A day at the beach

I cleaned my house all day yesterday so today I figured we deserved a day of play. We got a bit of a late start as we had to wait for skipping camp to finish for Reagan. By the time we arrived at White Rock beach it was already 2:00. We packed all our stuff across the rocks to set up camp on the sand but ut wasn't long before we had to move back onto the rocks as the tide was coming in pretty fast. Reagan and Tag had just started to build a sand castle when their little plot of sand turned into a little island and then got covered under water all together.

So since they were already out there Cooper, Hudson and Reagan played some catch in the waves while Taggart found a friend on the grass to play frisbee with. Some man sitting there all peacefully with his wife in the sun started playing with Tag. He said that he looked like he needed a playmate. I didn't actually see it but my guess is that Tag through he frisbee at the guy hoping that he would take a hint. Seriously, that kid will talk to anyone.

Some snacks, some more football on the grass and then Tony showed up at around 5:00.She didn't like the camera today.

We were just trying to figure out what to do next, whether we would stay for fish-n-chips or go home, when my cel phone rang. Some friend of ours were also in White Rock and wanted to meet us for fish-n-chips. So that decided, we spent the rest of the evening eating on the grass and visiting with friends.

Happy Day!

Happy Canada Day!

The boys talked me into taking them to the parade. They didn't really have to talk that hard, as I actually quite like that kind of thing. Tony on the other hand, would rather do just about anything else. So since Reagan had her skipping camp all morning he stayed home so he could pick her up.

Just me and my three little Canadian boys.

We got there almost an hour early, to get a good seat of course. But since we were right in front of the Tim Horton's the big boys went in to buy donuts while Tag and I waited...and waited...and waited. (Taggart kept checking through the window to see how far they had gotten in line.) When they finally came out there was still 25 minutes to kill so I sent them over to Starbucks to get me a mocha. By the time they did all that and came back they still had to wait for a while for the parade to start.

More time to kill so they talked me into buying those silly little yo-yo balls. $2 and it entertained them for a while.

Time for a self taken shot. Tag loves those.Finally it started.

Two and a half hours later we headed home to have some lunch and get ready for our annual neighborhood Canada Day BBQ.

But I really just wanted to hang out and visit this year so I left the camera inside.

These little guys are the only proof that we had a party here tonight.

And if Tony wouldn't have reminded me I would have forgotten to put them out. How annoyed would I have been to find 24 little googly-eyed beavers staring at me tonight after everyone had gone home? Mad enough to eat quite a few, I'd think. Lucky for me they quickly got devoured by our guests. The whole night was a great success and the kids, as always, had such fun. Eating, running around with friends, swimming, throwing water balloons and then later in the night they usually find one house to congregate to and they all start to chill out. This year it was our house. So around 10:00 we kicked them all out, the ones that weren't ours of course, and put some tired little kiddos to bed. And speaking of bed, that's where I'm headed. Good night.

(By the way, Reagan and Hudson made it right through in the tent last night. This morning I heard them giggling in there. Apparently they started playing charades after they woke up)

Let's try this again (& FPOTM-June)

The boys attempt at camping out in the backyard last night ended about 10:15pm when they both sheepishly came inside and decided to sleep in Hudson's room instead. This morning when I asked them about it they both tried to blame the other one for chickening out. I also heard something about raccoons. They were going to try it again tonight but Hudson's buddy wasn't allowed so he recruited his little sister.

She came in crying at about 10:00 saying she was afraid but I dried her tears and convinced her to give it one more try for Hudson's sake, who was already asleep. So she did and now (one hour later) they are both sound asleep. I have a feeling that they will both be very proud of themselves come morning. As long as they make it that long. This photo is also the FPOTM for June.

Friends

Cooper and Daniel.....making soldier scenes in the sand. I was given strict instructions that I needed to take pictures from all angles as to get in all the details. Reagan and Kira, joined at the hip most days, today even dressed the same.

Hudson and Kyle having a campout in the backyard (slushies need to stay outside the tent, we decided)

Taggart didn't make it in front of the camera today. I don't think he stayed in one place long enough. He just darts around from one group to the other - whoever wants him around at the time.

So thankful for good friends for the kids. All of them enjoying their buddies, sometimes all together and sometimes off in pairs, just doing their thing.

Today was one of those days when everyone had a friend (or two) and they all hung out outside all day long. A good day!

School's out for the summer...

...and we are thrilled.

No more early mornings, no more homework, no more lunches to pack (that's a big one), and we are all welcoming the change that summer brings. That's not to say that when September rolls around we (more specifically me) will be happy for school to return.

But for now, here's how we celebrated:

We hung our head out the window and yelled at anyone who was walking by.

We made our own sidewalk chalk paint

and made a huge mess on the driveway.

We shot a few hoops

and I even had time to enjoy a good book with a glass of wine in the sun.

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.....summer.

Sports Day

One on the blue team, one on the red team, one on the yellow team, and one trying to support them all.

We were optimistic this morning as I painted their faces in support of their teams. But by the end of the morning most of the color had washed down their cheeks. Eventhough the rain fell all day and the afternoon activities for the older grades were cancelled they all still had a lot of fun.Go Hudson Go!

Such a good little spectatorLove how Tag justs fits in with Cooper and all his friends. He hangs out with them and they don't seem to mind in the least. And the girls all think he's pretty cute so I'm sure that doesn't hurt Cooper either.This is the "it's way too cold out here to eat a popsicle" face

The Beach

I know, I know, two posts in two days. I said I would get better, didn't I?

Today Taggart and I headed out to Crescent Beach in White Rock to join Reagan's class on a field trip. (Cooper went fishing and Hudson went to Minter Gardens, but when they all go on a field trip on the same day the one to bring home the notice first gets me.) The weather cooperated though the wind did get a little chilly at times. As far as field trips go this was a really easy one. We just plunked ourselves down in our chairs on the sand and just watched the kids play all around us. Watching Reagan and Tag run around with all their little buddies laughing and having such a great time I couldn't help but think if they will ever remember this day. Probably not, but days like this one shape their childhood into something good and that they will remember.The beach was so crowded - there were so many other school groups. But they all cleared out at around 1:00 and then we had almost the whole beach to ourselves. Reagan travelled on the bus in the morning but then she came home with Tag and I so we could stay a little longer.