Field trip to the VSO

Today I got to accompany Joshua's kindergarten class to the Orpheum Theatre to hear the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra perform an Elementary School concert. It was fabulous! Maestro Bramwell Tovey is hilarious, and explained in very vivid child-friendly images how the orchestra "works" together. Joshua liked the cellos and clarinets. I think the bassoon was my favourite! The kids heard parts of Beethoven's no.5, The Nutcracker Suite and the 1812 Overture. We were also impressed by the 11 year old soloist who played the violin with the VSO today. Joshua's class was excellent, and his teacher is a sweetheart. We had a great time!

Birthday Parties

Yesterday I took Joshua to a birthday party for his soccer buddy Sean. The party was at a new Jungle gym for kids not far from our home. Jungle Jac's was a great place for kids, and a little bit noisy for adults! Within 2 minutes Joshua was sweating up a storm as he climbed, ran, slid, boxed, crawled and shot balls at targets. There was also a cool indoor soccer section, and a huge treehouse in the centre. In this picture, you can see Josh dripping with sweat, but taking a break to eat some pizza and drink LOTS of water! It was cool, and I know Joshua would love to go back!



After I dropped Josh off at home, I headed over to The Frogstone Grill to meet my girlfriends for dinner. My dear friend Tanya is in town from California for another friend's wedding, and she suggested we get together. What I didn't know was that it was also a surprise birthday dinner - for me! I was so touched that my friends planned this for me. In the picture, left to right are: Anne, Staci, Andrea, Tanya, me, Cheryl & Kristy.
Some of these women have been my friends for 20 years now! The group of us used to get together for a girls' Bible Study during our summer breaks in University, that continued for many years as we started our careers, and some of us got married. We're pretty certain we started in '92, but none of us could remember at what point the study stopped. There were many other 'young women' that came into the group at different points. I so treasure my friendships with these fun, caring and strong women of faith! Thanks girls!

Josh & Lucy read

If you go to this link, you should be able to see Josh reading, and Lucy telling a story. Enjoy!
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The "Royal" Family

I've been told to include pictures of Mark and I on the blog too. We're not as cute as Josh & Lucy.

Lucy got a new crown last weekend for the Royal Birthday Ball she went to, and she made the crown that Josh is wearing. He picked off the jewels to put in his treasure box!

Today some of my co-workers came over for lunch, and my friend Katherine brought me my very own crown, naming me "Carnaval Queen" (we spent the morning planning a Quebec-style Carnaval and French lessons for our school).

When Lucy saw my new crown, she insisted I wear it, and said "Now, aren't you Beautiful!" Lucy delights in dressing up as a princess herself. Then she and Josh got their crowns for this very special portrait. Lucy was quite concerned that Daddy didn't have a crown too.

Spring has Sprung...

So with the early arrival of Spring, my kids are starting a very winter activity: SKATING LESSONS! I was a little slow at registering them, and could only get them in mid-February to Mid-March. Joshua, who didn't love skating last year, is thriving! His smile beams broadly across his face when he's "gliding". Lucy on the other hand, says she loves skating, but has mainly sat on this ice and shook her head at participating in her lesson. Nana and Papa came to watch this week, and commented that it is supposed to be skating lessons not sitting lessons. Tomorrow is the "Spirit of BC" day, and Poco is having a free family skate with games and prizes. Watch this space for pics of us practicing our skills.

Spring has definitely arrived here this week - here's the first snowdrop in our front garden, the heather is in bloom and crocuses, daffodils and tulips are budding. My Magnolia tree is also swelling with buds - many people comment that it looks like a "Pussy Willow" tree. Can warm weather and blue skies be far behind?

Princess Birthday Party

Last week Lucy and I went to a very special Birthday Ball for our friends Sadie and Taylor. All the guests were asked to dress as princesses or princes/knights. As you can see, they were all adorable!

Sadie and Taylor are a few months older than Lucy, but spent their first 5 months of life in hospital. I can hardly believe these delightful twins are already 4 years old! Sadie is dressed as "Belle", Taylor is "Sleeping Beauty", and Lucy is "Princess Genevieve" (of the 12 Dancing Princesses).

Lucy had great fun making a crown, and playing games based on the Disney princesses. Before she left for the ball, Daddy gave Lucy strict instructions to not to go off and marry a "Prince". Lucy giggled, "Oh, Daddy!". Lucy would like to say to Sadie and Taylor: "Thank you for inviting me to your birthday, and thank you for all the goodies!"

Bare Bum

Lucy is known for wearing some pretty funky tights. These ones were a gift from Auntie Tara.

When Lucy took her skirt off, we commented that she had a "bear bum"!