I know it has been since end of June I didn't update my blog...  A bit hard when the Wi-Fi connection of the camping site where we were staying is not working properly.   So I gave up on internet and funny enough I didn't really miss it....  Mmmm!   Sometimes I think I should get rid of Facebook but hey I am the main administrator of the H.E.A.T. group so.... I stick with it.

Anyhow, we had a great time in PEI.   We visited the potato museum.  Yes!   There is such a thing as a potato museum.   There was also a schoolhouse there so we visited it as well.    Even took some pictures that I might send to the Old Schoolhouse magazine.   But we did learned a lot about potatoes.   Even tasted some lobster flavored chips.   Interesting taste.   Tasted fudge made from potatoes too!   Delicious.

Before the CCSB convention, we went to visit Charlottetown.   We went to the Founders' Hall and to the SandLand which is a place where they made sculptures from sand.   It was Sandtastic!   

During the CCSB convention in Charlottetown, we had a free Losbter Dinner.   I had mussels for the first time.   Yummy in butter...   Bottom line I am expanding my taste buds....

Well now we are back in New Brunswick and will continue to home soon.   We have stopped to the home of Roger and Margie Urquhart which are pastoring a church here in Fredericton.    We met two years ago during the orientation sessions at the CCSB in Cochrane, AB and it was as though we never stopped connecting since then....  Amazing!    Anyhow, Margie offered to babysit last night and we went to see The Incredible Hulk movie which my husband was dying to see.    It was very good - better than the one they made a few years ago.

I feel I miss home even though I'm sure I will miss the travel once home.    But I can't wait to sleep in my BIG bed and to take it easy.   I guess I planned too much somehow... but it was fun.  

It has been a journey of learning – both for the kids and us.   The kids learned about guitar, pretzels, chocolate, Amish and so on.  We learned about travelling long distance with the trailer and how to live in a limited space for many weeks.   It is not finished yet.   We still have some road to do.   PEI is just around the corner… literally.

As I am writing this, we are close to Saint John, NB.    We left PA to MA where we stayed for a few days.   We discovered Cape Cod and the chip factory.   We ate swordfish and ”petoncles” as well as lobster roll and fried clams.   Love the first three but I could pass the fried clams.     At Cape Cod bay we had the opportunity to see a commercial boat unloading it’s cargo.   Very interesting how they do that.   We also met some wild seals in the water.  The kids loved it.    In the horizon, you could see hundreds of seals bathing in the sun on a small beach.

We took a day off and went to drop off some laundry to be done.   Then we drove to Wal-Mart.   I love the Wal-Mart in the states because you find things that you can’t find in Canada.   Loved the outlets too but where we were there was not that many and besides we already spent a bit in outlets in PA.     After that we drove in Plymouth – where the first thanksgiving happened between the Pilgrims and the Indians.   We saw the Mayflower II  but couldn’t go to the Rock of Pilgrims as they were doing construction around it.  Bummer…

The next day we drove to Boston.   Wish we could have found the Cheers bar so that hubby can see it.   But it was getting late and we didn’t.   Looks like the Boston Tea Party attraction burned many years ago which is a shame.   But we got to go to a free museum – thanks to our membership to museums in our hometown.    So we went to the Boston Children’s Museum and saved 44$.   Horray!    This was a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE hit with the kids.  They loved it…

On June 19^th, we left MA to drive to Maine (ME).   Mmmm!  How would I define the trip?  Interesting I guess…    We missed an exit  on the highway in Boston and ended up driving along a canal near Cambridge.    Oh boy what stress we had…..    A bridge coming to us with a sign saying cars only…. Oh uh.    11’ high.   We go through no problem… OUF.     But then around the corner there is another one and it’s too late for us to back up.  Besides with the sway control, you can’t back up that easily…   This time the bridge say 9’ high only.   Oh uh…   Not sure we can make it.   We go slowly…. VERY slowly under it.  Hubby got out and I drive ever so slooooooowly.    Took about 20 minutes to go under that bridge but we made it.     Quick we need to get out of this area as there is another one coming….    Finally we got to a bridge and got out of Boston.   Lots of stress but the a/c survived.      To relax we stopped in Kittery  - a place where I used to go when I was a young girl – more than 25 years ago.    We then drove to Scarborough, ME and set up our trailer.   Wassamki Springs campground is real nice and the people are very friendly.

