From the Heart

OH CHRISTMAS TREE

2010-12-21T22:34:00.000-08:00

On the 11th (where did the last 10 days go!?) we got our Christmas tree. I decided sometime in June, that this year we would cut down our Christmas tree instead of going to the parking lot at the bottom of Taylor way. I figure it would be more of an "experience" and maybe even the start of a new tradition. My husband was really, really cranky about the hour and a half car ride it took to get there. Not even Neil Diamond's Christmas or the kid's fighting in the backseat could take the edge off. But despite the shaky start, I think it was a memory maker. And our Christmas tree has never smelled so lovelier!

SANTA AT THE MALL

2010-12-13T23:38:00.001-08:00

Bob (the elf) told us to visit Santa at the mall and get our picture taken. But the Santa at the Park Royal mall is not just any Santa...he is the real thing. He is the best Santa ever! I talked about him here last year.

I don't know if it is our impeccable timing or not, but for the third year running, there is no line up and we essentially have Santa all to ourselves for over 30 minutes...chatting, asking questions, having some candy cane and basically chillin with the man in red.

This is Will's face moments after spotting Santa for the first time. He is saying "no like Santa," although after 30 minutes, he did give Santa a high five. Santa referred to Will twice as my little girl (because of the hair). So we had a haircut the next day (it was time).

Clara and Sam brought their Christmas wish lists from the fridge as well as a list of questions...all of which mall Santa answered.

Clara's "qustins" this year:

Dear Santa, how do you get presents on Christmas?
How did you become Santa?
Why is green and red Christmas colours?
How can raindeer fly?
Is the Rooduf story realow?
Why does nobody see you on Christmas?
What do you do when it is not Christmas?

PS. I have something speshle for you. Love Clara.

BOB THE ELF

2010-12-06T10:11:00.001-08:00

I normally just write a list of the things I would like to do in December with the kids, but this year, Bob the elf is making an appearance. He comes each night and leaves an envelope under one of the kid's doors with an activity or small gift, to count down to Christmas. I got this idea from Tara Whitney...go here to see.

So...we are starting 6 days into the month. Bob is known to be a bit tardy, but he explained to the kids that he had a sore tummy and bad gas from all the egg nog lattes he has consumed.

Activity for today: decorate the windows with holiday stencils. Bob even left a gift, with all the supplies they will need as well as instructions to clean up the mess afterwards!

This is the end result:

With 18 more nights to go until Christmas, here are some other activities Bob might tell the kids to do:

Go cut down your Christmas tree

Make breakfast for dinner and eat in your jammies

Make Christmas cookies and share them with a neighbour

Take some peppermint hot chocolate to the Festival of Lights in Dundarave

Go for a ride on the Stanley Park Christmas train

Family game night by the fire

Go visit Santa and get your picture taken

Make some Christmas ornaments

Go caroling and sing as loud as you want

Cuddle under a blanket and watch a Christmas movie

String a popcorn garland

Go ice skating on an outdoor rink

Buy a new Christmas book

Go see the Christmas lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge

Snowshoe to Hollyburn Lodge for some hot chocolate

Have a fondu by the fire

Bundle up and watch the carol ships go by

Play in the snow!

We also celebrated St. Nicholas Day thanks to Seema. We left our boots outside and in the morning they were filled with treats a few little toys (and indication that we have been good). Daddy got twigs in his boot (an indication that he was naughty) which upset Sam so much that I had to tell him that it was me who put twigs in his boot and not Nicholas. I think this made Sam even more upset. He continues to ask me why I would do such a mean prank. **Must remember to give Jake extra treats next year.

THREE

2010-12-04T22:11:00.000-08:00

Today my baby turned 3. I love him so, so much.

He really wanted a "gum party" so that is what we did today with a few of his friends.

(his invite, minus our address and phone number)

Upon waking up, I discovered him at the gingerbread decorating table having M+M's for his breakfast. He loves treats almost as much as his mommy.

When you ask him how old he is, he says three while holding up four fingers.

It was a good, noisy birthday. We made sure we has some of his favourite things...gum, pirate booty, boons (balloons), balls, wowipops (lollipops), and fart things (whoopie cushions).

May all your wishes come true William...

We love you!!

FIRST SNOW FALL

2010-11-20T19:04:00.000-08:00

Today was our first day of snow (at least on our street).

I woke up to the kids staring out our bedroom window talking in loud, excited voices. Sam asked if it was Christmas.

Literally moments later they had their snow gear on and were out on the street sledding, making snowmen and snow angels and having a snowball fight. By 1:00pm everyone came back inside to dry off and have some hot chocolate and tuna melts and play some games.

It was a good Saturday. The kind I like the best. Staying in my jammies all day, not having to rush anywhere and having a warm and cozy home to come back to after a play in the snow with my family.

WEEKEND PLANS

2010-11-15T12:19:00.000-08:00

We feel very fortunate to have been offered a place to stay at Whistler this past long weekend. It was a much needed family time, after we ditched the kids for 5 days when Jake and I went to Hawaii. Daddy has also been doing a lot of travel for work (very sad for us) and I have been on the computer more than ever, editing sessions.

These are some of the things we accomplished:

spiderman puzzle
scrabble junior
UNO
paper dolls
colouring
eating 5 bags of chips
4 trips to the coffee store (for peppermint mochas and egg nog lattes)
2 trips to the playground
a matinee with the big kids
reconnecting with friends (who I don't see nearly enough)
1 village stroll
catching a few snowflakes on our tongues before it turned to rain
hours spent in the hot tub
hours spent in the sauna (Will and I thought it was too hot)
kicking back and being all together for 72 hours

HAVE YOU EVEN SEEN A 38 YEAR OLD HALF NAKED MAN HULA DANCE?

2010-11-12T14:51:00.000-08:00

Hello blog. I have missed you. I'm having difficulty finding the time to come here and post pictures and write stories.

Since my last post, we celebrated Halloween and Jake and I flew away to Hawaii for 5 nights without our children!! It was heavenly. I read an entire book. I drank and ate and slept and swam and slept and relaxed. Even the airplane ride was fun. And mostly, it was so nice to be with my husband without the distractions and demands of our children.

Thank you Seema for taking care of the wee ones. I know they worked you over. I hope they didn't scare you too much. We sure are glad you are here!

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A SKELETON PEE IN THE WOODS?

2010-10-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween Eve!!

AN AFTERNOON WITH MY WEE ONES

2010-10-26T00:37:00.000-07:00

After a busy few weeks with photo sessions and the subsequent editing, the kids and I decided to go to Granville Island Friday afternoon and hang out together. It continues to be one of our favourite places to visit. We often pass our time chasing pigeons, feeding pigeons...and ducks, ordering up a coffee, playing at the park, chasing the pigeons some more, visiting the Kids Only Market, spending a few loonies on the ride ons and purchasing a $5 gift. Clara bought yet another little purple satin box to keep her "treasures" in...Sam some jumping beans and Will a whoopie cushion.

I genuinely had such a nice time with them...with no distractions of a messy house and unfinished work on my computer.

pick me up!!

I LOVE YOU SO MUNCH

2010-10-24T23:39:00.000-07:00

Clara gave me a card this weekend. It said "I love my mom so munch. Love, Clara."

I love her so munch too!

BATH TIME

2010-10-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

Bath time is part of our evening routine. I would like to think it helps calm the kids and helps transition them from play to bed, but the reality is, is that it is totally insane.

