Will turns 9

Since last year we had a birthday bash - this year I was off the hook. It was a no stress birthday for me but more importantly, Will had a great day;make that two days! 

First of all, my parents came for the occasion and we had a great time with them. 

On the day before the big day, Will was taken out to golf with a friend and his Mom and then out to lunch for Asian buffet. In the afternoon, he invited two of his friends to play laser tag. This was of course a hit! When they returned we had tacos and homemade refried beans waiting. I even got out of making a cake this year - he wanted Dairy Queen. Fine by me!
On his actual birthday, we went to an Imax movie in the morning - Under the Sea. Which really got us in the mood for his lunch out pick - Red Lobster! He enjoyed feasting on crab legs - yes, he's high maintenance! 

Later in the day, we were surprised to see our friend Rebecca (from church) show up at our door with a bucket of four live lobster. She knew how much Will loves seafood. Needless to say, we had a feast that evening. What a 9th birthday! 

In other news, I recently tested for my Canadian citizenship test. This is not at the expense of my American. I will hold both. But "bloom where you're planted" I guess and this is where I'm planted! I am still waiting to hear whether I passed or not (I'm not worried!) and then I'll be called back to take the oath - to the Queen!! Ha! Thankfully, I now know when Nunavut became a territory. 

Enjoying Spring!

Our homeschool bookclub was revived this month. We read "Gracie and the Emperor" which was a really interesting fictional book based on Napoleon and his exile to St. Helena. 

The weather was beautiful - we stayed outside the whole time.
Lunch had a French theme to it - I made a dessert called Mini Napoleons (they're like cream puffs).

He Is Risen Indeed!

OK, so Easter already seems like such a long time ago but here we are! The kids sang with the Sunday school group "Christ the Lord has risen today" and when it came to the Alleluia part, Zanna would let it rip. Will looked so handsome in his shirt and tie - such a young man! 
This Easter was pleasantly different - Wayne was actually around this day - usually he goes up to Politimore in the afternoon but Vicar went up this year. We continued our tradition of rack of lamb on the grill and it was divine! 

If you are interested, the potty training situation has not improved and remains to be the thorn in my side. I have tried all the advice, Internet ideas and old wives tales I can think of. She'll have none of it. She apparently prefers to soil herself in her diaper and sit in it all day - either that or she knows it drives me nuts and likes to wield her power over me. Huh.

Otherwise, we have been enjoying our Spring. The tulips are blooming, trees budding and weather getting warmer. Spring also brings the yearly homeschool conference I attended a few weekends ago and the homeschool catalogs are rolling in - an exciting time for the homeschooler as we anticipate our course of action for the upcoming school year, reflect on the current one as it winds down for the year and reexamine our goals for our children. When we started this journey 4 years ago it was with the intention that while we'd take it year by year, my goal was to go through grade 3 and establish a firm foundation spiritually and  educationally.  In that time our eyes have been opened to see what a blessing this type of education has been. It's been the way we've been able to carry out what the Lord wants from us as Christian parents.  It has bonded us as a family and we are developing relationships with our children that grow deeper everyday. Notice I didn't say it  get's easier every day. We have our unique difficulties that we are forced to work out if we are to live, play and work side by side every day. There was a time that I would say - there are pros and cons to homeschooling but throughout this year, I no longer see the cons for us anymore. This peace of mind has been an incredible blessing for me as I desire to follow God's will for our family and my role as a wife and mother. 

Our church update - our Chinese friends Peter and Rebecca who have been taking Bible info classes with Wayne for 2 years and Rebecca makes us dumplings and teaches us Mandarin - completed the class finally. Yesterday, Peter was baptized in church and in the same service he and Rebecca became members! Praise God!

Zanna has started swimming classes with us on Mondays. The first week she had the time of her life. She felt like such a big girl taking classes at the same time with her brother. Last week, not so good. She screamed through about half of it. So today, we'll have to see. She also started preschool library time and goes in by herself - LOVES it! She's right up front while the books are being read, loves to do the songs and actions and participates in the craft at the end - especially if there are scissors involved!

Will is preparing for his violin exam next month. Scales are a nightmare. I can't wait till it's over. I know he'll do fine but the prep in not fun. But it's a good experience and he wanted to do it. His first recital is next month too. Looking forward to that. He's doing really well in math and enjoys reading the Indiana Jones books (since we don't let him watch the movies yet!). He got his third stripe in Karate. He has such a gentle spirit. At the same time I get completely baffled by his boyishness. I find dirty underwear in places I'd never expect but seldom in the clothes hamper. That's if he remembers to change them. My common sense is not always his common sense. There are many other strange behaviors I have difficultly grasping and Wayne just knowingly shakes his head.