June 20^th is going down memory lane.    So many memories coming to me.   First we went to Cabela’s a store that ressembles to Bass Pro Shop and then Wal-Mart again for supplies.   Then we drove to York, Maine.    We arrive next to the beach.    Ah!   The memories came to me… the beach with the rocks…. Long next to the road.  The Goldenrod Restaurant where I would go and see the salt water taffy being made….   Now the boys saw it too.   Still there believe it or not.   I could tell which hotel we stayed when I was younger.    We bought a box of taffy to taste – well okay I bought a big box so it will last a while.   The kids loved it… So good still after so many years.   The smell of the ocean is calling to me.    As we left the area we drove on route 1 and there on the road was that restaurant where we had stopped to eat hotdog and they were supposedly steamed but not eatable as they were crunchy.   Doesn’t look as though the restaurant is still open – nobody was there in the middle of the day.   Not surprising to be honest.   It was totally gross…  After this little drive, it started raining so we went back to the camping site.

June 21^st, we leave Wassamki Springs to drive to Bangor.   I didn’t like the campground there but we stayed only one night…    We had some laundry done and we put the kids to bed early as the next day we are driving back to Canada.   Hubby and I watched Camp Rock though.   I enjoyed it even though I think they could improve the acting a bit – but it was clean and there is good lessons to learn from it – from lying to fitting in the crowd.

June 22^nd – we are driving to New Brunswick.   To get to the camping site we had to take a ferry.  The boys loved it.    Last time we took a ferry Alexandre was 3 and Dominic was about the age of Jasmine right now – 6 months.    Now Alexandre will turn 4 in a few days.   How time flies.

Tomorrow we are planning to check out Saint John, New Brunswick...

Today is our first day in Massachusetts.    We decided to drive around Cape Cod Bay...   We went to the Cape Cod Chip Factory where there was a self-guided tour.   Couldn't take any pictures inside unfortunately.   But we got new flavors of chips.    I can imagine ourselves answering the questions of the cross-border people....

"Anything to declare?"

" Apart from Hershey chocolate, pretzels and chips.... Nope!"

LOL

Anyhow, the drive yesterday was way too looooooooooooooooooong.   Nine hours total.   So we decided to cut the last long drive in two.   This morning we called the campground in NB and told them we will arrive one day later than planned.   Then we called a campsite in Bangor, ME and reserved for the night we had just cancelled in NB.   Better.   A trip of 6 1/2 hours cut in two.   Way better.   However, my kids did great but it is better to cut it.   Don't want to burn out my poor hubby who is driving with the RV behind us.

Now today....   Drove and discovered wonderful little towns.   Saw lots of boats in the water.   At the end I was thinking... when you see one, you see them all.   We went to walk on a beach and saw a lighthouse.   Showed the kids where to look to find seashells.   Got some.... and now they are starting they how collection of seashells.   Just like me when I was a girl.   If only I could bring them very early in the morning on a beach....  Oh well.

We saw a commercial fishing boat unloading his cargo of the day.   Very interesting.    We saw wild seals too!   Oh that was a huge success with the kids.   Jasmine slept during that time but that's okay.   Hubby decided to try something new for supper so he bought swordfish and scallops.    Now scallops we know.   Swordfish thought we never tasted.   It was superdelicious!!!!!    And the boys loved it too!  

Not sure what we will be doing tomorrow.    We shall see and I will keep everyone posted.

So we are currently in vacation.   Being a while since we went to some place outside Canada.   We are gone for one month and a bit.   Never did  that before with the kids and the trailer.     We left for PA on Sunday June 8^th and drove for a long long time…    A bit long to be honest.   We learned a valuable lesson  - when over 8 hours of drive split it in two….    We discovered that Americans love to have when Rob calls Spaghetti highways….   Fortunately we had our GPS which is very useful when driving in the States.   To be honest, I don’t know how we would have reached our destination without it.