A bath time activity you should never allow, is slip and slide. This is where Sam pours 4 buckets of water onto the bathroom floor, followed by Sam and Will smearing 2 bars of soap onto the floor, followed by the 3 kids running naked through our bedroom and sliding across the bathroom floor on their bellies. Although totally fun, the end result was one head injury, water damage in our adjoining closet and a stinky old wet carpet house whose stink is only now beginning to fade, 16 days later.

And here is bath time going from fun to not so fun. Will's new move is the neck pinch.

THANKFUL

2010-10-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

Thankful for a wonderful weekend on Pasley, full of family and children and good food and good company. And thankful also for the 72 minutes where I curled up on the lawn chair in the sunshine and read a book...and sipped some wine and stared out at the ocean.

Thank you.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2010-10-11T12:36:00.000-07:00

#18 MAKE A CHOCOLATE CAKE FROM SCRATCH

2010-10-06T23:38:00.000-07:00

Done.

Although not as good as Judi's chocolate cake, I was very pleased with the end result.

Will was too...

(I just realized I have not posted my 36 things to do before I turn 37. In fact, I still have so many summer photos to share. Make a chocolate cake from scratch is number 18 on that list. I'll post it tomorrow when it is not midnight and I'm not exhausted).

HAPPY 38th

2010-10-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday husband!

I was thinking about the first birthday we celebrated together (as a couple). I took you to my favourite Italian restaurant for some tortellini alla panna and bought you a volleyball as a gift, and then we kissed in the parking lot for 42 minutes. I thought you were so hot and I was already madly in love with you.

18 years later, things have definitely changed. I mean, who has time to kiss for 42 minutes?! Never mind that we have 3 kids, an OCD dog, a summer cabin, lots of debt, some grey hair and soft tummies, and a lot more to worry about than what to wear to the Tragically Hip concert. But I also feel so blessed and so proud and thankful to be your wife. I love this life of ours...a life we get to share together. And I still think you are so hot and I am even more madly in love you! (true story).

Hope all your birthday wishes come true!

PARKS, HOT TUBS AND BEARS (OH MY)

2010-10-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

We have just recently returned from a 3 day family weekend in Whistler. 90% of the time was spent in the hot tub, pool or gigantic bathtub and the other 10% of the time was spent at the park, strolling through the village and playing cards. We also saw several bears, which was very, very cool.

Thank you R+L for sharing your place. It was a much needed and very much enjoyed family time with Jake. The kids have also decided this should definitely be our next house to rent. I agree, although I am certain I would never leave that bathtub!

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

2010-09-30T00:34:00.000-07:00

This is what Jake and I look at in the bathroom mirror while we brush our teeth each morning. If anything, it puts a smile on my face.

2010-09-30T00:19:00.000-07:00

Our family made our way back to Pasley last weekend. Despite the very unfortunate job of cleaning up all the crap that fell into the cabin after the boys re-roofed, we did enjoy some sunshine, collecting firewood, building a fire, roasting marshmallows for breakfast, playing lots of cards, going for a row, and being together just the 6 of us (including Kirby)...

1 to 10

2010-09-23T23:22:00.000-07:00

Our family likes to use a scale from 1 to 10 to rate something. The "something" could be anything, from a sushi dinner to a weekend at Whistler. Every day when I pick the kids up from school, I ask them how was your day, from 1 to 10?

Today, Sam rated his day 1oo, and Clara's was a 4. Apparently she "lost" her best friend at recess (as in they are not friends anymore), her milk leaked in her lunchbox and made her sandwich soggy and to top it off, her favourite art teacher is leaving.

According to Clara, this is how the scale works:

10=really, really really super dooper looper great!

9=really, really, really great

8=great

7=good

6=just OK

5=not that good, medium

4=not very good at all

3=bad

2=really, really bad

1=really, super dooper bad

0=the worst day ever!

So I guess her 4 day could have been worse?

THE LITTLE THINGS

2010-09-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

The little moments always hiding in plain sight are the ones I love.

I'm loving my 5 year old today, even if he chewed 5 buttons off his shirt (above) yesterday. That boy loves to chew on things.

I'm just wishing time would slow down just a bit.

TYPICAL EVENING

2010-09-21T23:48:00.000-07:00

This has been a typical evening around here these last couple of weeks.

A 3 minute dinner, followed by playtime on the street with the neighbours and Rocco. Even though I pine for a fenced yard, I'm going to miss this street when we move.

Tonight, the kids played "nature people" and "we are so poor we have to live in the car" (Jake's car).

Speaking of Jake...if you are reading this, we miss you!!

GOODBYE SUMMER

2010-09-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

Summer seems so long ago already.

I think I'm OK with saying goodbye. I do love the coziness and crispness of Fall. And I love the feeling of starting fresh. Maybe we should go pick some apples. Anyone no where we can do that?

ME DO IT!!

2010-09-14T22:29:00.000-07:00

Currently, this is Will's most used expression.

WEEKEND

2010-09-13T22:55:00.000-07:00

(Daddy and some Daddy friends went to Pasley this past weekend to re-shingle our roof. For those Daddies who read my blog, thank you!! I understand that it was not a traditional "boys weekend" of drinking and leisure and a morning of golf, but rather a weekend of hard manual labour in the pouring rain. Anyway, we are very thankful to have a new roof over our heads).

So while Daddy was roofing in the rain, the kids and I spent Saturday with Annie and her girls over in her hood.

My kids love cats. Maybe because we we don't have one, and never will have one.

We saw the movie "Despicable Me" and I laughed my butt off. It was so funny, despite being anxious that Will wouldn't wear his 3D glasses and essentially watched an hour and a half of fuzziness.

(I had nothing to do with Sam wearing black socks with his crocs).

And my sister took Clara skating twice. Despite our efforts not to start up any sort of hockey program (we are encouraging summer water activities), sissy also took Clara to a hockey drop in (which she loved).

And I can't believe how old she looks in this picture (waaaa!)

CLARA AND KIT

2010-09-13T22:46:00.000-07:00

Clara and Kit have been reunited after a summer apart. They have hardly left each other's side these past 5 days.

(overexposed, but I love it anyway)

SUMMER

2010-09-11T00:05:00.000-07:00

I posted this on my photo blog, but it makes me feel happy. What amazing summer we had. Please bare with me while I do some catching up. Apparently I took a lot of photos in July and August...

SAM'S FIRST 2 HOURS

2010-09-09T23:48:00.000-07:00

Day 3.

It is unclear when Sam's actual official first day of school is. Was it the apple juice and muffins in the gymnasium on Tuesday? or the afternoon stint on Wednesday? or the 2 hours this morning? Regardless, some more rushed pics on our front doorstep from the morning, this time with Sam and his new backpack.

Will really wanted a backpack too...

So I quickly found one in the closet for him...

Which he wore for the rest of the day.

FIRST HOUR OF SCHOOL

2010-09-07T22:05:00.000-07:00

Well, the morning went surprisingly well. Clara was up and dressed (all on her own) by 7:24am. Despite the good start, we still were running down the hill to make the bell at 8:35am. Consequently I only got a few quick pics.

The token doorstep pic:

Running down the hill. Will brought a suitcase:

Sam and Will and their buddies (while waiting for Clara to finish her hour of school):

Tomorrow, is a full day for my girl, and Sam has a brief afternoon shift at Kindergarten. Soon it will be just me and Will...

