Carnival Time!

Miranda had her first dentist appointment this weekend (Saturday), just in time to show off those pearly whites at the Children's Carnival (Sunday). She very heroically sat at the front gate with me this morning, selling tickets to the Carnival, while other kids went on pony rides, went wild in the bouncy castle, and had their faces painted. Steve rescued her half way through my volunteer shift and whisked her away to a world of diversions and delights. Aaaaaah! (Photo Credit: Dr. Ho)

Flash-Dance

As my camera clicked to catch Miranda getting dressed for her first ballet lesson, I was flashing back to all the arts I dabbled in as a child (well, maybe more like bumbled in--albeit happily, and no doubt developing the same talents I use daily in my work as an English teacher): theatre group, figure skating, watercolour painting, classical guitar, piano...and probably more that I don't remember. No doubt the best lesson is that you don't have to be super-talented (although how can I doubt that my child WILL be?!) to have fun and learn...Meanwhile, I'm amazed, now she's three, how quickly (it seems almost exponentially) she's growing and changing, leaving infancy far behind: even sleeping on her own now (OK, I know most kids do this from the cradle!), and I miss her babyhood sometimes...it's an aching nostalgia tinged with loving pride as I see her moving into her older, independent self. Unknown to her (I hope--well, who am I kidding?), I welcome her moments of sudden reversion to that elemental need for "huggles." Hold me closer, tiny dancer!

The Gardener's Apprentice

Steve and Miranda are building a raised bed for vegetable gardening (I and my black thumb will remain decidedly in the background), putting the finishing touches on the structure before we head over to Carmen and Peter's for dinner. I don't think we'll have any fresh produce ready before going over to neighbour Claire's for the evening (& slide show of her Patagonian sailing trip!) next week--but maybe by the end of the summer...I'm picturing plump tomatoes, resplendent yellow zucchini, and whatever else it is (you see my limitations here) that might grow in a garden! Uh, watermelons?!?...

Happy Birthday, Dear Miranda!

Our beloved Bobo celebrated her big day with some 44 of her closest friends...what a shindig! The candles aren't the only ones that are burnt out, but I'm posting several photos for posterity in the hopes that the "picture=a thousand words" thing will work for me here!!!!