Fosters, Family, Fossils and FUN!

On Wednesday evening after hockey, I picked up my newest foster boy from his family. He is 8 year old Toby who was surrendered because his owner was entering a long term care facility. He is a bit lost but is a lovely dog with a few issues of course. He gets along well with my two girls but was intact (got neutered on Tuesday yipppeee!) so is very preoccupied. He will be with us for a week or two while he recovers then it is off to his new home. He is growly because he is used to getting his way but really fits right in and will mellow as he learns the rules around here.

The Kids

Saturday was warm and sunny and the perfect day to celebrate mom's birthday. We swam, ate and played all day.

Uncle Rick found some shale in the back yard and showed Sidney how to split it and look for fossils. She LOVED this and we all got right into it.

Uncle Rick held the safety glasses on Sid and held the chisel so she could swing the hammer at it. You could predict that Sid was going to miss the chisel sooner or later. In this picture, Uncle Rick got his knuckles smashed but he is a trouper and didn't flinch too badly.


Party Animals??? NOT!
Sunday it was colder and threatening rain but we had a long afternoon nap so we could go to the RCMP's musical ride Sunset Ceremony.
It was very wet but the show went on, rain or shine.

If you look closely at this picture you will notice Cage the black German Shepard in a harness repelling with his handler. When they made it to the ground, Cage took off and attacked the "Bad Guy" and took him to the ground. This was Cages last show because he is retiring. We got to meet and and pet Cage on our way out.

Happy Father's Day

Rick, Sid and I went up to Granny and Grandpa's for the father's day weekend. There was a touch of rain on Saturday but the weather Sunday made up for it. Ken had to work all weekend so he was home with the pups and we celebrated his special day on Monday when we came home.

Cuddle at the breakfast table with Grandpa and Granny
After breakfast we played in the garden then Grandpa took out the "bike"

Here is a picture of Grandpa, Uncle Rick, Sid and Uncle Greg (he's on the phone!)

Sid decided she wanted to climb the tree just like Uncle Rick and went right up the side of it. Grandpa ran over and saved the day by helping her the rest of the way up.

We had a wonderful time visiting and we were lucky enough to see lots of wild life. We saw a deer, two moose, a snapper and painted turtle. Sid was really thrilled about the snapper. She called Daddy to tell him "we saw a snapper turtle and he wasn't dead!" Thanks for the wonderful visit and fun. Can't wait to see you again soon Granny and Grandpa!

Is It Really Pool Weather?

Our little swimmer finished her first set of swimming lessons this week and graduated from Preschool A - just in time to enjoy our pool. It has been an unseasonably cold spring but nonetheless we opened the pool on Monday and jumped right in. OK, really, Sid jumped right in. I bought a wetsuit so I could bare the 64 -66 degree water (brrrrrrrrrr) and was amazed at how well it works. (thanks Ann for another fantastic tip. The wet suit idea and the camping pee are lifesavers!!!) Sid doesn't feel the cold and now either do I. Everyday we try to swim and Daddy was amazed at Sid's comfort and confidence in the water. She wears floaties but we are not allowed to touch her because "I can DO IT!" She leaps from the steps, from the sides, from my lap and swims circles around me. Both Daddy and I love the water so she does come by it naturally.

Look at ME daddy!

Synchronized Back Stars

We Did IT

Super Sid
What kid doesn't warm up on the pavement after a good swim?

Birthday girl!

On my birthday I was treated to a lovely family day (wetsuit shopping hahaha) and an amazing dinner with friends. I was wined and dined and the sun shined. What could be better? Thanks everyone for the wishes!

Sid taking a high speed corner after eating birthday cake

We have had the hermit crabs for two months and they are great. They are beginning to get used to being handled and wake up daily around 3:00 pm and are out and about until bedtime. Sid loves holding them and originally named the big guy Ralphie but wanted to change his name to Hey Jude but then changed her mind again. So for a month and a half he has been named Ralphie Hey Jude and it has stuck. He is the one on the left LOL!

Taking after her mom, here Sidney is playing E.C.E. (early childhood educator) and having circle time for the dogs. She was teaching them about forests and squirrels.

When making Fathers Day card goes terribly off track.......

Recital Time

Here is our little ballerina all ready for her big shows. She was so excited she told us she had butterflies and she actually said once the music started it filled her heart with love and she didn't feel the butterflies anymore. I was just so nervous and proud watching her, I had tears. She did so well and after the second show she was close to tears because she wanted to dance again! Below is the video of their dance. She is the last one to get up on the right and is the littlest fairy there. Enjoy!

The Grand Finale with many of the dancers on stage. Again Sid is sitting far, far right in the front row.

Proud Mommy and Daddy

Three generations of Rennie Wallace's!

Sidney enjoyed dancing and the high intensity of preforming and learned the discipline involved in taking a ballet class and following instructions. I learned how to do a bun!!!!! :0)
It was such and exciting adventure I wonder if we will do it again next year?

Preparing for the Recital

It was picture day at ballet and the first chance for everyone to be in their completed costumes and recital ready. There were hoards of children in costumes running around the studio waiting to be called for their photos ops. The mom of one of the girls in Sid's class was brilliant and brought her laptop and the Tinker Bell movie. All the other kids were zipping around and our 3 and 4 year olds were captivated by this moms ingenious idea.
This coming week will be a busy one with a full dress rehearsal at the auditorium on Wednesday night and now two shows on Saturday because the first show sold out. It is going to be a full house considering the theater holds 1500 people.

Before Sid changed out of her Tinkerbell costume I caught this picture of her and Charlotte having fun outside. It is my favorite picture of the two of them!

Later in the afternoon 3 of Sid's cousins came by with Uncle Dirk and Tante Ann. A quick drop-in became a wonderful afternoon of hanging outside and watching the kids play together. Ken hooked the trailer up to the lawn tractor and took the kids (and Groovy) for rides around the yard and everyone got a chance to steer the tractor except the dog of course! The mosquitos were making an appearance so we started up a campfire and roasted some marshmallows too. Sid just loved having her cousins here to play with and Ken and I really enjoyed the company. Thanks for stopping by guys, we love seeing you!!