THE END

2010-09-07T00:11:00.000-07:00

We are home. The summer has ended. Tomorrow, school starts for 2 of my 3.

Supplies have been labeled, outfits have been chosen and laid out on the floor, kids have been bathed and nails clipped, tags from the new backpacks have been removed, lunch kits have been decorated with stickers...

The house is completely engulfed in dirty laundry and duffel bag contents.

Bedtime didn't go very smoothly. There was not enough room in the bunk bed for all of us to read the book side by side. Clara fell out and Will hit Sam in the head with a car. No one wanted to go to bed and Clara finally fell asleep at 10:03pm.

Today was rainy and cold, which I thought was a good way to end the summer. We even lit a fire at the cabin and played cards and roasted marshmallows. It was a good transition for me from cabin life to real life.

Anyway, off to bed I go...we have a busy today tomorrow.

2

2010-09-02T23:42:00.000-07:00

It has come to my attention, after just recently photographing a 4 day old, that Will is not, in fact a baby.

He is actually pretty big. And I am utterly smitten with him right now.

When you ask him how old he is, he tells you 2. And when you ask him what his name is he tells you 2 (not to be confused with Sue).

Jake was just commenting on how much he has changed over the summer. He is taller, poops in the toilet, talks more, plays with his siblings, counts to 5, makes motor noises with his boat, jumps on the trampoline, runs fast, rides his trike even faster...

But he is also still soft and squishy and cuddly, and still my baby.

He got some dirt in his eye here.

This is actually a baby (my friend's new little guy). I'm kind of smitten with this size too.

SOME THINGS WE DO

2010-09-02T23:21:00.000-07:00

I was just asked again, what the kids and I do on an island all summer. Well, here are a couple more "Pasley activities" besides all the ones I have mentioned in previous posts:

Build forts with ALL the blankets and towels and pillows we own. Then decorate interior of fort with toys, books, clothes, food, tools and flashlights.

Will was banned from this particular fort.

And here is Will pulling his wagon and ball up the hill, sitting in the wagon and then going down the hill. This activity equals up to 57 minutes of independent play.

HARMLESS FIB?

2010-09-02T22:35:00.000-07:00

The kids totally busted me a few weeks ago at the ferry terminal when I was paying for our boarding fare. I told the lady "it's me a 7, 4 and 2 year old." Sam and Clara immediately yelled out that Sam was actually 5, not 4 like I said. They wanted to know why I told the lady otherwise. I eventually confessed...I lied because I didn't want to pay $12 for a 5 year old when a 4 year old was free. The told me that was wrong and Sam pulled out a dime from his pocket and told me next time we should pay with this (he thinks he is in the chips).

Needless to say, I decided not to lie about that again.

However, I'd like to think that there is such a thing as a harmless fib. Things we tell our kids to get through an afternoon or an evening in peace. Particularly to kids (like Sam) who can be stubborn and exhaustingly relentless and can ask you the same thing over and over and over, and even over, again.

Some of Sam's latest obsessions which I feel require a harmless fib:

Asking if he can "see if Mathew is home" (the boy across the street). First thing he asks when he wakes up and last thing he asks before going to bed (never mind the 21 times in between). Since we have been up on the island for the summer it has become less of an issue, although just yesterday when we were home, I finally told him "Mathew was away on vacation". Lie or harmless fib?
Asking me what time is it at bedtime? Sometime this summer, he has decided that a 7:30pm bedtime is lame and his new bedtime is 10:00pm. He asks me every 3 minutes what time is it now? And obviously exhausted, will force himself awake until I tell him it is 10:00pm. Tonight, at 8:12pm when he asked me what time is it, I told him 10:00pm. Lie or harmless fib?

Speaking of bedtime, I am going to try to be in bed by 11:00pm starting on Monday. Actually I need to do a lot of things now that the summer is coming to an end. Like, drink water and eat less guacamole. Maybe take a little champagne break too.

And a few very random pictures:

ROWBOAT ADVENTURE

2010-09-01T00:35:00.000-07:00

The kids and I have had many "rowboat adventures" this summer.

It often begins with us putting out the crab trap, it always involves some singing and maybe some eye spy, and we often end up checking on the seals on Snake Island or digging for clams at Clam Beach if the tide is low enough.

Lately, our "rowboat adventures" has taken us to neighbour's beaches, where we stop for a swim or a jump off the dock, have good visits and say yes to a cold beer (me).

Don't all parents let their kids play with real sabres?

The sabre sharing didn't go so well, so it was confiscated before we even left the beach.

Sam discouvered the hiding place of the sabre.

Checking out the seals (can't really see them in this picture, but there are a lot of them).

The end of that particular adventure...

TRAMPOLINE, POKER AND TABLE DANCING

2010-08-31T23:32:00.000-07:00

Well here I go...I'm going to try to catch up from the past 10 days.

The kids and I have had some quiet time on the island again. Quiet time as in no guests, nothing to do with my kids being quiet.

Here is a typical afternoon when we are by ourselves:

Lots of jumping and various games on the trampoline (in our jammies), which Jake and I have decided was one the greatest investments ever!

I also have decided that I must be terribly out of shape since I am out of breath and sweaty after having a "bum war" with Sam.

Sam can now land a flip on 2 feet.

Trampoline airplane rides:

Followed by some draw poker. I taught the kids Speed, Poker, Back Gammon, and more recently Hearts. Clara has finally figured out what exactly Lady Gaga is singing about in "Poker Face."

Speaking of Lady Gaga, dancing on the table is a common occurrence at camp, and even encouraged.

MORE VISITS

2010-08-20T23:47:00.000-07:00

More visits with good friends and the best guests.

Vivian, Dave and Camille arrived fresh from Salt Spring Island and fresh from the farmer's market. I can get really excited about fresh food. They brought us homemade pasta and sauce, aged balsamic, really good wine, chocolate almonds, Salt Spring goat feta, chocolate cranberry bread, dips and herbs and veggies...

And they somehow knew that Sam's favourite gift of all time would be a remote control helicopter and Will a remote control stunt car and Clara a bracelet with removable charms. They even brought the double A batteries!

Never mind, that they are some of the loveliest people I know. Will fell in love with Vivian, Clara with Camille (who entertained us with skits and riddles) and Dave taught Sam some new party tricks (eg: how to fart with your armpit and hands).

Dave amazed us with his crab eating. I think he may of beaten Grandma's record of 4 crabs in one sitting.

Clara and Camille practicing a skit:

New toy:

I love this boy...

POLAROIDS AND PORT

2010-08-20T23:29:00.000-07:00

I had a visit from a friend who I have not seen in far too long, and his lovely wife and daughter (who has the best hair, ever). Steve bought me an old polaroid camera and a bunch of different film. I'm totally hooked! He also brought up some 20-year old port which we all sipped on while watching the sunset on the poop deck along with some milk or dark chocolate (I'm a milk kind of gal).

It was so great to reconnect and catch up and meet each other's families.

Clara making yet another crumble:

BEST GUESTS EVER

2010-08-20T22:49:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, some of our besties came up to the Island for a visit. Not only are our kids around the same age and play the entire time together, but they also showed up with a menu plan and all the food for 2 days (and some new flip flops). It was such a perfect, fun, (very hot) and relaxing weekend...and the shooting stars, were crazy amazing! The only thing missing, was my husband. But Mike did a good job of pouring champagne and playing music on his behalf and Clara cuddled with me at bedtime.

