Snow Day

We had a really good snowfall two weeks ago. It was the second snow of the season but was the first powdery, heavy fall so it was perfect to play in. Maya claims we've never built a snowman before (even though I'm sure we have at some point in her life) so we built this guy. We didn't make arms for him, but he's still pretty cute.

The dogs LOVE playing in the snow. Often when we let them out of their area (on the west side of the house) they go bolting around the back and up to the other side of the house and then back again. With the snow on the ground they kept on doing that over and over. It so cute to see them enjoy running through the snow.

 I love this picture of Lucy skidding and sending snow spraying as she rounded the corner.

Halloween

Maya, dressed as Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean, went trick-or-treating with Luke (AKA Harry Potter) and Annabelle (AKA Hermione) this year. They had a lot of fun together and thought it was extra exciting that Maya got to be in charge for part of the time and they could go without an adult.

Keeping with the pirate theme, Maya carved a pirate pumpkin with an eye patch and I decided to go for a spooky looking Jack-o-lantern. Maya chose the largest pumpkin she could find - this guy is about the size of a large beach ball. We were a little unorganized for Halloween this year so Josh didn't manage to get his pumpkin carved.

My favourites are the 4 little pumpkins that Maya drew faces on and named after her 4 favourite characters from the Books of Bayern series that she is reading.

Later in the evening we went to trick-or-treat at Mum's house and were surprised to run into Batman there. Really, not every day I see my Dad dressed up!

We also ran into Kate and a couple of Maya's friends so Maya went out with them for about another hour. She got in a lot of candy collecting time this year! The funny thing is she doesn't like a lot of the candy and she wants to be healthier so she's only eaten a very small amount of her stash. And - believe it or not - I haven't eaten any of her candy either!

Cupcake Decorator

Maya recently became very interested in decorating cupcakes. She watched several You Tube videos on cute cupcake ideas and has a list of them she wants to make for different events throughout the year. She could use some better decorating equipment, but these sunflower cupcakes are the first design she made.

 

Mum's 64th Birthday

We had the pleasure of Mum and Dad's company for dinner on Mum's 64th birthday. Isn't she beautiful? I am very blessed to have such a wonderful mother who is willing to do anything for anyone. I love you, Mum!

Josh's 30th Birthday

Our Josh is growing up. He celebrated his 30th birthday this year. Maya made him a "Candy Card." She chose the candy and message herself. It says: You may be a nerd, but I still think that you should be in New York on Broadway. Hugs and Kisses, Maya.

When Corinne was in Australia the last time she took some beautiful photos of Australian landmarks and scenery. Josh loves them and she gave us some of the prints so for Josh's birthday I got them all framed. We have yet to actually get them on the walls, but I think that's on the to-do list today! Our house is kind of a shrine for Australia, but I guess that's okay - we do love our Aus!

We celebrated the end of Josh's roaring 20's by having a "How to Host a Murder" party set in the 20's. It was a lot of fun dressing up and having some friends over. I won't tell you who the murderer was, but you better be careful when you come to our house in the future! Josh was a gambler and bootlegger and he won the Oscar for best performance.

Maya and Kate didn't have a role in the night, but they dressed up and helped out with serving dinner. They spent the rest of the evening having their own little party downstairs. I bought the red, red lipstick that the girls are wearing to go along with my costume but after Maya borrowed it she lost it and I didn't get to use it! It showed up a few days later but I don't see myself having a lot of use for it in the near future.

Our jazz/illegal bootleg club:

Maya's New Bike

It was time for Maya to get a full-sized bike this summer. She spotted one that she loved (blue - her favourite color) when we were shopping for a new washing machine at RC Willey. The only problem was that we had to put it together and the instructions were terrible. Maya was rather skeptical of Josh's ability but we got there in the end and only had to ask Mark for help with one thing!

First Day of 6th Grade

Maya started school this week. She is going to a charter school (a school that is publicly funded but privately run) that includes grades kindergarten through 9th. Grades 6 to 9 make up the junior high part of the school which is in a different hall from the elementary part of the school and has a different lunch schedule, so they don't mix with the younger kids.

In junior high Maya has seven different classes/teachers through the day, so it's a big adjustment for her, especially after doing home school last year! So far she loves her Musical Theater and English classes. She is also taking French but since that class is an elective it's a mixed class with kids from all junior high grades. I have a few concerns about that. Actually, my biggest concern about her taking French at school is that it will make her hate French! I don't have a lot of love for language teaching in schools here but we'll see how it goes. What I want to do is get a French au pair who will teach Maya (and me and Josh) at home. Someday...

There will definitely be some adjustments for Maya as she gets used to a heavier workload than she had at home, but I am impressed with her efforts and desire to do her best (mixed in with meltdowns that it is too hard and she hates school, of course). Math is a subject that she struggles with so she asked me to go over the upcoming lesson at home with her the day before so she is prepared for the lesson in class. That's determination!

One of my favourite things about Maya is that she is a very kind person. She is already making new friends. We carpool to and from school with our neighbours and Maya also has at least one class with each of them.

Father's Day 2012

For Father's Day this year we had breakfast on the deck. It was a lovely sunny morning and Maya and I even cooked the pancakes outside on the barbecue's stove. Pancakes are a favourite in our house and with strawberries and cream they are extra tasty.

Josh got a long-awaited-and-very-much-hoped-for-but-didn't-realistically-think-he'd-get iPad. We are very happy for him to have this new toy and to see the joy it brings him! Maya was begging to use it all day and I am pretty sure she and I will have some fun on it. Josh just bought the Ticket to Ride game for the iPad tonight and I'm sure I'll be the one who plays that the most.

This is my favourite picture of the day - it is Maya preparing to give Josh a Wet Willy while Josh is on his iPad (he got a cover/stand for it the next day so he doesn't normally have to prop it up on things). Since Josh taught Maya about Wet Willies I think it is fair that he is the victim of them from time to time!

We love Josh for all he is and all he does for our family.

Pottery Making

Maya enjoying the pottering making set that she got from Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas.

The finished product.

Maya Turns 11

Maya generally does not like the idea of getting older because Josh keeps telling her the new jobs she'll have to do each time she turns a year older. Despite that, she was really excited for her birthday this year. As usual, she was super excited to get some new American Girl outfits. Thanks Grandma Maureen and Poppy!

We've been enjoying reading American Girl mystery books lately, so she got a couple of those this year that aren't available at our library - one about Josefina and one about Felicity.

Maya has been wanting a remote control helicopter for a while now. She was very happy to get one this year. Unfortunately, it didn't survive the day. Those things really need to be more durable! Or I guess we should have paid more attention to the 14+ age recommendation on the box. Maybe we'll try one again when she's older.

Kate and her very generous mother (and brother and sister) gave Maya a ticket to see the musical Wicked with Sara and Kate this summer. I loved her reaction.

 I think the girls will love the musical and they'll love seeing it together.

Mum and Dad also got Maya something she has been wanting for a while - Chocolate Chip. That is the name of this dog that is, yes, an American Girl toy!