Thanks for all of the recent comments/emails on our blog...Good to know we still have a faithful "audience"... :)
We are off to Lake Koocanusa tonight for the long weekend...celebrating Canada Day in the States for the first time?! Hope you have a great weekend! We will update when we return...
:)
B&D
Friday, June 29, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
A weekend of biking!
Beth spent the weekend at a "Women's Mountain Biking" course at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Although I wasn't sure what to expect (fearing a gruelling weekend with some hard-core-biker chicks), it turned out to be a nice low-key, slow paced, extremely supportive environment: 5 other women of varying abilities, lots of practising skills in the parking lot and skills park (how to go down/up a hill, turn corners, a "front tire lift", bike maintenance, and just general bike handling skills) before heading out to some pretty nice trails to try out these skills for real (and try again, and again when necessary!). No injuries (for any of us), no major falls, no bruised egos, just lots of fun, and some tired sore muscles afterwards!
As for Dave, on Saturday, I (Dave) went for a mtb ride with Gibbs, Michele and their friends Ryan and Jenny. We rode the Jumpingpound and Cox Hill trails which gave us some grueling climbs, spectacular views and unreal downhill. Interesting to still have to walk over big snow piles still left over from the winter. We finished the ride with a cold beer and a bbq in the parking lot. Very nice!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Just funny...
Just took this photo because I still have a hard time believing this...it doesn't get dark here until almost 11pm right now. Not that it's pitch black at 11, but it's actually daylight at 10pm (see photo, taken at 10:02pm last night)! It makes the days so much longer, but also makes it that much harder to get to bed early when you can be outside so late!
School's (almost) out for summer!!
Today was one of those days that reminds me of what a great job I have, and how blessed I am to work with the people that I do...
Today was officially the first day of summer, and unofficially, one of our first truly summery days: sunny and 24-26c most of the day...
I spent the morning in the park with our little guys (3 year old special needs kids), then the afternoon in the school's "backyard" where we have a little water park set up, so the 4 year old kids took off their shoes (and some took off their pants!) to play in the water...
Amongst all of this, we got some therapy done: playing with play doh, drawing, doing crafts, and practising gross motor skills and strengthening exercises...What a fun, joyful way to spend such a beautiful day!
Later on, I went for dinner with some of my colleagues, and realized again what truly special people it takes to work with these kids, and enjoyed laughing and chatting with them about all of our adventures this year.
Then tonight, we celebrated the "Graduation" of our 5 and 6 year old Kindergarten kids, who will be moving on to new schools and new endeavours next year. It was a truly touching ceremony, with all of the kids somehow being on their best behaviour despite the new environment and LOTS of people (almost 200!). Teachers and parents spoke about what an amazing learning environment our kids are a part of, with such supportive staff and parents. A few tears were shed, and lots of hugs passed around.
One Dad who always impresses me was casually chatting with me after the ceremony about how life-changing it has been for him to have kids. He says that while he and his wife have a wonderful, loving relationship, he feels that their relationship would not be what it is if it weren't for their 3 kids making it into a "family", rather than just a couple. He says that any man will change his priorities once he has kids, realizing that there's no point in trying to impress adults when your kids are everything, and look up to you and teach you so much about being selfless.
This reminded me of a parent meeting I attended last week, where one Mom was saying how upset and depressed she had been last year, coming to terms with the long-term disability her child will have to deal with for the rest of her life, but more importantly, how upset she had been by hurtful comments made by other parents who just didn't know any better and would ask her why her 3-year-old daughter wasn't talking? She said that she can take criticism about herself, but when it comes to her kids, her heart breaks for them, and how dare anyone say such things about her child. She said that her life has changed, because as soon as she walks through the doors at Providence, she immediately relaxes because she feels that her daughter is accepted for who she is...
Sorry--getting into a bit of deep stuff, but this is a glimpse of what my job is, day-to-day, and may give you some indication of why I love it so much, and why it's such a perfect fit for me!
While living in Calgary, so far from our friends and families definitely creates a hole that can't be filled, it is such a blessing to be part of a school/work community filled with so much genuine love.