A new wharf was built:

Some dancing on the table:

Some apples were picked in the orchard:

Followed by a naked swim (the kids):

Good times in the Gator:

And the loveliest belly ever:

Lots of nature pees:

Me (the one with the square face) with one of my "top 5":

(*Annie, thanks for making me my own bowl of guacamole after the boys licked the bowl clean from the first go around)

DADDY'S HOME

2010-08-18T23:17:00.000-07:00

Jake returned to the Island after being away for 8 nights. Needless to say, we were all very happy to see him. He stuck around for a couple of days before sadly having to go back to work this morning.

After a string of visitors, it was just me and the kids today. It was a quiet and an abnormally yell-free day, and without friends to entertain and play with my children, I spent some one on one time with each of them which I enjoyed immensely. I played cards with Sam and Spike (his imaginary friend), Clara and I drew some pictures together and wrote a story, Will and I cuddled and read in bed, we stole Grandma's stash of M&M's and made cookies, and then practiced flips on the trampoline. We ate the leftover crab for dinner and made some fresh squeezed lemonade, and ate the cookies we baked earlier...all of them. We had an evening swim and then cuddled again in bed, in front of a movie.

Sam's latest 2 party tricks...First, "pull my finger" which ends in a fart or a burp, which is gross but equally impressive and funny.

Second, swing the bucket around really fast so the water doesn't fall out...

US AND THE DEER

2010-08-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

When we acquired our cabin 7 years ago, we promised the original owner that we would love the place and that we would continue to feed the deer that came by after dinner looking for some apples.

We love Pasley, that was easy. And we love our daily visits from the deer. Though a deer sighting on our lawn is commonplace, the kids continue to love watching them and tossing them our beaten up fruit and veggies.

One deer, we have fondly named Philip, is particularly bold and eats watermelon right off the table we are sitting at and waits on the deck outside the kitchen door waiting to see what I have discarded into the compost.

Philip, the bold deer:

On this particular night, 7 deer came for some scrounging, including 2 little spotted does. Will was very excited to see "twos...babies...deer" (also his first string of 3 words together).

TRUMAN'S 5th

2010-08-15T22:42:00.000-07:00

We "went down" to Vancouver for our cousin's wedding and stayed down to help celebrate a couple of birthdays, stock up on Pasley supplies, listen to 57 voice messages, enjoy the first rain of the summer, visit family and friends and I crammed in a handful of photo sessions as well (fun).

We were happy that we got to help celebrate Truman's 5th birthday. Candiss always puts on the best parties and serves the best food. Even her hot dogs taste good.

Truman wants to be a construction worker when he grows up. It is the best! When we see him, he normally has some kind of work gloves on, a tool belt and is engaged in some kind of hammering, digging, piling, lifting, etc. activity.

So, what to get a future construction worker? Apparently a drill, some rope, a bungee cord and some work signs. I love his look here, while checking out his new bungee cord.

Happy Birthday sweet Truman. We love you!

PIGS (PASLEY ISLAND GAMES)

2010-08-10T22:57:00.000-07:00

On the first Saturday of August, the island celebrated PIGS once again.

We actually arrived on time this year (10:00am, not 11:00am). Or more like, Jake arrived on time while I stayed back and tied Kirby up extra tight to an arbutus tree. She has been known to eat her way through the cabin and break through windows in her attempt to follow us to the field.

The games were fun. Will placed first in the Daddy piggy back race at the expense of Daddy suffering a hand injury (and a very purple, sweaty face). Clara placed third in the three legged race. Sam is all big smack talk about being the fastest in the world and ended up opting out of the races altogether (except for the tug o war).

Kirby showed up at 11:32pm frantic and panting, with a chewed up leash.

We locked her in the sleeping cabin for the dinner/dancing portion of PIGS.

PIGS dinner was hosted by South Bay this year. There were lots of cute kids for me to take pictures of...

My highlight of the evening...watching my daughter dance for 3 hours. She has got some serious moves right now. When our friend bumped into Clara on the pathway and told her what great dancing she was doing, Clara replied, "I know...there was a rainbow shining down on me."

I want some of that!

I'M LOOKING FOR A FRIEND

2010-08-09T23:36:00.000-07:00

A "secret note" I found on the rock outside our house (one of five). Notice the glitter as well.

It reads:

Who ever you are im Clara. Im looking for a friend in this hood whos a girl and seven. Cold you be my friend. I love playing outside I have a great climbing tree. Please come and dont be shy. I'm very nice. I love fairys. PS I want to meet you.

My lovely daughter...I pray that you will find your special friend in this "hood" of ours.

You are such a great friend to have.

PING PONG

2010-08-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

The kids have recently discovered a ping pong table in one of our South Bay neighbour's yard. Sam has been spending up to 2 hours a day playing ping pong and I finally went to see what all the fuss was about.

Basically Sam and a friend try to hit the ball as hard as they can to each other. Rarely have they returned the serve, but no matter, they have a blast.

Sam's opponents (renown for their lightening fast reactions and top spin):

Am I a bad parent for taking a picture when Clara gets hurt?

Will got bored with the game and decided to have a lolli in the tall grass instead:

At least I got one photo...

After an intense game of ping pong, the kids go for a swim, eat some fresh crab on the beach and suck back a cold kool aid.

Life is good.

SUMMER STUFF

2010-08-03T23:43:00.000-07:00

Clara has had a very busy summer so far, drawing, cutting, glueing, painting, designing, writing, taping, making lists (like her mother).

Here is her latest. It is a what to expect if you are visiting Pasley:

SUMMER STUFF

big property

swing set

guests

trampoline

beach and ocean

junk food

sports

summer cabin

swim suits

whipped cream

movies outside

poop deck

flowers

toys

art supplies

FIVE PEOPLE 7/12

2010-08-03T23:11:00.000-07:00

I missed month 5 and 6, but I should get a little credit for trying...

Another self timer picture balancing on my glass (of pastis), and tipping slightly. This was a good evening. Fresh off the ferry after going to the Lion King with my family, and then enjoying an evening of live music on a blanket on a lawn...on the water...looking out to Pasley.

Sam and Clara are still not completely dried off from their swim a few moments earlier, and are sticky from the salt water. Sam can't stand the itchy part of swimming in the ocean. He has taken to scalding hot showers apres swim, but Jake has limited him to 3 minutes due to our water shortage on the island.

All their hair has turned 3 shades lighter this summer. I wish mine would do the same. My roots are dark and horrifyingly grey and crinkly.

But summer continues to be my favourite season. Particularly a summer spent at a cabin on an island. I am so blessed.

POCKET CONTENTS

2010-08-03T01:33:00.000-07:00

The contents of Sam's short's pocket, which I fortunately emptied before putting them into the laundry today:

a gum wrapper
beach glass
smooth rocks, probably for skipping
some nerds, raspberry flavour
yellow matchbox car
2 dead crabs

Awesome.

WINDY DAY

2010-07-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

On a windy day, you might find us flying Clara's kite on the point. She doesn't like to share it however, and she is quite worried that it will get stuck in a tree or get lost in the ocean.

This kite was a birthday gift from her friend and I think it makes an awesome present for a 7 year old. Although my 5 year old wishes he had one too.

And one of Will napping that day, just because...

LAST OF THE MEIGHEN VISIT

2010-07-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

The last of the pictures from the Meighen visit.

