A Wet Christmas in Brantford

After the boys opened their Santa presents and we (including Guinea) all emptied our stockings, we packed the van and head down the 401 and 403 to spend a few days with Babcia and Grandpa in Brantford.

The drive was uneventful. Next to no trucks but lots of cars. No police to be seen.

We had a wonderful turkey dinner and then we opened presents. Babcia naturally had presents for everyone - even Tina and myself. The boys opened their presents with eagerness and excitement.

Corbin loved the new WWE Smackdown Vs Raw DS game and Jeremy loved his Hot Wheels 10 in 1 racing track and Kung Fu Panda DS game.

Babcia was amazed with her Samsug Q1 mp3 player and Grandpa quickly stowed his Tim Hortons Gift Card.

On Friday, Tina and I headed out for some browsing and shopping (Jeremy's race track needed batteries - doh). The stores did not seem that busy. The Christmas section at Canadian Tire was full of stock - there were plenty of lights. I don't think retailers did that well this year. We maximized our time away from the boys, returning after a three hour trip.

Saturday was "Babcia and Jeremy Day". We drove over to Walmart so that Jeremy could pick out his birthday presents from Babcia. Corbin and I checked out the electronic section. We didn't spend too much time at Walmart.

Then we headed over to Future Shop to look for a DVD Jeremy wanted. While the store was busy, we were able to find everything we wanted. I suggested to my mom that she pay at the digital camera counter, thereby avoiding the long line at the front of the store. My mom appreciated that.

The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing watching TV, playing games or just hanging out. Jeremy chose Boston Pizza (after some campaigning on my part) for his Birthday supper. Corbin, Tina and I split a Great White North Pizza, Jeremy had the grilled cheese, Alex had the Ribber and Babcia had the Chicken Parm. After dinner, the staff came out and sang happy birthday to Jeremy and gave him a desert. He seemed to enjoy himself.

After a quick breakfast Sunday, we packed up and headed back to Windsor. The drive was okay save for the winds. The van was not driving in a straight line.

Our four Christmases went well this year. No one went to the hospital and the outbursts and breakdowns were minimal. Woo hoo.

Posted by Adam

Kalahari 2008

Tina and Jen decided that we should return to Kalahari Water Park in 2008, especially since the expansion was complete. Tina booked the trip. We got a good rate staying Sunday to Monday. Of course that meant the boys would miss a day of school, but no one seemed concerned.

We left late Sunday morning. US Customs was about a 30 minute wait. About 20 minutes later we were enjoying breakfast at Denny's in Monroe. The boys were excited.

About an hour or so later, we arrived at Kalahari in Sandusky, Ohio. It wasn't as crazy as last year. Tina went in to get our passes and check in. Our room was ready, so we unloaded the van and then parked it (finding a sweet spot near the main walkway).

Not shortly after, the Joe and Jen pulled in and they checked in.

We changed into our swimsuits and headed down to the waterpark. It was huge. The expansion doubled the size of the facility and added a wave pool, another surfing ride, and bunch of new waterslides. The new part included a deck which increased the room for lounging around.

The younger boys spent their time in the kids waterpark. Corbin and I checked out some of the new slides. He also did the 'toilet' slide, where you swirl around in a bowl and then fall through a hole into the waiting pool.

The major hit was the wave pool. At first, Tina and I tried it out, but it didn't seem all that exciting. We gave it a second look later and it was fun.

We munched on some pizza and then did some more waterparking. Then it was time to head up to the rooms to celebrate some birthdays - Corbin's and Jen's oldest boy's. We had cake and they opened presents.

Our package this year included breakfast. So the four of us went down before it got too busy. It was buffet style, but the selection was great. Tina and I filled up, as did the boys. Then it was time to pack, change into swimsuits, load the van up, and enjoy a few more hours in the water park.

It was a great time with friends. It could become an annual tradition.

Posted by Adam

Corbin is One Decade Old

Happy Birthday Corbin!


Our boy is 10 years old today. Wow. Double digits. Before we know it he will be in his teens.

That sure is a lot of candles to blow out.

Posted by Adam

Happy Birthday Babcia

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Babcia, aka Adam´s mom. Hope you enjoyed your day - the weather was nice.

Posted by Adam

Jeremy's Birthday Party

With Jeremy's birthday falling during the Christmas holidays, we decided to have Jeremy's birthday party - the one with his friends - in January.

Tina sent out the invitations to Jeremy's classmates and we got 6 or 7 "so and so will be attending" responses. Corbin invited a classmate. The Karb boys also attended. Even Bev & Gerry came down from Goderich to spend some time with their grand children.The birthday was held at the Forest Glade Community Centre. They provide the food save for the cake, keep the kids busy with games and do all the cleaning up. Who could beat that deal?

The party began at 1:30. Jeremy wasn't quite sure what to make of it. But he - and his friends - had lots of fun. They did lots of running around in the gym before having hot dogs, chips, juice and birthday cake. Then it was present opening time - which Paul, one of the workers, handled very well. Tina enjoyed the concept of watching the party. It was all over by 3:30.

Jeremy enjoyed the party - as did all his guests.

Posted by Adam

Happy Birthday Jeremy

It's the last day of the year, so that means it is Jeremy's birthday.

The big boy turned four today.

Jeremy has been talking about birthday number four since my birthday at the end of November. So he finally got to celebrate it today.

He opened his presents from Tina and I. Later he opened his present from Corbin. Babcia took Jeremy to the store and picked his present - Jeremy was very excited by this.

Tina made Jeremy a Crown telling the world he is four today. Later, we all went out to Red Lobster for dinner, where Jeremy was serenaded by staff. He was all smiles.

The day was topped off by a birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Jeremy.

Posted by Adam

Birthday Number Nine

Happy Birthday Corbin. The 'little' boy is one year away from being ten. The day began like every other birthday - Corbin dancing around in his underwear to his special birthday song by Captain Zoom. Next was a stack of nine pancakes with a candle. After breakfast, Corbin opened his present from Jeremy.

I took Corbin to horseback riding - where Corbin had hoped to go first because it was his birthday, after all. He had a good riding session. I dropped him off at school.

After school, we had a special supper and birthday cake from Zehrs (never again). Corbin opened his present from us - laser tag guns. This meant crazy running around the house with his brother

No party this year. We are heading to Kalahari Waterpark Resort in Sandusky, Ohio for 28 hours of wet and wild fun over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Posted by Adam

Bev's Birthday

Today is Bev's birthday. Enjoy your special day Nanny.

Posted by Adam

Happy Birthday Babcia

Today is Adam's mom, Jadzia, 65th birthday. Sto lat.

Posted by Adam

Happy Birthday Jeremy

Jeremy turned three years old today. Yup, hard to believe he is three years old - only nine more months till he goes to Junior Kindergarten. Also, now that he his three, he can start swimming lessons - it's been nine months since Mom & Tot swimming.

Like any Szymczak birthday, the day began with the playing of the Captain Zoom birthday song and performing a wacky dance. Jeremy needed some prodding, but eventually danced away. Next were presents from the rest of us.

Enjoy your special day, Jeremy.

Jeremy's Birthday Party

That is a picture from Jeremy's birthday party. The theme was trains. It was two hours of organized mayhem. Tina had enough activities to keep the kids busy. It was sunny with no snow - actually it was mild for the end of December. One of Tina's co-workers said that we could had part of the party outside.

Though it was a small party, Jeremy opened quite a few presents. The cake and ice cream was eaten in no time. Everyone had a great time, including Jeremy. Next year's party will likely be in January to allow some of Jeremy's future classmates to enjoy the festivities.