100 Year Celebration!

Yesterday, June 28, we gathered together at Valens Conservation Area with a whole lot of extended family to celebrate my parents 40th wedding anniversary. Friday was also my Mom's 60th birthday, hence the title of this blog (40 + 60 = 100). We were a little concerned when we woke up to pouring rain, but the day turned out to be just fine. VERY humid, and mostly overcast, but everyone stayed dry (that wanted to, anyway.)

There were about 150 people there altogether, and us girls were kept busy serving and cleaning up, so I didn't get a chance to take too many pictures. Sherri was the "official" candid photographer, so we'll have to wait for her to update her blog. The boys were also busy barbecuing for all those people, and keeping little ones out of our way while we were busy. All in all, the day was a success, we had a lot of fun, and I think Mom and Dad enjoyed themselves too. The kids went down to the beach for a bit, and had a lot of fun in the bouncy castle Mom & Dad had rented for the occasion.

Before the official festivities began, we had our family photos done (ours personally as well as the big family shots) by the very talented Chandra Vanderboom. Thanks Chandra for a job well done, even though Princess Natalie was very uncooperative!

Here's a few of the pictures I did manage to get. Art gets credit for the bouncy castle shots.

They almost spelled it right!


The kids watching the bouncy castle go up. Had their shoes off already!

Allison and Caleb having a great time

Even Natalie had some smiles

Allison, Brittany and Olivia had a good seat by the chips

I think they had a tiff? And Natalie with another nice smile.

One Last Field Trip....

...to Greenview Aviaries! It was a little chilly, so we passed on the splash pad :) The kids were disappointed, but they had fun in the enormous playground instead! There were two trampolines, a ball pit, bouncy balls, tricycles, scooters, slides, swings, tether ball, and - the biggest attraction - a zip line!

Not to mention the animals... lions and tigers and bears - oh my! And zebras, buffalo, reindeer, elands, pot bellied pigs, donkeys, peacocks, snakes, alligators, and monkeys galore! (Not including the ones we brought along!)

See?

Feeding the goats (you could buy little bags of animal food)

It was hard to get a good shot through the wire.

My group (Lianna, Allison, Jessica) showing off their lion growls

The pot-bellied pig - see the baby just to her left?

Bears - oh my!

Allison feeding the young buffalo grass

And some playground shots:

Deanna and Miss Vanderdeen on the teeter-totter and Allison on the REALLY TALL slide!

Amanda on the zipline!!!

Please Maam...may I have some more..?

Today was the day of Grade 5/6's production of Oliver Twist! It was obvious that a lot of effort and preparation went into this production - costumes, props, fake British accents, they even memorized their lines!
Well done, Grade 5&6! It was very enjoyable to watch.,
Here are a few pictures:

Chelsea and Jared as the narrators

The famous "may I have some more" scene

After running away from the orphanage, Oliver meets the Artful Dodger

The boys roasting sausages at Fagin's hideout.

The Artful Dodger demonstrating his pick-pocketing technique.

At Mr. Brownlow's house after recovering from his fever

Oops! Caught by Nancy and returned to Fagin

Foiled! The whole gang is arrested and dragged off to jail

Curtain call!

Where did summer go?

It's cold (13*). And drizzly. Feels more like Fall than Summer. And Art is not home for dinner 3 nights this week. Blech.

On a happy note, I get to go to Greenview Aviaries and Zoo on Thursday with Grades 1-4. Then I will have pictures to post again. And tomorrow Grade 5/6 is performing Oliver Twist. Tim is the Artful Dodger. I'll take pictures of that too...

Tomorrow is also the DAY that my brother Stu goes before Classis for his final examination on completion of Theological College. He is understandably nervous... I am sure that he will do just fine, but please remember this important day in your prayers.

And now.... chicken fingers and french fries are on the menu.

Summer's Coming!!!

ONE MORE WEEK OF SCHOOL!!!!!

Just an Update (no babies this time, Alicia)

I guess it's that time again. Not much exciting going on here, it's just been busy with field trips, Field Day, gardening, normal life stuff....

This week Grades 1-4 went on a Field Trip to the London International Children's Festival, where they attended an Art workshop, and saw a production of The Ugly Duckling. Apparently there was also face painting, since this is what came off the bus that day...


That same day (Wednesday), Grades 7&8 were in Burlington for Track andField Day, so Grade 5/6 had the school to themselves all day! Mrs. Vandermeyden decided that this would be a good day to finish off their study of Ancient Greeks and Romans with a Greek/Roman afternoon, complete with togas, baklava, figs and javelin and discus competitions!



(In case you wondered what a pregnant Greek lady looks like ) :-)

Thursday was Field Day for Grades 1-6, in conjunction with their fellow students from Chatham. This year it was held in London, and went very well. A good time was had by all, new friendships were formed, old friendships were renewed...Tim even met a cabin mate from Campfire! last year.
I didn't get any pictures, unfortunately, since the Ladies Auxiliary provides fruit/baking/juice and sold hot dogs and goodie bags, I was a little busy.


Yesterday we replaced all the red mulch in our gardens with black, for a different look. I like it. The baby robins also chose yesterday as the day to spread their wings.... there were still 4 of them crammed into that tiny nest! After lunch, one hopped out and promptly hopped onto the road, much to the concern of the girls, who were afraid he would get run over. Mom Robin met him on the other side with a worm, and that was the last we saw of him! When I checked the nest later, it was empty, so hopefully they have all found their independence!


Hope you're enjoying this lovely heat! If this is a sign of what summer is going to be like.... we will be thankful for our air conditioning! Maybe the lake will even warm up before we go camping! (5 weeks!!!)