FOLKFEST...

FOR THREE DAYS EVERY YEAR, Saskatoon comes alive with the sights, sounds and tastes of our ethnic heritage. Performers of all ages, combined with exquisite artisans, global merchants, talented cooks, and enthusiastic servers, are proud to share their unique culture and the Caribbean is no exception.

This was about our pavilion:

"Whenever you have a few people gathering in the Caribbean, you have the makings of a party..."
The horn sounds. "All aboard!" Your surroundings come to life "Under the Sea" ... complete with live mermaids!!

Dive in and explore this underwater adventure while marvelling at Prince Niah - the Fire Eater all the way from Jamaica; Ayanna, our Limbo Dancer from Toronto; and the pulsating rhythms of Espirito Latino from Regina. The Steel Band will have you on your feet, and believe us, it's going to get hot Hot HOT! Enjoy other specials guests: def SOL, Sephoria and Tony Corbin - amazing local talent.

Tempt your taste buds with our Curried and Jerk Chicken, Beef or Chicken Roti, Beef & Vegetarian Patties, Festival and Gizzadas. Quench your thirst with our famous Rum Punch or try a  'Jamaica-Me-Crazy'; and we have Island drinks for the kids! Kids will also enjoy a variety of activities in Ariel's Corner.

Join the Conga Line! We're the place to be at the end of each evening during 'Jump Up at CARNIVAL'. So, kick off your sandals, dig your toes in the sad and discover what lies "Under the Sea" on this memorable voyage in the Islands! There is only one golden rule:

Enjoy yourself!

And we sure did have fun!  Even though Scott and I were rushing around most of the three days to ensure that everything was running smoothly, we still got to enjoy the food, friends and entertainment.  Asha even did some volunteering by stamping passports the one day!

 But, the best part of all was that Folkfest took us right back to our second home - St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

TO MY CHILD...

Just for this morning, I am going to smile
when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
 
Just for this morning, I will let you choose
what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step
over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play. 

Just for this morning, I will leave the
dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
 
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the
telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and
blow bubbles.
 
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell
once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream
truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
 
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about
what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I
have made where you are concerned. 

Just for this afternoon, I will let you
help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them. 

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's 
and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys..
 
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my
arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
 
Just for this evening, I will let you
splash in the tub and not get angry.
 
Just for this evening, I will let you stay
up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
 
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside
you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
 
Just for this evening when I run my finger
through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given
me the greatest gift ever given.

And when I kiss you good night I will hold
you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God
for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day...

Author Unknown

FROM THE BEDROOM...

...upstairs and through the baby monitor, I hear this:

"Daddy?" Asha says.

"Yes Asha?" Says Daddy.

Then she says, "Asha wants to see Mama."

"How come?"  Daddy says.

And it is here that Asha completely melts my heart.  She says so sweetly and in such a matter of fact way, "Cause I love her."

She made my entire week!

MY BABY IS NO LONGER A BABY - IT'S OFFICIAL!!!

Today made me happy and sad all at the same time.  Happy because Asha is growing into such a smart, independent and charming little girl, but sad because she is no longer a baby. 

It seems like as soon as she turned two, a lot of the characteristics that made her my "baby" went out instantly like the candles on her cake (cheesy I know).  And although I am absolutely thrilled of the wonderful little person she is becoming, I don't want her to grow up... I am selfish I guess and I want her to stay a baby forever (minus the terrible two part of course).  

We have decided that Asha will be our only babe and so it's difficult to think I will not get to see each of these stages again.  I often feel like she is growing up TOO fast and that I cannot keep up.

So I take her down stairs for her nap today.  And you really have to get a sense of what the usual nap time routine is like for Asha.  Normally I warm her up a "magic bag" in the microwave; the bag consists of grains and scents that calm her and make her all warm and cozy.  We get her special blanket and I warm up her bottle (she calls it tea-tea which is a St. Vincent thing).  Then I take her to her room, turn on some soft lullaby music, cuddle her on my lap while I give her tea-tea and then put her in her bed.  I then sing the wheels on the bus, pat or rub her back a little, say goodnight and I love you's, leave and blow a kiss from outside of her room.  Then I close the door and she goes to sleep.  The whole routine usually takes about 15 minutes.  But... this is what it was like today:

I warmed up her magic bag, got her blanket and her bottle, took her down stairs and turned on the music.  Then when I went to sit by her bed to give her bottle, she threw her blanket down onto the bed with her warm bag and covered herself up with a blanket.  I then tried to give Asha her bottle and she said, "No Mama, Asha's a big girl, no tea-tea."  So I went to rub her back and say my goodnight's, sweet dreams and I love you's and she said, "Bye Mom".  Yep, that's what she said!  Bye Mom.  Guess I'm going to have to come to terms with this sooner than later. 

See, I told you all.  My baby is no longer a baby - it's official!!!