There's never a dull moment here. I have found the most wonderful new spot for fishing and foraging!
It's unbelievable what things two children will attempt to flush. I have upgraded their toilet with a superior flush; now occasionally a day goes by without a repair job.
While I was on a roll, I added a bidet to the adults' toilet. Life is becoming civilised.
It's difficult to write this next bit. Tristan's birthday is arrived. He has refused another youth potion; this time he is both resolute and adamant.
So I baked him a cake.
I do my best to keep him comfortable and happy.
He's writing like a man possessed. He has written a book of poems for me and children's books for each of the children. None of these books are to be published; they belong to our family.
I must make an agonising decision. My birthday will arrive soon and I must decide about the youth potion. I don't want to live for years without Tristan; not even a day. However, this is not only about me. The children are still so small.
I shall have the potion.
Yves has reached his teens. Don't let the solemn face fool you; he wisecracks from dawn to dusk.
We gave him a microphone for his birthday; he inaugurated it with a spot-on roast of his father.
He's still the class clown and has many friends.
Also he has a special little friend: the ubiquitous Caitlyn.
I shouldn't be so harsh but today she made a snide comment about the broken refrigerator. She is a snob and I fear that she will make him most unhappy.
Liliane has reached her teens as well.
We gave her a guitar for her birthday and will all be relieved when she learns to play it well.
Also, she is learning to cook quite well; I'm very proud of her.
All too soon, the Grim Reaper is come for Tristan.
I pleaded with him, but alas, it was futile.
Rest in peace, my darling Tristan Cherry. You will be missed.
It is said that a watched pot never boils. I'm not so sure that's the correct metaphor, but, just for the distraction, I shall repair the stereo.
And voila, of course. Ye watchers and ye holy ones, why was I so eager for this?!?
And at long last, Yves Desjardins is born!
He is, of course, a darling baby. Tristan is an exemplary father, just as I knew he would be.
Insta-Lean potion is a miraculous thing; I wonder if anyone will pay me for before and after pictures.
Yves grows like a weed.
We had a fishing holiday in Oasis Springs; I did myself proud.
Tristan, not so much.
Yves has been agitating us for telly; I told him only when he raises his grades.
He much prefers playing the class clown to studying.
I think my standing firm about the telly was tougher for me than for him!
Voila, another baby is on the way!
Deja vu all over again! It is said that the second time is much easier. That may be; with one on the ground already, there's no time to dwell on it.
Liliane Desjardins is born!
Yves is fond of his little sister.
Nearly as fond of her as he is of his bear.
Privacy is scarce with two children in the house! How do people get more? This is us, stealing a kiss in our "wedding chapel".
After,of course, managing to park Yves.
And Liliane.
When Yves left the monkey bars to search for us, a kind lady asked him if he were lost. He calmly replied that his mother was lost, not him! I wonder where he gets his self-assurance.
Liliane has grown into such an odd child. Her teacher reported that she'd burst into tears during a reading lesson about Dick Whittington. I asked her when she came home and she explained to me, "Dick Whittington had to give away his cat." "But Cherie, he went on to become Lord Mayor of London". "BUT HE HAD TO GIVE HIS CAT AWAY!"
Those moments where she is happy are most gratifying!
I have discovered that my beloved Tristan is much older than he seems. His birthday comes even sooner than mine. I must give him my potion of youth and make him drink it.
The stubborn man refused.
"Please, Cheri? For me?"
He has drunk the potion!
I'm foraging in Oasis Springs now, as well as Willow Creek. Today I found this chrysanthemum.
Ugh, I fear that these are not honeybees!
Anyway, I'm so enjoying my lovely garden.
As well as my lovely kitchen.
And most of all, my lovely husband!
His writing goes well. He no longer needs to work in the library since he was awarded this computer. And look at the stereo he bought for my birthday!
We had cake for my birthday, as well.
Tristan threw a party.
Which devolved into a poker game.
Some private celebration later...
And now I'm pregnant!
As is usual for special occasions, the toilet decided to emulate a champagne fountain.
Please remind me again why I wanted this. Ye watchers and ye holy ones, I'm enormous! I shall have an Insta-Lean potion the moment this baby is born!
The cycle of life continues: Water the plants...
Pee...
Spray the plants...
Hurl...
Harvest the plants...
Eat...
Evolve the plants...
Give birth should come next. It does come next, doesn't it? Give birth?!? Please?!? I've been pregnant for seventeen years!!! GIVE BIRTH NOW?!?
