Springtime School Fun

Wow, what a busy time of year!!  The kids are doing so much at school...here's a peek!

 

In May, Ben's class was learning dances from Chile in gym class.  Parents were invited in to watch, and it was super cute getting to see Ben dancing with his friend.

 

Nathalie's class was learning about nutrition and how to keep our bodies healthy.  They took a field trip to the grocery store to see how the food gets to us once it is grown.  The man from the store that gave the tour was great, and he asked lots of questions...and got lots of great 4 year old responses!  :)

In late May, Ben's school hosted the Penny Carnival once again.  I spent the day helping to get the event set up, so it was nice when the family arrived to switch gears and enjoy!  Sack races, bouncy slides, cake walk, games, prizes, food, friends...and great weather!  Couldn't ask for a better way to spend a Friday night.  And, for the record, Nathalie enjoyed herself much more than this clown photo lets on...



Also at the end of May was Ben's Grade 1 assembly.  All of the grade 1 classes came together and worked on a play and music in French and Spanish.  The theme was "jungle", so there were grass skirts, animal masks, "Hakuna Matata", and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".  Ben had a speaking part in the play, and he was amazing!  Do we have an actor in our future??  :)  It was also a sad day...one of Ben's classmates was moving away.  After the school day was done, we went to a park to spend more time together.  Ben cried while saying goodbye...what a sweet friendship.

 

Nathalie's class has moved on from food to talk about SUMMER!  Here is our beach babe...

 

 

Another Year Older

Happy 36th to me!  My birthday fell on a Thursday, so most of the day was spent just plugging through our regular routine.  However, after dropping Nathalie off at preschool, I snuck away to the farmer's market for a few hours of "me" time...latte, croissant, and reading a good book.   It was even a cool and rainy morning, which I love.  I know...I'm crazy. 

 

After dinner, Greg and the kids surprised me with some Crave cupcakes and gifts.  Ben was worried at first that we didn't have a 6 candle, but he quickly improvised by turning the 9 upside down (hence the reason I'm holding the candles and the 6 is not lit).  :)   I got two wonderful new books, and lots of hugs and kisses, so it was a great day!

 

That weekend, Greg and I enjoyed a belated birthday dinner at Ox & Angela, a yummy tapas restaurant that we had visited during our house-hunting trip about 18 months ago.  It was a beautiful night, so after dinner we walked and talked and then stopped off at a coffee shop for a latte.  36 is going to be a great year!!

Because She is So Special

We have loved Nathalie's preschool this year...her teacher, Mrs. Jenn, is fantastic!  She was so sweet to honor all of us mothers with a Mother's Day Tea on the Thursday before Mother's Day.  That meant tea and snacks, manicures, paintings, and more.  Nathalie loved getting to paint my nails, her nails, and even her other teacher, Miss Amy's, nails!  My heart was full to read that Nathalie loves her mother "because she is so special".  Awww.....

 

Sunday arrived, and I was showered with more love and goodies.  Beautiful cards and a gorgeous new knife set!  Ben had made some magnets and a card at school and already shared them with me on Friday when he got home...he couldn't wait!  :)  We went to church, and then Greg surprised me with breakfast out at a fun new spot...Red's Diner.  Cute little restaurant, super friendly staff, and tasty food!  I am one lucky mama!

 





Chicago, Here We Come!

On Friday, May 2, we all got up bright and early for Greg and Nathalie to drive Ben and me to the airport.  I was hosting a bridal shower in Chicago the next day and had planned just to make the quick trip myself.  Grandparents had other ideas and thought it best that at least one grandkid needed to come along (smiles), and so here we are...all checked in, through security, and with Starbucks latte and muffin in hand...waiting for our 8 a.m. flight.

 

The flight went well, lots of reading and playing Angry Birds.  :)  Mom Z picked us up for the airport...it was SO GOOD to see her!!  I had warned Ben about "happy tears" earlier in the day, just in case GreeMa had a few upon seeing her little man.  It felt good to be "home"; Ben and I haven't been back to Chicago since we moved to Calgary almost 18 months ago.  Mom Z had the perfect idea for lunch...Richard Walker's pancakes!!  Yum!  We drove by the old house...looks pretty much the same.  Then we ran a few errands and drove back to see Mom and Dad Z's new home and play with "the girls"...Mia and Mischa. 

That night, we went to see the bride and groom to-be!  I had brought my dress for the wedding, and Betsy had hers at home, so we had a little "dress rehearsal" since neither of us had seen the other dress in person.  Lovely!  Betsy and Marc were kind to honor my request of Lou's deep-dish for dinner...can't get pizza like that in Calgary!  And then I was showered with early birthday gifts, early wedding thank you gifts, and more.  A happy belly (from the pizza), and a happy heart (from such a sweet time with dear friends).  Cannot wait to repay the favor to Betsy in the morning at the shower!



Saturday morning - and Dad Z was on "PeePaw" duty, as he and Ben played at the park, walked the dogs, etc.  Mom Z and I finished up some last minute shower gift prep, and then headed out to Cooper's Hawk restaurant for the shower.  Betsy's mom was my shower co-host, and she had outdone herself with the decorations and flowers!!  It was a small shower with family and close friends, and I think we laughed nearly the whole time...except when we were crying.  :)  It was a truly special time celebrating Betsy (and Marc), and I am so grateful for their friendship.  Now we can't wait for the big day!!

Mom and Dad Z graciously agreed to take care of Ben that evening so I could enjoy dinner with a few more dear friends, Fran and Helena.  I wish I had a picture to share of time with my gals, but it was rich and deep and just what my soul needed.  While we have settled nicely into Calgary and I have made some wonderful new friends, it's a gift to spend time with people who really KNOW you. 

Our busy itinerary continued on Sunday morning with Mom Z, Ben, and me getting on the road to head south to Towanda for a visit with the Shipley side of the family.  Grandma was visiting from California, so that was icing on the cake!  Ben enjoyed puzzles with her, picking asparagus with Paw Paw, riding the John Deere around the yard, and big hugs from Aunt Stacie.  We also got to see my cousins Di and Megan.  The time went too fast, as always, but it was good to be together, talk, and relax.  Thanks for hosting us, Dad and Sherry, and can't wait to see you in Canada in September! 

 

We drove from Towanda to Chicago to visit Jon, Kristin, and Penny Pup in their new home.  They had just returned (literally a few hours before) from a trip to South Africa.  Their new home is beautiful, and it was great to hear stories and see some photos from their trip.  We enjoyed dinner, and then wrapped it up as we had been on the road all day and still had a bit to go to get back to Mom and Dad Z's house...and they were on Africa time and exhausted!

 

On Monday morning, we drove to Nick and Megan's house to visit with them and meet baby Kaelyn!  She is 9 months old now, and I was a bit worried that she would be out of the phase of letting a complete stranger hold her.  But, Aunt Stephanie got lucky with some sweet snuggles before naptime.  :)  It was great catching up with Nick and Megan, and I loved getting to see the big girl that Brooklyn has become!


Back home to Mom and Dad Z's for a little lunch before packing up and heading out to the airport.  It was so hard to say goodbye.  Wish we would have had more time together...to just sit and drink some coffee in the spring Chicago sun.  Mom and Dad Z - we always love the time we spend with you.  Thank you for being our hotel, our drivers, our cooks, and taking such good care of us.  (And Dad Z, thanks for still loving me even though I locked you out of the house!)  Ben and I are so lucky, and we are all counting the days until the end of June when we get to see you again and can repay the favors!  We love you, and thanks to all our family and friends for such an amazing visit to our true "HOME"!