Preschool Days

Liam's year at pre-school comes to an end next week.  It's been a good year for Liam.  He has enjoyed it very much even though we had to pry information from him about his time there.  Each preschool morning he was excited to go to class!  The teachers put together a photo disc with pictures taken throughout the year so here are some (okay, a lot) of highlights....

 

 First day!

 Birthday Boy!

 Popcorn class reward for filling up the kindness/helping jar!

 Pumpkin patch field trip

 Making apple sauce

 Riding trikes was his favorite activity

 Apparently painting was pretty popular too.

 Story time

 Future fire fighter??

 Mother's Day tea

 Pajama and pancake day

 Making footprints for Father's Day cards

 Having chocolate milk at Aldor Acres

Father's Day party

 

Way to go Liam...you had a great year.  Next stop, Kindergarten!

My Fourth Secretaries Day Adventure

Once again our admin completely bamboozled us with a very unexpected abduction.  We were whisked away from the office last Thursday morning for an all day adventure!

Our husbands were forewarned to have a change of clothes for us in our car trunks that day. 

 

 

After driving about 30 minutes with lots of guesses as to what was going to happen we ended up at Deer Lake in Burnaby.

 

 

We started with a lovely stroll along the board walk.  It was the first time here for most of us.

 

The weather was perfect!

 

 

We stopped at this early 1900's house that has been converted to a restaurant for a delicious lunch.

 

 

 

 

This turkey club on sour dough with brie and arugula aioli was a popular choice and was worth every single calorie-laden bite.  Yum!

 

 

After that scrumptious lunch we headed to the boat rental place and chose our mode of transport. 

 

Heather and I shared a kayak, Jessica decided to do a solo kayak run, while Jeff and Marci got a canoe.

 

 This was a troublesome duo.  What started as a peaceful paddle, turned into an all out water war! 

 

Poor Jessica got soaked to the skin.

 

 

Heather and I were pretty wet too but we had revenge on our minds.  We ambushed Jeff and Marci with a huge bucket of water as they exited the lake (thanks to some help by the rental staff who were greatly entertained by our antics)!

 

 

 And then they tried to toss me in the lake.  No one came to my rescue, my screams for help went unheeded!

 They did show mercy and I managed to not get tossed in that nasty water.  It was a wonderful afternoon and we had so much fun.  Have I mentioned how much I love my job?! 



Kiwis

I vaguely recall Nate having a similar school project in 6th grade...so it must be BC Curriculum.  The kids had to choose a country and do up an info board along with either food or 'artifcats' from their country.  Our little keeners, Chad and Scott did both for their country of New Zealand.  All students had their displays set up for an open house today.  Liam and I went and I should not have had lunch beforehand.  All the delicious international samples...oh my!  The kids really out-did themselves!
I made a pavlova for their display and Scott's mom had kiwi samples.  I think they deserve an 'A'!

Parent Involvement

Chad's band teacher gave an assignment that was most unique.  All his grade six band students are to teach their parents to play their current instrument over the next three weeks.  At this point there is a 'Show and Share' night where the kids and parents get to do some playing together at the school.  Of course, since Keith played a brass instrument back in the day, he was the chosen one.  I played the flute so I can't even read bass clef notes!  Funny thing is Keith picked up that trumpet and played it just like he'd always been playing it.  I was pretty impressed.  Maybe Mr. Joiner will ask Keith to join the school band?!

Above and Beyond

Nate walked into my office on Friday afternoon and presented me with three lovely roses.  I was rendered speechless!
After I found my voice, I interrogated him....of course.  I can't really enjoy a 'moment' until all the details are explained!
I found out that his English/French teacher offered to help Nate and a group of his friends buy roses for their moms.  The boys thought this was a grand idea and a plan was hatched.  Needless to say I love this teacher.  It's not the first time she has proved to be a teacher that goes way above and beyond typical teacher duties.  BTW, she was the teacher that pulled the 'kissing' prank on Nate last fall!
Nate even gave me a hug and kiss in front of everyone in the office.  That boy is so confident in himself and rarely embarrassed.  I love him to bits!

Back to What Works Best

Last summer our gas mower died and we had decided to replace it with an electric mower.  There were a few reasons.  I hated the pull cord of a gas plus the inconvenience of making sure you always had gas on hand to fill the tank.  I grew up using an electric so I was comfortable mowing around an extension cord and it was always ready to go!  No gas needed.
Well, we used an electric for a year and found that it was not suited to our yard at all.  The engine simply was not powerful enough to cut through our thick grass (okay, I am a over-generous with the fertilizer!) so you had to walk r-e-a-l-l-y slow so the engine wouldn't bog down.  Our yard is huge so I didn't like the time it took to mow it.
Now we are back to a gas mower.  We got a great deal on a Craftsman with a Honda motor at Sears.  You will think us weird but we 'fought' over who was going to try it out first this morning.  Me, I just like mowing and Keith just likes machines.  So, I graciously let Keith have the privilege because I know for sure the novelty will wear off for him and it'll be back to me and the boys mowing regularly.  Instead I attacked my ever growing patch of chickweed with a vengeance and re-seeded some bare patches.
My parents bought our electric off of us as theirs was decrepit and falling apart.  Dad just happened to stop by to pick up the mower as I was baking so he was the lucky winner today of a fresh cinnamon bun!

