big kids

It's happening our little kids are getting their own big lives. Saturday marked the first time all my kids had play dates. Cody was doing an over night cross country trip in Kouchibouguac. Kate too went cross country skiing with a girlfriend and her brave Dad and Elliott hosted his first school-friend play date here at home. I felt like Judy Cleaver and it felt like heaven.

Elliott and his buddy Barraq played Batman peacefully together for a full three hours, breaking only for cookies and milk. I snuck a picture because it was so darling.

Cody, me and a couple friends hit the hill this week as well. Poley mountain as they call it. It was a fun escape for the day but was a painful reminder of what we left in the West. I think we are resigned to cross country skiing instead. A 70 second descent just doesn't quite get the heart racing or legs burning.

Waiting with all the seniors for the hill to actually open. 

 Eight minutes up and just over a minute down.

And our darling Kate's latest work. Love it. A little dark but no dull Princess pic here.

Tomorrow looks like it will be another snow day around here. We received a shwack. And wouldn't you know it, I was talking to my Dad today and he has been riding his motorcycle for two weeks in Calgary. Bummer.

So that's us. Good bye and good night. Aimee

weird science

What's weird about science? The fact that I was doing science experiments with the kids; I'm a little underqualified. Thankfully the science kit that we got Kate for her birthday came with detailed instructions and conclusions that I could impart to the kiddos. 

Sunday marked our last day of March break so we got busy with some science and other messy activities. They loved it and I have to admit I liked it too.

 Experiment one - vinegar, baking soda and a few raisins.

The result: carbon dioxide bubbles that picked our raisins up and made them dance up and down. Lovely.

Experiment two - water, a paper fish and then a few drops of detergent. The result: the fish swam very quickly across the bottle and then sank.

 

This is Kate reviewing/teaching us the lesson number two on surface tension. She did this after each experiment and took it very seriously.

Lesson three - can metal float? It started with a penny quickly dropping to the bottom of our container and then we built a little aluminum boat that held 16 pennies before finally sinking. A fan favourite and grand lesson on buoyancy versus gravity.

 

Then it was playtime. These are floral water beads.

They're gooey and squishy and a heck of a good time.

This picture pretty much sums up our March break: all smiles.

Love you two buddies. I had a great week with you.
xoxo Mama

kate creates

This March break Kate continues as a busy little artist. She has rediscovered a Tim Burton book of mine which is a collection of his sketches and drawings. Can being a fan of dark, wacko art be genetic? This week she has produced a couple of her own Burton inspired pieces that we love and wanted to share.I apologize if I sound like a boastful parent - but I'm not going to lie - I love what this kid creates!

 I especially appreciate the drama taking place at the bottom of this piece.

 The Burton pages.

 Note how Kate's alien lady invaders are notably happier than the originals.

You'll never guess what movie we watched Tuesday afternoon. I keep having to remind myself this kid is in Kindergarten.

An older piece but certainly a favourite. This is actually quite a large one - it's Cody and I in love in our formal attire.

Four days left of March break and it seems the kids have had a pretty good week. They've been swimming, to the movies, Chapter's, had a couple great play dates, played, relaxed and gotten to actually enjoy some warmer temperatures outside.

We wish all our family with upcoming March breaks some good times too.
xoxo Aimee

a dose of vitamin D

Last week Cody and I snuck off for a week of Winter reprieve in the Dominican with our friends the Bests. It's been a tough two months of snow and after another huge dump Cody called me from the road and said "book it."  Thanks to Cody's mom who looked after the kids, I did just that. It was a very last minute booking so we got a very last minute resort.  After day one, the shock subsided and we managed to have a pile of fun and even some relaxation.

 The last straw - the view from our living room window.

 And out the front door. This bank is now double the height.

 Aaah - sun - we found you.

 This may just be this resort's best angle. It certainly could not be found in the shower.

What's a vacation without ridiculous personal/team challenges? Pistols, handstands, aquasize, beach Olympics, Volleyball, sprints.

Dammit the boys put us to shame - well at least me. 

And it's officially time to go home when you start breaking the furniture in half. He never spilt a drop of that beer though.

Donna - the kids had a wonderful time and we thank you so much for that. We have since had to absolutely promise that the next beach get away will include those two rascals. We've already started the planning: last week of January and the first three of February. 

xoxo - a very tanned Cody & Aimee