Hope you enjoy these photos of our kids just "having fun"!...They certainly make my day....
3 more official "school" days, then I have a somewhat relaxed month of July (doing reports, paperwork, inventory, etc.) before our big trip in August. We are planning to be back in Ontario for some of August, with an 8-10 day sea-kayaking trip in Croatia from approx Aug 7-17th. More on that itinerary later...
Today was officially the first day of summer, and unofficially, one of our first truly summery days: sunny and 24-26c most of the day...
I spent the morning in the park with our little guys (3 year old special needs kids), then the afternoon in the school's "backyard" where we have a little water park set up, so the 4 year old kids took off their shoes (and some took off their pants!) to play in the water...
Amongst all of this, we got some therapy done: playing with play doh, drawing, doing crafts, and practising gross motor skills and strengthening exercises...What a fun, joyful way to spend such a beautiful day!
Later on, I went for dinner with some of my colleagues, and realized again what truly special people it takes to work with these kids, and enjoyed laughing and chatting with them about all of our adventures this year.
Then tonight, we celebrated the "Graduation" of our 5 and 6 year old Kindergarten kids, who will be moving on to new schools and new endeavours next year. It was a truly touching ceremony, with all of the kids somehow being on their best behaviour despite the new environment and LOTS of people (almost 200!). Teachers and parents spoke about what an amazing learning environment our kids are a part of, with such supportive staff and parents. A few tears were shed, and lots of hugs passed around.
One Dad who always impresses me was casually chatting with me after the ceremony about how life-changing it has been for him to have kids. He says that while he and his wife have a wonderful, loving relationship, he feels that their relationship would not be what it is if it weren't for their 3 kids making it into a "family", rather than just a couple. He says that any man will change his priorities once he has kids, realizing that there's no point in trying to impress adults when your kids are everything, and look up to you and teach you so much about being selfless.
This reminded me of a parent meeting I attended last week, where one Mom was saying how upset and depressed she had been last year, coming to terms with the long-term disability her child will have to deal with for the rest of her life, but more importantly, how upset she had been by hurtful comments made by other parents who just didn't know any better and would ask her why her 3-year-old daughter wasn't talking? She said that she can take criticism about herself, but when it comes to her kids, her heart breaks for them, and how dare anyone say such things about her child. She said that her life has changed, because as soon as she walks through the doors at Providence, she immediately relaxes because she feels that her daughter is accepted for who she is...
Sorry--getting into a bit of deep stuff, but this is a glimpse of what my job is, day-to-day, and may give you some indication of why I love it so much, and why it's such a perfect fit for me!
While living in Calgary, so far from our friends and families definitely creates a hole that can't be filled, it is such a blessing to be part of a school/work community filled with so much genuine love.
Hope you enjoy these photos of our kids just "having fun"!...They certainly make my day....
3 more official "school" days, then I have a somewhat relaxed month of July (doing reports, paperwork, inventory, etc.) before our big trip in August. We are planning to be back in Ontario for some of August, with an 8-10 day sea-kayaking trip in Croatia from approx Aug 7-17th. More on that itinerary later...
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Dad's Day to our wonderful Dads, Grandpa, and especially to all the new Dads and Dads-to-be in our lives! Hope you have enjoyed your well deserved day!
:)
:)
Dave Races for Human Rights in Canmore...
Well it turned out to be a strange rainy weekend here in Calgary.
I was registered to do a Women's Mountain Biking course at the Canmore Nordic Centre for Sat and Sunday, and a friend of ours, Steve Gaffney was also registered for a bike race at the same location yesterday. After chatting a bit, Steve convinced Dave to register also, as part of a duo, and we headed out to Canmore early Saturday morning despite the cold temperature and downpour conditions here in the city.
Upon arrival, I was told that the women's course was cancelled due to the weather (and hence poor trail conditions), but Dave and Steve were lucky (?) that the race was still on. So Steve's wife Tannis and I sat out in the overcast and cold/bright but rainy/sunny and warm/overcast and cold conditions for most of the day, while the boys got muddy! Despite the strange weather, it was lots of fun, and the skies cleared up in time for us to head back to Jenn's friend PJ's beautiful condo for a run through the mountains followed by a soak in the hot tub--perfect!!
