Ukee - Part two

Today we got the skunk off.  We had several fish on today and we lost the first three.  We lost a big one and we had a group swear.  Fischer thought it was fun to say "Shit" but we did let him say it only once.  But "Damnit" came out several times.  We finally landed a fish in the mid-day and it was a nice nearly 20lb fish.  The rest of the day we bobbed around in the ocean like drowned rats dragging a dead fish behind the boat.

A few more days but let's hope that the DOWNPOUR stops.

Ukee - Part One

We arrived in Ucluelet on Saturday morning after spending the night on the boat, on the trailer in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Port Alberni.  Yep you read that right -- on the trailer in a parking lot!  I even actually slept.   The drive from Port Alberni to Ucluelet (aka Ukee) is not long but is brutal and windy.  We pull into Ukee and Fischer blows chunks in the backseat.  We go fishing later that day and I get sea sick -- really sea sick.  It was rough.  We caught no fish.  Came home and had a great dinner (although I didn't eat for fear of puking) and I got to sleep at the house without the boys, who were on the boat.  At 5:50 when I woke up the rain was coming down in SHEETS and the wind was whipping.  I know Shannon and that doesn't stop him but even he was moving slow.  We tried to go out and got out a little ways in the "ocean" and it was rougher than HELL!  We hit about a 12 ft wave and we went straight up and I screamed.  Shannon decided that was not a good idea so we turned around.  He would have never done that before but with the kids I was glad that he had a little compassion.  We waited a few hours and the wind died down - but there were stills swells to 8 ft in the ocean.  I rode facing backwards and at one point there was water all around me and DAMN I freaked out!  I have been a boater my entire life and I have NEVER NEVER liked the big swells and waves.  I had to be brave as to not freak out the kids.  We got to fishing grounds and drug a herring around a while to catch a few rock fish and one black sea bass.  Not even a strike.  Oh and Fischer barfed in the cabin on the sleeping bags.  That sent me into dry heaves over the side of the boat.  So fish 0 and sea sickness 2.

Today Fischer and I decided to take a break from barfing and went to Tofino.  I met another Mom at the Laundramat that was cleaning her puked on sleeping bags too.  Boy did I feel better! 

Here is Fischer on Long Beach right outside of Tofino.  I was scoping out the surfing lessons. I think I'll be chickening out -- WAY TOO COLD!  That is not Maui Surf School.  :-)

Summertime Fun

Well it was about this time of year that my Mom (who was a school teacher) used to get all bummed out.  Actually, that started around the 4th of July but that is a different story.  So on the way home from the beach the other night - Hayden was in the back and got all sad and surly.  I asked him why he was so upset.  Thinking of course that it was my fault.  He said that he was bummed because he never got to spend a "whole" week at the beach and after Ukie he had to "read and write everyday."  So he has the same "totally bummed out that summer vacation is over" gene!

Who wouldn't when you have so much fun all summer.  Here are some shots of him this summer doing his thing:

Golfing at the Country Club 

 Tube ride with his girlfriend on Lake Samish

Eatting smores at a sleepover at Ginger and Alyssa's house!!

2 weeks until school starts

I looked at the calendar this week and realized that it is only two weeks until Hayden starts 1st Grade and Fischer goes back to "Michelle's."  Where did the summer go?  We were busy but really tried to keep things calm.  So much for that....between two weeks in Idaho, a week at Fir Creek Day Camp, fishing, swimming, golf and sleepovers and playdates looking back I guess we were busy.  Last night - I was looking forward to the days of more structure and routine.  Hayden was tired from two days of swimming, golf and a sleepover and was 'exhausted' and Fischer has been on super go mode as well.  They were hitting, fighting, whining and it was general chaos. 

Hayden cried when I sent him to his room to clean up his legos (which were EVERYWHERE).  Fischer got put in time out when he threw a block at the wall and in timeout started the mantra of  "Amy's a Bad Mom" over and over -- which was pretty funny.  It started out as "Your a bad Mom" and worked its way into "Amy's a Bad Mom" thinking that would catch my attention.  I was strong and let him chant away -- it lasted about 1 min after which he got quite and sat in his time out.  Then he got a 2nd time out for again throwing something at the wall.  He knew that "Amy's a Bad Mom" didn't work so he went to "Dad's going to be Bear Bait in Ukie" and "Dad's bad and can't go to Ukie"   (it was Dad who put him in time out).  Shannon had to leave the room because he was laughing hysterically.  Once he figured out that it wasn't going to "phase" Dad he finished his timeout in silence again.  I read for about 40 minutes last night and finally at 9:15 they were asleep.  I felt good about that as that was the earliest they have been in bed in about a month. 

Today - the boys are swimming and golfing again so it will be another tough night.  At least tonight - I'm prepared and rested! 

Only 1 more week until Ukie! 

MOW HAWK!

Hayden has a new hairdo!  This is not his Grandma's favorite look but he was totally into it!  What you can't see from the picture is that it a nice yellow color.  He is trying to get the "hawk" part up about another inch.  He is going for the "Surfer" look this summer and has not had a haircut since school.  I'm going to have to convince him to get one before we go fishing because we won't have time before school starts.  He's Mr. Busy this summer between sleepovers, swimming, golf and fishing he has hardly been home.  So much for practicing his reading!

 

 

Not to be outdone -- You can't really tell from this picture but Fish is growing out his hair too.  I'm pretty sure he doesn't even know what a surfer is but he is also going for the "surfer" look.