We Love Cows!

Since we are pretty big fans of dairy products and beef, we love cows!  Liam's preschool class took a field trip yesterday to Aldor Acres farm in Langley.

I have to say it was quite the set-up and I was really impressed.  The owners/farmers were very organized, the barns were neat and tidy and the hands-on experience was exciting.

Liam really enjoyed himself but proved to be a city boy because he complained about the smell the entire time!

 

 It was a chilly morning...hence the vest.  Certainly doesn't feel like late May!

 

 The viewing theatre was quite impressive. 

 

 Shake, shake, shake that cream into butter!

 

 Some of the kids were freaked out by this gentle Jersey cow but Liam had no problem walking right up to her.  He was able to pet her and then milk her!  I was also given a chance to do the same.  A first for me!

 Then the kids were taken outside to feed the cows some hay and silage.

 This little calf was two days old and the kids were welcome to pet her too.

After they had their 'dairy experience' we were all given a sample of ice cold chocolate milk and then each child received an ice cream cone of their choice.  Vanilla, strawberry or chocolate. 
Liam and I had a great time and I think we BOTH learned lots too.

Offical Lego Masters

While I was away last weekend, Keith took the boys to Oakridge Centre to check out the only official Lego store in BC.  We had promised  Chad a bit of a shopping spree in lieu of having a birthday party. It just so happened that there was also a Lego Building event happening that day with a 'Master' Lego builder who was working on an 8 foot high Yoda.  The boys were able to assist in the building and receive certificates for their efforts.  Because it was Chad's birthday (sort of) he received a whole bunch of free goodies and Liam got stuff simply for being cute and eager.  This is the kind of day that put smiles on their faces and mine too...because I didn't have to go with them!

 

*PS.  Excuse the skewed photos.  They were taken with an I-pod I can't seem to improve them.

First Creepy...Then Funny

On Monday I was taking advantage of the awesome sunshine and mowing the lawn.  As I have stated in the past I enjoy mowing the grass and do not consider it either man's work nor woman's work. 
So, I finished the back and moved to do the front.  I saw that Engine One Ladder truck was stopped on our street and found out that they had driven by and saw a whole bunch of kids on the street and took it upon themselves to stop the engine and let the kids explore the truck.  A very kind-hearted gesture.  Keith went out and said 'hi' as I don't think they knew we lived in the house they had parked in front of.  Keith headed back inside as I started mowing and as I glanced up one of the fire fighters was taking a picture of me with his i-phone.  I kept on mowing but was perturbed.  Was he merely admiring our stunning rhododendron which is full of red blooms?  Was he a creepy pervert?  I was actually a bit annoyed at this point and eventually they drove off.  After I was done mowing I told Keith about it.  He didn't seem to think much of it and told me to let it go...because you know,  his job is to calm me down when I freak out!
Tonight he came home from work and told me that they took a picture of me basically to mock out Keith for 'making his wife' mow the grass!  Keith had to assure him that I ENJOY mowing the lawn and they couldn't believe it.  They obviously have no idea what it's like to have a 'crazy-bee in the bonnet,Mennonite,energetic,bull in a china shop' sort of wife.
Too bad for them!

Girl Time

Spent a night away with two good friends this weekend.
We enjoyed shopping and eating and laughing.  All these things are good for the soul!
A fun 'first' for us was trying on and buying shoes at Nordstrom's.  Great memories.  I didn't take a whole bunch of pictures but here are a few.

 Day one was spend in Burlington and the Premium Outlets.  We also checked out Winco for the first time.  We also managed to squeeze in a few hours at Alderwood Mall before a very late dinner!

 Day two was downtown Seattle.  We had much fun playing tourist and eating great food at Cheesecake Factory.

Mother's Day ~ Surrounded by Love

My three precious sons!

I love them more than they will ever know!

That's a Wrap!

So proud of my boy!  After six show run of 'The Sound of Music' it's now officially a wrap.

He did fabulously as did the entire cast.  I wish you all could have seen it.  Such musical talent!

Nathan had an excellent time with the cast and crew and has made some long time friends...in all grades which I believe is a really good thing.

Mother's Day Tea

Liam's preschool had a Mother's Day Tea this evening.

It was lovely.  Liam was pleased to have some rare one-on-one time with me so that was a highlight for us both.

We had craft time, cake and then a short singing program.

 All spiffed up and ready to go.  Oooops, got a bit of water on Liam's shirt as I was doing his hair.

 A fine young gentleman.

 We both like to color!

Liam had the corniest expressions on his face during the program.  He sang enthusiastically but was very fidgety.  Probably it was the punch and chocolate cake he had just eaten!