Gretchen's brother and his girls came over for the day. Clara made a new friend, we swam and ate and played, and they brought me some fresh eggs from their chickens (a highlight...I would love to have me some chickens).

I was also excited to have some new faces to photograph.

Levi rockin' the vintage tiny tikes:

THE COMPLAN JAR

2010-07-28T23:46:00.000-07:00

This is the "complan (complain) jar" that sits on our kitchen table:

After huffing and puffing and sighing and complaining one morning, Jake suggested to Clara that she should definitely write a note to the complaint department. And so, this is how the "complan jar" came to be.

I thought it might be a good way for Clara to articulate her feelings (as crazy as they may be), and the initial plan was to discuss and work through the complaints at the end of each week.

Here is Clara's first complaint...the complaint that started it all:

It hasn't totally taken off (maybe there is not a lot to complain about after all), but here is a sampling of complaints from the past couple of weeks:

the moms went for a run and I have two brothers and the people that came up (the meighens) were just boys exsept the mom who went for a run so I'm stuck with the boys. 1 girl. 8 boys. Clara Chalmers.
sam always takes the things i'm playing with. Clara Chalmers.
my dad didn't let me go on the boat ride to pick are friends up. Sam Chalmers.
my dad woke me up when I was having a nice sleep plus he woke me up bi taking away my baba (blanket). Will Chalmers
wet bathing suits and towels left in a lump on the bedroom floor. Mommy Chalmers

ANNUAL MEIGHEN VISIT

2010-07-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

I think this was the 9th annual Meighen summer cabin visit. Clara was feeling very outnumbered with their 4 boys, plus her 2 brothers, but Sam thought it was awesome. Plus they liked to play Uno (favourite game of the summer). They stayed with us 3 nights and endured my "hot or not" evening game on the deck, but their visit was not long enough...

I miss them during the year. California is too far away.

Some of the photos from our time together (more tomorrow):

10. MAKE CRABCAKES WITH LEFTOVER CRAB

2010-07-26T23:37:00.000-07:00

Done.

On the menu:

crabcakes (with leftover crab caught and eaten earlier that day)

asiago and chili lime prawns with toast points (also fresh caught that day)

coleslaw with lots of celery seed (the key ingredient)

ice cold coronas with a lime wedge

40. HAVE PIZZA AT TUSCANY

2010-07-26T01:22:00.000-07:00

Done.

Jake and I managed to get away on Friday night for a date at Tuscany on Bowen (the most delicious wood oven pizza...we shared the pear and brie signature pizza, and I got the warm goat cheese salad, of course).

One of the boys on the island came over to babysit. He recently finished his babysitting course and was the most eager babysitter ever. This always surprises me...that someone is actually excited to take care of my kids and put them to bed. And to top it off, he gave us this receipt for his services. I love it! (he gave me permission to post it).

A GOOD DAY

2010-07-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Sam, Clara and I left the island to meet up with the cousins "in town" and go to the Lion King. We rode the rowboat, speedboat, ferry boat, car, seabus, skytrain, watched the performance (which was AMAZING...you have to see it) and then back again to Pasley on the 6:50pm ferry. It was so nice to spend some time with yaya, the aunties and my niece and nephew, never mind go to the theatre. I love musicals!

(a little stunned here, but it is hard to get Sam to look at the camera these days)

(a little stunned here too...it could be the fish and chips we just ate in the ferry line up)

Before reaching Pasley we met up with Will and Daddy for a concert on the lawn at a friend's house on Bowen. The setting was breathtaking, the music was awesome and the evening was all the things I love the most: sunshine, ocean, music, swimming, blankets on the lawn, snuggling up with my husband and my kids...

(this is Will groovin' to the tunes)

It was a good day.

BACK TO KEATS

2010-07-22T23:28:00.000-07:00

The kids and I went back to Keats last week for a visit and a sleepover. I brought over my last can of coke zero, some refried beans, 5 tortillas, 1 apple, the last of our milk and 3 yoghurt tubes (was in need of groceries).

We swam, played, swung, read books, built lego boats, made a Barbie haunted house roller coaster ride, walked up to the camp, bought a creamsicle at the Mariner's Inn...

Keats is also the place where I catch up on my design and decor magazine reading, do some laundry, bathe and charge the batteries to the jeep, phone, computer and camera.

If I'm lucky, Candiss also makes me warm milk cake (which she did).

21. PAINT ROCKS

2010-07-19T16:30:00.000-07:00

Done.

We have lots of painted rocks. Lots and lots of them. Painted driftwood too. Will even painted the deck and lounge chairs and my i phone...

PRESCHOOL BESTIES

2010-07-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

Sam's bestie from preschool came to Pasley with his family for the day. They were impressively spontaneous, and they brought us up some burgers (fresh buns), cold root beers, chips and watermelon. It was awesome.

And later that day: the kids and our island neighbours, hot chocolate face smeared, getting around Pasley style...

46. PLAY WITH COUSINS

2010-07-15T13:26:00.001-07:00

Done.

2 of the cousins came up to Pasley for a little visit. There were a few incidences (nail in the foot, shell wound on the leg, strange noises heard outside the tent to name a few), but in all it was a lovely visit.

Will had troubles eating his dessert.

Paper umbrellas make any drink "fancy."

Evening swim.

Puff pancake for breakfast, of course.

Will wakes up from his nap.

And more swimming...

FRIENDS

2010-07-12T23:26:00.000-07:00

Something that warms my heart: my kids being friends with my friend's kids...

#37 VISIT FRIENDS ON OTHER ISLANDS

2010-07-12T22:51:00.000-07:00

Done.

We boated over to Keats Island and visited our besties.

And I also got to take some pictures of some other people/children besides my own (who are tiring of the camera...except for Clara, who continues to jump in front of the camera as I press the shutter).

And one last dock jumping shot. I love this one...

SOME MORE OF PIGS

2010-07-09T11:13:00.000-07:00

S0me more pics from our 7th Annual Pasley Island Gong Show (PIGS) weekend. It really was such a fun time.

We had lots of good chats and laughs on the poop deck.

Breakfast time.

Hanging out in the Rathborne tent.

Jackson learns how to burp the ABC's

Morning coffee.

The boys discover the used up fireworks (=hours of play)

"California Gurls"

Sports Day.

Dessert.

5 year olds building a fort.

Learning the routine.

Movie under the stars (kind of).

The gang.

Thank you guys...Can't wait for next year!

BATH TIME

2010-07-08T23:21:00.000-07:00

Uploading photos here at the cabin is very, very slow.

So for now, some pictures of the boys having their evening bath. This is how we bathe cabin style.

5. TOILET TRAIN THE 2.5 YEAR OLD

2010-07-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

Done.

In one day, I might add.

13. GO TO SMITTYS FOR BEER AND HALIBUT FRITTERS

2010-07-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

Done.

7th ANNUAL PIGS

2010-07-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

17 adults, 15 kids, 2 dogs, 6 tents, 3 cabins, 4 days on the GFI=Pasley Island Gong Show

Happy Canada Day!

Mini Firework Show

THE WONDER OF FINDNG A FEATHER

2010-06-29T15:01:00.001-07:00

62 THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER

2010-06-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

I did decide a few weeks ago that I wasn't going to make any more lists except for grocery lists, but I really can't help myself.

