Trip to the Horse Barns

After yesterday's soccer match we nipped to the HorseBarns down by the Ex. Nothing too special but you can tell the kids are getting excited that their pony days are coming soon! Plus, they got neat mounted police cards to trade (yup, police...).

And BTW, Seb & I decided to call his self-chosen (did I need to say that?) outfit, his 'flora and fauna' combo.

Golden gloves?

I know the country is a bit hockey crazy at the moment but here are some fab shots from Seb's soccer match yesterday. He was in goal during the warm up.

Oh and there you can see the excellent assistant coach.

Belt it out

http://www.toronto.com/article/688336--after-school-opera-sets-t-o-kids-abuzz

This is a program that I have been hoping will interest Sebastian. Maybe this Fall? (and now there is no one related to us in the snap).

I know when I am not wanted

It's 4 in the morning. I am pulling yet another all-nighter for my current contract.

A slumbering Seb lies across the spare bed 'to keep me company'. Sophie is in her room; their dad may well be asleep on the couch. It's hot. Everyone is wearing as little as possible.

Sophie cries out. First a whimper, then a cry. I get up to go to her. Perhaps she wants water. But no, her cry turns into a wail when I perch on her bed and place my hand on her back. Wild-eyed she sits up and cries out: No mama. I want to be alone, and then tosses herself back on the mattress.

I retreat. I know when I am not wanted.

Silence returns to the deep hours of the muggy night.

And the nut was good...

www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jun/07/gruffalo-julia-donaldson-new-children-s-laureate

Have loved each every children's laureate and have yet to discover some of the writing for the older children. Here's to loads more years of exploring children's literature!

Ali, when you are back in T.O. will we have another book club?

We are off to the Railway Children on Thursday. I have to say it is NOT a classic read. But should be amazing on stage - with a moving train! http://www.railwaychildren.ca/

Conversion on the road to Addis

I don`t think anyone who we have introduced to Ethiopian cuisine has not been impressed by it and-or our children`s gusto for it: Uncle Mike, Brighton cousins, Nana & Gramps, and now Grandma.

It`s all thanks to Babush for starting Seb off on a good foot (or tongue) in 2004.

Patio-lolling

We did have 1 or 2 warm afternoons - evenings in May. It was too gorgeous to stay inside at the library, so I bent the rules and let Seb check out an English Tintin book, so we could enjoy a neighborhood patio.

Once upon a trip to Ottawa...

It was fleeting but we did nip up to the capital 10 days ago. We managed a trip to Byward market, a picnic and exploration of the Rideau Hall grounds, a visit with the Cormiers, a delicious supper at ``Gino`s restaurant`` also with the Cormiers, and loads of hide and seek. We also had a great afternoon at the revamped Museum of Nature, which you might recognise from a previous photo shoot (Seb as vet).

The garden is planted and flowers are blooming!

Taking on Grandma for the X & O championship