School's Out for Summer

Summer holidays have officially begun!  Andrew's preschool finished up today and Matthew's school was done last Tuesday.  We are looking forward to lots of fun in the next two months.  

Here is Emily playing at Andrew's year end  celebration that was held a little bit ago.  They had an "Alphabet Buffet" where everyone brought things that started with different letters of the alphabet.  "I" for Ice cream is always a favorite!

Andrew is taking a turn playing on the tractor after filling up at the buffet.  

Matthew's school had a year end celebration in the morning, followed by a picnic and then Quest Day in the afternoon.  The Elementary children were split into teams trying different challenges like sack races, relays and the ever popular watermelon eating contest that Andrew and I helped out with.  In the end I think Andrew should have gotten the watermelon eating award as he was eating it pretty steady for the couple of hours we were helping out at that station.  

Here is Matthew at Quest Day.  His team was the Lollipops and they all wore red shirts.  You can see here he has lost a front tooth, so truly looks like a 7 year old guy.  Between the time his tooth fell out and he was to put it out for the tooth fairy, it was misplaced.  He wrote her a note to put by his bed explaining that he had lost it and would still be very interested in a treat.  He also thought to take off the "Stay Out" signs that are typically on his door to dissuade Andrew and Emily (who of course can not read), in case she thought the sign was for her.  In the end she came and Matthew was delighted by the money she left behind.  

He has had a super year at school, learning so many things.  He now has started reading books for enjoyment, not just for homework, so it has been neat to see that transition.

Of course this time of year means there is soccer every Tuesday and Thursday night. It wraps up tomorrow.  The boys are looking forward to the last day as they typically get their photos, a trophy and some ice cream.  Emily has enjoyed being a soccer spectator, as they do not have a U2 division.  She is good at balancing on the ball as you can see here, she also does a fairly good job of dribbling it for a 20 month old.  

Andrew is a proud U4 "Blueberry" as his team is called.  He loves his coach, listens well and has learned a lot.  We were even able to stand back with the other parents and not hold his hand most of the time this year!

Matthew still loves playing soccer too and was part of the "Vipers" this year.  He was lucky to have a schoolmate on his team which has made it even more fun.

Of course as much fun as soccer is, the boys really look forward to the time at the nearby playgrounds after the game.  Andrew's favorite is the digger.  

Matthew loves climbing and sliding. We are looking forward to a lot more time at  playgrounds over the summer.  

Bruce and Matthew are packing up for their now annual camping/fishing trip to Regina.  Andrew and Emily are too young to enjoy it, so we will hold the fort here.  

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Though the sun is shining momentarily it has been one wet month and we are in for several more days of rain from what the forecast says. 

Here is Emily at her last music class.  A song they often do on the xylophone is "Rain, rain go away, come again another day...."  It seems an appropriate choice given our spring weather.  

Music class makes Emily work up an appetite.  Here she looks like a little chipmunk after chowing down an amazing number of cheese strings.  

Here is Emily at her music concert.  She was the Red Bird in  "Brown Bear, Brown Bear".  Most of the children were not too keen on the costumes, and especially this one with all the feathers.  Well Emily just loves a costume and we had a hard time getting it off her at the end.  

Here is Bruce and Emily beside her Birthplace Forest tree.  The City plants a tree for every child born in the City and makes an event of choosing your tree, though this is largely symbolic.  Generally it is done every year and the children are young infants, but they did not run it last year so had 2006 through 2008 babies together this time around.  

Emily loves her pretend play and feeding Curious George Cheerios is at the top of that list.  Here is one for you George.  

Well and one for me of course.  

How about some milk to wash that down with?

Matthew was lucky to get more pennies for his collection and has started a nickel collection too.  

Emily has recently taken to sitting up at the table with us in a Big Girl chair.  I am still afraid she may take a spill as she is still pretty little but there is no talking her out of it.  

Emily is very crafty.  You have to love the "no mess" finger paints that they have now.