Fun fun fun – stage make-up!!

I don’t know what you would do for a few moments of peace so you can have a quiet cup of tea with a friend – but there isn’t much I wouldn’t do. lol The girls had their friends Z and X over and they dressed up in too-small ballet outfits and decorated in over-the-top stage makeup. We put some music on and it was bliss for 1 hour… yeah!

Harmless fun, I say. Let’s hope they don’t apply makeup like that when they are older, though!

First position!

Hi folks – did you know that it’s International WALK TO SCHOOL month?

In fact, in Kelowna this week is Walk to School week. Now, we walk to school every day… we only live two blocks from the girls’ school (on purpose.) But some people live a little further or just haven’t found the time to try it. Now’s the time. I have to say what I like as much as spending 10 quiet minutes of the day with my kids is the 10 quiet minutes walking back alone from the school. I often read when I walk, so that’s 10 minutes a day to chip at a novel, too.

Purposeful bliss, I say. But if that doesn’t tempt you, here are some other reasons to try walking to school!

International Walk to School is more than just getting together with children and going for a walk to school as a special event. This is certainly important, but the event’s greater aim is to bring forth permanent change in communities across the globe. Below are just a few of its goals:

Encourage physical activity by teaching children the skills to walk safely, how to identify safe routes to school, and the benefits of walking

Raise awareness of how walkable a community is and where improvements can be made

Raise concern for the environment

Reduce crime and take back neighborhoods for people on foot

Reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and speed near schools

Share valuable time with local community leaders, parents, and children

All ready for the first day of school!! Sugar / Spice

Well, it’s official. My preschoolers aren’t pre-schoolers anymore!

Sugar and Spice had their first day of school today. It’s a gradual entry to full day kindergarten, so today was 1 1.2 hours with the teachers, tomorrow is a 20 minute interview, Monday is morning only, Tuesday is afternoon only and then they start full-time Wednesday. It’s really good for the kids to start this way – but holy smokes, it is a bit of a juggle for the parents. Luckily, my mom decided to come home with us from camping this past weekend and is helping us with childcare, so I can work – oh, and maybe even post about their first day! lol

I really felt like we were crossing over this morning – my babies aren’t at all babies anymore. I think the maternal feelings are flowing. Hurry up little Basotho boy! I need another small person around!

Ooops – quick back alley shoe change. Guess those new shoes weren't a great idea.

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Reading with the librarian… so fun!!!

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Having our snack and examining the new backpacks given by the school.

The cowpoke gang!

Spice riding a pony.

We had a lovely birthday party for the girls on Sunday. Thanks to all our friends who came, ate, rode horses, and had a gallupin’ good time. Also, a special shout out to all of your who made donations to Vulnerable Children Society. The girls decided to ask for donation instead of presents, and boy o boy were they proud that they raised $210!

The day started off with good news – Jrock took Maggie into the clinic and her blood was definitely looking better (and was improved again today.) Then we had a big waffle breakfast (the girls got to choose) and opened their birthday gifts. We gave Spice a bug catcher, which she has been using on lady bugs, spiders and earwigs ever since, as well as a big 5 year old girl puzzle.

Sugar riding a pony.

Sugar got a paint-by-number shadow box from us, which she worked on for 2 hours, as well as her first cookbook, which she is excited about using this week. We spent a total of about $15 on the girls’s presents, but in our experience, small thoughtful gifts go just as far.

Besides – they had an amazing birthday party too! We rented an arena and had ponies give the kids rides yesterday evening. The kids loved it – it was so much fun. We adults lounged around and ate ate ate… including cake. This year, Sugar ordered a blueberry cake with vanilla almond icing and sugared blueberries on top. Spice had a dark chocolate cake with cherries baked in, with vanilla icing and dark chocolate shavings. Those cakes are a labour of love, lemme tell you – but um um yummy!!!

The girls had a wonderful birthday – and that’s not all. Apparently, as of yesterday Spce can now reach several light switches she couldn’t the day before (when she was four years old) and can even reach the sink in the bathroom without a stool. The miracle of 5 YEARS OLD!!!

A couple of weeks ago we had an unexpected visitor – Sugar and Spice’s friend C! Remember this sweet little boy from Harambe?

Well, his mom had appointments in town, and she brought him along for the 7 hour drive to spend the day with the girls. We had lots of fun, including a few first for C, like eating sushi. C wasn’t too sure about it at first, but then he just dug in.

We then chased dinosaur foodprints downs the streets of Kelowna until they met with a scary surprise!

THEN we had a small pool party with our friends Tigger and Chuckles. Pretty good times.

He probably thinks we have this much fun all the time. Oh wait – we do!

His mom was thinking of trying to get to the Mehaber Camp where we will also be in two weeks – what a nice surprise for the girls if he can make it. The adoration is mutual!!

On a completely lighter note, I ordered the first of the girls’ new bedroom furniture today. Most of it we will source second hand, but I fell in love with these two chairs from Target. We live close to the border (2 hours) so I have them shipped there and then just pick them up.

Aren’t they cute?

We also decided on the girls’ walls – Auntie Ena is going to do 2 foot high Matryoshka dolls all along one wall.

They will be in traditional costumes from a variety of countries – I’m sure the girls will want some from Ethiopia, as well as China, Lesotho, Swaziland and other countries they have friends from.

Sugar would like me to add that they will not be “all pink-skinned like these ones – they will have brown skins too!”

It will be so cute!

BTW, our new guy will have the girls’ current bedroom downstairs – they are taking over the guest room.