life lately

New backyard summer toys :: Day at Nana & Grandad's :: Church picnic with the best inflatable maze :: Rainy days inside with lots of snuggles and dress-up fun

first and last days :: how they have changed

almost done preschool

It's the almost last day of preschool around here. Monday is a fun day with a summer celebration party that Felix and I will go to as well ... and then it's summer! Or as Henry said today ... and then I go to Kindergarten ! Yes, Henry's had 2 years of Preschool now - in 3 different schools - and he is certainly ready for the next step. All day kindergarten here in BC though I don't think I've really understood what that means for me. Just a few more months to have him home, really home, with me and his brothers. I know that Walter will find it strange to stay home on Tuesdays and Thursdays next year and watch Henry go off to school without him. I think Walter will find it strange just to simply be separated from him at all. They've been together from the beginning, our 12 months apart boys. And going to school together for this first and only time has been a perfect way to cap off their four years of constant companionship. I'm not worried at all for Walter "on his own" next year as he's become so comfortable with his teachers and friends at school, showing off as the little goofball that he is at home. He's thrilled to get back to the same class for another year, thankfully with one of his favourite friends as well. I'm so excited to be at this beginning ... now growing up year after year with the same friends. I never had that myself but I'm so determined that our boys do. Having roots and traditions and consistency and no worries of it changing. At least that is what I hope for, what we plan for.

But for now we're celebrating the end of preschool, the excitement of summer and the coming anticipation of school again soon enough. Just look at those boys, so big now. Carrying robots and race cars backpacks. Fresh banana bread for snacktime. Squinty eyes in the sun. Coloured pages for teachers' gifts. In skinny jeans and striped shirts. Time just keeps marching on yet I just had to stop and remember what they looked like today. Happy almost last day, boys ... I can't wait to come hear you sing your songs on Monday.

happy father's day to our hardworking daddy!

more animals, kites and sand :: part two

Just a few more pictures to finish off telling the story of our few days with Grandma, Grandpa and Cousin Isla. The all-important Running of the Goats at The Children's Farm, the all-important Running of the Kids to burn off energy while kite flying, and then the much needed quiet time to throw sticks, make sand castles and get your feet dirty at Willows Beach. We look rather overdressed for the first week of June but after all these morning activities the sun would come out a'blazing every afternoon so we even had the sprinklers going in the backyard.

donkeys, kites and sand

Mum and Dad are here for a few days' visit and they brought my niece Isla over too, as my sister is newly pregnant with #3 and starting to feel sick again. It's only the 2nd of 3 days but we've crammed alot in so far. The Children's Farm yesterday and Willows Beach today to fly kites with Grandpa and to sink our toes in the squishy sand. Really, really fun.

three boys. this morning. within the space of 7 minutes.

We had a full fire emergency underway. Mum was even ordered to stop taking pictures so I could get out of the burning building. I continued to snap away from my new safer corner.

Documenting Walter's motorcycle shirt. The shirt he loves above all others and insists on wearing to every Preschool day, 3 days a week. His teachers are used to his repeat wardrobe and he proudly shows it off every time as if for the first time. He.loves.that.shirt.

Felix peeling around the house (in and out of burning houses apparently, frustrating our fireman to no end), popping his popper and refusing to let me take his picture. In the end, I love this shot way more than any stand-and-pose. This is exactly what I want to remember.

Just a span of 7 minutes after breakfast and before we left for Kindergym. These three ... they are my fave.