Jenn and PJ hosted a fun "fondue" dinner, enhanced by a quick thunderstorm that left us without electricity for most of the night! Needless to say, after a busy day, the hot tub and lots of good food, wine, and conversation, we were all in bed by midnight! We headed back here to Calgary this morning for what is turning into our usual weekend routine: Dave working in the garage/workshop, and me puttering around the house and wishing I could be out in the garden (rain, rain, go away!).
I was registered to do a Women's Mountain Biking course at the Canmore Nordic Centre for Sat and Sunday, and a friend of ours, Steve Gaffney was also registered for a bike race at the same location yesterday. After chatting a bit, Steve convinced Dave to register also, as part of a duo, and we headed out to Canmore early Saturday morning despite the cold temperature and downpour conditions here in the city.
Upon arrival, I was told that the women's course was cancelled due to the weather (and hence poor trail conditions), but Dave and Steve were lucky (?) that the race was still on. So Steve's wife Tannis and I sat out in the overcast and cold/bright but rainy/sunny and warm/overcast and cold conditions for most of the day, while the boys got muddy! Despite the strange weather, it was lots of fun, and the skies cleared up in time for us to head back to Jenn's friend PJ's beautiful condo for a run through the mountains followed by a soak in the hot tub--perfect!!
Jenn and PJ hosted a fun "fondue" dinner, enhanced by a quick thunderstorm that left us without electricity for most of the night! Needless to say, after a busy day, the hot tub and lots of good food, wine, and conversation, we were all in bed by midnight! We headed back here to Calgary this morning for what is turning into our usual weekend routine: Dave working in the garage/workshop, and me puttering around the house and wishing I could be out in the garden (rain, rain, go away!).
We will post some photos from the race, but for now, see the following websites:
http://www.cause.ca/bikerace/index.htm has info about the race and the proceeds...
Results are posted on:
http://www.zone4.ca/results.asp?ID=1365&cat=257 (note that Steve Gaffney WON the race...he's crazy fast!).
Canmore is a great town: feels like a real community, and it's nestled so nicely in the mountains--beautiful views all around, and elk and deer eating the grass in your yard--just amazing!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Amy and Jay update
Hope you don't mind, Ame, but I thought this was too cute--my tiny little sister (well, older, so big sister, but she IS tiny), with a huge belly! The countdown is on--July 12th is the due date--less than a month! So excited for you guys!!
Dave's "new" workshop...
Dave has been hard at work these last few weeks at building a workbench and setting up his new tools in the garage to create his workshop...He hopes to build some new furniture for our house once he has everything figured out...By the looks of his new workbench, I think he should do a pretty good job...he's pretty handy (if I do say so myself!).
Here are some before and after photos...
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Fish Creek with Shan...
Took a little bike ride to Fish Creek park--not too far from our house...(spot the deer!)
Monday, June 04, 2007
Hiking at Wind Tower (with Jenn)
Here are some photos from yesterday's hike near Canmore with my friend Jenn, her dog Miller, and her friend Greg. I need to get out to the mountains at least every other weekend to remind me of how amazing it is to be able to have this in our "backyard"!
It's been sunny and warm here the last few days--our gardens are loving it. It's supposed to rain tomorrow for my next "zoo" trip with the kids, then cool down for the rest of the week.
Not too many plans for the next few weekends...the end of the school year is quickly approaching, along with Stampede and then our next trip back east, hopefully with an additional big trip overseas--destination to be determined!
It's been sunny and warm here the last few days--our gardens are loving it. It's supposed to rain tomorrow for my next "zoo" trip with the kids, then cool down for the rest of the week.
Not too many plans for the next few weekends...the end of the school year is quickly approaching, along with Stampede and then our next trip back east, hopefully with an additional big trip overseas--destination to be determined!
Friday, June 01, 2007
A visit from Uncle Dave!
Dave has been in ON and QC for the past week for a work conference, and to visit some family and friends. Here he is meeting our nephew for the first time: looks like a natural! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)