August 7

Some of the new season of Wild Kratts have been really interesting… Crocogator was fun… comparing a crocodile and an alligator (Emanuel was later able to repeat this knowledge to a friend! So proud!).

We had another wonderful series of garage sale finds. I love finding books for a steal!!!

The night of the 7th was a parade! In fact, Karen (Renee’s sister) suggested we go to this one. It is a long time favourite of hers and we were more than happy to join here and Cory for the event.

Of course we got there early to get decent parking and lucked out with a Catholic church/school with an adjoining playground. We actually ended up at the end of the beginning of the parade so it was easy to know when to return to our choice spot.

Karen is a HUGE fan of parades and was right there with the kids trying to get the big trucks to honk their horns and cheering on everyone.

She was a great sport, even getting a big black mustache with oil make up that the kids were TOTALLY not going for.

there was a florist handing out roses to all the ladies as well.

And a group right at the beginning that gave out carrots. ECHO loved that as did Ken and Cory.

So many cowboy hats and as usual around here, princesses.

We finished off our evening with dinner and a visit at our house. Talk about an amazing once a year experience (as that is the grand total of parades Ken is willing to go to). Thanks for the heads up and for joining us Karen and Cory!!

July 15 and 16

So much going on overlapping… VBS, our afternoon activities AND USA Cup. Anthony is once again registered to play. We missed his games last year but went the year before and then to some this year. We lucked out as it is basically in our backyard.

We went to two games… the first was a game versus another American team. The boys did not do too well but they played hard.

The second was with a foreign team – Columbia. Neither games ended in a win but it was great to watch the boys play in a different venue.

Our little ones ran off with Aidan and had a blast as well.

As we have gone through stuff in the house we came across the pins KEN got and traded for at HIS USA Cups. We decided to gift them to our godson as well. He was very pleased with them. I am glad that we could pass them along to someone who is so obviously passionate about the game!

Of course we took a boatload of pictures so please enjoy our godson in action!!!

The ridiculously good looking ref!

July 11-13

Looking back at July it seems like we didn’t do anything but fun in the sun! Well we DID take advantage of the lovely weather and a freezer full of freezies and got our time in the sun.

We are doing well with reading, worksheets mailed by Gammie and of course the new season of Wild Kratts. (HERE)

Dodo and Tasmanian Tiger

Saturday we headed back to the Schwartz’s for a nice visit So there are MORE pictures of the ever adorable Jeffrey…

Renee was out with her mom and sister but the kids, Ken and I came over to help Chris and his folks build a shed. I mean, KEN helped with the shed, I helped Grandma (Anne) with the babies and the kids played and hung out.

Best little buddies!

Watching a movie together

Mystro is absolutely one of my favourite subjects to photograph.

Chris treated us all to Chinese as a thank you. It was so much fun to just sit, sew and read with Anne and Jeffrey. Talk about a relaxing Saturday (not so much for Ken and Chris and Gary!).

Ken and Mystro

On Sunday we decided to go back to the Blaine beach and enjoy the wonderful sand, water and splash pad. I have to say, with such a nice location a short drive away we are really not motivated to go further and find a less manicured or bigger beach.

I love the confidence all 5 kids have at this beach.

After the beach it was back to cheering on one of our favourite soccer players. Anthony was playing his final game of his regular year.

Even big Andy made it out! Which was GREAT. Ken does love spending time with him, but he is so often on the road driving truck this summer it has been a trick to plan out.

The kids wandered off and played together so that worked well.

And Anthony and his team played a great game! I do believe they were undefeated in regular season. Our plan is to go to a couple of his USA Cup games as well. I know they play a couple foreign teams along with some more local (or at the very least American).

It is these great opportunities to spend time with our friends and family (I mean, come on Novaks are basically cousins at this point!) that has slowed our hunt for the elusive homeschooling family to meet and hang out with.