April 13, 2017

March 2017


Cara's class got to go to the new Bell Centre for a field trip.  It is a music museum and is very cool.  Here she is building an instrument on a peg wall.


Rocking out with a guitar.


In this room, you could use your body as an instrument.


On Sundays, Gwen helps her mom make supper while Dad takes Cara to Glee Club.  She is getting pretty good!


On St. Patrick's Day we had visitors, some cousins AND a leprechaun!


He left a mess and enough coins for all the kids.


On the weekend, we hit the zoo with the McIntyres.  It was a pretty nice day and the animals were very active.


We took a break for lunch.


Our kids never get tired of the zoo.


Simon kept waiting for the zoo fun to start.


Connor was eating like some sort of animal.


A peanut butter sandwich smile.


The grandkids standing by Grampy's favourite statue at the zoo.


We got to see a baby penguin and his friends.


Uncle Jamie and Amelia joined us for the trip.


The fun siblings.


The McIntyres would come to pick the girls up at school and put the playgrounds to good use.


One last pic with Aunt Mary before flying home.  The girls had a good time with their cousins.


Gwen's class had an assembly about Canada and its native animals.  They sang a couple of songs, including Gwen's favourite "Canada In My Pocket".


We went for a hike near Cochrane at Glenbow Ranch.  It had been a few years since we'd been there and we went on a great long hike through a working ranch.


By the end we were a little tired so we took some breaks to enjoy the view and the big sky.


Cara and Dad went to a Flames vs Sharks game.  Cara's two favourite teams battling it out was too good to miss.


She said she didn't care who won, but she was mostly cheering for the Sharks.


Dad wore a Flames hat to support the home team.


The Sharks lost, but the Flames clinched a playoff spot, so it was still a great game!

March 9, 2017

February 2017

We introduced the girls to "real" Monopoly (they have a kid version) and Gwen beat us all first time!
Beginner's luck! 
 We've had lots of snow this winter - the girls and our neighbour walk home from school together and play along the way.
 Cara finished Swimmer 3 and is now on to Swimmer 4 in April!
 Gwen finished her first time in Swimmer 1 and will do it again in April - lots to learn in Swimmer 1!
 Nana came for a visit - the girls were happy to see her!
 Gwen's went on her first field trip (on a school bus!).
Her class went to Fort Calgary for a day and Mom got to go along as a parent volunteer.
She learned about the NWMP and the RCMP
She also learned about and got to build a log cabin! 
 Cousin Amelia came by for a day.
 Gwen likes sharing her old baby toys with Amelia.
Cousins!
 February was Literacy Month at school and they had a "dress up like a character from a folktale, legend, myth day"
Cara just finished reading a book about Medusa so she was Medusa!
 Toga and snakes (and sunglasses to protect her classmates from her stone gaze)
 Gwen chose the Gingerbread Boy.
She ran all the way to school saying "you can't catch me! hahah!"

 Family Day weekend the girls had their first ski lesson!
 Just a 1 day lesson in the city.
 They look like naturals.
 Cara did great skiing down the hill.
 Gwen did great too - she is the speed demon we expected!
 Had to check out a bobsled at the Olympic Park too.
 The new goggles might be the best part of the day :)
 Family Day weekend movie - had to go see The Lego Batman movie!
 And our traditional Family Day Skate!
We all had a great time skating!
Cosmo attempting a "meatloaf" pose!


February 4, 2017

January 2017

We started the New Year off with a family photo.  Cosmo had enough.

He was probably tired of all the craziness.

Gwen's ready for 2017!

It's going to be a great year!

The kids were wearing purple to celebrate a made up day called Smithy Purple Day.  We had a new game for Christmas and they started talking about Smithy Purple, so they made a day with songs.

Cara's song is pretty clever if you are familiar with the card game Dominion.

Gwen showing off the hat Mom made for her.  She's a great model.

Cara had a playdate with her bud Abby.  Abby changed schools so we'll miss her.

Gwen's reading is progressing so fast.  She can read almost anything now.  Pretty impressive and she is very proud of herself.

After a long break, Cara finally lost another tooth.  Look at that toothy grin!

Mary made this blanket over the last year.  It took a a lot of work but the end result was a pretty awesome crocheted blanket.

The girls' school teaches a lot about customs in other cultures, and Chinese New Year was no exception.  To celebrate, they enjoyed a feast their mom made.  It was a big hit.

One pair of our kid chopsticks broke, so Cara used real ones.  She needs a bit of practice.

After supper we were treated to a Chinese New Year play by Gwen and a dragon dance by Cara (with some help from Gwen).  It was phenomenal.

It finally warmed up so the kids had some fun in the backyard.  T-shirt and snowpants is a Calgary specialty!