BATES!!!! Day 1

It's the girls last day of school, my second last day of school, and the first day of the sweetest reunion, three years in the making! Welcome Suzanne, Anna and Ben, we are so so so glad that you're here!

The reunion took place in the street because I was coming back from walking the dog, and Suzanne, Anna and Ben jumped out of the car to hug me, and then my girls came running down the street. Is was pretty darn awesome!

Not being able to see family in the United States because of Covid has been the hardest part of Covid. For me at least! We could have gotten together last summer, but travel restrictions were still pretty high, and by the time we knew it was possible, we'd both already made plans. I can't remember exactly when the quarantining rules changed, but you were supposed to quarantine for two weeks after travelling to the U.S. or those entering Canada had to stay in a quarantine hotel for two weeks before being fully allowed in. It seems like forever ago in a different crazy time. Big sigh! But that's the past, and the visiting with Suzanne is now!

Last Day of School

Kate, Alice and Fiona had their last day of grade 7, 5 and 3. This morning as I was leaving I said to Ken, "you should take a last day of school picture", something that hasn't been part of our family tradition, and he said "nope, I don't want to take more pictures", lol, so no last day of school pics!

I asked each girl to summarize her school year.

Kate: A literal hell but I learned to accept it.

Alice: Boring. I just don't like school.

Fiona: Fun and amazing and I love my teacher!

I will never underestimate the value of a great teacher! And I will never cease taking the words of my teen and preteen with a grain of salt!

I'm so thankful for the summer. I'm so thankful for amazing teachers and a great public school system. It isn't perfect that's for sure, but dang my colleagues are amazing people that do amazing things in their classrooms. Pandemic teaching has been an absolute beast! (Especially teaching hybrid in York Region, ) Rest up teacher friends, you deserve it!

Friends and family that don't have a whole summer off, I hope you get some time to rest and rejuvenate! Everyone deserves adequate holiday time!

Happy summer Ontario friends!! (One more day YRDSB, we got this!)

Father's Day

Oof I love my Ken! He's such a good Dad! Kate, Alice, Fiona, no of course he's not perfect, but never your Dad loves you all so much! You are his world!

I bought Ken a cute sentimental t-shirt. He saw it and awed, and then said "I don't want to wear my feelings!" Lol

After church Fiona, Ken, Milo and I went on a lovely walk at Greenwood. (Mostly lovely, we won't talk about the red ant that bit Fiona...)

Today on Facebook I posted this:

I'm not exactly sure how to caption this. "Someday I might never stop buying the dads I love goofy shirts?!"

I'm eternally grateful for the father that raised me and for the amazing father Ken is!

(Side note, Fiona kept hoping we wouldn't encounter anyone on our walk because of her Dad's embarrassing shirt! )

I had a good conversation with my Mom today. I asked her why she never talks about Dad. I asked her this because it hurts that Dad seems erased. And I didn't know why he was erased. She got quiet, and when she answered I could tell she was crying a little and she said "it hurts too much". And that little answer gave me a lot of peace. Communication is good!

I'm so grateful for good fathers that have allowed me to easily have a good relationship with my Heavenly Father!

Fiona's 9th Birthday Party

Two years ago it was a birthday party with the Lim-Anderson family - our pandemic bubble friends. Last year it was a birthday party at our house with one friend, and a park playdate with another friend later on. This year Fiona wanted a party at Michael's, but Michael's isn't doing parties yet, so we had a craft party at home and it was wonderful!

Our first activity was making shirts. I didn't read the packaging and thought the shirts would be dry by the end of the party... oops! (We'll deliver the shirts later!) The kids had so much fun and were so creative!

After the shirts it was SLIME TIME! I asked Alice to be in charge of the slime, and she's been practicing for weeks. I have found traces of Borax on my washing machine a few times in the past few weeks. The kids were all happy, and the slime was outside, so I was happy too!

Then it was lunch time! (Ken made an amazing Harry Potter themed cake as per Fiona's request.) For lunch they had pizza, fruit and chips. 

Next Fiona wanted to open her presents. So she did!

CAKE TIME!

After cake, the kids all went down to the basement to play until their parents came to pick them up, except for Liam and Bryce. Liam and Bryce stayed for an extra long time! Fiona had a lot of fun. It was such a great day! Yay for parties, and friends, and making fun t-shirts and slime!