This little runner of ours

Over the last 6 weeks, Sophie trained and trained - dashing in and out of the rain drops that this Spring flung at her. Last week Gramps took her to her school's track & field event. And it rained some more. No sunburn this year and no medal either, as she was pipped at the post in the 800m. But she had such great spirit and fitness!! Our braveheart gal.

They love to bake

Like father, like daughter

Rays of light in our lives

Focused on homework, I even verified!!

And then he was 50

Yup. Last week, my love celebrated 5-0. Since he had to work in the evening (....) we headed off the previous night for a lovely dinner with Kelly, Jeannie & David. The conversation was fun, the comments were kind, the gifts spot-on (a playlist of hits through the decades to which one can run!)  - and the food was delicious.

Then on the day, the kids brought him breakfast in bed and he opened some presents (a Habs fleece and an Expos cap). After some lounging on his porch lounger, Jeet & I took him out for some very yummy beer and lunch - and a few more presents (including a gift certificate from Jeet for a tour of some local breweries). He came home, showered and changed but just before he left, I gave him the promissory note (and craft project) of a gas fireplace - for further lounging extravagance.

Family Date Night #5

Sophie had had a very busy week and requested that we break the rules and do date night at home. With a visiting Aunt Jeet, we pledged not to look at screens or to drift away from the common activity and gave it a try. 

So date night #5 was Harry Potter trivia, with some (ginger) beer and vegan cupcakes.

I can't remember who won.

Our racers

Part birthday present to her dad; part prep for her own track & field tournament, these 2 did the MEC 5 and 10 km races

"Before" shot

"After" shot - with Mr 50 minus a day lamenting  that he would have won his category had it been "tomorrow"

"Daughter laughing at father's poor selfie skills" shot

Last weekend - she wrapped it up

Girl has been attending a monthly Girls in STEM program at U of T. They do a full day workshop in May and so she and Sidonie spent the day with a range of career scientists, all women.

I bribed her to ask a question about a possible career in science. It went something like this:
"My mum says that I am very observant. I can't imagine standing around and looking at worms for hours and days [key note was a biologist who uses worms as study sample in her world-renowned lab]. How else might I use my observation skills for a career in science?"

Her favourite session was "how to network" - the most interpersonal session one could choose! I don't see her peering down a microscope or mixing formulas. But you never know. 11 is very far from 30!

Young script writer at work

The last unit in ESA Grade 9 drama is ancient Greek theatre. After doing some historical & technical lessons, each student has to submit a 12 min play. The teacher shortlists 6 and the students chose 2 to stage in mid-June. Seb has taken to it like a duck to water: researching, drafting, voicing it, timing it, revising it, commenting on the work of classmates, taking on board feedback. He just doesn't quite want to turn Achilles into a woman - which what his teacher and several of us think would modernize the play. I hope to share it with you as it really plays to his strengths of oral communication, short bursts of writing, vivid and evocative language, and all about Greek mythology!! And he sweetly has set it on the island we visited 2 years ago,

Blooming marvellously

Despite late planting, the flowers are coming up beautifully. The tulips are so vibrant and stoic. We had one lonely daffodil and the hyacinths smell divine - even as they get swallowed by the other greenery that is much taller than them!

But nothing compares for our adored neighbouring tree this time of year!

UPDATE: A week later and up popped these dark beauties

Taste of the future

Sophie and her classmates jetted off (okay, school-bused off) to a great 4 days of outdoor adventures yesterday. She took not one, not two, but three bags with her - and still carried her lunch bag separately! Our gal was super-excited. So excited that she packed her bag 5 days in advance and forgot her toothbrush on the day!!

Part of the early morning send-off crew

 

More of the send-off squad - the parents who contribute so much to make the Grove all that it is