RAINWATER RAMBLING

The end of another school year is upon us again. Gillian was complaining this week she didn't know what to do because she had no homework. The girls's don't know for sure which teacher they have but they have a pretty good idea because they only get the room number for the fall. Claudia and three of her classmates did the prayer on the announcements, and according to Claudia she was mainly the best because the others didn't practice. I asked her if she was nervous and she said "no. I was happy". We got Claudia's "grad photos" and she looks good.

Congratulations to our niece Sara who graduated on Thursday from Seneca College. I should get a copy of Sara's grad photo and I can put it up here beside Claudia's.

Today was report card day and as usual the girls did an excellent job this school year. Lots of "A's" for G-pa. Only two more days of school left. Hard to believe that Claudia goes into Grade One next fall.

The principal at the girls school is retiring this year. On Monday night there was a little open house held for him. Mr O'Grady was a big Blue Jays fan and one of the events he brought to the school was a family night at SkyDome/Rogers Centre to watch the Blue Jays. We went 4 years in a row, three of them on Opening Day. I made up a photo collage of pictures from each year and framed it. The girls gave it to him and he was thrilled with it.

A closer look at the collage in the frame.

Today we went to the Ontario Science Centre to check out the new interactive exhibit Animal Grossology.

You had to match up the poop with the correct animal.

As you pump the insect would fill up with blood.

This one shows the digestive system of a cow.

This one let you squeeze a bottle and you would smell skunk, musk, or some other scent.

Angela coming out of some sea creatures mouth.

Gillian, a little more graceful than Angela.

And finally Claudia.

Everything you wanted to know about flies.

This one was a video game where you had to race your dung ball up the hill and into the hole.

We saw the Omnimax movie Bugs! A Rainforest Adventure

Not sure how they do it, but it is pretty cool. Check out the video if you have hi-speed.

The other exhibit we explored was the KidSpark area, when we came during March Break there was a line-up to get in.

Angela rockin' away!

Claudia following suit.

This is a thing that spins around.

That would be Gillian and Angela on the left and Susan in the middle.

That's Gillian with the gorilla arms.

Sitting in the bird nest.

Claudia climbing the rock wall in the Sports area.

A video of the girls racing down the bobsled track. Best viewed by hi-speed users.

It was a full day for everyone.

I was down in Nova Scotia this week for work. I had a late flight back last night, so I was able to get into Halifax and check out Uncle Tak's art exhibition at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Here is the direct link to the entry on From Here To There.

At 3:00 pm the temperature reached 33°C with a humidex of 40. There is only one thing for kids to do when the weather is like that. Here is Emi running through the sprinkler.

Doing what Angie Pangie does.

Alexander and Claudia filling their buckets.

It was even too hot for Carla to lay outside, she laid as close to outside without actually going outside. That mat is right in front of the door.

Angela

and Gillian

One more of Emi outside.

Emi was on the go non-stop from the time she came over, so by dinnertime she was starting to fade. She managed to finish, but as she sat in her chair she started to nod off. For those of you with dial-up this picture is for you.

For those of you with hi-speed watch this video (click play twice).

That's the start of a Fred Penner song. This weekend was the Mississauga International Children's Festival and one of the performers today was Fred Penner. It has been a few year's since we have seen Fred perform, the last time was at the Toronto Zoo. I asked the girls if they wanted to go, Claudia and Angela were quick to say yes, but Gillian thinks she too old. the family four pack was the same price as three tickets, so we invited Alexander to go with us. As usual the show was entertaining and fun.

Here is Fred after his encore.

Afterwards he signs autographs and meets his fans.

Here is Angela, Claudia and Alex with Fred.

Some of the funky windows at the Living Arts Centre.

There were a number of free things set up for kids to do. Here are Claudia and Alex with their sword balloons.

Angela opted for the flower.

Some of the sights as we walked around outside of the Living Arts Centre.

Clock tower and City Hall.

Some tile on the ground near a fountain.

Back inside the Living Arts Centre looking down from the third floor.

One final pose from the festival.

Angela spent the last two days in sick bay, not exactly the best way to prepare for the Junior Cross Country finals at school. She was determined to go to school and race. In the end she gave it her all but she wasn't able to finish the race. Here is a summary of the first of two laps around the track.

Runners take your mark!

On your mark, Get set, Go! (Angela in the light blue shirt, dark blue shorts)

Angela wasn't in the front row, so she had to work her way out of the pack.

Here she is in about 6th place.

She is up to 4th place.

If Angela passes the girl in 2nd place, what place is she in?

She is now in the lead and by a considerable margin, she may have kicked it up a notch too high to soon.

As they near the completion of the first lap with classmates cheering them on, Angela is in 1st place, but signs of pain on her face.

As she crossed the start line, she pulled up with a pain in her side and unfortunately she wasn't able to continue. She still did a great job and we're proud of her efforts. Time to start training for next year.

It is the start of a new era, yes the era of dishwashing. Gillian is now dishwasher-in-training. Although she looks like a professional to me.

You're planning on attending the Canadian Redneck Games. We passed this sign on Highway 9 near the Town of Minto. Try your hand at redneck horseshoes, bobbin' for pigs feet or the armpit serenade.

Today was Open House at Camp Wyoka. Gillian and Angela are both going to camp for a week this summer. We went up for a tour and familiarize the girls where they will be staying, etc.

It was a sunny windy day, I'm sure it kept the bugs away.

They had set up a Scavenger Hunt which led the girls around to the different areas of the camp. One of the items was to take a swing on the swings.

Another item was to roast a marshmellow.

Angela will be staying in one of the buildings in bunk beds. Gillian will be staying in a tent on a raised platform like this one.

The girls were running up and down the amphitheater hill.

Here they are striking a pose.

The camp is located on Lake Lakelet, there is swimming, boating,and water trampoline.

Some close-up photos.

Claudia was collecting rocks from all over the camp.

At the end of the scavenger hunt they were rewarded with a freezie from the tuck shop.

The girls are looking forward to going to camp. We'll see how it goes.

I'm back from Saturna Island, spent the week out there at one of our sites, had some good weather the first three days and then on Thursday it rained all day. You can view some photos on the work blog From Here To There.

Something new this year for the Senior Kindergarten class is Graduation Photos, yes, grad photos for 6 year olds. A couple of weeks ago, Jostens came in and took pictures, Claudia came home the one day saying she had to wear something nice because she was getting her picture taken in a gown. The proofs came home last week, and they are quite humourous. See for yourself.

Of course we went with Pose 3. We hardly took Claudia to Sears or Wal-Mart for pictures, so I guess she deserves it. Will keep you posted on how it turns out.

My stay at the Tanabe Inn & Suites was brief, I checked in late Friday night and I will be checking out early Monday morning. I was in Montreal last week for a training course, but on the way back Friday, we had a 4 hour detour through Frelighsburg, QC for some equipment repairs. Tomorrow I fly out to Victoria and then over to Saturna Island for the week.

I managed to get some of the yard work done today, I was a little worried with the rain yesterday, I thought it may rain all day today. I'm sure the neighbours were wondering. Only 19 days of school left for the girls.