome (well, i know it wasn't exhaust but it was a trail of somekind). I'm sure I relearn whatever that was shortly.

Here's a wee bit of triva about Tron taken from wikipedia:

Some of the terminology used in Tron was taken from similar terms used by the Burroughs Computer company (since merged with Sperry Univac to form Unisys): "De-Rezzed" refers to "DS", a mainframe console command to "Discontinue" or "Kill" a running program. "MCP" (Master Control Program) was the name given to the operating systems for the Burroughs large systems, medium systems, and small systems respectively.

I'll be telling people at work this tomorrow. Somehow I suspect that some people may already know this - the geek factor at work is high. Or it is geek quotient? hmmm.

I don't have a distinct memory of "The Little Engine That Could" but I know the story - and I know at some point it was read to me. I'm happy that they finally picked a story I know.

I use to read the boys Bible stories at night to get them to go to sleep - who wouldn't fall asleep right? Unfortunately, that tactic doesn't work anymore.

Ella's interesting fashion sense

Every chance Ella has she likes to explore her wardrobe - with interesting results.

Sometimes she explores Darby's

Fortunately, sometimes she lets Mom dress her.

Ouch!!!

Here's the proof I'm working hard at the gym - that's a montrous blister. But hey - I'm tough.

Ben 10

Declan had a really good report card recently - all A's and B's. So Gramma decided to send him a reward in the mail. It arrived today and oh my the fit that ensued. My mother got Declan a couple of Ben 10 action figures (definitely not dolls - got it). One of them was a figure that Darby didn't already have - some alien bounty hunter dude. Darby freaked. Apparently, Declan is not allowed to have Ben 10 action figures that Darby doesn't already have. Who knew?
For those not in the know - Ben 10 is something that is of course described by wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_10
For those who don't know we don't have cable and our antenna barely works (only two stations come in). The kids got turned onto this by visiting this: http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/ben10/index.html and playing the games - Marla has been known to play as well. I have to admit that the theme song is pretty catchy.

Don't forget Canada Tracy!!!

Hi Tracy,
Now that you live in the land down under do you think you'll get a chance to walk on frozen lakes?

This obviously is not a new photo; it was taken during Tracy's January visit this year (on First Lake). That's Declan in the green, and Darby in the blue (with red toque). (I took both boys skating on the lake this year.) Do they wear toques in Australia? Tracy will have to let us know?

There is still snow on the ground here - not much but I hear it may snow tomorrow. It was actually really nice today; the boys played outside for most of the afternoon. We had a BBQ!!! We just might get a chance soon to teach Darby to ride a bike without training wheels!

We recently watched "Escape to Witch Mountain" - it actually held the boys attention the whole time. They've since watched it a second time.

We went for groceries today. Big deal right? Like why would you want here about us going for groceries. Here's the thing - we go as a family. Marla does up lists for the boys to be responsible for. Basically, we take allot of time doing groceries. So we get to the front and we're in line. We're next to go. And the P.A. system announces that the BMO is having problems - we can't use our debit card. We'll no big deal you say - just use your credit card. Well our MasterCard is with BMO! but you must have another card you say - I most certainly do. The problem is they don't take American Express!. But wait there's hope - there's a BMO branch next door. I run to the bank (I have blisters by the way - that whole working out thing brought them on but hey I'm tough and I ain't quittin'). I get to bank and there is a shitload of people there cursing the way that maritimers curse: "it's a sin", "it's some shitty", "it's dat Stephen Harper fellar's fault I tell ya", "dem bastards in Ontario are at it again". Apparently, BMO is having major problems. I head back to the grocery store where I left Marla and the kids. We go to customer service - thank heavens they fix us up. They eventually accepted my MasterCard and we went home - the size of a twoonie.

Lemonade Stand!

It's finally together!

Hockey Party

From Ella

I intended to post yesterday but I basically fell asleep right after diner.

We just got back from Declan's hockey party. He didn't behave well but Ella and Darby had a blast. Darby played with all of Declan's friends. Declan sat in the corner. And Ella hung out with her buddy Thomas. Declan got a pretty cool trophy - it's a bobble head. All the players also got personalized Sackville Flyers ball caps but Declan won't were his because he wanted a Moosehead hat instead.

Marla went to the dentist today - she has tonnes of cavities. She must have all her teeth pulled and have dentures fitted.

Here's one of Declan, Darby and Daniel:

New Roof

We got our new roof today. See the difference? We had black shingles replaced with this new cedar colour - looks way better with the brick doesn't it? We're $3032.40 poorer.

And yes there is still snow on the ground here. In fact, tonight's forecast calls for 2 cm of snow. But also notice that the window is open which is to say it is not that cold.

Declan had a new gym teacher today. I asked him if something special happened today and that's what he said. Darby's response: "nothing" (with a shrug). The boys don't know it yet but they are getting a lemonade stand; Trish (from my work) gave it to them. It's Little Tykes-like but it's not Little Tykes. I had to leave it at work today since I got a ride home. Tomorrow I'm bringing the van and I'll bring it home. I know they'll love it.

Not sure if I told everyone this yet but a project I worked went public a couple weeks ago. It's actually really popular - the first week saw about 1000 concurrent users at a time: www.novascotiagenealogy.com Have a look! There's only one Kealey in the database. Plenty of McNeils though!

GO SENS GO!

I took a bold step today. I got a gym membership. Yes sir. Just a 6 weeks intro membership at this time - I didn't want to do anything more than until I know I can actually make going to the gym a habit. So this is gym membership day one and I have been to the gym - so far so good I'm 100%.

We had to buy Declan a new book bag today - this is not a good time of the year to buy a book bag!!!

We were a busy house today - Declan had Matthew over, Darby had Jarrod over, Ella had Thomas over! A friend at work gave us kids clothes and stuff today. Declan is pretty pumped over a pair of Halifax Moosehead sweat pants. Yesterday she gave Ella a pink lava lamp - that is a definite hit with all the kids. She told me tomorrow she'll be giving me a kids lemonade stand - needless to say she's a great a friend - three cheers for Trish.

Roofers come tomorrow - can't wait.

At this point it's 4-1 Ottawa - woo hoo - great game (so far).

BTW: Marla had a bad day today so if you get a chance give her a call and cheer her up!

woo hoo

Just got back from my hockey. We won!

Day 2 of THE BLOG

Well, it seems as though Marla is "too busy" to participate in the family blog at this time. Oh well, maybe later she'll change her mind.

Anyhoo,

We decided on a roofer. Dr. Solar arrived today to remove the solar panels and the roofers are expected to come on Thursday - weather permitting. Once the new roof is on, Dr. Solar will pay us another visit to re-install the panels. I cannot wait until this is done.

Due to some procrastination, we've decided not to enrol Declan in MusicIQ. It's too late now, it's starts tomorrow. I personally think the school didn't give us enough time to think this over. Oh yeah, did I mention that MusicIQ is an after school music program at Declan's school.

Why the hockey picture? Declan's end of the season hockey party is Saturday. Party on!

Just a test!

Hi, I'm using these Google tools for the first time. For this I'm attempting a "Blog This" from within Picasa. I have no idea what i am doing - I'm just mucking about. I just downloaded this software. This is my first attempt at trying to upload a picture. I hope this works and I hope it looks good. If it works I'm going to have to teach Marla how to do this. Once we both get the hang of this we'll consider inviting people to view it :)

Welcome

Hi All,

Blogging eh? Well we have no idea if this is worthwhile but we figure it's worth a try. This is a first for us. Don't expect much