B is for...

A Bevy of Teacher Gifts!!


A couple of Kidsilk Haze cobweb scarves, a knitted bag containing a book, a water bottle sling (with cellphone pocket and keyholder) and a linen knitted pouch purse. Once again, I didn't leave enough time to finish the teacher gifts, so I have severely strained tendons from all of the knitting I've done in the last week. Note to self: linen and mercerized cotton on teeny needles are particularly poor choices for deadline knitting.

Today was the last day of school...only 68 days until the next full school year begins...7 days until Gillian's July school/camp and 10 days until clarinet camp for Ellery and Clare. I've been living at the school for the last couple weeks and have been dreadful about taking pictures, but here are a couple...

Gillian's last day at school...I came to pick her up today (usually she rides the bus home) and the combination of a warm day, year end excitement and mom showing up in the classroom were a bit much. Major meltdown.



Too bad that it came to such an unfortunate end. Gillian found some wonderful teachers and EAs at that school. Next year is a new assignment for Gillian...new program, different demands, more practical life skills instruction and while we are excited, her current school has really been home for 3 years.

Clare also had a "last day". Next year, she is attending an "extended French" program in a different school and will be leaving most of her friends. Here she is performing a duet with David in the year end recital. David is her new beau...she likes him cuz just like her former beau, she can "hit him really hard and he doesn't cry"....I'm so proud.



Clare flubbed a verse...David was not amused. Lucky for him, Clare is more than swinging distance away!



Oh, a quick "way to go" for Olivia. Olivia took a nasty fall yesterday necessitating a cluster of stitches and she still showed up for the recital today! What a trooper!! Good job Olivia!!





Ok, sleepytime now...it's been a long couple weeks and I have a splitting headache. Did I mention that it's less than 10 weeks until school starts?

Playing Hookey

Ok, bad mum...I pulled E and C out of school yesterday and we sneaked off to the amusement park! It's WAY more fun when there isn't anyone around! We went on the Behemoth (newest, bestest roller coaster in the park) and a couple other major scary rides!



No good deed goes unpunished though...after riding the JetScream (very aptly named) the passenger restraints tightened on a gondola full of passengers and we were trapped for more than 20 minutes. The response by the park employees was disappointing to say the least...no one explained the delay to us, the employees couldn't figure out how the emergency releases worked and when it was all over not even an offer of a cold beverage for the children who were in tears after their ordeal. Bad form Canada's Wonderland...




When we arrived home...Gilly's new summer wardrobe was waiting in the mailbox! (Thanks Julie for sending the fabric!!) If I can remember how to thread my 1949 Singer Sewing Machine, these will be sundresses for Boo!



Oh, check out the results of the hail storm...the shiny object in the middle of the plate is a quarter...not quite of the magnitude of David_Letterman's Canned Hams, but impressive nonetheless.

Happy Birthday Gillian and Clare!

Clare and Gilly turned 9 on Sunday. More than anything else, Clare wanted a sleepover birthday party. More than anything else, Gillian did NOT want a houseful of screechy little girls disturbing her sleep, so when the respite care had a cancellation on Saturday...a sleepover was born!



Three of Clare's "bestest" friends (and one for Ellery) enjoying pizza, cake and a nauseating assortment of BBQ/Nacho cheese flavor fried snax.



This was the cake...a horrifying "Cotton Candy" ice cream cake provided by Dairy Queen. The purple layer was crunchy...just like granulated sugar! yum...



I mistakenly thought that the term "Sleepover" suggested that at some point during the night the invitees would sleep. I was wrong. Despite the fact that they appear to be lounging in makeshift beds late at night...sleep was HOURS away from coming.

One of Clare's guests brought a party favour...



N was dogsitting Stella (as a pre-requisite to future dog ownership herself) and was tickled when I suggested that instead of choosing between the party and the dog-sitting that she combine the two activities. Look at that little face! Stella is a not-quite one year old Wheaton Terrier and is cute as a button. Haley was definitely feeling displaced!

So, waffles with fruit and whipped cream for breakfast...and we were done for another year!