WILL YOU BE MY FLOWER GIRL

On Friday, Clara skipped school and just us girls went to Auntie Cheri's house for a fancy tea party. This was already turning out to be a good day for Clara (no school, no brothers, cupcakes, tea, sugar, scones, feeling pretty, etc.). But the icing on the cake was Auntie Lisa asking her and her cousin Maddy if they would like to be her flower girls at her wedding in August!

She said yes.

And then we ate some more and talked and twirled and drove to the bridal store in the States to pick out a real flower girl dress and a real flower girl basket. And we got to see Auntie Lisa in her real wedding dress! She looked so beautiful.

Clara is reading her card from Lisa asking her to be a flower girl:

It was a perfect day.

CREPE NIGHT

We have made Charline make us lots of crepes since she arrived. I didn't realize how much I love crepes, and I love crepes even more when they are made for you.

Yesterday, Clara and I decided that Wednesday should be crepe night!

Here is how my kids top their crepes:

Will: chocolate, banana, strawberries, with a side of bacon

Clara: chocolate, sugar, syrup with a side of 1 strawberry

Sam: chocolate, sugar, lemon and ham (not my favourite)

Me: aged white cheddar and bacon followed by a lemon, sugar, berry one

Jake: involves lots of bacon

T BALL SEASON

I signed up Sam for T Ball for a few reasons:

1. So he can run around outside (he is less annoying at home if he has a good run...kind of like a dog)
2. So he can learn that not all sports with a ball is called basketball
3. So he can see that sometimes you need to work together as a TEAM to win
4. So he can realize that he won't always be the fastest, the best or the winner...and that it is OK

I, however, did not realize that there are 2 T Ball practices and 1 game each week, never mind the 9:00am on Saturday morning team pictures and T Ball parade.

But nor did I realize how completely entertaining it is to watch a bunch of 5 year olds "play" a game of T Ball. It is truly a sight to see.

CLARA'S PARTY

We finally had Clara's "friend party" on Saturday which finally concludes the 24 days of birthday celebrating. She picked the Georgia O'Keeffe themed party at the 4 Cats Studio where she has been taking art classes for a while now. (Go here to check out the studio...it is awesome!).

She had a great time...with all her peeps, doing some art, eating cake and opening presents.

I managed to take a few quick pictures (still can't figure out how to not chop off my collages).

And I had to include this one of Sam's rainbow. This is the most drawing Sam has ever done. Normally, he does a quick green scribble which he tells me is a rocket ship...or a shark.

Will managed to squeeze his way into the party. He thought the teacher was hysterical!

Sam carried out Clara's cake. She wanted chocolate cake with lots of white icing.

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP FOR KIDS

an observation: my kids do not run away and show their bum when other people take their picture.

I would love to sign Clara up for this 503 photography workshop (and I know she would like it too):

There was a giveaway for a free session, but of course I missed the deadline to enter my name. The 4 week online workshop (or funshop) for kids 7-10 covers camera and light basics, compositional techniques as well as showing kids "what is present in their lives-people and things-that are meaningful to them." There are lessons, experiments (some you can do with your family), a forum...I think I want to sign up too! I think there should be more mommy and kid type classes. Anyway, go check it out here.

Clara tells me when she grows up she wants to be an artist (who sells work at a gallery and makes lots of money), a photographer and a mom who stays at home with her kids. Apart from the gallery part and making lots of money, I think she is following my footsteps. I'm kind of flattered, but sometimes I worry that I need to diversify what types of activities I spend doing with my kids. Like more soccer and hockey and track and field, a little less artsy fartsy.

BESTIES

Sunday brought sun and a visit with the Georges at the park.

The Georges are one of our besties (this is my new favourite word). Jake and Sean are besties, and have been for over 20 years, and Candiss and I are besties and have been since I started dating Jake 18 years ago, and now our kids are besties too! It is the best.

The Georges have lots of kids...4 of them.

CaCa (Claudia) is the oldest. She was the very first baby born of all our friends. I even was there in the delivery room! And since I did not have any babies of my own yet, I got to do lots of Aunt Bee stuff with her...just me and her...reading books, playing dolls, going to parks. I love her.

Will's favourite girl (Sara) stopped by the park too.

There's Uncle Sean and Will with a chocolate cupcake face.

Sam tells me that he is going to marry Truman (his bestie). It was a toss up between Truman and Clara for a while, but Clara explained that it would definitely be against the law to marry his sister.

Truman has introduced fashion and worker stuff to Sam. Every visit, he has some sort of worker type gloves on with his very fashionable outfit, as well as a tool belt and big worker plans, like making big piles of stuff and moving wood. Here is Sam showing Truman just how strong he is:

And I love this one...this is exactly how Jake walks too! With his hands clasped behind his back.

WILL PRACTICING HIS INDEPENDENCE

Will opened the cupboard, found some Lucky Charms (in my defense, we bought them specifically for St. Patricks Day), climbed up on the chair and poured some on a plate. This is how I discovered him when I came downstairs. Having himself a little Lucky Charms appie before dinner. He was quite proud.