Day 1: Spaghetti highways, the turtle that we drove over… I wonder if she made it on the other side of the highway?, the wiuld turkeys I saw while drive next to a field, the tunnel we drove through, the ups and downs of the mountain….   At one point we went down for more than 30 minutes if not more without pressing the gas pedal.  

Day 2: Driving to Easton.   We left late so by the time we arrived we had to go to a grocery store.   Took us three times to get to one which was a Super Centre Wal-Mart.   No comments.    When we got out of there, we drove to Nazareth to go to Martins Guitar Factory.   We did the one hour tour which was very interesting and informative.    Did you know that their ukuleles are sold about 1000 to 2000$?    Unbelievable.   By the time we got out of there it was too late for the Crayola Factory.  Bummer.   We will have to come back another time for sure.   We met with Joshua and Jeff from Club Worship.   Jeff had brought a specialty from the area – Meadow Tea…  Deliiiiiiicious!   Very tasty!

Day 3: We drove to Camden, NJ to go to the Adventure Aquarium.   In there the kids were able to touch a shark, a stingray, a jelly fish, a shrimp, a starfish and one or two more things that I can’t remember what it is.    They had a blast in the Shark area when we went in a tunnel which we could see through and sharks were swimming all around us.   Cool!    At night we had a huge storm in PA and the whole county where the campground is located lost power for a few hours.

Day 4: That day we met with Heidi and her kids for some shopping in Lancaster.    We did the outlets and then went for lunch.   Disney Store was 50% off extra for the clearance section.   Found two pairs of sneakers for 2.49 each.   Amazing!   Found some clothes for Jasmine (size2) and some for the rest of the kids too.    After lunch we drove to Intercourse, PA to check out the Pretzel factory.   But because of the heat they were not making pretzels but we did learn about the process and the kids even made their own pretzel.   How fun is that?   We then went to the canning factory but being the end of the day we arrive during cleaning time.   Oh well.   We did bought some  special Salsa and some Pretzels during that trip.   After we parted with Heidi and the kids, we tried to find a medical clinic for Rob has he was having a reaction to a bandaid…   His skin where the sticky part was is all puffy and red and itchy.    They told him to go to the General Hospital in Lancaster which was 5 minutes away.   It was fast….   Our hospital in Ontario should come and learn from them.    However, the pharmacy we went to should come and learn from ours because boy was it long to get the prescriptions filled.    We also went to a Crocs booth in a mall to get some Jibbitz for the kids and new Crocs for Rob and I.   Oh!  Almost forgot about the Shoofly Pie we bought.  I really wanted to try this after reading about it in my Beverly Lewis novels.  

Day 5:   We had planned to drive to Notthingham for do the tour of the Herr’s Snacks Factory but we decided instead to stay at the campsite and do laundry.   We bought a portable washer and dryer and they did an amazing job.   Unbelievable really how much water is taken out of the clothes with the dryer!!!  The shoofly pie is fabulous. 

Day 6:   Friday.   Rob is going to Club Worship in the evening.  So we are taking it slow.   Besides, Rob has some work to do.   So the kids and I went to the playground a bit and enjoyed the sun.    At the end of the afternoon, we went out because my neck is sort of stiffed .   We also went to see where Club Worship was.   Saw the guys and Rob drove me back to the campsite before heading there again for the event they had put on.

Day 7:   Destination Hershey.   We did the Chocolate Tour with Heidi and her family.   We also visited the Hershey Museum.   I never thought that the Hershey Kisses were sooooo old.   I mean these were created back in the early 1900s.   WoW!   Unbelievable.   Almost  Mr. Hershey had a very modest background with his family being Mennonites.    It was interesting how much he became “fancy” as he built his company.

Day8:   Driving to Plymouth, MA.   Took way longer that we thought.   We are learning…   We drove in 6 States in total.   Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York (crossed the Washington Bridge – unbelievable the traffic), Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. 

