End of an Era

A few weeks ago, this boy lost his last tooth. I still have plans to make an epic appearance by the Tooth Fairy. Now, our kids all know about what really happens, except probably the littlest one has no clue yet because she hasn't lost any of her teeth. A few months ago, one of the kids told me, "Look Mom, you can either just hand me the change now, but if you want to make this fun, you can still sneak into my room and tuck the money under my pillow,". Hah!

I admit, I still keep the teeth. I have a little box for each kid and tuck away the teeth, for what, I'm not sure. I do have a friend that has made jewelry out of her children's teeth, but I don't think I'd go that far. I still haven't figured out why I keep them, but I can't imagine just throwing them away.

So with the last baby tooth out of his mouth, we may have to head to the orthodontist. I'm hoping not, but we shall see. In the meantime, I have to gather up some pink glitter, balloons, some ribbon and a handful of change.....

Books!

Beach Day

There's nothing I love more than just hanging out at the beach. I love the heat, I don't really burn, and I don't even mind all the sand stuck everywhere.

We had a leisurely morning and got ready and left when we were good and ready. I hate leaving early in a bad mood because we're "late" to go and relax. When we arrived, the beach was packed, but we found a nice little corner and enjoyed the hours of sunshine. Asha met up with a friend and had a fabulous time playing. The other kids enjoyed making sand castles and a sand hot tub too. The clouds started rolling in, so we packed up and made it to the car just as the sky opened up and the rain POURED down. We decided to stop at a fabulous place for gelato and were able to get in and out without getting too wet. So we ate huddled in the van, but it was so worth it.

Family Connection

I have a pretty crazy family tree. I have my family that I was adopted by and I have my biological family that is slowly becoming revealed and known to me. I have a good idea of the majority of my biological mother's family; I'm her only child and one of 8 grandchildren. Many of the relatives on that side are known to me and I to them.

However, my biological father's side is a bit more complicated. That side I found out about only 5 years ago. That's when I met my father in Bolivia and since then I've begun to know my other half siblings. I'm the middle of my father's nine children. The second born, my half brother has two children. His daughter, who is my niece happened to be travelling here from the coast to attend a friend's graduation, and so it happened that we were able to meet. It was quite the amazing experience to meet someone that is related to me by blood and shares similar characteristics. Not only that, we both have the same first given name, both of us are passionate about education, and both of us are born in May. I've always wanted to be an auntie, and it's surreal to imagine that I have such a lovely niece. For me, I look forward to growing our relationship.

A Cool Experience

Last month Kezia and I had the chance to do a cool project together; we starred as a Mother-Daughter team in a movie short. In the winter, I got an email from a local producer wondering if I would be interested in playing the part of the mother in his upcoming movie short. He had already cast the daughter, and when I showed up to audition, I think I saw a double take. I don't think he was expecting me to be brown because the girl he cast wasn't!

Fast forward a few months and he emailed again; asking me to show up with one of my daughters. I brought Asha first because I thought she would love the opportunity, but it turns out that he was looking for an older girl. So I came back with Kezia and he immediately cast us.

Filming is hard work! We were on set for three long days and there is so much you have to do over and over and over again. Lines with the camera at a wide angle, then close up, then a close up of each character and a safe shot of each. The hardest was being in the car with the windows rolled up, AC off in 30 degree weather with the camera man stuffed in the back of the vehicle for 19 takes. Ugh!!! But I was really proud of how Kezia stayed focused, memorized her lines, and followed directions from Paul the director. It was a unique experience to be able to act with your own daughter.

The movie short is called Sam and Thief and it's based on the Good Samaritan. It should be done in fall and then I'll post a link to the movie. But for now, here's a picture of us on set.

We made it!

Another school year has finished in a flurry of activities. June was crazy busy and I hardly had much time to do anything except buy for the next BBQ or year end event.  Asha finished up her Zumba classes, Joel seemed to have a track meet every other weekend and a piano recital, and Kezia and Asha had their gym display. We kept to a very crazy schedule. Hence very little blogging here. You'll have to take my word for it that the piano, track, Zumba, and gymnastics were fabulous!

It was a great year for our kids at school. All did really well and thoroughly enjoyed their teachers and classmates. Kezia and Asha adored their French teacher, and Asha was devastated when Madame C told them that she was moving. So they made sure they had pictures with her because, "I'll never ever ever see her again,". Joel had a bit of drama with friends throughout the year, but being 12 it may be just the start! We made the decision with Joel  to enrol into the late French program for grade 7, meaning he would change schools. He is excited, but I know he was feeling emotional the last few days at school; he kept saying he wished there was also a grade 6 farewell at his school and not just a grade 8 farewell. So Kezia took her device to school and took some pictures of him and his friends so he'll have good memories. If there was Spanish, he would have rather done that, but our proposal is sure taking a long time to implement. Sigh.....

There won't be much change for the girls. Both will continue with the same teachers (multi-age classes) and Elena will join them in the school in the afternoons for nursery. But I'm not even thinking remotely of the fall; we made it to summer vacation! Whew!

Happy Canada Day!