Multicultural Festival

I took the girls to a multicultural festival today, that one of our friends helped coordinate. There was all sorts of food, dancing, singing, traditional attire and speeches. It was really interesting and made me proud to be a Canadian. The highlight of the event was when a bunch of people paraded around in their regalia from all different countires (they called it "Canada's fashion show") while everyone belted out "O Canada." This was a good warm up to tomorrow, Canada Day!

First Day of Summer Holidays!

 

 

 

 

Now that's perfect timing.... today was the first day of our holidays and it was the first nice day in a long time! Sedona got a kayak for Christmas, but we wanted to wait until the water was warm enough in case she tipped, so today was her first day paddling. She did great! We went to the ocean and too her for about half an hour of paddling. The water was lovely, and I mean that! After we paddled, the girls put on their snorkelling gear and went right in. It was great because it was warm enough to stay in, rather than just running in and out. It was a lovely way to start our holiday!

Sedona in San Diego

Sedona just had the trip of a lifetime! She went to San Diego for a week with her Nana to Chris' cousins' wedding. As teachers, this is the busiest time of the year for us, so there was no way we could go. Evva and Sedona have been planning this for 10 months. They just got home tonight and Sedona had the time of her life!!!! She was also the flower girl in the wedding and loved all the attention from the bridesmaids, bride etc. Thanks Evva for taking her on such amazing trip- what an awesome opportunity! She is with her great auntie Lorraine in the second picture, who is wearing Sedona's new shoes and sweater!

A Wonderfully Relaxing Day!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A friend of mine had won a boat trip for 12 aboard this 55 foot boat at a slent auction, and I was lucky enough to be invited! We had a fabulous day just chatting (imagine that- 12 women all day) from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. amongst this beautiful scenery- breakfast, lunch and drinks were served as well. What a treat!!!!

School Carnival

 

It was our school carnival the other night. Sedona is away right now so missed it, but Aja loved it! She got to spend part of the time with two of my students while I was getting water balloons dropped on my head!

Working at the Dollar Store

Aja's class put on a great event where they set up a community in the gym. All the kindergarten students work in the community. You get paper money when you walk in the gym, from the "mayor," and you get to choose how to spend your money, whether it be the zoo, vet, doctor's, lemonade stand etc. Aja "worked" at the Dollar Store selling little toys and candy. It's  a really fun event for the kids where they get a great sense of what a community really is.

Father's Day Hike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We let Chris choose where he wanted to hike and he said "The Big Firs." The girls made some clues and he had to find them hiding in the woods, and solve the riddles before getting his gifts. Chris really is an amazing Dad and we are three lucky gals!!!!

Father's Day Crepes

 

The girls made their first ever crepes today for Father's Day. They cut the berries themselves, whipped the cream, mixed the batter, flipped the crepes, and even made Chris coffee!!!!

School Talent Show

 

 

 

Sedona was in our school's talent show a couple of weeks ago. She did her Modern dance with 4 friends- they were fabulous!

Dirt Shredder

 

 

Chris and I just helped organize a mountain bike race for three elementary schools. We had over 50 students show up. First, the kids all ride the trails and do what's called a "Poker Ride." They ride the trails and collect cards along the way. At the end, everyone hands in their cards to see who has the best hand. Then we did races for those who were up for it. Sedona was the only grade 2 girl riding, so she had to go in the grade 3-5 girls' category. She came in 4th out of 12 girls. I was very proud of her, because at first she didn't want to race and then changed her mind and had a great time. I rode the race with her and one of my grade 5 students. It's interesting coaching mountain biking to girls and boys, because normally I coach all girls (i.e. basketball, volleyball)- the girls definitely need a bit more of a push to try things and go for the competetive aspect, whereas it just comes naturally to the boys. Sedona came home that day with three prizes: a new bike pump, a handy riding tool and a new camelback (one for first place in grade 2, one for 4th place and one for spirit and dancing). Hopefully that will inspire her to ride in more races as she is a good little rider!

High Ropes Course

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sedona and her friend Megan built up the courage to do the high ropes course which was about 40 fett off the ground. They had to climb up a ladder to get to the pole, where they then had to continue climbing on pegs to the top where the ropes were. Instead ofwalking straight across, Sedona grabbed on and leabed back walking across the rope. Then at the end, they got lowered down. They were so proud of themselves!!!!