Tash and Pipe and the 4 kids joined us at Pasley for our annual kick off the summer weekend. We also spent a whole 10 minutes collaborating on our summer list. Clara participated too. Free time is not to be expected with 7 children and one emergency trip to the doctor to extract a fish hook out of Sam's calf.

So here is what we came up with (Clara's contribution is in italics):

make homemade salsa
make a fairy house with the kids
read an entire book (suggestions anyone?)
lay around and not feel guilty
toilet train the 2.5 year olds
make a Blurb book
camp with the kids, or at least sleep in a tent with them
make outdoor chalkboards
buy some new board and card games
make crabcakes with leftover crab
put up a tire swing
have an outdoor tea party
have beer and halibut fritters at Smittys
dig for clams and oysters at low tide and make a pasta
pick our cabin colours (once and for all)
plant some herbs
blow bubbles with the kids
pick strawberries
make lemonade
swim with friends
paint rocks
make signs on driftwood
explore tide pools
look for crabs
learn how to dock the boat
build a simple fort in the bendy tree
take a picture everyday
make homemade playdough
paint with Clara on the deck
watch some fireworks
walk to the park
plant lavender
discover new recipes using summer berries
make a doll
make some muddled drinks
picnic on an adjacent island
visit friends on other islands
run through a sprinkler
go for ice cream
have pizza at Tuscanys
have a date at Blue Eyed Mary's
plant some vegetables and watch them grow
make amazing french press coffee
go for an adventure walk in the dark
lay in the grass and watch the stars
play with cousins
run through the trails with Kirby and the deer
go barefoot
have a sleepover on the trampoline
have a treat night with a movie
have a party on the boat
make a big sign that says "welcome to fun world"
do an art book
grow roses
visit new islands
put on a play
have a crab huntin party
go on an adventure
take pictures of Ivy
make lemonade and make money money money
have a dog race
get a puppy for Clara

Can't wait for the summer (weather) to actually begin.

A few pictures from the weekend. Piper and I did a little location scouting. So...should anyone want to come to Pasley for a portrait session and then a little champagne on the deck...??

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER

2010-06-21T23:11:00.000-07:00

I WANT IT SHORT MOM

2010-06-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

For the first time in 5 and a half years, Sam asked for a short haircut. He just didn't casually mention it once, he obsessively mentioned it for 16 days. Kind of like how he obsessively mentions how he would also like an electric scooter.

I casually mentioned how much I love long shaggy hair, but let it go. After all, it was not like he was asking for a tattoo or to move in with his girlfriend. And now it will be clear to everyone that he is in fact, a boy (he was referred to as a "she" in his Kindergarten orientation).

He is still pretty cute!

GREEN SOCKS

2010-06-17T22:44:00.000-07:00

Clara called out for me to come outside with my camera while I was making dinner. Apparently she had art directed a shot. She calls it green socks and summer flowers:

MY HAPPY PLACE

2010-06-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Another rushed morning, too many things to accomplish in one day and some more rain here in Vancouver.

But we did manage to get on the boat and zoom away to our cabin this past weekend. I feel so calm there, and so happy and I yell less. I can't wait for the summer to officially begin so we can move up to my happy place.

(Will's happy place too)

LOST TOOTH

2010-06-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

After months of waiting and a 2 week long corespondance with the TF (tooth fairy), Clara finally lost her first tooth tonight while we were reading Magic Ponies in bed together.

It is very exciting. And kind of sad for the mommy. Her lost tooth looks so tiny in my hand, just like I think she should be. And her adult tooth which will grow into it's place will be so big like she actually is. Does that make sense?

Some snippets from some of her notes she has been leaving for the tooth fairy these past weeks:

Dear tooth fairy. I have a surprise for you. I have a wiggery tooth and I hope you come and give me something.
Dear TF. I loved what you gave me (a loonie and a letter) and now its time for me to give you something (a homemade necklace with a paper tooth locket). And its kind of a misterwy to whose paper this is (the tooth fairy left the note paper, a pen and bottle of glitter on the kitchen counter...bad tooth fairy). PS please give something to my brother. Love Clara. Do you know Ruby? (Clara's friend who told Clara she saw the tooth fairy at school)
Dear TF. You are a true friend. Do you like mermaids or fairies the best of all?
Dear tooth fairy. This is something you will like the best of all my notes. Here is a hint (picture of a tooth)

JUNE IS A GONG

2010-06-11T16:19:00.000-07:00

June is a gong, like our driveway is a gong.

Too much going on in a little bit of space.

LONG WEEKEND (PART 2 and 3)

2010-06-08T23:58:00.000-07:00

I realized I never posted part 2 and 3 of our long weekend adventures at camp Pasley.

Which brings me back to Sunday morning in May, which also happened to be Bridget's 4th birthday.

The girls did some birthday window decorating.

And here is the birthday girl who rang the gong bell 37 too many times.

Inside the boys played some backgammon.

while being watched by cute boy...

while Jake turned red from shaking his margs...

while Lauri had some moments with her book...

while Will emptied out all the baskets of toys onto the deck...

while the girls twirled and whirled around with their new birthday masks...

and Annie made us some delicious birthday nachos...

and Cooper admired his new squirter and lollipop...

and Cooper's mommy had an afternoon nap on the couch...

Until it was time for birthday cake!

There was lots of bad singing...

and birthday kisses...

and beautiful views...

And then we realized we still hadn't raised the flag. So there was some more bad singing...

And lots of laughing...

And then Sophie started to wonder about her strange friend, Clara...

And then we took it to the beach for some warmth and chocolate by the burn pile fire...

We did some more things, but I think there is probably too many photos in this one post! Maybe a part 4?

HAPPINESS IS...

2010-06-03T00:16:00.000-07:00

For me, happiness is shopping at Anthropologie with no children, sipping a coffee and not having to rush anywhere.

For Jake, happiness is a trip to the Apple store while wife is at Anthropologie not rushing, and discouvering that a new shipment of iPads has just arrived!

Below: Jake playing with his new iPad while lunching on shrimp and beer. We are both very happy.

But now, we are home. Back to the realty of laundry, pee on the toilet seat (not mine), a stinky minivan and an early wake up.

But I do get to be back with my kids. I have missed them terribly! It is strange how different they appear to be for those first minutes after after being apart for a few days. They look older and sound different and I couldn't stop staring at them...and hugging them. I love them so much!

Thank you YaYa, Grandma and Auntie and Uncle for taking such good care of them!

TEN YEARS LATER

2010-06-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

Dear husband,

I am so thankful for you. I am so proud to be your wife. I love being married to you and I can't wait for the next ten years (or make that fifty!).

Love, me.

(self timer picture on our way to dinner)

STILL LAUGHING OUR BUTTS OFF

2010-05-31T17:21:00.000-07:00

We are still here laughing out butts off...and eating and drinking and napping and swimming and a little bocce ball playing.

We actually did go for a run yesterday...and almost died of heat exhaustion. I think Jake is still recovering from the last hill up to the house. Between that and his allergy attack, we lost him for 42 minutes last night. His new nickname is "Shazam" which we all find really funny.

And we did make it out to one winery for a tasting. We must remember next time, that the wine tastings end at 4:00pm, not 5:00pm.

The Meighens left for home this afternoon. Sadly they live in another country, but happily they will be in Vancouver in a month.

Just me and my husband, for another 2 nights...

