Making do

Our stove had a small gas leak and was out of commission for a few days. So we had to make do with other approaches. We used the microwave, slow cooker and BBQ (when it didn't rain). You can tell that dawg was hoping for some spillage. Happy to say that all is fixed now and we may even may cookies this afternoon.

Our darling dawg meets our caring Carrie

Carrie gave him a stuffing-free toy. Looks like a road-kill squirrel...

Gals on the red carpet

Last weekend at TIFF Kids, Sophie and her pal "owned the red carpet" - or something

A little workout on her commute

She is really enjoying the new streetcars

Me and my gal

Swallows & Amazons forever

Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons series has left a lasting impression on now 3 generations of my family. My father remembered hearing it as a radio adaptation in the '30s. My sister and I and our  cousins read all - or most - of the 12 books in our childhoods. And our children have listened to many of the tales too, however dated the language. One winter, Auntie R recorded Winter Holiday for us and we listened to her reading each chapter as we drove to ski lessons. There's something captivating about the tale of children being allowed the run of a lake on small boats with lots of cake and adventures along the way. Better drowned than duffers. That said, it's the anti-thesis of Lord of the Flies. And then there is the connection to the Norfolk Broads in the later books to boot.

A few years back, we were thrilled to hear that a new film of Swallows and Amazons was underway. We saw the promotional posters in the UK last summer but sadly, it opened after we had left. So you can imagine how happy we were to discover that it had been booked for the TIFF Kids!

Sunday, we traipsed off and were magicked away by the plot (even with some added elements at which the purists amongst us sniffed), acting, scenery and cinematography. Sophie practically squealed at the opening credits. We all cheered "Swallows forever" (not Amazons sadly) at the end and voted for it as the best movie of the festival.

Only wish that more of the family could have been with us. And some day, we will take the children to the Lake District; perhaps they will even sail us around for a bit. 

The less traditional parts of Easter weekend

1. 4 movies at TIFF Kids - despite the mostly sunny weather

2. 1 afternoon at digiplayspace - despite the sunshine

Just when I start to think that these two are falling into the "girly trap", they do something like this!

3. an afternoon at Ontario's provincial robotics tournament - it was at least pouring with rain when we drove there

The playing field

The most colourful team (costumes, cooperation, team spirit, community outreach etc. all get prizes)

Live music - a first, we were told

amazingly decorated tuba

more of the equipment for the Steampunk-themed challenge

My pal Ros - whose hubby has been judging for the last decade. Finally both of their kids (Grades 9 7 11) are competing and Celeste won a leadership award!

one of my dates - who of course started to dream up how his Arts school could get a team - or at least partner with another school - or at the very least be a feeder to another school's team

4. two thrilling Habs games (when it was at least dark outside)

The more traditional parts of Easter weekend

Dinner with friends

walking pooch in lovely sunny weather

and eating chocolate

Sign of Spring

My bike finally is attached to the bought in Amsterdam in 2013 basket

Promo boy

Our boy is being used as the rock-climbing promo kid!

You can see it here. Too bad our duo are shifting to a different centre this session.  

Get ready for some great snaps of an awesome gal

She went to a classmate's birthday party last weekend and came home with these lovely photos from the Photo Booth session.

I know him well

Let's just say that my love was happy with what I brought him from Nairobi

Nairobi, you have my heart

Had the gorgeous pleasure of being in Nairobi for a week of work. The weather was gorgeous; the coffee ever so good; and I just can't rapsidise enough about fresh passion juice... 
But the best part was catching up with friends.

The lovely Lee-Anne - who I met in my first year in Vancouver and now carries on where I left off living in Nairobi

Saturday I got to lunch - at the Muthaiga Club no less - with Cathi Flowers, Margaret Shava - and the ever so grown up and elegant Malesi Shava (22!!) I wept with joy and fond memories.

Dawg

Here are some snaps of our new pooch. I was away for a week and that was just enough time for Sophie to learn how to deal with his nippiness and for Mr. to become smitten.

Darling Darwin

He can go off leash in the back space and loves to tear around chasing a tennis ball or attacking a big - for him - soccer ball

He is learning to sit; sleeps through the night; often fetches and returns a ball; eats well; naps 3 times/day; and hasn't had an accident in the house for 4 days (fingers crossed). My co-parent thinks we may have a "gifted" dog because he is also getting the hang of ringing the bells hung off the back door, which lead to us scooping him and taking him outside. Personally I think he just wants to see us rush around and then he gets to play outdoors!