Happy Birthday!

Well they made it to 9. The attitude hasn't changed but Matthew & Emma are actually nine years old. Obviously they had their present at the beginning of the summer (the trampoline) so it was supposed to be a subdued weekend. It kicked off on Friday with a trip to Montana's (and Costco) as they had a postcard from Montana's saying to come on down on your birthday and they'll treat them. Well we thought it was the cheering and clapping waitresses complete with a session wearing the moose antler hat. However, this was not to be and I think they were a little disappointed. They did get their meals free though, but that's more of a treat for the parents!
Saturday was a busy day. Matthew had a football tournament between 9 and 2.30. However, as his team lost both their matches (surprise surprise) they were actually finished by 11, so they decided to give them their medals there and then so they could go home. All the participants got a medal which was nice.
Then they were invited to a birthday party at 4.30. I think they were only invited to stop the parties clashing. Emma and the birthday girl share a lot of friends and there was the danger that they would choose Emma's - who knows. Anyway, it meant that we had to postpone their party until today. After they had been to the party it was a trip to Walmart for them to spend some of their birthday money - Matthew bought a T-shirt, a digital watch (waterproof) and a Remote Control car, Emma bought some make-up (!!!), a top and some craft stuff.
Today was the day that Nick the lodger moved out as we have visitors arriving tomorrow. He's moved into the Holiday Inn downtown and will be commuting in his new gargantuan motor vehicle. He bought a Lincoln Continental Towncar. As you can see from the photo it's Massive...but it does have a degree of charm! I'm hoping to scrounge a lift into Halifax sometime this week, so that will be an experience. His family are flying out on Thursday and by the sounds of it are getting really excited at the prospect. He'll then hopefully move into his house next week.
The big birthday party was this afternoon. Next door had offered us the use of the pool, but the temperature of it had dropped to 68 so it was looking doubtful. Anyway, we left it up to the kids. If they wanted to go in, then so be it. After they had run around the garden playing a very spread out musical chairs, they were all hot and welcomed the chance to cool off, so into the pool they all went! They look like they are having fun in the photo don't they? After they had all turned blue, it was back home to get dressed and have a treasure hunt, then a barbecue followed by a bit of face painting, birthday cake and home. All went quite smoothly really. The birthday cake was a blizzard cake from Dairy Queen. A 10" round Ice Cream cake made with crushed oreos and 'Happy Birthday Emma & Matthew' piped on the top. It didn't look great it has to be said, but it tasted delicious, and the kids loved it. They are both now badgering me to make up all the toys they got as presents. Oh joy... Incidentally the picture of Bella is her having great fun popping all the balloons after the party. The white thing is in fact a balloon!
So that was the weekend.
It has to be said it was better than the week that went before it. As expected, I didn't get the supervisor post. I was however, extremely p****d off at the way the whole thing was handled. Rather than calling me in to the office to say I didn't get the post, he called Cesar (the guy that did get it) in to say he had, then came into the office and announced it. Man management is not their strong point and I can't see it improving. I should've brushed up on my spanish....Anyway, as I said it was expected, and Cesar is well deserving of the post, I just hope the director doesn't try and water it down and put some of the responsibility on me without any extra money. If he does he can shove it where the sun doesn't shine....
So I was a little disappointed, but it's early days and it would've been promotion after only 6 months which is something that the company would frown upon....Co-incidentally the union is having a ballot on Tuesday to vote on strike action. It will be interesting to see the outcome of that. (I'm not in the union incidentally....)
Last Friday also saw the end of Matthew & Emma's swimming lessons at Oakfield Provincial Park (in the lake). They have passed their Level 2 and the whole two week course was very successful and they thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact they stayed there on Friday afterwards and had a picnic lunch. Very civilised.
The front garden is coming along too. The removed area of the front bed has been seeded and if we can stop Bella rampaging over it there is a chance it will take....Just need to remove some turf and it will be complete.
Our friends from the UK arrive tomorrow evening on a Canjet flight from Ottawa. Very excited about that. They are here until the 7th, which is the same day that Mum & Dad arrive. So an exciting 3 weeks ahead!
Well that's about all for this installment. Hope you are enjoying it - thanks to all those that leave comments - it is appreciated!! I'm actually going to download it all and make it into a book I think. Sound good?