The girls official last day of school was June 27. They all decided that they wanted to come with me on my last day, the 28th, so they did. I had meetings in the morning, and everyone brought a bag of activities. I think there was only one fight, so not so bad! We went to Wendy's for lunch, and then I finished packing up my room and then it was done! It was a great year this year. Good grade 8s, great staff, great year. This is one of the presents I was given at the end of the year. It made me cry!
Today was going to be a nothing day because we needed to wait around for the carpet to be delivered, and then it turned out that the carpet got delivered first thing! So we were able to go to the movies after all. We went to see Toy Story 4, and we all loved it. We should have taken a picture in front of the movie poster that we went to see, but interactive movie posters are fun! After the movie we went out to dinner.
We also got rid of the "pink" couch. The mainfloor feels open and wonderful without it! I was excited because we were going to re-home the couch. We recently got elders in our ward, and they wanted a couch for their apartment. Sadly they couldn't get it downstairs. Ken then tried Salvation Army, but they wouldn't take it because of the stains - markers, so the couch went to the dump. I feel badly, but once it was out of my house I just didn't want it to come back!
Bike Day! Of course it was also church day. We went to church, came home, ate, changed, and then we went back to the church. Alice is a full fledged bike-rider now and Kate finally rode by herself. It was a struggle, a big struggle, lots of fears, lots of self-doubt. Kate was super negative, but with lots of patient encouragement, and a little impatient encouragement she did it!!! I should have taken a pic of Kate, but I only took video!
Monday, July 1
We sort of talked about doing a fair/festival, but only really half-heartedly. Mom wanted to come over, so she did, and we had a quiet day, just hanging out. The girls rode their bikes - Alice lots, Kate a little. Ken bbq'd. Crystal and Aleigha came over for smores. And then we went to watch the Ajax Downs fireworks, in the best spot - well, almost best. The traffic made it a little weird, but parked where we were, it really was great!
Tuesday, July 2
Today was a bit cuckoo. We started out in slow motion. We didn't have groceries so we went to Subway for lunch, and then set off for Grandma's. On the way to Grandma's at 1:45 we realized that Alice had a pinata party at 4 back in Ajax. BUT we were committed! So to Grandma's we continued. We went up to Grandma's, down to the pool, Alice and I had a short swim and we both showered, and Fiona and Kate had a longer swim and showered later. And we made it back to Ajax for 4:10. Kate and Fiona then had the pleasure of coming with me to Pier 1 while I ordered a chair and bought throw pillows. Then we went to have a treat at Tim Horton's, but when we realized it was dinner time we had Wendy's too. Then Ken joined us, then he went to get Alice, then we all went to check out bikes at Canadian Tire and Walmart. And then Ken and Alice went to Whitby to buy a second hand bike. It was kind of a funny, busy, not-busy day!
Wednesday, July 3
Haircuts! Brushing the girls hair lately... ARGH! Fiona and Kate have been pretty awful, with Kate showing signs of maturity every once in a while. Alice is doing great, but it was agreed haircuts all around! They were able to cut all the girls hair, but we had to rush because one of the stylists called in sick. They discounted the price slightly and gave us a really nice bottle of leave-in conditioner. The girls were all happy, so who cares if no one had cute blow-dried!
Then I had a relief society presidency meeting, then we were invited to swim at Janelle's. Janelle and I have been friends for many, many years, but didn't really become close until the last few years. Jon, her husband, was the bishop when we moved into the ward. I felt so comfortable moving into the ward because she was here. We didn't hang out nearly enough the last three years, but we did when we could. She and Jon and the boys are moving up to Ottawa to be close to Ben and Sone and the cousins. The boys are so excited. They're going to be on the same court as Ben and Sone. They move in two weeks. I'm going miss my friend. Today however, the girls had so much fun swimming and playing. Oh and Fiona decided she wants to marry Owen.
Fiona: Owen, I want to marry you.
Owen: Why are you talking about getting married?
Thursday, June 4
Tokarev Day! I can't remember exactly when Michelle and I picked this day, but we were very excited to get together. We went to a play place over the Christmas break, and then haven't seen each other since. Sitting and chatting and the girls spending time together, it's so magical. I will never stop being thankful for Kindermusik and for Michelle and her family coming into our lives! The girls swam and played, we ate lunch and the girls swam and played some more and Michelle and I sat and chatted and chatted and chatted. It was a gorgeous day.
We picked up drive-thru in Newmarket and got home around 8p.m. I came in "freshened up" and then went to Olivia Jenner's to go to Janelle's farewell party. It was a fun night - minus getting bitten alive by bugs. I chatted to Debbie lots, and Laura and to everyone a bit.
Friday, July 5
Today had a "funny" start. The plan was to hang out with the Lim-Andersons, Emily and the kids were going to come over and bring their new puppy Bella. I messaged Emily in the morning asking what time she was coming, and, she was in Ottawa. She had meant the next Friday, but realized in our exchanges that it had sounded like we were getting together that day. We planned for next Tuesday instead, and then with a whole day staring in front of us, the girls and I thought about what to do.
Fiona and Alice had a little pocket-money to spend, so off we went to Walmart, then Michael's, then the library. While we were at the library we ran into one of Alice's teachers, and then I started thinking about luggage. We realized that there was a sale at the Bay, so instead of going home to eat lunch we went to the mall. We had lunch, and then started checking out luggage. We went to Bentley's and then the Bay. The girls all got their own carry-on approved bags. Alice and Fiona hardshells, pink and blue respectively, and Kate a softshell in blue. AND I found a quilt. I've wanted a summer quilt for a while, and the quilts were 50% off, so win win!
Oh and Kate's offense at all things fall and back to school, made for a very funny Facebook post!
Saturday, July 6
Today Mom agreed to watch the girls so Ken and I could go to the temple. We dropped the girls off with snacks and made it in time for the 1:30 session. After our session we went to Sweet Palace and had Indian food - so so yummy. We've gotten samosas from there a bunch of times, but we've never actually sat down to eat. We were not disappointed.
We went back to my Mom's and she ordered pizza for the girls, we all kind of spaced out watching tv and then went home. Mom bought these sweet little jewelry boxes for all the grand-girls. Such a sweet little keepsake. There's a little charm on each one with their name. Cute!
Sunday, July 7
Today at church it was Janelle's last week, so those of us still there after church took a picture together. They're are some really special women in my ward. And Kelly - Alice's aftercare teacher from this past year came to church with us. She's come a few times. She stayed for all of church this time.
After dinner we forced the children to ride down to the lake. It was an interesting trial of patience. Kate is still not super confident in her bike riding, and I think Fiona was a little over tired. Alice rode back and forth and back and forth, going ahead of us, and then back to us again and again. We made it to the lake, and we made it home. It was a little buggy, and there might have been more crying than was necessary, but it was pretty by the lake!
I love the summer! I am so very thankful to be a teacher, to have my summer's off. I'm thankful to be the Mama to Kate, Alice and Fiona. And I'm thankful for all the adventures that lie in wait!