As you can see, we are discovering and learning a lot.   Living with your family in a trailer takes some adjustments.   We are impressed with the kids because they are behaving so well during the long drives.   We might need to add a stop on the way to NB.   We shall see.  

In the days to come, we will discover the area where the First Thanksgiving .  We are planning to drive around Cape Cod Bay and visit the Cape Cod chip factory.

Okay... so I am planning our trip and discovered this interesting website while looking for a chips factory to visit in PA...   Factory Tours USA list the different places where you can go to visit how things are made....   WoW!   This is super interesting since as homeschoolers I want my kids to learn.   So PA has tons of things to check out... but we are there only for one week so I guess this means that someday we will have to go back *grin*...

But I discovered a guitar factory that you can visit in Nazareth, PA which is located close to Easton, PA. Easton is where you can find the Crayola factory.    Since we are planning to go to the Crayola factory and my husband got himself a guitar last year... well I though we could do a detour to Nazareth...   

Since we will be driving through Massachussetts and Maine, I did my search for these states as well.   Discovered that there is a Cape Cod Chips factory near Plymouth... Yeah!

I'm so into finishing the school year that I am not updating my blog as much as I should probably.  Then we will be gone on vacation (and I can't wait for it - I need one!!! real bad!!!!) that probably this blog won't be update as often as I would like....  But here is what happened since last week.

First - I finally told my mom about the church plant.   Oh she knew about it from two or three years ago but now it is a reality and the truck has been decked out promoting the church.   Well I expected her reaction and I got it all right....  when I hung up I had a black cloud over my head but I didn't realized it....    Got a really bad day on Friday   - that's when I realized that the black cloud was there....  borderline depression. 

But my friend in Quebec facebooked me and asked if they could come and visit....  Her common-law husband had to meet a client so she was coming down with the kids.   Sure why not?   Tried to invite her to church on Saturday night but they didn't come.  That's okay.    They came for Sunday's lunch.   We had a grand time...   Then supper time came around with my brother-in-law and his family.   Monday, my friend came back with the kids while her hubby was in meetings all day.

It was nice to see them as it has been three years I think we saw them.   We need to make a better effort.   Now they live in St-Jean-sur-le-Richelieu.... near a place where they make the most fabulumouse cheese (see I am reading Geronimo Stilton .....).   

Tuesday, my dear husband drove the RV back to get the sway control installed.   Wednesdsay he drove the RV back to our spot in Logos Land with his mom.   They got stuck on the way because of no gas in the truck...  Hubby learned that when you pull the RV - if the light comes on, go put gas right away.  Like he says - He is learning on the job.... LOL

Gymnastics afternoon on Wednesday went okay....  Apart from Jérémy running around to do it too but he is not allowed.  Try to explain this to a 2 year old...   Good thing I needed to go to Costco for toilet paper.   There I found a book on drawing that I bought and told hubby to give to me for Mother's day....   LOL Typical, I buy the stuff that I like...   Anyhow, I can't wait to have it....

Hubby is formatting his old PC (which is not so old afterall) because he got a new one.   So his old one will go to me and he will redo the one I am using right now and set it up for the kids....   OUF!    Anyhow, my new PC will be red like a ladybug.   Cool!   Love it.  

Oh I got myself some Mary Jane Crocs... Fushia color....  LOVE THEM!  I had a pair of regular Crocs since December - thanks to my mom.   I needed something to put my feet in it since they were soooooo swolllllllen.    Love them.   Got some jibbitz to decorate them too (including the ladybug obviously!).    Hubby got himself a pair of close Crocs and a pair of sandals one.   I had bought him some jibbitz with Spiderman, Superman and Batman.   They are now on the sandals ones...   Nice!    We had bought a pair for Alexandre when a sport store was closing...  Dominic wanted one too!   We went to the store this week and got him a pair of Lighting McQueen ones (only pair there with his size believe it or not!!!).   Then when I went back yesterday for my Mary Jane ones, I bought another pair size 10-11 which were on sale.   Too big for Jérémy right now - he wears 8-9 but eventually.   Can't buy some for Jasmine right now.   Her feet are too small.   But this little girl will get some eventually - Mary Jane style.   As you can see we are now a Crocs addicted family...   No really, hubby likes them because they don't smell if you sweat in it (like other pairs of sandals he owned in the past...).  So the Crocs are coming with us on vacation!

