7.29.2010

Cabin at Green Lake

Time had finally come for us to take our annual trip to the family cabin at Green Lake. Melissa looks forward to this trip from the moment we return, it is talked about year round!

Travelling, playing a DVD interactive game to pass the time on the drive...

Our usual lunch stop at Skihist. As we were arriving there was a train going by below the lookout. We dropped our food on a picnic table to quickly take a look...

Not gone even 3 minutes, the resident crows had already gone to town on our Munchie Mix! There was no doubt they had done this before! As other travelers arrived, we watched as they did the same thing. Put down their lunch (with a bag of chips) and looked over the lookout.

Our little girl, so happy to be en route!

Burning off some energy before continuing on...

We arrive at the cabin...

Playing indoors...

Playing Xander's DSI...

Giving the girls a pedi & manicure...

The kids get a "dry run" on the water inflatable...

In the lake...

Taking Papa's custom-made trailer out on its maiden voyage...

Photo Melissa took of us...

The family present...

Melissa kept waking up with the birds (so she could have a special morning walk with Papa), and going to sleep very late, so in the afternoons she had a nap with Papa...

Catch with Daddy...

A neighbor had a garage sale, and Xander bought Melissa a tiger stuffy which is kept at the cabin...

The cousins...


On the journey home we stopped for lunch at a new rest-stop, Goldpan. It was very hot, but beautiful...


One more stop, Hope, where we had an ice cream to cool off. This is the face I often get (but don't post) when I ask Melissa to open her eyes - as her posed smile causes her eyes to be squinty...


A great time was had indeed! She already started asking about going back on the ride home ;)

Zoo

Two weeks ago we joined Melissa's preschool friend Nayimah and her mom & brother for a visit to the GV Zoo. We rented a bike to cruz through the park and see the animals. The bike wasn't as easy to pedal as I had thought, but the two of us managed with only a few sore leg muscles in the end!
A stop in at the new petting zoo, where Melissa did her best to force the goats to eat...

Stopping for an ice cream treat in the end...

Took plenty of pics of the animals, but am keeping this post about the kids ;)

7.15.2010

Razzle

Yesterday we visited a friend's horse, Razzle, out in the Matsqui flats. Melissa has always wanted to ride a horse, but when the opportunity was available she was a little more hesitant, but braved sitting on it with me.

Science World

Earlier this week we went with our church's summer camp to Science World. Melissa had been to Science world a few years back, but didn't have any memory of it, so all was new and exciting!

Pulling herself up on a pulley system...
The walk on piano.. (the one thing I remember from when I was young)
The water system, which a child could play in for hours...
Peg board...
Electricity ball...
The group of kids I was responsible for, inside a tree stump...
Wheelchair race game...
Skiing game...
The ride home on the bus, Melissa & I "sleeping"...

7.02.2010

Dance Photos

Melissa's dance photos...

7.01.2010

Preschool Graduation 2010


Last week marked the end of Melissa's two years in preschool. Our little girl is growing up :'( Her preschool put on a great performance for us at the last of their "Party Days".

During the month of June they had been studying Drama, so the kids were all cast as actors & actresses in short fairy tales. Melissa was given the role of Mother Bear in "Goldilocks & the 3 Bears" as you will see in the following videos...

As the story goes, the three bears exited stage left and in came Goldilocks, who proceeded to eat the porridge, sit in their chairs, and fall asleep in their beds. Then the three bears came home...




Well, it was her acting debut, and it does leave plenty room for improvement... but you never know where this could lead! The kids next got dressed out of their costumes and into their graduation hats, and sang a few favorite songs from throughout the year. It is amazing to compare them back to their first Party Day back as 3 year olds. (here is a link) They sure have grown-up!


Before Melissa was called up to officially receive her graduation diploma, Teacher Susan read a small blurb about each child. This is the text read about Melissa:
"Melissa really enjoyed playing in the dress-up and kitchen areas with her friends. Melissa is a very sweet, gentle girl who surprises me every time when I look up and see her being truly loud. Melissa's dream is to own a store and get lots of money. She would like to sell pets. With her tender heart and kind spirit I know Melissa will be a great store owner."

Melissa receiving her diploma from teacher Monika...

Posing with both teachers...
Giving thank-you flowers to both teachers... I know she will truly miss them, they have been the most excellent teachers!