Friday, March 29th - Happy Good Friday

It's about 9:14 pm as I write this post. I'd like to say I was too busy (which is true) but the reality is I forgot. It's been a busy 24 hours. Last night, Thursday, Brenda and Bernie came over in the evening for some snacks and a drink. A lovely evening was had and I was grateful for the time spent as I had to pick James up at the airport at 1:22 in the morning. The family didn't all get on the flight, so just James was coming and the rest were going to try to get to Halifax - and take the early flight in the morning.

The plane arrive a little ahead of schedule and there he was - strolling through the gate dressed in his suit and tie. I couldn't help but notice the people at the airport smiling at him as he walked in looking so handsome. It seems that it works for him as there were two seats available on the plane - one way in the back and one in Executive Class. So his first solo flight was quite a wonderful experience for him as he flew first class.

We got back home around 2:00 am but ended up sitting up and chatting until almost 3:00.  When I got up in the morning, I had a cup of tea and then headed to the airport to pick up Greg and the other two kids (Patti was coming back from London, England and wouldn't get here until late tonight).

While James was lounging and dining in first class, the others were being turned away from the hotel in Halifax because they were full. They ended up spending the night in the airport sleeping on benches - the irony of which did not escape Meghan !

Once they'd all been fed breakfast, and the dishes were done, we undertook the task of building and decorating the bunny house. It took us quite a while but we finally completed the project. James didn't do much on the house as he was busy filming the entire event, and then editing it into a 6 minute video.

There were candies and icing all over the kitchen by the time we were done but it was fun and the kids really enjoyed themselves.

Now that they are older, I notice that there's a lot less arguing and more negotiating with each other. Of course that could have just been because it was their first day at Grandma and Papa's. The house got decorated and they did a really good job. Tristen did very well for his first time using a piping bag. Of course, a lot of candies never made it to the house as they were eaten on the way from the dish to the house.  But overall it was a successful way to spend our morning. We had sent Greg upstairs to have a nap as he'd been up for a very long time.
Once the house was finished, I encouraged them to go outside and play in the snow as the sun was shining and it was a gorgeous day. They found shovels and set about digging tunnels to sit in. Somewhere in the afternoon they came up with a plan that they like to sleep outside in their trench they'd dug.  They got a tarp out of the garage, and boards and worked away at it. Once they were all cold and wet and tired, they came back inside.
Lloyd was away all day helping some friends move and he got back around 4:00.  We finished getting supper ready while they planned their overnight sleep under the stars. So after our turkey dinner, Lloyd headed out with them to inspect their work. He made some suggestions and helped them make some modifications, putting 2 x 6's acro

ss the opening so the tarp would have something to rest on. A few other final touches were added and they were ready. They came in and took off their snowpants to get dry so all went into the dryer while they waited rather impatiently for dark so they could head outside. Finally around 8:30 they decided it was time. Dressed in many layers of clothes, pillows with garbage bags on them underneath to keep them dry, and sleeping bags they headed out. Greg came out with us and it was a chilly but beautifully calm night with lots of stars in the sky and no wind. We got everyone settled in and we headed back into the house. It didn't take long until Meghan and Tristen were back inside. Poor Tristen found it a bit too

frightening and decided he would rather be inside. Once he was inside, Meghan headed back outside. The plan is that I'm to go out and wake them up before I go to the airport to pick up their mom. We'll see if they last that long.  I have to hand it to them - they're pretty brave to do this and I know it's an experience they'll remember for a very long time. I know Lloyd enjoyed helping them and I know he'll remember this experience for a long time as well.  It's now 10:04 and Greg has just gone out to check on them and they are both sound asleep (he did make James wake up enough to confirm they haven't frozen to death!)