It's a Little Old Shack, Where We Can Get Together!

NOTE the clear space in front of Little Dragon. Nothing is sacred within an arm's reach of this terror!

I have heard many Albertans do not like the Quebecois. And the hidden reason is because we are too similar.

Why? What similarities? Are you insane?

And the answers to those questions are: Why not? Many! And YES, yes I am.

Apparently we both like to drive big trucks. And we like to drive them TURBO fast.
We both talk funny.
We think our province is better off as its own country (the crazy radicals at least).
We are both fanatically religious.
We have hairy armpits.
???
Okay, I am all out of similarities. But "A" for effort, right?

Well our family did something VERY French. We went to a caban a sucre (a sugar shack).

I must admit, I was very apprehensive to go.

I didn't want to party late. I didn't want to hang out with a bunch of Law students who spoke a different language. I didn't want to be an "old mom" with a bunch of kids 5 years younger than me. And at this time, Little Dragon was just getting over his mucus vomiting sickness. Also, I had committed to something else that night... or so I thought.

Big Guy said, "Don't Worry! There will be other families there! So-And-So is bringing HIS wife. Everyone loves a baby. I already bought the tickets! You'll have a fantastic time!"

I told him that I would go as long as I could always hang this over his head when I really wanted to go somewhere or do something. It's always good to have a "trump" card in your pocket.

At the University of Ottawa limos came and picked up all the students in style. I wish!

Two big school buses transported us 50 minutes into "the-middle-of-nowhere Quebec". I am pretty sure that's the direct translation of the puny, little town we arrived at. This is a place where you could drop off a dead body and it wouldn't turn up for decades. Sounds appealing, a perfect place to eat at.

On the outskirts of this town was a long type cabin, the place where we would spend the next 5 hours.

Viola! Caban A Sucre!!

All of Big Guy's fellow students were very friendly and kind. And of course they all spoke English exceptionally well (many, approximately 1/2 by my estimation, English is their first language). There was no other babies and Big Guy misled me as So-And-So, who brought his wife, is ALSO a Law student.

Big Guy socializing while Little Dragon munches on his beloved cookie.

We (50 or so Law students) crowded into the reception room of the building. This half of the cabin had many long tables to sit or in this case, rest the alcohol that was brought. They don't serve alcohol at the cabin so many kids pre-drank and continued to drink the rest of the evening. Law school is extremely stressful so it is a well known fact that the program produces many alcoholics. Big Guy enjoys his Dr.Pepper from time to time to assist in his studies. But as far as I know, that's as "hard" as he goes with his beverages.

I strongly believe that alcohol increases the infatuation levels in people, not only lustful tenancies, but affection for babies as well! Beer goggles! Little Dragon was mobbed for most of the night.

Demanding more food!! NO!!! Don't put the cup infront of him! NOOOOOOOO!

 After an hour of getting to know Big Guy's friends from school we all were herded into the other half of the cabin where they served dinner. Now, you have to understand if you want a good, healthy, fine-dinning type of a meal, don't go here. If you want really starchy, bland food that only tastes half-decent drenched in fresh maple syrup, you are at the right place!!

The dinner consisted of: wrapped store purchased buns (not freshly baked), potatoes, beans, eggs, pancakes, bacon and ham. OH!! And of course MAPLE SYRUP!

My very favorite part was, after supper, when we went outside we made hot maple syrup sticks, aka "tire d'erable" (sugar on snow is what our American counterparts call it). Any way that you say it, it just means really, really good candy.

Once we were all jacked up on sugar we went back inside and for the next 3 hours or so danced the night away to mostly French Canadian folk music. They did throw in some oldies and a random Sponge Bob Square Pants theme song (thought you would have enjoyed that Tolley! And the fact that 80% of everyone in attendance was wearing plaid.) The sugar from all of the maple syrup balanced the alcohol consumed, making people in good spirits. Big Guy explained to me that it is very similar to the cocaine use in clubs and bars (a stimulant to counterbalance the depressant). Good to know!

So Little Dragon tricked us. We thought he would be out for the night as he started to sleep. Nope. 20 minute power nap and then he was up and at em' the rest of the night, even on the ride home!! He is just too social, if there are people around he wants in on the action! Can you blame him?

Oh and he just loves his Uncle Ibrahim! Especially his beautiful glasses. I tried to warn him.

On the ride home we had to stop TWICE for some girls who had to pee, "like" soo bad! Ugh! We should have brought our own car. I felt like we were chaperoning teenager middle school students. Control your bladders sweethearts! It's less than an hour drive.

I am happy to report that we survived the evening. All three of us. Well, make that four if you include Ibrahim and Little Dragon's vicious attack.

Would I do it again? Probably not. Well... at least not with a baby, but I am glad I have another thing checked off my list of things you can only do out here. 

And now I would like to leave you with a video I call, "Little Dragon Fish Face"