My travelling boy

Today is my biggest boy's 11th (!) birthday. And he's not home. In fact, he is on the other side of the ocean for one whole month.  This adventure, for him, has been organized by CISV, a worldwide organization that brings children from all corners of the world together in order to build peace though understanding of each other's cultures and beliefs. He is in a "village" (camp, really) in Denmark. He has planned for this all spring with his delegation of two girls, two boys, and a leader. They will do all sorts of typical camp activities, but will also present a national evening all about Canada to the campers (involving maple syrup, mini sticks games and a Canadian rap). Each of the delegations from each country gets to do this. At a typical CISV village, there are seeds of peace building planted, plots of pranking, excursions around Denmark (he hopes desperately to be able to visit Legoland) breaking language barriers in creative ways and plenty of silliness. (I've seen photos of him covered in red paint).  He will undoubtedly come back changed from this journey, in big ways and small. He is growing up. And today, I really miss him.

Seven

Seven years ago, after spending an extra week in-utero, this big squeezable baby graced our lives. She is always proud to report that "I was mom's biggest baby". And she was. Nine pounds and ten ounces. Now she is even bigger: in grade one, making her own lunch, and playing (very proudly) on an organized soccer team for the very first time. And her mom is attempting to coach her!

Her wishes for today: a sprinkle doughnut for breakfast (check), leaving school early (check) and a quick supper of hot dogs (we're gourmet here) then off to a soccer game.

Love you, M-cat. Happy Birthday.

Party!

So this week-end the second instalment of birthday celebrations took place. A big party for me! I have no pictures, because I was too busy having fun, talking, watching many pockets of friends and family intermingle, dancing, listening to my lovely sibs say some awfully nice things, blowing out candles, and listening to music. Each guest had emailed in a favourite happy song which turned into the soundtrack of the evening (after the live music piped down, that is). I might even make it a future post, these happy songs.

I've kind of lost my voice now, so I had to avoid teaching today. Sigh. Instead, I enjoyed a little quiet, and replayed the scenes of Saturday, feeling awfully grateful for many friends and family who make my life so great. I am one lucky, slightly hoarse, forty year old girl.

(photo: Morning after Fruit Loops: A party in a bowl.)

A fine start to four zero

Today's my birthday. The 40th one I've had. And it was a pretty sweet day.
Breakfast in bed:

 And a homemade book, with a complete illustrated agenda of my day:

Cartoon husband brings coffee, cartoon son brings the paper. Mom sound asleep.

Mom climbs up a mountain. Heads to the spa.

Mom goes shopping!

I like how I'm having my birthday dinner alone with a cup of coffee!

I am richly blessed, forty times over.

Happy belated half-birthday?

Sometimes, out of the blue, my kids get these ideas. Yesterday it was a plan to bake and decorate a cake. For what? Dad's belated half-birthday. Half-birthday? That would have been Feb. 18. Now it's March. But hey, I couldn't bear to say no to four very persuasive party planners. (I agreed, while selfishly wondering if this big event was going to overshadow a big birthday of mine in less than a week...)

Kids love stuff like this. And it feels so good to say yes. There were balloons, a white board sign, and a shrine of shells (?) set up on the couch. And most importantly, there was chocolate cake.

Hello, six!

Today, our M-cat turned six. She was my biggest baby, almost ten pounds, and she was in no hurry to arrive. And today is her day, which she has been looking forward to for an awfully long time. And here is our day, in photos:

Breakfast in bed (sticky bun, hot cocoa, watermelon) Note to self: put towel on bed before serving six year old sticky crumby things

Friend party! M-cat chose an animal theme. This is her own version of "What time is it Mister Wolf?" (and doesn't our new sod look lush?)

 A blushing birthday girl

 Do it yourself cupcakes with the sibs

 Crazy pose: Maybe baking chocolate cupcakes with coffee wasn't the greatest idea...

New rollerblades!

 Getting some pointers from a big sister

 While big brother plays with our kid-made ropes course

We love you, M-cat. You have brought much joy into our lives these past six years!