Saturday, June 10, 2023

May - June happenings

And another month has flown by! I honestly can’t believe that we are in the last few weeks of the school year. I just looked through my photos and there are lots of things to catch up on, so here goes. 

the homemade DIY TNT cake was delish!


happy birthday!!


A few of the top notables include Jordan’s birthday (he’s 7!) and a visit with my parents. Jordan was under the weather on his birthday and home sick for most of his birthday week, so that was a bit of a downer, but we celebrated a week later with a visit from Steve’s parents, a Minecraft cake, and presents. Highlights were new Minecraft PJs, Pokémon cards, a craft cart, Ricky Ricotta books and candy. I totally forgot to ask him the usual birthday questions, so will do that and hopefully post again soon. My mom and dad were here for a short visit just before his birthday, and it was so so good to see them! I joined them in Toronto for my uncle Paul’s memorial service, and then we drove back to London to spend the rest of the weekend together. I’m so happy they got to see our house and the renovations, and everyone loved the grandparent hangout time (this included learning how to play cribbage and then beating everyone at it - !!). I’m really hoping to make it out to BC to visit with them this summer; we live too far away from each other!

dinner with everyone :)

with my dad in Toronto :)



Renovation updates: we’re not done yet! Concrete was poured around the addition this week, and hopefully the siding will be finished early next week (a robin’s nest forced a no-go zone - but the birds are gone now!). Other than that, we need stairs to get into the addition and there is a long list of little things around the main part of the house that need attending to. We ordered a couch (thank you Mom and Dad for this generous gift - yay!) and are on the hunt for some rugs. I never really thought about the part where you put it all back together again, so that will need doing too, though when, I don’t know! Summer is coming so we’ll have more time when school is out (right?).

at today's beach volleyball tourney - a good turnout from the FCVC team!


FCVC team banquet pic!

with a Talons teammate and his brother

he needs his "I dig chicks" shirt back!



The kids have been keeping busy with summer sports and odds and ends - Hendrik had his volleyball wrap-up banquet a few weeks ago, and won an award for most improved player on his team (yay!). He’s doing baseball and beach volleyball AND started working as an umpire for games in lower divisions / age groups. It’s busy! Alana decided to play soccer, and Jordan is just doing baseball, which is usually twice a week (same for the soccer). Thankfully we live in a very central location, so nothing is ever too far away. Up until last week we also spent a good chunk of time looking at and looking after newly hatched chicks! A teammate of Hendrik has chickens at his house, after seeing how much Alana loved the chickens asked us if we’d like to try hatching some chicks - we said yes! It wasn’t the most successful affair, but two eggs hatched and we watched Lucky and Cinnamon (named by Alana and Jordan, respectively). They pooped a LOT and were VERY cute, and overall it was a very enjoyable experience! 


can you spot me? 

congrats to Hendrik for a top finish in a math contest :)

pool time!


getting ready for his first baseball practice

some rare calm and cuddly time ... love it.

impromptu Pokemon stand - they made a few sales!

Hendrik and his teammate Noah - buddies!

Lastly, I have to add that I played in a basketball tournament last weekend and it was great - great to get out and run and great to see some friends who I haven’t seen in a few years thanks to COVID. I’m playing once a week through the summer and so far have been able to make it happen (juggling all of the other activities). Steve’s been out golfing a few times and made it to the Canadian Open yesterday with some friends, so he’s making time for hobbies/activities too (not always easy!). That’s it for now - the next time I write it might be summer!!