A voracious reader

I was just looking through old blog posts and realise that she is a year ahead of where Seb was in reading (though he was being taught in French) - and in wiggly teeth.

The excitement mounts

Not Christmas, no

Not end of school for the holidays

While both are good, the best is

Grandma arrives in 3 more sleeps!

We have her shopping list; kids have been working on some wall art; there's a list of family 'specials' that we want to take to her space (a blanket, a clock, a picture frame, a mug, some board games and cards, etc); mobile phone for Toronto - tick; some family classic movies - selected.

We have done a modest calendar of events for the 3 weeks but also have a long list of 'possibles'. 

Let the fun and snuggles begin!

How to teach siblings to get along

Might go and get me an XXL t-shirt this weekend! It could result in some very funny conversations and a profound lesson learnt.

My UK relatives

Quick nip to the UK to surprise my sis and buy my fashion plate a snazzy shirt

None of us can remember the last time all the cousins were together and we are only 6!

Wedged into the kitchen celebrating my cousin's birthday...

How high can he go?

right to the top

Sebastian opted for a climbing wall birthday party with 11 (!) friends.

going faster

the gang from present & past school + neighbourhood

that girl likes cake

The ever-lovely Carrie joined us

Paying for sunshine and colour

As you might have noted, the blog has gone silent this last 2 weeks. I tried to upload sunny and colourful shots of Soph's party and was told by google that I had hit my maximum storage and would have to pay to upload photos from now on. Well, that put a damper on things and coupled with a lovely but rapid trip to the UK, trying to buy - not once but twice - a new house in the past 2 weeks (and failing brusingly both times), zooming up to see my mother on her birthday, and both parents of this household getting sick in the last week, nothing was going to happen to the blog.

But I am rallying from under the weight of this cold and hope to have the photo issue settled tomorrow.

In the meantime, I will leave you with this scene:

I am lying in bed for the 2nd day with my cold and chills. My blonde ray of sun peeks in the door; coming over to hold my hand, she asks if I want anything. "No" I say, as her eyes light up and she dashes away. 5 minutes later, she enters the room carrying a tray and beaming. She had decided to toast me some raisin bread, smear on some hazelnut butter and pour me some OJ. With the help f her dad, she carried it up the many stairs and to my sick bed. She and I were both so proud.

How the birthday celebrant ended her day

It was a busy day - I mean turning 6, opening presents, eating wonderful treats for breakfast, hosting a dance-karaoke party for 20 friends, going out to eat to celebrate your grandparents' anniversary. Falling asleep at the restaurant on your mum's lap is way better than tears.

Sophie's party

6 X 2!

Karaoke takes concentration

but it gathers a crowd.

Class+

Fuzzy but shows the rock star at her best

and Mr DJ

Me and my gal pal

Sneak peek of a new 6 year old

Off to the 19 kid dance party this afternoon, but first some snaps from this morning

Dad making a special breakfast

and the birthday girl enjoying it!

writing in her new journal at her auntie R's desk

great new outfit but can ditch the new pose...