Memories

I've mentioned it before but the kids love to look at their special photo albums. While they were at GLA we received monthly updates and photos. A lot of the months the updates were fairly generic but still gave us a glimpse of life at Kay B. And sometimes Molly and Joyce had time to send detailed updates about the kids. I took all of the updates and photos and made albums for each of the kids. Actually it turned into 2 albums for each of them. Every once in a while, the kids will ask to look at them and pretty soon we see their smiles and hear their laughter.

We all like to hear stories about our past. I'm so thankful to Molly and Joyce and Chris and Melanie for all of their hard work and diligence in providing stories from Peter and Gaëlle's past. It means so much to all of us.

Bundle up

It seems as though the past few years we've had some fairly cold May long weekends, which is otherwise known as Victoria Day weekend. Kaylin assures us it was warm last year so I went to look at my photos and sure enough, we were eating outside on the back deck. Well, this year, it's been cool. But that won't stop us from hitting the beach. We called up some friends and invited ourselves over and had a great afternoon complete with hot chocolate and rock throwing. Brrrr...

Craving hot dogs

Recently, Josh received 2 fake credit cards in the mail and so he gave them to Peter and Gaëlle. They love to pretend that they have debit cards or credit cards and frequently make their own out of paper. So this was well received by them. But Gaëlle had a question.

Gaëlle: I need to know the truth. Is this a real credit card?

Robin: No. It's just pretend.

Gaëlle: Ahhh. I need a real credit card.

Robin: Why? Don't I buy you everything you need?

Gaëlle: You don't buy me hot dogs. I need a credit card to buy hot dogs.

So, we've been having a lot of fun with the hot dog talk lately and how poor Gaëlle has everything she needs in life except hot dogs.

Fast forward to Saturday night. Robin and Joshua went grocery shopping for me and came home laughing about how I would never send them out for groceries again. Then they pulled out this.



Who in their right mind would think a "hot dog" cake would be a big seller? And who in their right mind would buy one? Why my family, of course. I love the website cakewrecks and I think this certainly qualifies.



I mean, the hot dog looks fairly realistic, but the bun... is clearly a slab of pound cake with some icing on it.



We presented it to Gaëlle and Peter on Sunday at lunch. A fun moment.

Graduation

We all set off for the states and Joshua's graduation even though we didn't have the official paper work for Peter and Gaëlle and believe me we tried. But we finally received official permission to allow the kids to enter the US. It didn't quite work out as we had hoped at the border and we had to wait 2 hours for the paperwork to catch up to our official permission, but finally we were in and well on our way.



It was so good to see Josh and take in some of the grad festivities. This would be the official "dessert after the Baccalaureate" event. Yum.



In Nova Scotia we have endured weeks of rainy foggy dreary weather and wouldn't you know it, we were greeted to Virginia's version of rainy foggy dreary weather. It managed to just stay overcast and at times misty during the commencement events which was a blessing as it was all outside.



Over 5000 grads walked in and received their diploma. It really was quite the sight.



It's official. Joshua has graduated. If you look closely you can see Joshua as he receives his diploma.




Then the mad dash as we packed up his belongings from the past 4 years and headed home.



We stopped off in New Jersey for the party house. AKA Grammy and Grampy's house. Peter and Gaëlle actually stayed with my parents instead of driving down the rest of the way to VA. We thought it might be a bit much for them. And they had a great time preparing for the party for Josh.



Peter managed to find the perfect gift for Josh at one of Grammy's hang outs.



Gaëlle was not to be outdone and decided a giant yo-yo would be the best gift a new grad could ever want.



Grammy and Grampy with 5 of their grandchildren.



We also had the chance to stop off at my brother's house on our way home and Peter and Gaëlle met another cousin. The 3 of them had a great time together and Josh managed another family party. Wahoo.



Gaëlle wasn't sure what a hotel was but she was very excited to find out. Big smiles all around.



We knew Peter was excited about staying in a hotel by his incessant questions. It was a big hit even though it was a short stay and no swim in the pool.



We took a brief detour to LLBean and the girls snagged a photo op with the giant boot.



Josh and Peter are really 2 peas in a pod when it comes to food. They love their meat and they love their fast food. Needless to say I think they had more than enough of both on this trip.

Ringlets

Saturday evening was hair night. I took out the old style and loaded it with conditioner and then let it sit until after supper. The water and conditioner just bring out the ringlets in Gaëlle's hair which I think is so adorable. I would love to try this type of style on her but she's just too young and full of activity right now. Her hair would knot up too badly. But every time her hair is loose and free, we all oohhh and aaahhh. At first Peter was horrified and was quite vocal that he didn't like it. I think we're bringing him over to the dark side because even he admits that it's cute.

Mother's Day Recap

Kaylin's creativity at work making a yummy cake with my favorite Snickers candy bar for Mother's Day.



Blessed to be surrounded by my thoughtful and loving kids.



Blessed to have such a supportive caring and generous spouse.



Sunday afternoon spent outside with Robin and the young ones just enjoying a little bit of water and nature.



Gaëlle found this stone several weeks ago and has been saving it for the next time we could go skipping rocks.



Sunday was the day and as she wound up her arm, I thought there was no way it was going to skip. But it's not the perfect rock for nothing. Success. It skipped.



A little tree climbing.



Both kids have completely worn out their sneakers and just got new ones. There's nothing quite like a brand new pair of sneakers to bring a bounce to your step.



I'm not quite sure what Gaëlle was up to with Kaylin but it sure brought lots of laughter. A fun way to end a wonderful day.

Cheese

I haven't taken any pictures lately but I thought I would show my 3 girls with big cheesy smiles. Love them.

Reading corner

Robin is away for work all week. We dropped him off at the airport on Saturday and we talked about how much we would miss Daddy. The kids did great and we had a good day with some fun moments.

However, Sunday morning dawned and the tunes changed. Peter became oh so slightly annoying with behaviour indicating, "I'm here!!!! Notice me!!!" I get it and I do feel for him but it doesn't make it any less annoying.

Gaëlle became oh so defiant. Very determined and very defiant. It continued through today. So I tried to employ a logical consequence. I took all of her toys out of her room; the result of not playing with her toys with respect. She honestly didn't seem to mind the lack of toys, which is ok.



And tonight when we went up to her room I found this; the reading corner. Of course I complimented her on it and said how much I loved it, which of course I do. I also held her like a baby and we rocked and talked and sang. Then she went to bed without a bit of fuss. I rocked and talked and sang with Peter also. He too went to bed without a fuss.

I don't write the above to shame the kids or to show how pathetic I am, but just for a glimpse of some of the struggles the kids go through. They both miss Robin and maybe even feel a bit abandoned or lost. Instead of just saying it, they have to show it.

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