Now I need to plan our stop to Boston...   I am thinking of sleeping in Plymouth as it is where the first pilgrims arrived in America.   And there is a nice coastal drive near by.   Boston being only 44 minutes away.

Thanks to our membership with museums here in the city, we can go to museums in the States and in Canada for free....   So there is a few in Philadelphia and Boston we can go too for free.   We will do that.   We also ordered the Entertainment books for Pennsylvania to use coupons for the things we want to visit.    The great thing is that they are on sale for 9.99$ right now.    Super!

Yes... yours truly can't wait to go on vacation.   Pennsylvania and Prince-Edouard-Island have been a dream for such a long time....  

Last week-end we decided to surprise the kids!   It was homeschool week-end in a way since we went to two field trips in Toronto...  First stop the zoo!   All that time they thought we were lost to get to the trailer (ha ha)... when we got to the zoo at 9am on Saturday oh boy! what joy they had.    It was a great time...  if only Jérémy would fall asleep when he is tired though...  but no this little one want to see everything.   After a day at the zoo we surprised them once again by bringing them to Chuck E Cheese.  A first in our family but oh FUN FUN FUN!   We will go back for sure.  The kids loved it especially our oldest...   Now I am wondering if this is a christian company because they passed a Veggie Tales song on the screen.  Anyone knows???

The next day, we drove back home but before we went to the Ontario Science Centre to spend a couple of hours there.   We were able to go free because we are members of some museums in our area which are part of a network around Canada and the States.   It was fun again and the kids were able to explore different things. 

Check out some of our highlights of the week-end below!!!

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

This morning when I woke up, I had this strange feeling about the vehicule.  So I told my dear husband what I thought we should do before buying this old motor...

I think he needs to go to our regular dealer (the one we have been dealing with the last few vehicules) and get an idea of prices that they offer either for a used or a new vehicule.

Then, we will be in a more comfortable position to make a wise decision...   He told me he had the same feeling so we might do that.

OUPS!  Having trouble updating I guess...  Must be the busyness of summer.

This week was Phys Ed for Alexandre.   All week he had a soccer camp with Athletes in Action.  Today is the last day and there is a tournament.   However, the forecast is saying rain and thunderstorm...  Oh Oh!   The tournament is from 11am until 2pm or so.   So I am praying for rain to come down after that!

On another hand, I have another bronchitis...   I am starting to wonder if I shouldn't get my ducts clean...   Problem is we are low on contracts no to say there is no contracts these days...  So we are buying the essentials only.   Good news is, husband went to meet with someone for a contract yesterday BUT it won't be until August.  OUCH!    We are optimistic...   It is always like this in the summer time and during Christmas time.    So we wait patiently even though it is a bit stressful.

Next week, I am planning to do some homeschooling with Alexandre and bring the boys to the library to get some books.  We do have some here at home but I am looking for some specific ones that goes with the Come Sit By Me curriculum.    We shall start this slowly.  With the baby coming sometime in December...  (due date January 6 but c-section should be done 5-10 days before... OB said: "Not sure what sort of miracles we will do with this date!" but I trust in God...) I need to start early.

Today Alexandre is turning 6!   6 years ago I became a mother...  since then two other boys joined our family and a little one will join us sometime in December.   And to think we were told our chances to become parents were small...  God gave us little miracles for sure...   To make a long story short, I became pregnant with Alexandre between two fertility treatments...   It was a surprise to be honest but a great one.

Alexandre was positioned frankbreech which made me have a c-section.   The first of many....  Anohow, when he came out he was so perfect.

Now because of his frankbreech position in the belly, Alexandre have a reflect for the longest time....  See below!