5 NIGHTS/10 YEARS

2010-05-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

Oh, hello California. It is so nice to be here for 5 nights with my husband. In 4 days we will have been married for 10 years, and I'm not telling lies...I love him more than ever! We plan to eat and drink and nap and read and hold hands and make out. It is going to be awesome!

Going on a airplane without 3 children is actually kind of fun. The drive from LA to Santa Barbara, however was not so much fun. Jake is very cranky pants when it comes to traffic. But a stop for an In n' Out Burger helped a bit.

The view from the house we are staying out (thank you, thank you MacKenzies!)

A morning hot tub, after getting out of bed at 9:00am!!

A morning coffee and some breaky (dining is so pleasant without children as well):

And this afternoon our besties arrived! Together, our combined 7 kids have been left at home with Grandma's and YaYa's and Auntie's, and we are so thankful. We are reliving our University days when we used to get together and eat nachos and drink raspberry hefeweizen and laugh our butts off at Barney's. Only now we are in the second part of our 30's, eating artichokes with aioli and drinking champagne, but still laughing our butts off.

LONG WEEKEND (PART 1/3)

2010-05-26T23:29:00.000-07:00

Part one of our long weekend in pictures. I have promised myself and my body that I will go to bed before 12:30am tonight, so I will wrap up the weekend tomorrow?

I saw this quote on the sweet + lovely things blog (thanks Misha) and I thought we accomplished these things on the weekend:

READ BOOKS

ENJOY THE COMPANY OF OTHERS

MAKE THINGS

LOVE PEOPLE

BE HAPPY

VISIT NICE PLACES

SAY YES

LISTEN TO MUSIC

DO THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY

MAKE A LIVING

HAVE FUN

BE YOURSELF

FORGIVE AND FORGET

ENJOY LIFE

This is my view, from my lounge chair. A place where I sat and read many magazines and did not feel guilty.

Claudia, in her usual entrepreneurial spirit, started a braiding/beach glass business on the deck. Here are some of the results:

And Truman, in his usual work man spirit, did some leaf blowing and some fishing:

Afternoon nap (love watching Will sleep!)...

We caught 16 crab! I love Will with his juice box watching his Daddy cook them up...

The paparazzi in the background...

A late afternoon movie and some Smartfood popcorn to wind down...

THE ROCKETEER

2010-05-25T21:33:00.000-07:00

Will has been spending a lot of time in the Rocketeer lately.

Perhaps tomorrow I will post some pictures from our long weekend on the island (it was a really, really good time).

XO.

A TRIP TO THE FARM

2010-05-21T22:55:00.000-07:00

This week, Will and I joined Sam's preschool class at Maplewood Farm. I love that I used to come here for field trips with my school (and my mom) when I was Sam's age. The farm is in my kid's top 10 favourite places to visit in Vancouver. You should go check it out!

And just a little funny story, while on the topic of farms. Clara was unusually tentative about drinking her one of many glasses of milk today. She said that she was having second thoughts about milk because it came from a cow's vagina, which was very unsettling to her (I don't blame her!). Anyway, we talked it through and I explained that an udder was definitely not a vagina (although I suppose the udder thing it is still kind of unsettling, and don't even get my mom started on this topic).

Anyway, have a lovely May long weekend everyone (in Canada)! We are heading to the Camp in the morning.

(one of Sam's lovely teachers)

(these boys crack me up...I have to include some more pictures)

THE FARM

2010-05-19T00:12:00.000-07:00

Coming later today on the blog (since it is currently after midnight): a trip to Maple Wood Farm...

RAIN

2010-05-18T23:56:00.000-07:00

This morning it rained really hard. Clara reminded me rain was good because it helps make the flowers grow. Sam reminded me that if it is too wet outside to ride your bike, you can always build a big fort inside. And Will reminded me that rain is good because it is fun to jump in puddles.

BIKES, BALL, ICE CREAM, TACOS & A FERRY

2010-05-17T23:47:00.000-07:00

It was Charline's last full day with us on Saturday before we sadly dropped her off at the airport for her flight back to France (she is coming back in June!). We wanted to go somewhere she hadn't been to yet, although I'm sure she has explored more of Vancouver than most people who have lived here all their lives! Anyway, Sam suggested we go to Hawaii, Charline wanted to see Whiterock and we ended up on the ferry to Bowen Island. Sam brought his bike, Will brought his trike and we played on the field, ate and drank and bathed in the warm sun. Sam made a new buddy-a crazy Jack Russel who Sam says runs as fast as him. We are going to miss Charline this month, but thank goodness she is returning. It is too hard to say goodbye.

RUB A DUB DUB

2010-05-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

Three kids in the tub...

ICE CREAM & GINGERALE

2010-05-15T23:48:00.000-07:00

Will loves ice cream

And Sam loves gingerale

(and I love painted wood for picture back drops)

Most of the time I say yes if my kids ask me for something, unless of course it is illegal or life threatening or morally wrong. So today in the warm sunshine they had an ice cream and a gingerale.

More pictures of our day on Bowen Island tomorrow...

FIVE PEOPLE 4/12

2010-05-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

I know I said I was going to try harder to take a family portrait in April, and here we are halfway through May!

This photo was taken by Mom C. (Grandma) on the beach in front of our cabin at Pasley. And once again we have a drink in our hand, although this time it is champagne not wine. We are celebrating our first visit to the island in 2010, and Mother's Day Eve (doesn't Sam looked thrilled?). I am dressed in my work clothes since I spent the morning wiping down mold from the bathroom and fridge and doing various grody cabin opening jobs. Despite the unpleasant work, it was sunny! and warm! and we were together at this glorious place. I have to be honest, April was tough weather wise.

But the promise of summer is here. And so is rhubarb, new potatoes, asparagus and peas. My flip flops are by the door, my winter jacket has been banned to the back of the closet and it is still light at 8:30pm. Good for my seasonal affective disorder, but bad for 7:00pm bedtime.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

WEEKEND WITH THE MOMS

2010-05-10T22:27:00.000-07:00

Some more pictures from our Mother's Day weekend.

Clara was very earnest in her Mother's Day decorating (window writers) and her card making (I got 4 of them).

(I can only wish my legs were this long and thin)

And here is the bulk of us sitting down for some afternoon champagne and fresh crab. Clara loves to jump in the photo last minute (kind of annoying).

Me and my kiddies (without whom, there would be no Mother's Day for me). I do love them.

And my loveliest of lovelies...

We tried to get away just the two of us for some special time together up on the Point, but Kirby kept following us (she is quite intense about stick fetching).

Next stop...Father's Day!

Or actually, Jake and my 10 year Anniversary. We have big plans that involve 5 nights without any children.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2010-05-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

Any day that begins with breakfast in bed is a good day.

My view at 8:17am:

Just got home from celebrating Mother's Day at our cabin. More pictures tomorrow. But for now...my mom kicking back with a magazine on the deck, with a little of Clara's window art:

And my view at 4:36pm:

Me and my beer, my barefeet and the ocean.

It was a lovely Mother's Day.

BOY STUFF

2010-05-07T21:51:00.000-07:00

I took the boys to visit the George boys where they did lots of boy things. Like remote control, bike riding, drinking orange crush in the van, hammering nails into the grass, playing in a big pile of dirt, kicking around the ball, peeing in the bushes and watching a tractor do it's business.

It was a good afternoon.

PRE MOTHER'S DAY

2010-05-06T22:12:00.000-07:00

Clara wrote me a note today.

