We LOVE Summer

Supervising the sprinkler.

We have been enjoying these summer days. I am privileged to have the summer free so that I can spend more time with these lovely ladies.

Some highlights of the summer have been F's birthday, R and my museum visits, family trips out of town (Craig's Lake and Presqu'ile), dancing at the JazzFest at an outdoor show, and flying around the bike paths through our beautiful park De La Visitation on our bicycles!

Summer has brought a whole new set of discoveries to F. She loved running through the sprinkler in our friend K's backyard. She understands that it's an outdoor shower and that's how she talks about it.

We have done a lot of swimming so far. The local outdoor pool, Craig's Lake, and the city beach at Parc Jean-Drapeau have been our hang-outs.

Hot days call for sprinklers with minimal dress.

R and I spend one day a week together while F hangs with her buddies a daycare. We start those days at the clinic where I do physiotherapy to rehab my knee after surgery. R loves all the equipment there and tries a lot of it out. Sadly for R but happily for me, my recovery is coming along quickly, so my physiotherapist will probably dump me soon. We spend the rest of those days going to museums.

K and R.

On F's second birthday, we made sure to measure her height since we heard from a forgotten source that a person's adult height is double their height on their second birthday. If that is correct, then, F will be just shy of 6' when she's grown up!

We had a small birthday party with F's Godfather C, his wife K and their two boys in our backyard. 

Enjoy the pictures!

xoxo, S!

F and P. Photo by Uncle A.

R with Aunt J. Photo by Uncle A.

F explains her perspective to Gramps.

F and Gramps

R and T. Buddies. Trying to be zombies.

F meets her Birthday Baby! F has been little mommy ever since.

Birthday Bike!

F supervises the cutting of her cake. Photo by Little R.

Daycare Bday celebration for F!

Celebrating F's bday in the backyard. Photo by Little R.

Exciting Day! F's bday and school's out for R.
Here R has just finished showing us her art work from the year.

This is O working on R's hair at Coupe Bizzarre

Hair Dresser O is AMAZING!

Finishing the do!

F didn't go to Coupe Bizzarre for this cut. I'm pretty proud of my work with my fancy layering scissors.

F at daycare with educator J and friend S

F and S! Daycare Buddies.

F at the playground.

The rails we travel on through the underground.

It's Been Way Too Long!

I've missed blogging about Sweet Pea and Sugar Lump. There's so much to share, I may not be able to catch you up on all the great moments. But I would love to try.

They have both grown and matured by leaps and bounds. They make us laugh and make us wonder. We find these girls so fascinating.

This past year for the girls has gotten more complex socially. R has been through a lot with girls at school, sometimes friends, sometimes enemies (we call them frenemies). But, most of those relationships are now settling and solidifying into good friendships. Little F has learned "Mine!" at daycare and rules like "no pushing! Alessandro!". And, again for F and her toddler friends, many moments are full of compassion and caring. For example, there is a lot of concern over the youngest of their group and each seems to take turns in making sure she's not left behind when they're setting off for the gym or the playground.

These girls sure love each other and are pretty great together.

The videos include 1) R at her violin recital with P accompanying and 2) F playing her violin--still too big--and insisting that P play the piano for her.

With much joy,
enjoy!
S

1. R teaching F how to pose.

2. F tries on her own.

3. F needs R's help getting her foot up for that pose.

4. New composition, worked first try.

A Beautiful Day! Hang out in the church yard after service.

Cropped from the post-recital group photo

Fashion lesson 1. Beaded necklaces with ready head lamp are a must.

Looking good!

Good company and good food!

Laughing at a good joke.