Mac's Grandville Island Day Trip

Jalena and her friend, both expert child minders, are seriously brave.  Each with a group of 4 toddlers, traveled together last week by ferry to GI for a snack and a play.  Weather cooperated.  Our little man is the one with the exceptionally cool blue shades and the cheeky, gorgeous smile.
I don't want to be too proud a mom, but I think in the top pic, Mac might be sharing a treat.  That's the SH word for a toddler (no no, he's not taking it off his pal).  Good boy, Mac!

Urban Garden Under the Burrard Street Bridge

Thank you, neighbours, for taking it upon yourselves to transform this space.  It brightens up our walk to school every day.

An Awesome Day at the GI Cement Truck Open House!

 Na, just kidding. It was rubbish. Wet. Cold. Wet.  Not even a beep of the cement truck horn could take the blues away.  Feel badly for the company. They tried so hard!

Daisy Chains

Talking Dog

Because they are at his eye level? Because they have a welcoming smile? Because they prance like he does? Because he speaks Dog? ...
...Trying to come up with excuses to justify Mac's sea wall behaviour. He's been trying to start up conversations with the dogs we pass. He seems pretty happy with the two way dialogue.

Scotland and Greece with the Howards - 1995

The scanning continues...

When I was in Scotland for the year, meeting my gorgeous hubba, my mom and sister came for a viz.  We hit the isle of Mull. The single track lanes were rather windy and there was considerable squabbling over who got to ride shot gun.  Does Lynnie look happy during a quick pit stop (above)?
 We threw in a bonus trip and went to Greece too.  Things started out chilly but we hopped over to Crete to chase some sun and had a great time.

Africa - the Posh Xmas Holiday on Zanzibar

The scanning continues...

 In stark contrast to the safari, no?

 

It was all so deluxe and civilised.  Until we went on a spice tour and the reality of what the locals faced on a day to day basis was brought home... does Lynnie look happy (below)?
We did have a cracking swim in the sea that day.  It was like a warm bath. Stunning.

Le Hockey

 Tout seul

 Avec Savvy et sa crème glacée

Avec Nana et sa canne de marche

No need for an extra chair, Nonno!

Learning to Read

Now that she has some momentum, Sav has decided that reading is super cool.  She's asking for extra pages to do each night. We should encourage this enthusiasm. Should. Here's how it goes.

Sav points to a word on the page to read:  Birthday!
Mom: Sound it out, Sav.
Sav: Rainbow!

Mom: Sound it out, Sav.

Sav: Oookkkaaay.  Ssss.

Mom: yes!

Sav: Saturday!

Mom: Sound it out, Sav.

Sav: Sandwich!

Mom: Sound it out, Sav.

Sav: Ooookaaay. Sssss.  Ccccc.  Ssssssccccc.  Scared!

Mom: Sound it out, Sav.

Sav: Scattered!

Mom: Sound it out, Sav.

Sav: Scottish!

Mom: Sound it out, Sav.

Sav: Scurry!

Mom: Sound it out, Sav.

Sav. Okkkaaaaay. Ssss. Ccccc. Rrrrrr.

etc. etc.

Finally, we get there, to scrambled.

And finally, we get to the end of the section we agreed to read.

Then Sav asks: Shall we do two more pages?

Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Need to blog this for therapy, then post a bunch of other stuff before Sav can get online and read about us making fun of her!

Toddler Dracula

The paint eating creature was born.(We all made it through the night.) 

On the patio with Lynnie and we spotted wee Mac and his clan walking by.  Two child minders with 4 toddlers each. It was a slow march.

We want you to be able to reach too, Mac.  GROW!!!!

Run Jump Glide!

Monday Night Patio Ninja Dancing

As you do...

Sun Morning Yoga

Well, not for Nana, Mac and I.  But for Sav at the Ivivva shop/studio on fourth.
The rest of us just coffee-ed and ate!

Glen napped.  His precious turn for a lie in.

PBC - Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose!

 Brow threading session to kick off the PBC birthday festivities.

 We survived the session.  Eyes patchy and red but not to worry, off to the park for some vino, cookies and Carole stories - tears transferred from those of physical pain to heart ache and celebration.

A little pampering at the pedi bar...

 ...with Friday Night Light shirts to keep us in the Full Heart spirit.

 After a wee glam session chez Nana - here we are at the trendy Salt Tasting Room in Gastown, Blood Alley.  Gorgeous wine, tiny portions.  We filled the tasting bowls with our own snacks to keep us going.  Controversial or genius?

 We finished off the festivities at Steamworks - some carbo loading and and a few extra beverages to toast  Shark's Carole and our Princess Buttercup.  

Hockey with the Big Boys

This little cutie is really coming along nicely.  He might puff his cheeks and make some crazy demands now and again.  But mostly, he's a wee softie.  He says "I love you" in the morning before leaving for Jelena's.  And he says "Good to see you" when we collect him, with a big, giant, contagious grin.

A drama queen between two princes and some sad sad news

Here are the kiddies heading back from Granville Island after PBC, Aaron, Glen and I had an emotional viz with our dearest Shark and Ty.
We lost Shell's mom last Friday.  She was very poorly but it was all still very sudden in the end.
The birthday parties were wonderful but certainly mixed with tears as we felt the loss of Carole and worried about the suffering of our Shark, Ty and family.
We missed Wendy just that much more this last weekend too.

The Pool Party

There was a fair amount of chaos for Sunday's festivities. I'm afraid the cameras were down on a ledge somewhere as we hustled about to make sure kiddies were above water, pizzas were cooking and drinks were pouring.  Here are a few pics of the action:

 Not quite ready, no, no no.  Ok, now it's ready.

The MBA dorks and wonderful company.  13 years later and we don't look a day older, right!?!