Firsts, Seconds & Thirds

September 8th was a huge day this year. Mara's birthday fell on the same day as her first day at her day home, Kai's first day of Grade 1 & Drew's first day of Grade 3!

So happy to be heading off with the big kids.
Her Dora backpack was Kai's gift to her.

DK - first day of school

After a big day of firsts for everyone, we had Mara's birthday party

So proud of her backpack! She wore it all day & through her party

Drew's special present for her

DK's presents were both big hits

 

Ketchup chip face talkin' to Grandpa & Grandma Nancy

I love how this could easily been any birthday photo from the 70's.
Same decor, same plates, same cake...

At least Drew thought the sparklers were cool

I love the photo of the apples I did for the party, 

but truth be told, they were crap.

Earlier, Mara had won a draw for an "exclusive VIP" meeting with Dora. She loved it, but the whole thing was very, very strange. Creepy Dora, sans Boots, was at the mall and greeted kids (silently of course, which only added to the creepiness) in a roped off section in front of a vacant store. The line was 3.5 hours long! Thankfully Mara's VIP status let us whip in and out without waiting.

Great backdrop

This is what I discovered on my camera after DK were upstairs being suspiciously quiet...

Because even the mention of underwear is hilarious to them,

they were hysterical over finding a bra and modeling it

This shaggy maggy is for you Bumpa!

Before the school year started some of Kai's friends held a party for her to wish her good luck at her new school. Amy's mum, Debbie, organized it with all of the Kindergarten girls from last year & the party included a bouncy castle, craft station, cupcakes & goodie bags! What a lucky girl.

Kiera, Kaitlyn, Amy, Kai & Holly

Last week was the first week of DK's soccer season - and our first season as the title sponsor for the league. It was very exciting for us to see all 800+ kids at the kickoff wearing our logo. Drew & Kai are both young enough to think mum & dad & the junk is still cool so they're pretty proud that we are involved this year. Seeing them playing again was exciting. Drew said, "I'd forgotten how much fun it was" after his first practice & Kai is just thrilled to be on a team that has both 'old' Rutherford friends and 'new' Hammond Bay kids.

 

Not updating for some time has turned this into a daunting task. There are over 2 months of photos & great experiences to write about & now I can't possibly include it all.

DK finished their first year at their new schools both with outstanding report cards & many friends. Kai is all set to switch schools in the fall & join Drew in french immersion. She is not the slightest bit fazed by leaving her friends because she is not worried about making new ones. Why be worried when you're a Kadoodle?

Kai's kindergarten class perform for the parents on their last day

Mara thought it was pretty good

So far this summer we have been camping (and true, old school camping - all 5 of us in a tent) in Ucluelet, at Salmon Point near Campbell River and at Horne Lake with the Rabiens. Grant also took all 3 kids to Vernon, Calgary and Pine & Gull Lakes to visit family & friends. I stayed behind, not to relax, but to work (see photos) & finish our year end books. The 4 of them had wonderful adventures with Grandpa Derek & Grandma Nancy at Gull Lake: fishing (81 fish!!), quading, going to the fair grounds in Red Deer & most importantly, waterskiing for the first time!

This Sunday Drew is off to Camp Columbia on Thetis Island for 4 days. We went shopping today to pick up all the gear on his check list and by tonight his bags were packed. Grant & I are most excited because of our fond memories of camp - Drew has no idea of the experiences to come! Unfortunately Kai is still on the waiting list for horse camp. She said tonight that she will sleep with her fingers and toes crossed until she makes it in. Here's hoping.

Early morning after a very late night in Ucluelet

Long Beach

Mara and her "Porn Cops"

With the Collerys at Salmon Point.

Mara & Carys caught mid escape.

7-year-olds obsessed with fire.

Reuben & Kadoodle

"So which lure you thinkin'?"

If anything can melt my stone-cold heart, it's this.

'Bamton' and his casualties @Horne Lake

The true bare bum lady.

They enjoyed this a little bit.

And Liv & Mara enjoyed it too.

Busted! Eating chocolate cookies in the tent.

The humble beginnings of "Dirtalicious".

And some randoms...

Drew's awesome photo!
He dressed Mara & took her outside for her own shoot.

Another Drew shot.

And another!

"Jum-peen! Jum-peen!" at Tor's 5th birthday party

It can't all be beautiful. This is one of the jobs I was on while the family was sunning themselves all over BC & Alberta. 5.5 truckloads were removed by hand from this garage & yard. Grant will laugh at me for even posting this because it's just another job & he sees much more & much worse than I do. But he doesn't take photos. So when I can I do & then I take all the glory.

Ta-Da! 3 Hours later.