A SCHOOL UPDATE

Today was Clara's 7th day at school.  It seems to be going well.  Although this morning she crawled into bed with us at 6:00am and forced out some coughs and blew her nose with lots of dramatics.  This is code for I'm not feeling well enough for school and I would like to stay home please.  

However, after a cuddle and some mini wheats downstairs, she was ready to start the day.  I have mostly heard about her friends.  She has 4 new best friends now.  One of them is from Vagina, Saskatchewan, one laughs lots but her mom just had a baby and she can't go to her house for a play date...ever, one is really funny but she almost lost her today at lunch (?) and the 4th friend's name starts with the letter J or G. 

In my desperation to at least see what is going on in her classroom, the boys and I climb up the play structure outside and spy through the window after we drop her off.  The teacher hasn't busted me yet, but Clara blows me lots of kisses, which I return, then we put each other's kisses into our pockets.

My view from the top of the slide (Clara's classroom is at the bottom)

Sam also had his first day yesterday, and by all accounts, he loves it.  He is particularly smitten with the 2 bunnies, Cornelius and Nibbles, with whom he gets to play hide and seek with in the classroom.  Apparently they don't like to eat onions or pickles either.  

Thankfully his teacher writes a summary of each day on a whiteboard outside his class, otherwise I'm sure I would have no clue what is happening in there.

Here he is, first day of preschool, heading out the door for our walk down the hill

Will spots his lunch kit (he is obsessed) and comes in for the grab

Sam grabbed it back and crying and screaming ensued  Note to self: must get lunch kit for Will tomorrow

LIONS BAY FRIENDS

My Lions Bay friends are the friends I met when I was 3 when my family moved to the Village of Lions Bay, just 20 minutes north of where we live now.

They are the friends I grew up with.  Who I went to elementary school with...made mud pies in our backyard, lip synched to the mini pops, built forts in the forest, skipped down the hill to spend .75 cents at the general store, walked the logs at the beach, danced with our batons and even practiced kissing with.

Eventually, we did our growing up and left the Village to move "into town." Although I suppose I was 25 and about to get married when I did officially move away.

Fortunately, we still get to see each other. Thanks to weddings, baby showers, Facebook and the fact that our parents are also still good friends, we get together at least a few times a year. 

Today, I am grateful for these friends.

Last week, a few of us got together for coffee and quiche and a lovely visit.

My friend Christa's little guy, who I only met once before:

SIXTY

Jake's Dad turned 60 yesterday.  

The family gathered together to help celebrate his milestone...4 generations of family, in fact. We drank champagne, ate delicious food, caught up on the goings ons and I took lots of pictures (of the kids mostly).

Happy Birthday Dad/Papa Chalmers.  We love you!

Jake and his Dad (if it is not obvious)

the token group shot

This is Will's latest move...laying on the ground and closing his eyes when he is uncomfortable.  I guess it is kind of like when his Dad takes off his pants and sits on the couch in his boxers when the guests are staying too late and he wants them to go home.  

Sebby is really enjoying his juice box

Lisa...the newly engaged!

The girls checking out her rock

Clara's painting of her Papa

Miriam trying some of Grandma Mary's berry pie

This is Sam's sad face.  He just got whacked in the head by his cousin.

Boys at play.  I suppose this is why all of Sam's pants have holes in the knees...

WE CAME BACK

Despite a forecast of rain this Labour Day weekend, we decided to pack up the family and return to our cabin.  I have really missed being here this past week.  And I know I sound kind of dramatic, but I already miss SUMMER!

Some things I have missed:

• being barefoot all day
• wearing my jammies, bathing suit or oversized tee and boy briefs (things you would not wear when dropping your daughter off at school)
• my morning french press coffee and granola on the adirondack chair on the deck
• reading magazines in the day and not feeling guilty
• the smell of suntan lotion on my kid's warm bodies
• opening the doors in the morning and letting Kirby and the kids roam and explore and play outside without fear of them getting run over by a car or being swiped by a stranger or being mauled by a cougar
• having no tv, and consequently having no kids ask over and over again if they can watch a show
• being able to walk to the park, the beach, our friend's cabin, etc. without the whole rigamarole of getting in and out of our car
• the sound of the crickets at night and the waves against the shore
• cooling off in the ocean after being warmed by the sun
• summer drinks and food (champagne, goat cheese, fresh herbs, berries, tomatoes, corn on the cob, fresh crab, summer pasta, BBQ's, roasted peppers...)

Something I have NOT missed this week...

...is Kirby, barking incessantly for me to throw her stick into the ocean.  I have cursed her name many, many times this summer.  Even cried twice.

DRYING OUT

Now that we are home from the cabin, we could all use a little drying out around here.  A little less champagne, a little less dark & stormies, and a little less gingerale (for Sam).  

And while I'm at it, a little less puff pancake, melted brie, ketchup chips, guacamole and kit kat bars...

(However, I'm not giving up french fries and cookie dough ice cream.  And if Candiss brought over some warm milk bread I would eat that too).

CLARA'S 50 MINUTES AT SCHOOL

This morning I got out of my bed too early, actually had to put some clothes on and some shoes, cut up some fruit and made oatmeal for the family, helped Clara put on her first day outfit she carefully selected the night before, woke Will up at 8:17am and headed out the door to get to school by 8:40am.  

My highlight...walking to school with the kids.  This is so satisfying, never mind so convenient. 

It was sort of Clara's first day. It lasted only 50 minutes and she didn't even see her classroom, but it was a nice transition for her (and me) before she goes tomorrow until 2:30pm. Yesterday, while labeling her school supplies, she was practicing what she was going to say to her new classmates.  This is what she rehearsed:

"Sorry, my name is Clara, what is your name?  Would you like to play with me?"

So listen up all you first graders who went to Kindergarten together...you had better play with my daughter.  She is funny and crazy and kind and lovely all mixed together.  She would be an amazing and nurturing friend.  She loves hummingbirds, fairies, princesses, First Nations people, the colour purple and happily ever afters.  And she would really appreciate some more girl time in her life of brothers.

The naughty brother in mid hit

The other naughty brother wanting to sit there

Too bad the expensive shoes we bought yesterday gave you blisters.

THE LAST SUNDAY

On Sunday we started the day with puff pancakes and fresh fruit 

Then took the boat over to Keats Island to visit the George's

We walked up the hill to the Camp for Church 

I left a little early to put Will down for his nap and had 1 hour and 42 mintutes all to myself reading decorating magazines and eating Candiss' kettle corn (it was awesome)

And then I started to prepare myself for "moving back home."  Packing involved emptying the contents of all the drawers into 2 duffel bags and leaving the deer our stale bread and crackers and our bruised fruit and limp vegetables.  

There was time left for a last glass of champagne and some dinner on the deck.  (We would of had crab if I didn't sink the crab trap earlier that day).  I finished writing the last of my 100 Pasley memories in my memory journal and we sadly said goodbye to our cabin, at least until next weekend.

But first, goodbye to Moses, Clara's beloved doll, who has braved the winter months at Pasley for the last 6 years.

And the boys make a final toast!