and painting...

For the children, 'twas the French summer of...

board games

Visitors!

It was a double delight to see the Brighton cousins again France. They rented a house nearby with their cousins on their dad's side. So we got to hang out with them AND get some childcare while we cleaned, cleaned, cleaned up after the reno (and we snuck out to dinner once). We love that they love markets and dining al fresco and yet again, we scored some wonderful children's books from them. And yes, Madeline allowed Sophie to brush her hair again. And we heard about Eric's plans for a post-A level summer and then what university life might look like this fall. Congrats on your results, Eric, you are such a terrific role model for kindness, athleticism and hard work!

Finding Waldo

Can you spot us at Jack Layton's funeral?

Practical tip: right click on the photo and open it in a new tab so it is larger

Hint: Seb & I are both wearing orange and have hats on.

Prize: the package of gummie bears that melted that day.

Settling in to village life again

It's always wonderful to settle in again. First market, first pain au chocolat, checking out any changes in the village, enjoying long-unseen books, and mostly importantly, catching up with old friends.

Opening Game of the Season

Flash forward to tonight which was the opening game of the street hockey season.

I sang the national anthem. Both sides gave it their best; however, one player (not ours) was sent off for a game misconduct to his father. Sophie even scored two goals. Seb fell asleep covered in goalie sweat - so much for post-match showers...

Getting the renos out of the way

We were really excited to see our home in Issigeac, as every aspect of the ground floor was renovated over the spring. Unfortunately, due to our own delays, it wasn't completed and we spent the first 2/3s of the holiday with no kitchen and never got the dishwasher or sink working... Our brand new bath-tub got a little bit greasy from the dishes.

Nevertheless, we were thrilled, especially with the walls and the lovely door into the garden. I was giddy every morning when I came downstairs. Thanks George and Lorraine for making this possible for us at this point in our lives.

Now we have to rent it out for holidays!

Moving around the UK (Part 1)

We were thrilled to be able to see Katy and Babush and their winning duo, back on leave from Ethiopia - AND - stay with our former boss Wendy in her house in a small hamlet outside Cheltenham in the Cotswolds. We did lots of hanging out, chatting, and preparing food.






But also saw Warwick Castle (think Disney over National Trust) and a working farm.






































What great friends over the years and miles.

It was off to the UK (part 1)

First stop: London to stay in pre-riot/looting Tottenham with Jez and Angela and their 4 year old bright as a button daughter. The big ticket events were the London Zoo (joined by Auntie R) and afternoon tea at Auntie R's lock on Regent's Canal. That also meant a chance to play at the nature reserve next door and Sophie having a chance to have an adventure of her own with Auntie R and spend the night too!


















































































































And yes we did (the now tacky) Platform 9 3/4s.

It all started in Montreal

Our summer holiday. Our romance. My career. My Canadian life.



Way back in mid-July, me fella and me ended Grandparent Camp 2011 with 4 active days in Montreal. We helped my mother clear out some belongings and get a wardrobe boost, saw some friends, ate some mussels, and drank some beer.




Then the children joined us from NB...


















and we all celebrated my dad's life one year after his death by going to the Science Centre, picking up fresh bagels (and being given St Viateur tshirts by the workers), eating a souvlaki, and enjoying each other's company.