JUMP!

My jet-setting sis in New York raised concerns over my lack of blogging. Yes, I confess to letting it slide a wee bit. But partly because sometimes my past blogging was down right obsessive! I felt the need to blog everyday no matter what--I often blogged in a busy frenzy. So perhaps the daily blogs were not the panacea. Perhaps the almost-daily blogs are the very best for me at this time.

This AM we are off to attempt our first ever complete family bike trip. We'll attempt the Mission Creek trail--Pip in the new bike trailer. Peter bought a bike last night--my early anniversary present to him! Then we shall get to the most out of the condo experience with a good long swim this afternoon. The Mist has made plans to go to her friend's house to bake a cherry pie. She hasn't seen Sara in 3 weeks, so I thought it a fine idea.

I did a last-second class section switch--I got the very last spot. After me, the section was officially filled! I am so lucky, as last minute information made me decide that I needed to switch classes. 

I haven't felt completely myself since San Francisco--alittle disorganised. However, I think things are starting to all fall into place. I am looking forward to nailing down my thesis in August--I just need to write about 3-4 experts in the field and speak with them to give me a better idea of direction. These are all the things that interest me, so the thesis study will involve some or all these areas:

-global literacy of girls.

-creative writing.

-children's literature.

-digital creative writing: for or by children.

So as you can see, I need a much tighter focus. 

I am dividing up our family trips into activities. This weekend it is our bike weekend.

Kamloops weekend it will be canoeing (Paul Lake), camping, gold panning and ghost hunting weekend. Nelson will be our posh, boating weekend.

I still have dreadful chores on my plate: fence building quotes, cat new-home finding.

But at least I have switched sections for my summer class starting Monday! Fewf! I feel so good about that--it makes me realize I have had serious trepidations about the section I was in all along. Three cheers for figuring that out!

BTW, Nem and Tabs have both become the most AMAZINGLY skilled swimmers overnight! Their teacher must be good. We are all so proud of them both!

Artemi and Pip both have a nasty cold bug--John too. Miranda and I shared a nasty headache-tummy upset, burning cheeks bug this past week--not too serious though, I am fully recovered.

Oh, Miranda and family will move into their new home on Sunday--so long Condo swimming pool and beach.

Happy Birthday Canada!

Pip and Artemi
John, Miranda and kids

Nuddies

Mist, Tabs and Nemi
Girls have energy
Miranda, John and Nuddies
Tabs

A Canada day BBQ and swim at Miranda and John's Okanagan Lake Condo. 

Robert(contractor) has kindly given M and J his lakeside condo for the next week until he finished their home. It is most luxurious and resort like. We enjoy visiting for the swimming and BBQ's and karaoke.

I do not think we shall camp this weekend. I am too tired. Instead we will buy Peter a new bike and do some family bike trips, swim in the lake and condo pool, tent in the backyard and look for a creek to pan for gold. 

I start school Monday--whaaa!

Stan & Alberta's party on the weekend was fun. I was so burnt-out when I arrived but a few glasses of wine and I was somewhat cheery. 

Last night, Peter and the two big girls climbed the mountain to watch the fireworks. I stayed home with Pip--we were pooped. Mist and Tabs hauled chips, blankets and water up to the top--their father spoils them--like they needed chips after the giant ice cream cones they'd had at the condo!

It has been a whirlwind week with Miranda, John and babies arriving from Guelph.

Mist is over at the condo (Tabs too) baby sitting while M&J pick out all new appliances--everything! I told John to call when the decide on purchasing--if they get a super deal on all 5 appliances, I may throw in a washer or fridge for us.

Girls, Girls, Girls...

A house full of little girls--my girls are enjoying every moment.

Swimming was a bit of a fiasco. Showed up 1/2 hour late and Nem and Tabs missed their's. Artemi loved her lesson but the Pip got hysterical, crying because she didn't like "the splashing." Mist was too good a swimmer for her level but all upper levels are filled--what to do? I blame the Parkinson Rec Center. They refuse to acknowledge that your kid is ready for several levels ahead, just to make money, making sure you do each level in order. So Mist is too good a swimmer for her class yet this summer lessons are filled--again swimming lessons are bust!

I am getting quite PO'd about all of it! Every year it seems they lead me astray and my kids somehow are duped out of the level they really need. As you can tell I was very upset at the rec-centre by this, but I deserve the "Dalai Lama" award for calmness as no one was yelled at.

Peter is at an all day retreat at work. 

Miranda and I are having a girl's night out: supper and a movie. Mist and her friend Marley will watch all the younger ones as they rent movies and have a pizza party. Peter will be home by eight so Mist only has to baby sit an hour or so.

Five (seven today) little girls keep me in summer vacation mode: no work.

I did manage a run this am with Miranda.

Writing this during a brief "QMJ time" in my bedroom, on my bed, windows open and the sounds of summer filling my room. Also the sound of Pip calling from the toilet--gotta go. 

World's Most Delicious and Healthy Brownies Ever!

I just baked some brownies. They are the most delicious and nutritious I have ever made.

Stop the Press! I swear these are too good to be true.

Melissa's Miracle Brownies

1/3 cup butter

1 cup chocochips

1/4 cup agave syrup(same plant that tequila is made from)

1/4 cup honey

1 egg beaten

3/4 cup pureed pumpkin

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 whole wheat flour

1/3 cup cocoa

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 chopped walnuts

heat butter, choco chips until melted. Add syrup and honey, stir in pumpkin, vanilla, cocoa.  Beat egg and blend into choco mixture. 

Mix b. powder, salt and flour. Add to wet ingredients.

Bake in a greased pan for 25 min at 350 o.

Pics are from yesterday. We went to the park after Tab's piano lesson.

Tonight Spring Fair time. We'll pick up Mist's bud Ashley and arrive at the school for 5 PM. Peter is at graduation ceremonies for the ED. students at UBC O.

Weather is dreamy. 

We went to "Up" last night as a family. It was cute. I laughed and the Pip laughed. She laughed at some parts that weren't supposed to be funny, but she didn't know that. Like when the giant bird was limping because it was hurt. She thought it was limping to be silly.

I am determined to take one year off between degrees to devote to publishing my children's books. My Peter series is too good to sit on another moment!