Working and Playing

Robin and the kids are back in NB again. This time they are at Catons Island. Robin is there to volunteer and help with work projects. Peter was also able to help out as the camp currently running is for smaller kids.

Gaëlle was able to participate in some of the activities. 

It's canteen time.

Robin went to Pennfield to drop off some maple syrup. He couldn't leave without some pie. Tonight he baked one of the frozen pies. Strawberry-rhubarb.

The camp ended Wednesday and the staff left for a mini break. Robin and the kids have the island to themselves. Campfire time.

Week in Review

Last Sunday we drove out to Bayside Camp to drop Peter off. It's been a little more tricky this summer finding activities for him. He doesn't mind going to the babysitters, but it really isn't our preference for him. He doesn't get to be very active there. So, I asked if he was interested in Bayside. It's only an hour from our house and even though he didn't know anybody, he was up for it. It was our  first time going out there. It looks like a great set up. The water looked fun anyway.

Friday night was pick up from Bayside Camp. Peter wasn't anxious to have his photo taken but Gaelle and Robin are always willing. There was plenty of ice cream on the back deck when we arrived, so ice cream it was.

While Peter was gone, we made sure Gaëlle wasn't forgotten. One night she went with Robin to a movie and out to eat. Here she is waiting for Kaylin's arrival.

Because Kaylin was taking her out for frozen yogurt. Sister - sister time. 

Saturday night we headed out to our back deck for some hamburgers. Food always tastes better outside.

Then on Sunday, Robin and the kids headed out to Caton's Island. No camp. Just volunteer. Robin is giving a week of labour to the camp. And the kids are just going to be kids on the island. Peter will help out where possible. And Gaëlle will play. At least that's the plan. If she can't control herself, she'll find herself with a shovel volunteering alongside Robin. Prayers for a good week. 

I am grateful for these moments.

We're Smiling

My three daughters are all doing vastly different things this summer. These pictures were all taken this past week.

Kaylin is having a fairly quiet summer. She is working incredibly hard with long shifts. She visits with friends and helps around the house. She blesses us with her smile and yummy treats. I am so proud of her determination to develop life long skills and her love for the elderly.

Emily is travelling around Europe. She is facing difficult challenges and having amazing experiences. We are blessed by her smile and are proud of her as she navigates life thousands of miles away from us.

Gaëlle is growing up before our very eyes. She is developing self control as she faces disappointment and yet still eagerly greets each moment with enthusiasm. We are blessed by her smile and are so proud of her compassion for the suffering she sees around her. 

We are memorizing various Bible verses from the book of John this summer. Tonight as I think of my amazing daughters, I'm praying this verse over them.

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one.    JOHN 17:15

Oh Beulah Land 2014

This year at Beulah Family Camp, they had activities for all ages most afternoons. On Tuesday, Gaëlle and Robin went for a cake decorating class. It looks like the cake has been decorated but lo and behold, the cake decorator extroadinaire has not yet begun. 

When the kids were little, Robin decorated all of the cakes. He is artistic and actually had some very clever cakes. So there's no way he could sit by and allow the decorating to be finished. 

He got in the act. 

It was Grandma Cindy's birthday, so this special cake was going to be given to her. 

They had some beautiful weather and it looks like there is a beach outing in the works.

This was Grandma Cindy's first experience with Beulah at Family Camp. I think she enjoyed it. We certainly loved getting to know her. 

 A rare group photo. 

The last Friday of camp, the VBS kids sang a song for us all. 

It's hard to get a good photo but I think you can tell by the smiles, that there was a lot of excitement about singing for the crowd. 

Jersey Shore

We took a trip to the Jersey Shore and the weather was perfect but the water was cold. 

You can see there is a little hesitation getting in. But they did go in and the boys managed to stay in for a while throughout the day. 

My parents had some beach toys so the kids had fun digging.

And digging and burying. 

I didn't get a lot of cooperation with picture taking on this day. 

But you can tell form the smiles, that they had fun. 

We ended our last night by going to a high end mall. The Short Hills Mall has stores ranging from normal department stores like Macy's to exclusive stores like Dior and Gucci. The 4 of us who went enjoyed window shopping and just walking around. 

Our very last excursion was to a buffet for lunch. Needless to say, Peter did a little fist bump when he heard we were going to The Habachi Grill and Buffet. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of his joy but he was happy to be there.

We all enjoyed it and hated to leave. But with full stomachs, we headed back to Canada. It was a great visit once again and I'm so thankful the details all worked out so we could go and connect again. 

New York City & New Jersey Suburban

Josh joined us for the weekend and it was so great to see him. The 3 of us haven't seen him since Christmas. The excitement getting on the train was pretty high.

Again, riding the train was pretty high up on Gaëlle's list of things to do.

Ellen wanted to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and so that was the plan for the day. Peter loves art and was excited and Gaëlle just wanted to be with the group.

The Egyptian display is always a hit.

Another photo opportunity. The Impressionist Art is fairly easy to recognize so Gaëlle wanted her picture taken with one by Van Gogh.

Dad and Treena went on a bus tour around the city. We ate our lunch of the steps of the Met and watched many buses go past. It was a beautiful day and I think I would enjoy a bus tour if there was a guide who could tell more than the name of a building but could also share some history and unique points of interest. 

It was a gorgeous day.

I love to see artists around the museum. This man seemed too good to be true. When he asked me if I wanted to buy his drawing, I wondered if he was a scam artist. I googled him and lots of people have taken photos of the same man with the same sketch occasionally using the pencil for a little shading. But who knows.

The rooftop garden is worth the visit. 

This was probably the craziest thing I saw. We were in one of the Ancient Asian displays and there was a stuffed deer with glass bubbles glued on. This was created in 2011. Hardly ancient Asian. 

Around 3:00 we split our group into 2. Gaëlle had a bit of luck and found $20 on the floor of the museum. I wanted to stop at American Girl Place but didn't want to overwhelm her. She was anxious to spend her money and happy to see AG dolls in all their boxed glory. 

I was completely impressed by her. The place was packed and she enjoyed looking but she didn't ask me to buy her anything. And believe me, every other girl in there was raking in the AG trinkets. She was just so pleased to be able to spend her own money. She came away with a movie; Molly and she was truly pleased with her purchase. 

I don't know if you can tell but this is a Joe Fresh store. On 5th Avenue. Joe Fresh is a grocery store brand here in Canada. I found it kind of funny.

We happened upon a street fair where Gaëlle was able to spend the rest of her money buying a bracelet for Ellen. A happy Canadian/Haitian Girl. If I ever get my act together she will even be an American Girl. 

Ruth took the rest of the crew to China Town. They had a great time and came home with some dragon fruit and lychee fruit. After all, that is Ellen's favourite. 

The weather was perfect the whole time we were there. Sunday we went to church with my parents. This is the whole group.

The kids had a lot of fun playing games with each other. I don't even know what they are doing here but you can see they are pretty intent.

My dad BBQ'd and the pork chops were very good. Peter of course, ate and ate. But even Gaëlle who only asked for a little bit, ended up eating 1 1/2 pork chops. Very tasty. 

We spent some time in the afternoon at the Watchung Reservation. An enterprising young lady was selling lemonade and cookies for only 25 cents each. Josh took off late afternoon but I'm so glad he was able to make it and spend some time with us. 

 We all gathered round for some MOLLY movie time. Look who is smiling? She is pretty happy with herself.

The kids loved the Crokinol board game and spent the entire evening laughing and fighting it out.