Family camping (without the kids)

Not everyone would want to camp with 5 other families.

Not many would go family camping without their children...

But this isn't just any group of people; it's the Litter book club gang and they are so fun!

Plus they were so sweet and caring toward Darwin who was on his first camping trip. He did super well, even though he insisted on sleeping between us on the air mattress for the first night.

In his element

If I could give my beloved Grandma one update, it would be that Mr still ain't a handy man
but he is a laundry man and so much more

Grandparent Camp 2017 - first weekend

Yup, it was pretty much like this - sunny days, exploring Toronto (Cherry beach), having fun with the puppy

Seeing how much swimming Darwin was comfortable with - he took his first plunge on Friday - straight into Ros & Marc's pool!

Humber West dog park

And picnicking on fine foods of course

Jeet came a-visiting

Dear Jeet makes every effort to visit us in Toronto every year. This year we got to take her to see Niagara Falls for the first time.

MC-ing the Grove graduation ceremony

Back in October, Sophie told me something that she really really wanted. Something that was out of my hands to make happen. She really wanted to be asked by the Grade 6s to MC their graduation ceremony in June.

Well, lo and behold, about a month ago, her wish came true - and yes, I was one very proud mother. She prepared really hard: contributing to the script, learning her jokes, practicing where to stand and walk, etc. Her co-host was the lovely Julius - a pal since kindergarten and a hilarious Anglophile (Dr Who, anyone?). He came over this weekend for dinner and some more practicing. 

And it all paid off marvellously.

I forgot to take photos so this will have to do...

Principal Wilma in her funky, colourful dress & Sophie's long, lean legs 

The graduates

relaxing afterwards

And that's a wrap

Sophie and her only other Grade 5 gal pals - Zohar & Zaira

School's out at 3:30!

Year-end baking

It's the end of the school year, which seems to entail endless class parties and bake sales and after-school get-togethers. But it was great to see Seb baking - all be it from boxes. Nanaimo bars and salted caramel brownies

and my unicorn biscuits were a hit (and maybe a one-hit wonder given all the work...)

PRIDE 2017

One of the neighbourhood churches

Even Darwin got into the spirit

We had the opportunity to march in the main Pride parade again this year (no, we didn't see Trudeau nor the Grand Marshall - the amazing Kent Monkman - artist who Sophie met and studied).

 We formed a small contingent for the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Seb bought us some plastic vuvuzelas at Dollarama. I think we were the only contingent that had no sequins or glitter! But we waved and cheered and boogied our ways along the parade route (at least I did; the kids were more sedate, even though it was Sophie's idea.)

And when their dad was dropping them off, guess who recognized him - the Premier! So Sophie got her photo opp.

A wild Wednesday

Last Wednesday was a little rough. Everyone wanted a piece of me or 3 and I was frazzled. So I finally bowed to pressure and went here...

as you can imagine, 2 people have been clamouring to try it out for some time

And ate this

and drank tea from that (and water from that other shape) 

With this marvellous creature who cheered me up no end

A new leaf?

So this friend

persuaded me to get a tattoo 

I can still dress up nice and fancy and no one sees it

And it will scrub off by next week.