DADDY'S HOME

Jake returned to the Island after being away for 8 nights. Needless to say, we were all very happy to see him. He stuck around for a couple of days before sadly having to go back to work this morning.

After a string of visitors, it was just me and the kids today. It was a quiet and an abnormally yell-free day, and without friends to entertain and play with my children, I spent some one on one time with each of them which I enjoyed immensely. I played cards with Sam and Spike (his imaginary friend), Clara and I drew some pictures together and wrote a story, Will and I cuddled and read in bed, we stole Grandma's stash of M&M's and made cookies, and then practiced flips on the trampoline. We ate the leftover crab for dinner and made some fresh squeezed lemonade, and ate the cookies we baked earlier...all of them. We had an evening swim and then cuddled again in bed, in front of a movie.

Sam's latest 2 party tricks...First, "pull my finger" which ends in a fart or a burp, which is gross but equally impressive and funny.

Second, swing the bucket around really fast so the water doesn't fall out...

US AND THE DEER

When we acquired our cabin 7 years ago, we promised the original owner that we would love the place and that we would continue to feed the deer that came by after dinner looking for some apples.

We love Pasley, that was easy. And we love our daily visits from the deer. Though a deer sighting on our lawn is commonplace, the kids continue to love watching them and tossing them our beaten up fruit and veggies.

One deer, we have fondly named Philip, is particularly bold and eats watermelon right off the table we are sitting at and waits on the deck outside the kitchen door waiting to see what I have discarded into the compost.

Philip, the bold deer:

On this particular night, 7 deer came for some scrounging, including 2 little spotted does. Will was very excited to see "twos...babies...deer" (also his first string of 3 words together).

TRUMAN'S 5th

We "went down" to Vancouver for our cousin's wedding and stayed down to help celebrate a couple of birthdays, stock up on Pasley supplies, listen to 57 voice messages, enjoy the first rain of the summer, visit family and friends and I crammed in a handful of photo sessions as well (fun).

We were happy that we got to help celebrate Truman's 5th birthday. Candiss always puts on the best parties and serves the best food. Even her hot dogs taste good.

Truman wants to be a construction worker when he grows up. It is the best! When we see him, he normally has some kind of work gloves on, a tool belt and is engaged in some kind of hammering, digging, piling, lifting, etc. activity.

So, what to get a future construction worker? Apparently a drill, some rope, a bungee cord and some work signs. I love his look here, while checking out his new bungee cord.

Happy Birthday sweet Truman. We love you!

PIGS (PASLEY ISLAND GAMES)

On the first Saturday of August, the island celebrated PIGS once again.

We actually arrived on time this year (10:00am, not 11:00am). Or more like, Jake arrived on time while I stayed back and tied Kirby up extra tight to an arbutus tree. She has been known to eat her way through the cabin and break through windows in her attempt to follow us to the field.

The games were fun. Will placed first in the Daddy piggy back race at the expense of Daddy suffering a hand injury (and a very purple, sweaty face). Clara placed third in the three legged race. Sam is all big smack talk about being the fastest in the world and ended up opting out of the races altogether (except for the tug o war).

Kirby showed up at 11:32pm frantic and panting, with a chewed up leash.

We locked her in the sleeping cabin for the dinner/dancing portion of PIGS.

PIGS dinner was hosted by South Bay this year. There were lots of cute kids for me to take pictures of...

My highlight of the evening...watching my daughter dance for 3 hours. She has got some serious moves right now. When our friend bumped into Clara on the pathway and told her what great dancing she was doing, Clara replied, "I know...there was a rainbow shining down on me."

I want some of that!

I'M LOOKING FOR A FRIEND

A "secret note" I found on the rock outside our house (one of five). Notice the glitter as well.

It reads:

Who ever you are im Clara. Im looking for a friend in this hood whos a girl and seven. Cold you be my friend. I love playing outside I have a great climbing tree. Please come and dont be shy. I'm very nice. I love fairys. PS I want to meet you.

My lovely daughter...I pray that you will find your special friend in this "hood" of ours.

You are such a great friend to have.

PING PONG

The kids have recently discovered a ping pong table in one of our South Bay neighbour's yard. Sam has been spending up to 2 hours a day playing ping pong and I finally went to see what all the fuss was about.

Basically Sam and a friend try to hit the ball as hard as they can to each other. Rarely have they returned the serve, but no matter, they have a blast.

Sam's opponents (renown for their lightening fast reactions and top spin):

Am I a bad parent for taking a picture when Clara gets hurt?

Will got bored with the game and decided to have a lolli in the tall grass instead:

At least I got one photo...

After an intense game of ping pong, the kids go for a swim, eat some fresh crab on the beach and suck back a cold kool aid.

Life is good.