Posts

Sabrina and Daniel are here

Image
 Even if it is just for a couple of days, it was so great to have Sab and Daniel stay with us.  Love having them around.  Sophia and Sab baked a chocolate cake (and shopped for the ingredients).  And we all went to Richmond to have dinner with Mama.  Hopefully we will see them again soon.

First weeks of school

Image
This is Sophia writing and I go by the pronounce She/Her. I go to Stratfordhall school, and have started Grade Six 2 weeks ago. This is my first time being in a class in the MYP. I've been there on many occasions, but have not really gotten to know the building. I am getting to know its secrets fast, like the not so secret stair case from the gym to the first/second floor. On the first week of school, it was the Orientation week. My fellow classmates and I got to know the new routine of Grade six. Can you believe we aren't allowed to talk at lunch?! And we only have 1 recess! Though many things are different, grade six has been pretty awesome. On the Monday of my second week of school, we went to Camp Sasamat. I have gone there before in Grade 5, but the new students hadn't. It was fun to relive that special and fun experience. Also, by the way, the food there is delicious. At the end of the day at camp Sasamat, we play what they call a Wide Game. This game involves the who...

Grade 6

Image
Wow!  Grade 6!  I can hardly believe Sophia is in middle school this year.  Her years in the primary program has just flown by.  She's been fortunate to have had wonderful teachers that she liked very much (Ms. Minichiello, Ms. Ottohal, Ms. Moriarty, Ms. Todd, Ms. Takeda) and who gave her such great support and encouragement each year.  Sophia started as a shy girl who was afraid to speak up but by Grade 5, she had come out of her shell, become more self-confident, and let her personality shine through. We've enjoyed watching her grow and support her as best we can.  My daily reminders to her are do your best, be kind, be you.  She makes us proud!

Camping at Alice Lake

Image
I win a gold star for taking Gabi and Sophia camping on my own (no Ed!) to Alice Lake.  We stayed two nights/three days and the girls were very helpful setting up camp, washing dishes after every meal, and packing up on our last day.  In between doing chores, they rode their bikes, played in the woods, and talked endlessly.  They have been friends since they were toddlers and have such a special bond.  On the second day, Gabi's mom and sister joined us for the day.  We went for a hike around Stump Lake and stopped by Cheekye river.  The girls took their bikes to the bike playground.  After dinner, Sophie even went for a dip in the lake. All in all a very fun trip.  I'm proud to know I can handle being the only adult in a camping trip!  

Ha Ling Peak

Image
 We climbed up a mountain.  Literally!  During our visit to Alberta, Je, Sabrina, Daniel, Ed, Sophia and I hiked the Ha Ling trail.  It was steep and quite the cardio challenge.  It took us 2.5 hours to trek the 6,500 foot elevation gain, with lots of rests along the way (had to take tons of pictures of the view).  It felt soooo good to get to the top and see the magnificence of the Rockies from that vantage point.  It was amazing!  I'm so proud of all of us for making it all the way to the top and back down, and being able to walk fine the next day.  

Start!

We've been enjoying watching the Tokyo Olympics.  It's great to see these top-level athletes compete but it's also really sad to see the stands empty.  When is this pandemic going to end??? Olympic highlights:  Canadian women swim team doing so well (Penny, Maggie Mac Neil, Kayla Sanchez), watching archery for the first time (it's very exciting), Tom Daley knitting while watching the diving competition, the youngsters in skate boarding, Damian Warner in the decathlon, and Andre De Grasse winning medals.  And Toyota had ad during the Tokyo Olympics broadcast: You don't need to be amazing to start but you need to start to be amazing.

Wigs for Kids, take 2

Image
For the second time in her life, Sophia is donating her hair to the Wigs for Kids BC, an organization that provides a free wig for every BC child that needs one.  The first time she donated her hair was in June 2017, towards the end of Grade 1. June 2017     Last year, at the start of the pandemic, Sophia's hair went to a little bit below her shoulders.  She had it trimmed once during the pandemic and by July 2021, her hair had gotten quite long.  March 2020 July 2021  I asked her if she would be interested in donating her hair again since her ponytail was longer than 10 inches already (the minimum length for donations).  Sophia readily agreed and today, we went to our hair stylist for the big cut.   12" pig tails "It feels so light!" I am so proud of you, Sophia.  You are always willing to help and share whatever you can to those in need. Your generosity and kindness is inspiring and admirable.  And, you look great with short hair! ...