A fistful of firsts

312 photos of one child eating cake. I decided to combine some of Bumpa's & some of mine into a little song & dance instead of having to sort through them all. Mara's birthday may not have come with the same fanfare as DK's - but it was just as special. I was so happy to be able to dig out the ol' blue heart to make Mara her own cake. Now all three have eaten their first birthday cakes from the same dish. A little weird maybe? Probably, but still cool.

Daddy is Mara's favourite person by a long shot.

Uncle Curtis teaching the finer points of comic book drawing.

DK's first days at their new schools have been a huge success. Drew was very nervous the first morning. He misses his friends & was unsure about how quickly he would make new ones. He held my hand so tight as we lined up behind his teacher, but within minutes he had met James. James moved from Okotoks just 2 weeks before & he was as nervous as Drew. Instant bond! Both boys relaxed instantly.

After his second day in class he ran out to meet me and said, "I've just had the best day of my life!" We are so happy for him & so glad his worries are gone. After school today James had him over for his first official play date since we moved.

Kai on the other hand did not hesitate for a minute. She was ready a year ago. On her first day she met Holly ("Sometimes I just call her Sierra" ???). On the third day it was Holly's birthday & Kai picked out a 2 part Best Friends necklace to give to her (the kind I wanted so badly when I was their age!). Kai is confident & excited & very proud to finally have a class of her own.

"Mum, I'm so proud of you.
You are now the mum of a big Grade 2 boy!"

Itching to get there!

It was very special for Kai to have Bumpa walk with her on her first day.

Fishing for our dinner at the
Dinghy Dock to celebrate back to school

Again with the total disregard for germs

Too grown up!

As usual, Kai just couldn't let Drew
have the spotlight for long.

Squeezing out every last bit of summer

Our sad little dress-up doll.

One more sleep & Drew is off to school! Poor Kai has to wait until Friday to experience her first day of kindergarten, thanks to the useless practice of gradual entry. She is pretty miffed at having to wait longer than Drew, and I think she also feels our pain. "It's longer until you get some privacy even!"
The last few weeks of summer have been fantastic. Last week we had a great visit with the Rigby's who came from Kelowna & this weekend we were able to get to Victoria for a day on the boat with the Rabiens.

This week school starts, we're moving into our new office space, Bumpa & Uncle Curtis arrive & our baby turns one!

Steve & "the boy Kai" releasing a starfish back to his home

The kids ride the boat over to the Dinghy Dock floating restaurant

Kai & Calta at the sandcastle competition in Parksville.
These were the same girls 'gossiping' during their first soccer practice.
I'm so happy that some things haven't changed.

Mara shows Leith how snacks work in our house

"Eat fast or the animals will arrive..."

"They'll come out of the woodwork when they're hungry!"

The Belbins & Rigbys at our favourite lagoon

Packed up & off to Victoria. Mara was thrilled to finally be in a big girl seat!

The kind of smile we live for.

Trace & Liv

Tor & Mara

Grant

Al

Trace

Anton

Auntie Jessie rides into town

Last Sunday we drove to Victoria to fetch Auntie Jessie & bring her into our whirlwind for 5 days. By the time we had reached her we realized Drew had 'forgotten' his shoes back home, Mara had had a diaper explosion & we were late - big surprise.

As soon as we were sorted & Drew was fitted with new shoes ("I don't have any shoes so my parents have to buy me these!") we were on our way to Sooke for the bbq to beat ALL bbqs at the Rabien's. Welcome to your relaxing vacation Jess!

The rest of her visit was spent dodging rain (Wha? It rains here? I swore it didn't), visiting beaches, singing show tunes, and sharing champagne & some great yaks. It had been far too long between visits with her & we won't let that happen again.

Yes! Cage them to the point of exhaustion!

He ate one crab & 2 pieces of cake. That's my boy!

Nothing good came of this

After an exciting day Jess has the magic touch

Kai doing the usual

Fort building

"We are going to put this house on sale! 20 bucks!" (Kai)

She's #3. We don't worry about the germs too much anymore

Searching the lagoon for treasures at low tide

The girls doing what they do best - get mucky

Mara's first mouthful of seaweed

Please, please save me! Take me back with you!

More visitors, more sun!

Grant & DKM have been in Vernon all week after driving Norman to meet his new family. When we decided to get another dog after Bailey we had no idea that we'd be moving to the island, starting a business, living next door to the Twilight Zone, and owning a house with dark hardwood floors. We love him, but in reality his big goofy self was too much for us. The kids were tired of losing their toys & even they put up no fight when we brought the subject up. 

So we called Lisa who we'd got him from & before the words came out our mouths she had a family who wanted him. That made our decision much, much easier. Grant & the kids met the new family & we know he will be living on an acreage and will be around his brothers & his momma on a regular basis. 

Norman dreaming of greener pastures. 

We'll miss him but we won't miss the hair. 

Katrina & Korben came to stay with us for 4 days last week. The kids had such a blast at the beach, riding the bumper boats, rock climbing, playing at the wave pool, cougar hunting...etc, etc. Drew has been missing his friends terribly & to have Korben come to visit was exactly what he needed. 

Best Buds

Sand castle building at Piper's Lagoon

Ice Cream after bumper boats in Parksville

Faces full of burgers - poor Mara was feeling left out!

That's okay, soon after she got to be a big girl who"lunches"

Kadoodle & Bear

Mara & Nanie in Courtenay

Auntie Peg visits from Cranbrook

We are so thankful for these days with Nanie

"I told you that if you lift up the rocks you're in for a world of adventure!"

(Drew at Qualicum Beach)

A very serious portrait

Who doesn't love a parade?

Forget camping, relaxing or traveling for the long weekend - instead we entered the Ladysmith Parade! We still have no idea what the parade was for, but we did it for fun, exposure and to celebrate the official transition of ownership.

Our guys really got into it & DK loved it, no question. They took their balloon & candy duties very seriously. They ran the entire parade route!

Nothing like using your kids to milk the cuteness factor

After a long night of balloon prep Drew tries to keep himself awake...

 while driving Mara along the parade route

Huh?

She was 'almost' Annie!

"People were BEGGING me for mini-trucks & they loved my hair!"