The Skip-et craze

I'm not sure I've got the spelling correct, but this toy has taken Emily Carr Elementary's kindergarten by storm. At least 4 kids have them in this class of 15 by my count. We gave in to peer pressure - but Maia paid for it with her money. (Mental note - roll the hundreds of dimes before we get to store)

New Camera Test

We bought a new (o.k. refurbished) Digital SLR and a very nice lens to go with it. One of the first test shots.... I think we'll keep it.

DOGSLEDDING!

We spent a pleasant and exciting morning at Whistler yesterday. Today's mission: take a dogsled tour with a local tour company.



Lots of fun and boy do you go fast on the downhill runs. Not so quick on the uphills in the slushy snow. Good thing the guide suggested that I (Evan) get out and push a bit up the hills. We all got a chance to mush the dogs. Highly recommended but stick to middle of winter when the snow is a bit firmer.

Diane also got to go on a "Sno-Limo" at Whistler. http://www.sno-limo.com/
She said it was lots of fun too.

Maia is off to Bike camp this Spring Break.

Our trip to Toronto on VIA rail

All Aboard!Champange departure.

Maia was happy with the meals - this is a cornish game hen

passing time in the observation car

Sleepy but happy at breakfast

Mum, Maia and I took a 3-day train trip from Vancouver to Toronto. It was very easy to get used to the 1st class service!

Fun with Maia

Maia at the Snowflake Ball - she and 175 little girls dressed in their finest finery for the event

Maia's new wheels. Daddy got Maia a little sports car for her transport when we move aboard

Testing the new wetsuit. Mama found a teeny tiny wetsuit at the used gear store

A wintery day with Colleen

Maia, cousin Colleen and I headed to Grouse Mountain for some fun in the snow.

Christmas 2006

We spent Chrisams at my mum's this year. The cousins had a blast. We did a bit of skiing and generally indulged in eggnog and sloth.

Decorating the tree.

























First ski of the year!

Some of the missing moments...

Maia at the Cowichan Maritime Museum

Checking out a Saltspring Island Store

Checking out an Icecream shop

On Saltspring posing for a Geocaching article

In Chemainus posing at the bakery

Selling Poppies on Rememberance Day

Some of you have heard Maia shouting "No Paparazzi," this may give you an idea why. This fall she posed for images for 8 different magazine stories. Remembrance Day wasn't a photo shoot though.

Embrace the winter...

Maia and her kindergarten class went snowshoeing this past week. I was the lucky parent chosen to join the 26 5-yr olds.

I have a really, really hard job. This past weekend Ev and Maia joined me on a press trip. We went floating down the Squamish River and saw hundreds and hundreds of Eagles. The were roosting, feeding, soaring and generally impressing the heck out of us. This story should be a treat to write.

November Fun and Grumps

The Fun!

The Grumps...

Halloween

Behold - feminism's fifth-wave

Ever since seeing a group of "big girls" dressed head to toe in pink, Maia has dreamed of the day when she too could become a Spark. "Mummy, when I'm big enough I want to be a beautiful pink girl and then a bride."
Well that first wonderful day has come and Maia has made her pledge to "Share and be a Friend" to all the other bright pink girls.


Today Princess Maia galloped up to me on her trusty steed Butterfly, "I'm busy with Princess business." She told me. "I won't be available to set the table."
Was she off to slay a dragon? I asked.
"Of course not - that's so old fashioned. Princes slay dragons, while Princesses do the important stuff. Anyway..." She called, as she galloped out of sight. "Princes are expendable."

Deb and Lorne's Wedding

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The day was magical and the bride was radiant. She and her bridesmaids rowed across the lake, while Balkan singers up in the maple tree filled the yard with song. Maia and Colleen accompanied Deb and Jade and the bridesmaids - as they made their way to Lorne, Heron and Lorne's best 'gal.

Then the band played until no one was left standing.

The First Day of Kindergarten

Maia is in a sweet class with 13 other kids - she loves her school and her teacher.

Maia's 5th Birthday

Can someone please tell me how 5-years went so fast? My baby is such a big girl these days...

Look Ma - no training wheels!

Maia set herself the goal of being training-wheel free by her 5th birthday. After one morning of determined effort she was off!