Science Centre Fun

Kate has been wanting to go to the ROM. We've also talked about taking the GO train downtown since we moved to Ajax. Today when we started figuring out what we we do, and crunching the numbers, it turned into a ridiculous amount of money for a one day adventure. I suggested to Ken that perhaps we get a membership to the Science Centre, and seeing that he was on board suggested it to the girls. They were ALL over it!

It's been a while since we've been to the Science Centre. I've always loved the place. The kids area is really great. It was funny reading the sign today, noticing that it is for children 8 and under and their caregivers. I'm glad Kate is short. She'll definitely be able to pass for eight for a while. (Shh don't tell her I said that. I think she's a little sensitive about it.)

We decided to go after lunch so we wouldn't have to buy food. The kids area was pretty busy, but the girls still had fun. It's always interesting watching other children, and their parents. The jungle of childhood, some who wait patiently for turns, and others who burst in and take all the turns.

We made our way down the escalators, and went stood around in the main area on the bottom floor. The girls were getting cranky, so we decided that it was time for a snack. And then we did some realizing. It was too late to leave and not have Fiona fall asleep, it was too late for Fiona to fall asleep. So we had dinner such as it was in the Science Centre. The girls rejuvenated were ready to play. And we noticed something. The crowds were gone. Saturday night is the perfect time to go to the Science Centre. We walked through the rain forest and played. We didn't quite close the place out, but almost. The best part was leaving. The girls didn't want to leave, but all we had to do was remind them that hey, we bought a pass, we'll be back!!!

Alice - Special Person

Alice loves being the special person at school. What I love is her motivation and self-direction. She completed the homework task completely unassisted and as soon as she got home. Then we took some pictures and packed up the sheep. I don't even think she shared her work with me, so intent was she at getting it done and putting it away! Funny kid!

Kate's BB Day

Yesterday Kate started referring to today as her BB Day - her birthday/baptism day of course. The planning, it was a lot. Buying Kate a dress, organizing all of the building stuff, the program, the food afterwards. This has been a production, but so so worth it. We had a really beautiful day. Kate was so happy - well it was cute...

In primary today when she got up to be sung happy birthday to, and they announced her baptism, she said she was "nappy". She was nervous and happy. When it was time for her to be baptized she was so nervous about everyone staring at her. The water was really warm so that was nice, and it was really deep in the font so it sure wasn't hard for Ken to "dunk" her! And after getting dressed again and warming up she calmed down lots. When she was confirmed she cried a little because she was so happy.

In her blessing she was blessed to be a light to those around her. She was blessed to seek knowledge, both at church and school. She was blessed to be patient and generous. She was blessed to be a good example to her family.

Her Grandma spoke about Baptism, and her Auntie Lisa spoke about the Holy Ghost. Our ward mission leader Stephan Bridgeraj conducted the meeting, I played the piano, and my visiting teacher and our neighbour Helene Burnett conducted the music. The Bishop, Jon Elliot was there to welcome Kate as the newest member of the ward, and the primary president Lynn Yates was there too, and also welcomed her. It was a lovely service.

After the service everyone helped get all the food out, and then it was dig in time! We had just the right amount of food. We brought buns, meat trays, cheese, crackers, fruit, veggies. Maureen brought sweets and squares, Laura brought chocolate chip cookies, Emily made Kate's cake, Crystal brought soup, Heidi a cheese dip and crackers, and Helene brought 7 layer dip and chips. It was perfect. We had just the right amount of food and tables and chairs. Everyone enjoyed chatting and visiting.

And Kate. Kate was so very happy. She's been glowing for the past two days! What a wonderful 8th birthday. What a wonderful end to two weeks of Christmas/New Years holidays. I am so thankful to have had such a beautiful day today surrounded by so many loved ones. Happy BB Day Kate. I'm glad that you were born. I'm glad that you're my daughter. I'm so happy that you chose to be baptized.

The Birthday Questions - Kate – Age 8

1. What is your favourite color?

                                    Yellow

2. What is your favourite toy?

                                    Animal Jam Princess Castle Den

3. What is your favourite fruit?               

                                    The only fruit I like, apples.

4. What is your favourite tv show?

                                    Teen Titans Go

5. What is your favourite thing to eat for lunch?

                                    If I could, pancakes

 6. What is your favourite outfit?

                                    My wondrous and wild shirt and my purple pants

7. What is your favourite game?

                                    Animal Jam (an online National Geographic game)

8. What is your favourite snack?

                                    Lucky Charms Cereal                    

9. What is your favourite animal?

                                    A falcon

10. What is your favourite song?

                                    Regular: Bad Blood, Primary: If You Listen With Your Heart

11. What is your favourite book?

                                    The Book With No Pictures

12. Who is your best friend?

                                    Tailynn

13. What is your favourite cereal?

                                    Lucky Charms

14. What is your favourite thing to do outside?

                                    Go on the swings

15. What is your favourite drink?

                                    Rootbeer

16. What is your favourite holiday?

                                    My Birthday!

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?

                                    Sarah Bunny

18. What is your favourite thing to eat for breakfast?

                                    Pancakes

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?

                                    Cheesy potatoes, pork chops and broccoli

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?

                                    A journalist – you know, a reporter on the TV

Zooland

Meeting up with friends at an indoor play place, perfect day right?

I feel like it should have been perfect, but it had it's ups and downs. The girls did have fun - mostly. Alice and Amelie had "fun" figuring out how to be nice to each other - as they often do, but they figured it out. Michelle and I had a lovely time chatting, and the kids really played without us like 90% of the time. But then Kate got angry right before we left - she had been perfectly happy the rest of the time. And then she stayed angry and the ride home was kind of brutal. The girls were brutal in the grocery store, well Kate came around, Fiona was fine, but Alice had a fit. It was just yuck. Some days I can't remember the good because it just all feels like yuck. But there was lots of good? I just need to cling to the happy moments and not be so torn down by the yucky ones.