A Good Beginning to Summer

I realize that in 2 months time I may be singing a different song, but as of right now, I am totally in love with summer in Toronto.  We are on day 7 of summer vacation and I have yet to have "one of those days" . . . I know I'll eventually have one but for now I feel like I am in some sort of honeymoon bliss.  Here are the highlights of the last week:

Last Monday, the kids all bought ice cream from an ice cream truck.  First time ever!

We've walked to the library twice.  We have more borrowed books than we can possibly read.

Last Thursday, we picked up a pizza and headed to a local park for a picnic.  After approximately 10 minutes, the sky opened up and it POURED.  It rained so hard that I could hardly see to drive home!  Everyone was soaked and everyone was laughing.

I'm participating in a women's Thursday night Bible study.  Great women, great teaching.

Over the weekend we spent time with friends from Mexico and friends from Canada.  Nothing fancy.  Just spending time together, laughing, talking.

Yesterday, we walked for what seemed FOREVER to a park with a large splash pad.  Although tentative at first, after about 5 minutes, both Hannah and Alex were chasing each other through the fountains of water. 

When we got home we watched 101 Ways to Leave a Game Show, which has to be the most ridiculous premise for a game show EVER.  Tyler and Alex were enthralled.

Today, Tyler and I cleaned out the refrigerator.  Every odd food item that was near expiration, was immediately cleaned, cut, cooked and put on the table for consumption.  It was a 2 hour all-you-can-eat buffet. 

We finally sat down together and watched "Change of Plans", a movie that has been recorded on our DVR since January!  (We planned to watch Babies but after about 10 minutes we realized that it was a little to "Au Natural" for some members of the viewing audience).


We are still doing the tedious parts of summer vacation, including doctors appointments, vet appointments, IXL math, spelling review and chores . . . but no one seems to mind.  I think everyone is just thrilled to be "placed".  Compared to last summer, when we were literally in transition for close to 75 days, there is something to be said for being still.  No schedule, no packing, no cross-country moves.  I'm enjoying Toronto more than I thought I ever would or could.  My kids are happy.  For that, I am very thankful.

MISSION Impossible

Our church is heavily involved in world missions.  On Sunday mornings, we frequently receive updates about the missionaries/mission organizations that the church supports.  One area of the world that our church has invested in is Columbia.  A few years ago, the church built a radio station in the jungles of Columbia.  They paid to have radios, fixed to a station that broadcasts Biblical teaching, dropped from parachutes into the jungles.  Last week, our pastor traveled to Columbia to speak at several events and visit with various mission organizations.  During his trip he met with former Columbian guerrillas who accepted Christ after first learning about Him through the radio programs.  Our pastor shared with us how these guerrillas' lives have been changed through the Gospel of Christ.

After our pastor's brief explaination, my child, who I now know pays attention during church, leaned over and asked a deep theological question that I can imagine was also on the minds of many of the children in attendance . . .

HOW DO YOU LEAD A GORILLA TO CHRIST?

I love the innocence of my children!

Born in the U.S.A.

This afternoon we were able to attend the JUST DRUMS LEARNING CENTRE annual recital . . . the highlight for us, of course, was watching Tyler jam to Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A.  He was pretty nervous - this was probably the first time he has ever played alone on stage!

WARNING: Do not read if you don't want to hear me brag!

I love surprises . . . especially when the surprise is learning that my 13-year-old won not one but TWO awards at school today during the closing awards ceremony!!  The first award he received was the History Award . . . . an honor given to the student who was the best overall 7th grade history student.  As far as I understand, this award does not necessarily mean "highest grade" but best effort, interest, creativity, appreciation, knowledge & general love for history.  Now, I will take this time to point out that 7th grade history is, in fact, Canadian History.  So . . . I love the irony that the award was given to an AMERICAN. 

As cool as that award was, the second award is even more amazing.  Tyler won the Nehemiah Award.  This award, which is named after Nehemiah in the Old Testament, is given to the student who, with God's help, perseveres and excels despite difficult circumstances or challenging odds.  The teachers and administration choose which student will receive the award.  I guess Tyler's "difficult circumstance" was moving from Mexico to Canada and adjusting to a new culture, new school, etc.  Anway, we are super super proud.  I'll be honest . . . I don't really need someone to "officially" tell me how special Tyler is . . . but I'm not going to complain about having to find a spot for this trophy!

It's all GREEK to ME!

Today was "Ancient Greek Day" for the 5th graders at NTCS.  The class set up a museum and students and parents could "visit" and learn all about ancient Greek architecture, the Olympics, Greek fashion, the Trojan War, etc.  The "Ancient Greek Scholars" served as tour guides.  Hannah was in charge of the Greek Mythology/Religion portion of the museum.

Alex's 9th Birthday

The great thing about my 9-year-old is that when I make him a birthday cake, no matter WHAT it looks like, he thinks it is the most amazing, wonderful, fantastic cake in existence.  I think he truly sees the mental picture that I had in my head before I began.  He sees no mistakes - no errors.  He just sees the greatest birthday cake that a nine-year-old boy could hope for.

Something New

Thanks to some soon-to-depart FS friends, we recently learned about a "new to us" restaurant near our house:  Frankie Tomatto's.  How I did not know this place existed is beyond me.  My kids LOVE Italian food.  I have googled "Italian restaurant Toronto" a billion times.  We have driven aimlessly around the streets of North York, looking for Italian restaurants.  Can't believe we never noticed this place . . .

Needless to say, we immediately decided that it was the PERFECT location to celebrate Alex's 9th birthday.  He was thrilled with the "all-you-can-eat" pasta, ice-cream, soup, salad and pizza and pretty excited when the waiters showed up with a tomato balloon, party hat and wooden statue of a Roman guy.  He also got to spin the birthday wheel and won a t-shirt.  Benissimo!

Just What We Do . . .

This is what Alex and I do when we are supposed to be cleaning his room.  He starts singing.  I decide it is too cute not to video for posterity.  We move all the furniture in the living room to make a "stage".  We find a Wii microphone.  We take 3 "takes" until we decide we have a winner.  We decide that you all are just dying to see it too so we upload it to YouTube.  Etc.  Etc.  Etc.