The last of May 2013

 Mike and I celebrated our 15th anniversary on May 23rd. 

Caleb made us breakfast. I got a yogurt and fruit parfait. Mike got an omelette.

Natalee loves summer.
She loves to bike and she loves to swim.

Andrew's Birthday, May 15, 2013

 Opening gifts.

Andrew is 8 years old!! By the time Caleb was 8, we already had Wyatt.

Andrew's doing really well in grade 2 and although school is not his favourite thing 

(the work, that is; he loves the activities, his teachers, and art), 

he is doing much better this year than last year. 

He's at grade level with reading even though he started the year struggling at 

a beginning grade 1 level. He has worked hard!!

 A Wednesday in May wouldn't be complete without a soccer game!

And finally, birthday trifle with lemon pudding and berries. 

It was very very good, even for a chocolate lover like myself. 

Mother's Day, 2013

Pictures, followed by a walk outside...

 Mother's Day cards...

From Andrew -  best. card. so far.

 Art from Caleb.

Beaded newspaper necklace from Joshua.

March Birthdays, 2013

 Natalee turned 6...

 Earrings!!!

 A massive chocolate cake.

 Caleb turned 12...still into dolphins...

and food. I think that look means "don't-touch-my-cake-can-I-eat-now?!!!"

Grade 6 Farewell - June 25, 2013

Honestly, I have been missing the craft of blogging lately. Lots of events have happened in our lives the past 6 months, and none quite as exciting as today. I have uploaded some pictures and hopefully I will be able to play catch up over the next couple of days...as we head into summer and the kids are at home. Great logic, isn't it?? (Yes, I'm being sarcastic).

Today, Caleb (and 15 classmates) said "Farewell" to the school that they have gone to for the last eight years. Actually, there are only six students that have been in this school from Nursery to Grade 6. I made sure to take a picture of the six of them. Yesterday, we had fun looking at school pictures from the past eight years...it's really hard to believe that he's moving on to Junior High already!

Here are a few pictures from today.

 Looking dapper in his suit.

 Caleb and his BFF.

"We're outta here!"

I was expecting this today to be fairly emotional for me and I had been preparing myself for it while at the same time, almost dreading it. Although it was somewhat bittersweet, I can honestly say that I am excited for Caleb and what his future holds. He is a very bright boy, athletic and smart, and he has proven himself to be very responsible and tender hearted. Just not all the time. He's still a kid, I don't blame him! 

[Interesting to note that today (June 25th), it has been 20 years since I graduated from High School.]

Wyatt's Birthday...and the nasty week

 The birthday celebrations began on Sunday with Grandpa & Grandma Voth.

I found some pictures of Rice Krispie snowmen and so that's 

what we had for birthday "cake".

 After supper, some of us got our craft on.

 Natalee decorating a gingerbread boy ornament.

Little did we know that within 14 hours, I'd have four sick 

boys on the living room floor.

Not.

Fun.

At the beginning of the day, 3 sick boys...the other one went to school, 

barfed there, and was home by 9:30 a.m.

 November 28th!!

Birthday oatmeal with blueberries.

 Veggie Tales!

 Car carrier.

 Birthday cupcakes for his class.

 Lunch time cupcake...glad I took this picture because I wasn't home for supper.

I volunteered in Wyatt's class that afternoon so Natalee stayed with Grandma. 

They walked to the nearby thrift store where Natalee appeared to faint. 

She fell to the ground and hit her head. 

To shorten a long story, we ended up at Children's ER 

(with her barfing every 15-30 minutes) for a CT scan. 

No brain bleeds, concussion not likely.

24 hours later, she was as good as new.

We had set a date last week Friday that THIS Friday would be 

the day she would get her ear's pierced.

All week long, we talked about it. It would hurt. 

Her ears would need to be cleaned and the earrings 

would have to stay in for 2-3 months. 

They could NOT come out. 

She said she was ready.

And we went today! She was so excited!!

My daughter is one tough cookie.

She flinched a little, did not cry (looked like she might for a few seconds), 

and next thing you know, she was her happy little self.

Pretty little butterfly earrings. What a great ending to a crazy week!

Clara Hughes!

 We are so lucky to have the field and former community centre by our place to be re-named after 

The Greatest Female Olympian of all time, Clara Hughes!
Clara participated in six different Olympic games (summer AND winter) 

and brought with her the six medals she earned.  She grew up 

in our neighbourhood and played softball, ringette and soccer at this site.

 She was such a great sport and let the kids try on her medals!

 Wyatt didn't want anything to do with Olympic gold!

 The medals were heavy! Natalee actually dropped this one and Clara was quick so say, "That's o.k.!"

 Caleb has been dreaming about participating in and winning an Olympic medal for a while now.

Clara and her Mom.