Bella's 4th Birthday Bash!

At some point, during the birthday planning process, I start to regret the decision to throw such a monstrous party.  40 guests to be exact!!  The multiple trips to COSTCO, the searching through Micheal's for the perfect party favours, baking 40 cupcakes, icing 40 cupcakes, all becomes a bit much.  However, inevitably at some point during the party, I look around at the laughing kids jumping on the bouncing castle, parents chatting over cold ones, our house just a buzzing, and I realize....I LOVE THIS !!!!!

The Jumping Castle...what a hit!!!

Even I got into it!!!

Pretty brave after two kids, huh?

the guests started to arrive....

and mingle...

We even had friends and family from out of town.

I busted these suspects digging through the ice for 'ice rings"

an ice ring!!

           We served hotdogs and chips, nothing fancy but some really enjoyed it!

Avery knows how to have a good time at a party!!

Waiting patiently for presents...it didn't last for long before I was swarmed.

I don't even know where Bella is in this picture... it was chaos.  OK, now I see her, look for her hat!!!

"If you want a cupcake, sit on the grass"

Happy Birthday Bella!!!!  Because I love you, I baked and iced 40 of these suckers.

Uncle Martin relighting a flame for the birthday girl.

Here they come!!!!

  Aunty Erin was able to capture this picture of Bella enjoying her party (and her cupcake)!

Such a pretty shot of Aunty Dell, & Avery (minus the orange stuff). Look their outfits coordinate!

Bodhi & his pretty Mama, flashing us a smile!!

The girls and I made a home made pinata.  It turned out really well and Brett rigged up a 2 x 4 on the tree house for the kids to try and knock it open.

I just about got hit here, hence the backwards lean.

Finally, Brett had to get his hockey stick out to bust that thing open.

SUCCESS!!!!!!

Little Avery found her own enjoyment with the pinata!!

I eventually got to sit down, crack a cold one, laugh about the day, crawl into bed for 9:30pm and fall asleep planning next years party!!

Long Time No 'Blog'!!

At this time of year, things come to a close as we wind down the school year and get ready for summer.  End of class viewings, 'Sports Day' or 'Fun Day' as it's called at Sela's school, not to mention, Father's Day which gets lost in the shuffle of it all.  Before Summer gets away on me, I wanted to blog June!  A busy yet fulfilling month.

Bella performing at her end of term performance.  It took a lot of encouragement to get her up there.  OK, I bribed her with a chocolate ice cream!

Is there anything cuter than little girls dancing?

It was also Sela's end of year Ballet performance.  We all went as a family to watch.  Here is her class in their Clown Costumes from the recital.

Gosh, she looks like Brett with her pulled back.

Our little Clown

 

This is the first year the girls wanted to make Daddy breakfast for Father's Day.  

Brett is such a good sport he ate it all up!

All 2 inches of butter and honey!

Showing Daddy his home made card!

Brett chose to go golfing for Father's Day, shocking I know, but was home in time for some kite flying with his girls.

Now, if only we had some wind!

We passed the week away with dress up and playdates and before I knew it, the last day of school arrived.

Enjoying the backyard with Nila.

Ensemble #1...playroom couture!

Ensemble #2  It will be a sad day for me when 'dressing up' is no longer fun for the girls.  Their outfits are so creative.

Sela enjoying the activities at Fun Day

I love how Sela always does everything with full enthusiasm.

Even when she doesn't always succeed!

I was quite sentimental about it all.  Sela has had a wonderful year in Kindergarten.  She has grown so much as an individual both socially and academically.  However, it is saying good bye to her Kindergarten teacher, that makes me the saddest.  Mrs. Marshall was one of those teachers a child never forgets and I can't wait to hear Sela's memories as she grows up.

Thetis Island - June 3rd, 4th, 5th

Having been to Thetis Island last year with the church, I had a much better idea of what to pack, who would be there, and how much fun the girls would have.  We drove up to Chemainus for the 3:30pm ferry to Thetis.  The sun was shining, it was the perfect weekend to get away!!!!

On the ferry - the first of many shots this weekend.

My snuggle bug and I.

 Now I got a bit carried away with the following shots, but even I as an amateur photographer could tell that this was AMAZING light.  My little model Sela, willingly posed for me.

Who needs a wind machine when you are on BC Ferries.

Blow the camera a kiss, that a girl!!

My natural beauty.

 While Sela explored, Bella and I hung out outside the lodge.  This is the view, directly from the front doors of the lodge.

Picking daises.

Bella's turn to pose.  I love this romper on her.

Soon after settling in, we headed for the beach and waited for the others to arrive.  We spent pretty much the whole weekend on the beach, apart from either eating or sleeping, this is where we were!!!

Beach combing.

"Look what I found, Mom!"

Little girls on the beach comparing treasures.

Typical Bella look!

Purple starfish, my favorite - you all know why!

Being brave and touching a big crab!!!

The girls got to do so many fun things during the weekend.  Here they are canoeing with Clive Brown and his daughter Alice.  Mommy got a little R & R while they paddled along.

 

The beautiful life guard hut, it's so east coast cottage!!!

The next adventure was floating around on a tube.  Sela was nervous at first as she was scared of jelly fish but once she saw the others having fun, she dug deep, found the courage and went  in.  There isn't much Sela won't try.  Bella on the other hand, preferred to stay 'beached'!!!

Getting a hand at first.

"Ahhh, this water is cold!!!!!!!!!"

Chillaxing!!!!!

The girls and I stayed in one room.  It had a bunk bed and a loft bed.  This picture of Bella doesn't do it justice, it was VERY high.  I let Sela sleep up there, but Bella of course had to go climbing too.

The playoffs were on while we were away so here are most of us, gathered in the lounge to watch the game via wifi....Canucks won, yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We finished off the weekend with a camp fire and marsh mellows.  It was a super weekend and one I hope do every year.

Bella and the boys, roasting marsh mellows.

" I hate white rabbits, I hate white rabbits, I hate white rabbits"