It said: Your the perfect mommy. If I had a difrit mommy I wed be sad. I coud never replace you.

I love you Clara. If I had a different daughter I would be sad too!

(my nostril looks particularly big in this photo?)

WILL YOU BE MY FLOWER GIRL

2010-05-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

On Friday, Clara skipped school and just us girls went to Auntie Cheri's house for a fancy tea party. This was already turning out to be a good day for Clara (no school, no brothers, cupcakes, tea, sugar, scones, feeling pretty, etc.). But the icing on the cake was Auntie Lisa asking her and her cousin Maddy if they would like to be her flower girls at her wedding in August!

She said yes.

And then we ate some more and talked and twirled and drove to the bridal store in the States to pick out a real flower girl dress and a real flower girl basket. And we got to see Auntie Lisa in her real wedding dress! She looked so beautiful.

Clara is reading her card from Lisa asking her to be a flower girl:

It was a perfect day.

CREPE NIGHT

2010-04-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

We have made Charline make us lots of crepes since she arrived. I didn't realize how much I love crepes, and I love crepes even more when they are made for you.

Yesterday, Clara and I decided that Wednesday should be crepe night!

Here is how my kids top their crepes:

Will: chocolate, banana, strawberries, with a side of bacon

Clara: chocolate, sugar, syrup with a side of 1 strawberry

Sam: chocolate, sugar, lemon and ham (not my favourite)

Me: aged white cheddar and bacon followed by a lemon, sugar, berry one

Jake: involves lots of bacon

T BALL SEASON

2010-04-27T23:20:00.000-07:00

I signed up Sam for T Ball for a few reasons:

So he can run around outside (he is less annoying at home if he has a good run...kind of like a dog)
So he can learn that not all sports with a ball is called basketball
So he can see that sometimes you need to work together as a TEAM to win
So he can realize that he won't always be the fastest, the best or the winner...and that it is OK

I, however, did not realize that there are 2 T Ball practices and 1 game each week, never mind the 9:00am on Saturday morning team pictures and T Ball parade.

But nor did I realize how completely entertaining it is to watch a bunch of 5 year olds "play" a game of T Ball. It is truly a sight to see.

CLARA'S PARTY

2010-04-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

We finally had Clara's "friend party" on Saturday which finally concludes the 24 days of birthday celebrating. She picked the Georgia O'Keeffe themed party at the 4 Cats Studio where she has been taking art classes for a while now. (Go here to check out the studio...it is awesome!).

She had a great time...with all her peeps, doing some art, eating cake and opening presents.

I managed to take a few quick pictures (still can't figure out how to not chop off my collages).

And I had to include this one of Sam's rainbow. This is the most drawing Sam has ever done. Normally, he does a quick green scribble which he tells me is a rocket ship...or a shark.

Will managed to squeeze his way into the party. He thought the teacher was hysterical!

Sam carried out Clara's cake. She wanted chocolate cake with lots of white icing.

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP FOR KIDS

2010-04-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

an observation: my kids do not run away and show their bum when other people take their picture.

I would love to sign Clara up for this 503 photography workshop (and I know she would like it too):

There was a giveaway for a free session, but of course I missed the deadline to enter my name. The 4 week online workshop (or funshop) for kids 7-10 covers camera and light basics, compositional techniques as well as showing kids "what is present in their lives-people and things-that are meaningful to them." There are lessons, experiments (some you can do with your family), a forum...I think I want to sign up too! I think there should be more mommy and kid type classes. Anyway, go check it out here.

Clara tells me when she grows up she wants to be an artist (who sells work at a gallery and makes lots of money), a photographer and a mom who stays at home with her kids. Apart from the gallery part and making lots of money, I think she is following my footsteps. I'm kind of flattered, but sometimes I worry that I need to diversify what types of activities I spend doing with my kids. Like more soccer and hockey and track and field, a little less artsy fartsy.

BESTIES

2010-04-19T22:22:00.000-07:00

Sunday brought sun and a visit with the Georges at the park.

The Georges are one of our besties (this is my new favourite word). Jake and Sean are besties, and have been for over 20 years, and Candiss and I are besties and have been since I started dating Jake 18 years ago, and now our kids are besties too! It is the best.

The Georges have lots of kids...4 of them.

CaCa (Claudia) is the oldest. She was the very first baby born of all our friends. I even was there in the delivery room! And since I did not have any babies of my own yet, I got to do lots of Aunt Bee stuff with her...just me and her...reading books, playing dolls, going to parks. I love her.

Will's favourite girl (Sara) stopped by the park too.

There's Uncle Sean and Will with a chocolate cupcake face.

Sam tells me that he is going to marry Truman (his bestie). It was a toss up between Truman and Clara for a while, but Clara explained that it would definitely be against the law to marry his sister.

Truman has introduced fashion and worker stuff to Sam. Every visit, he has some sort of worker type gloves on with his very fashionable outfit, as well as a tool belt and big worker plans, like making big piles of stuff and moving wood. Here is Sam showing Truman just how strong he is:

And I love this one...this is exactly how Jake walks too! With his hands clasped behind his back.

WILL PRACTICING HIS INDEPENDENCE

2010-04-15T23:18:00.000-07:00

Will opened the cupboard, found some Lucky Charms (in my defense, we bought them specifically for St. Patricks Day), climbed up on the chair and poured some on a plate. This is how I discovered him when I came downstairs. Having himself a little Lucky Charms appie before dinner. He was quite proud.

THE WONDER OF EVERYDAY

2010-04-14T23:47:00.000-07:00

a visit to the park down the street, pre bedtime...

CLARA'S DAY

2010-04-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

Clara turned seven on April 1st (seven came so fast, and seven sounds so much older than six).

If you recall, birthdays are "yes" days. So here are some of the things I said yes to, on Clara's day:

Yes, to not going to school

Yes, to Sam still having to go school

Yes, to waffles with chocolate chips, syrup and icing sugar for breakfast

Yes, to a girl date with me and Hannah (her cousin and BFF)

Yes, to buying a toy (a tiny puppy that wags it's tail when touched and has a tiny bottle that we have lost already)

Yes, to hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles

Yes, to getting our nails painted at the Nail Bar

Yes, to MacDonalds for lunch

And then we packed up the car for our week at Whistler, but there will be more Birthday celebrating on the 24th with her friends.

I love you my sweet girl...my beautiful daughter! May all your birthday wishes come true!

FIVE PEOPLE 3/12

2010-04-12T22:10:00.000-07:00

Actually there are six people in this photo. Charline is practically family at the moment. She does live with us, we adore her, she makes us crepes, tomato coulis and chocolate and pear cake, and I think I spend more time with her than I do with my husband (although because of her I also get to go on lots of dates with my husband). But I'm getting off track...

Here is my attempt at family photo number 3. It is true, I'm 12 days late to post, but we did take this photo April 1st. We had just arrived at the cabin in Whistler, have not even unpacked our bags, and somehow I have a giant glass of red wine in my hand. Clara wanted to try out the self timer on her new camera, so we set it on the coffee table...

Not very professional, but I'm posting it anyway! It is us...real life.

It is surprising how difficult it is to gather the entire family for a photo. I'm going to try harder this month.

I pulled these pictures off Clara's camera as well. They are from our car ride up to Whistler. I love, LOVE that she took a picture of the policeman who pulled Jake over for excessive speeding. We all somehow managed to squeeze into the car, Kirby included.