A huge highlight this summer is our out of town visitors... Uncle John (Ken's brother) and cousin Luca who came from Toronto for just over a week. Our first outing with them was to the Greater Vancouver Zoo...
Pop, Nana, Melissa & Luca...
Luca documenting the animals as we went along...
Luca navigating...
the kids were always on the go to the next animal ahead of us.
Heehaw...
Shadow the bear went swimming for apples...
At the giraffe look-out...
They brought out a few trees for a "giraffe snack"...
Brothers and their kids...
It was a hot day... and we had a much needed cool down with ice cream treats at the end.
This year we celebrated Canada Day in much the same manner as we have for many years now. Same piece of sidewalk (in front of The Reach) with the same people (this year minus my parents as they were at the cabin). Unfortunately this looks like it will be the last time we are sitting there with the McMillan family as they are moving to Edmonton :(
Melissa with her flag and lollipop...
Melissa & Kiera enjoying the sights...
Just before I took this photo, the water was aimed right at our feet... the firefighter either has impeccable aim, or we were very lucky. One inch higher up and we would have been soaked!
Out of the blue Melissa's Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Carroll, walked past handing out balloons...
She's such a great teacher, Melissa had a great year with her...
The parade went on for 2+ hours, and the kids lost interest... but found other ways to entertain themselves...
Oh the pride a parent can feel watching their child accomplish something you know they have worked so hard for. I don't think I can watch this video without becoming emotional... could be the pregnancy hormones, who knows! Last night Melissa's Acro dance class performed at their year end recital. Now forgive me as the video quality isn't the best, it does get clearer after the first few seconds, but honestly videoing was forbidden so to even have this video means a lot to me. A few pointers to locate which one is Melissa through the performance:
- first from right in front row at the beginning
- first leading right side group running in circle
- 2nd from right for stunt pose to roll
- 2nd on right to be carried across stage
- top of right side pyramid
(you may want to click on the video to view in YouTube so that it is full size & centered)
First time trying on the costume for photo day...
Doing some Kung-fu poses!
Yesterday after the performance when we picked her up :)
As mentioned in the previous blog post where Melissa's class went to Magnum Concrete for a field trip, Melissa had the opportunity to make a special Father's Day present. Here are the pics from the making of a custom stepping stone.
Each child put their name under a ring which was then filled with concrete...
They then specially chose rocks to decorate the concrete...
The stepping stones were later delivered to her school, and we brought it home and she gave it to her Daddy on Father's Day :)
This spring Melissa tried out a session of a gymnastics classes. She thoroughly enjoyed it, and it is something we will continue again in the coming fall months. Here are some photos that were taken of her class.
This past Friday was Sports Day at Melissa's school. Melissa not being big on competitive things, felt a little hesitation before the day began. But once it was over she said "it was like a whole day a gym", and gym days are her favorite days in a school week :)
There were 16 stations the kids went between...
The station I was working was always hit, it was the rice-krispies & water station! (pregnant woman perks, getting the easy station!)
Baseball bat spin...
Going backwards, ball on spoon relay...
Cheering her teammates on...
Caterpillar crawl relay...
Close-pin between knees...
Hopping to pick up pennies...
Melissa and carpool buddy Luke hanging out with me at my station, showing off their 'participant' ribbons...
This past weekend we had a garage sale, and Melissa and friend Kiera set up a little stand to sell cookies & juice to the people who came to shop. Their attention spans weren't long enough to be highly successful but they had was fun while it lasted :)
Last week we visited a friend's new baby boy Spencer. It has been a long time since Melissa held a baby, and this was specifically applicable to her now as she soon will be holding her own little brother. How sweet! 64 more days to go :)
Last week all of the Kindergarten classes at Melissa's school went on a field trip to Magnum Concrete.
When we got there, all the kids were given hard-hats and vests...
Soon the field was swarming with little workers...
A quick debriefing before heading to the Magnum property...
The kids got to explore some of their large equipment...
And sit in the driver's seat (pull the air horns if the child desired... what a racket!) Baby Thomas was certainly able to hear the noise in utero!
Melissa's morning class posing in a loader bucket, Melissa got blocked at the last minute...
Next the children moved onto a large sand hill which they raced up. Melissa didn't make it too far up before she turned around to tell me she was getting dirty! LOL... this was completely unavoidable, and I told her to go for it!
Didn't take long and she was into it...
Dirty hands...
Lastly the kids made a craft for Father's Day... which I'm going to hold off posting pics of until she gets to give the gift to her Dad. Everyone was treated to a hotdog bbq and the trip was done. Turned out to be a fun morning... wasn't sure what to expect at first, but the kids did have a great time! I was so thankful the rain held out for our entire time there. Melissa got the dirtiest she ever has.... it would have been fun to have measured how much sand she brought home on her person/clothing!
