Throwback Monday

Today Leila was supposed to bring a baby picture to school. I'm not even sure what it was for, but since I didn't have any with us in Hong Kong I made a trip to the photo place in our mall and printed this one for her to take. 

Aahh! What a cute baby... I just want to kiss those little cheeks! Why do they have to grow up so fast on me? We just found out this weekend that one of those little bottom teeth that you see in her smile is very wiggly. I think the tooth fairy will be visiting soon. Sniff...

 And while I was digging through old photos I came across this one and had to print a copy of it as well. My little snow babies! :) That winter we discovered that they were happy as ever being pulled in a sled so we took lots of walks around the neighborhood or on the ice rink with this arrangement. I thought maybe Leila's teacher and classmates would be interested in this photo. I'm sure most of her buddies have never even seen snow!

Feeling Inspired...

Today was a grade 1-3 family picnic at Inspiration Lake. So that meant Annika's grade 2 class and Mike's grade 3 class both went, while Leila and the rest of the preparatory class had an empty school to themselves. It was a beautiful and hot day and I was glad I could go along. Also, I don't think Mike has ever been able to go on a field trip with the girls, although it's not like he doesn't go on his fair share of field trips! It was nice that he didn't have a lot of responsibilities and could hang out with us a bit- there really was no agenda for the day. 

A picnic lunch on actual grass!

The teachers had brought some parachute games and some balls for kids to play with. For some reason the parachute teachers were having trouble attracting kids, so Annika and I joined in for a while. 

And then at noon there was a much-anticipated "nature hike" led by Mr. G.  It was pretty much just a walk around the lake. But that was good because I spent most of last year just in the playground with the girls and hadn't had a chance to explore. It wasn't exactly vigorous, but it was very hot and sweaty and we were all tired by the end. 

Okay, this picture shows some of the beautiful scenery at Inspiration Lake. But see the student way off on the right side wearing PANTS? Those are the P.E. sweatpants that go with the "winter" uniform. There was a handful of kids wearing them today. It was a high of 30 degrees! It's cooled down from August temperatures for sure, but it was probably hotter than any of the days we experience in Alberta this summer with the added humidity! I just couldn't imagine why these children would have been dressed in thick sweatpants. Was there a worry that they could possibly be cold? No really, I wish I could find out if that was an actual concern. Or was it more to protect against the sun's harmful rays and against insect bites. Who knows, but I felt sorry for them. 

Mr. Janzen and his tag-a-longs

A waterfall!

It definitely "inspired" us to think about returning with Grandma and Grandpa Janzen. You can even rent paddle boats and bikes. Can't wait!

Seven!!!

 Time for another roundup of this year's pictures of Annika. I didn't have time to put this together on her birthday, but this year Annika actually remembered and reminded me ("I want to do that thing where you ask me what my favorite things are"). So here goes...

Shanghai, China

 Favorite food: Subway sandwiches (from Subway or it's also what she calls buns with meat, cheese and lettuce which is what I often put in her school lunch).
Favorite book: Cara the Camp Fairy (just got it for her birthday)
Favorite TV show: Jake and the Neverland Pirates (no surprise there!)

 Favorite holiday: Christmas, Easter and Canada Day
Favorite school subject: Christian Ethics
Favorite place: Disneyland
Favorite animal: swift fox

 What do you want to be when you grow up?: Librarian
Favorite restaurant: McDonalds

Birthday party fun

More birthday party fun with a classmate.

 Favorite friends: Audrey, Gigi, Yurino
Favorite season: Autumn
Favorite sport: Swimming
Favorite movie: Cinderella

I think this was the "year of the teeth" as her smile looked different month to month.

Life is good!

Favorite color: Orange and Purple
Favorite flower: Lily

ST-RIKE! (if only)

New and improved skills this year: whistling, shoe-tying, monkey bars, bowling, swimming, jump rope skipping

With Leila on a class field trip to the history museum.

Favorite wedding: Auntie Leanne and Uncle Michael, of course!:)

Dancin' Janzens

A happy camper!

Annika, we love your zest for life! You bring us so much joy! Happy Birthday... we LOVE you! XO