nearly there - 06/27

-there being summer vacation!
The kids (and hopefully Josh) have just 3 days left of school, including today. I cannot believe that we're at the end of another school year all ready! Time just flies by when you have kids, I swear.
I know there are people anxiously awaiting pictures of Levi's birthday and cake (me included there!) and I will bug Josh to get them ready for me this week. He's been very busy the past couple weeks with getting exams prepared for his kids, getting everything marked and whatnot for the end of the year, and then with his school's grad last Friday. Thus, no pictures yet. But they're coming. Promise!
Speaking of last Friday, it was our school's awards night for the kids. Unfortunately, Josh had to be at his own school's grad so he wasn't able to come with us this year. First time I think. But I got us all ready and we went down for supper and the awards. Ruth and Zech both got a book, and Isaac got to go up on stage to get a certificate welcoming him to Minto School. He was so brave - went right up, no hesitation, shook the teacher's hand and collected his certificate. She had given him the school supply list as well and he spent the next 10 minutes "reading" his list, telling me we should go "tomorrow" and get lots of pencils for him. He's so excited for kindergarten, and we're so excited for him! After the awards were all given the kids got to watch their school video. We made it home about 9:30pm - surprisingly Levi did really well the whole evening. Sat in a chair to eat, hardly made a peep the whole night (besides waving and saying "hello!" to the people behind us during supper, and crying once when he stubbed his foot on a step), and just toddled around watching all the people, coming back to me every few minutes. He does have his moments, like all kids, but he is really an easy little guy.

As for our summer plans, we don't have too many. We'd like to get out camping a few times - like to Winnipeg for a few days to go to the zoo and museum, and the kids have been talking for months about going to the waterslides again! But with the weather this spring/summer so far, it'll be hit-or-miss for going. Fortunately we can pack up and go at any time with Josh off for the summer - how I love him having the same times off as the kids, honestly - so when we get a good stretch of 2 or 3 days of sun/warmth (which would actually be a good stretch this year, how depressing) we can just grab clothes and go.
I plan to get the camper set up, cleaned out, and packed with everything I can pack beforehand (dishes, pots, etc) so it can be ready for us to throw our clothes and pillows in to take off. I think it should save us that extra day or half day of doing that when the weather is right to take off. That's the hope anyways.
I can't wait to take the kids camping! Levi loves being outdoors, toddling everywhere and investigating everything, and absolutely loves water. And all the kids are excited to go.
Josh's mom and dad will be coming out later in July for a visit as well. Josh's cousin is getting married and they're coming out for the wedding, but are planning to stay for a couple weeks, I believe (hope so!). The kids are excited for Grandma and Grandpa to come, too. And they keep asking when Nana and Papa are coming again (nudge, nudge)!!
All in all, not terribly huge plans for our summer - not like the trip to Niagra that we'd hoped for, maybe next year - but I think we'll have fun.

AND - big congratulations to Zech! Yesterday he did his karate testing - he had to attend an extra technical upgrade class and do his testing. He was nervous but did so so well! He earned his stripe!! (on his white belt, the "step" between white and yellow belts)
We are so proud of him!