Swinging to Summer

Tessa took her first swing ride this week. We've had such incredible weather that we've been to the park almost everyday of the week. We even went for a picnic! Let's just hope that this summer will be filled with many sunny days like what we've had so far.

Welcome, Summer!

There's nothing better to welcome the summer than having fun at the waterpark. It's great because the waterpark is only a twenty-minute walk from our place, so it's a very convenient way for us to enjoy the warm weather and for Karch to release some energy and cool down.

(We have another Japanese student, Yoko, who is doing tutor-homestay. This means I'm giving her some English lessons while she stays with us.)

Happy Birthday, Sissa!

Okay, tried to get the post ready for May 24 (Sissa's real birthday), but I don't know how to change the date.

Anyway, this picture was taken in Ontario with Lola and her 8 grandchildren in 2004. (From front L to R Matt, Jay-O, and Sam; From back L to R Sissa (the birthday girl), me, Lauren, Madi, Lola, and Lianne).

Happy Birthday, Monika!

This was taken on your 24th birthday! (Mon's real birthday is on May 22)

Happy Birthday, Aby!

Ray thinks this picture was taken on Aby's fourth birthday.
(From Left to Right: Lola Tilde, Nathalie, Ray, Aby, Anton, and Tito Greg)

Freedom!

Besides being so busy this weekend with parties (Happy Birthday to Charina, Arlene, and Naiim!), Ray and I were able to celebrate Monika's (one of my best friends and Tessa's godmother) birthday with Jeff and Lorraine (another BFF) and Mike. We were Karch-and-Tessa-less for the night; thanks to Margaux and Rainer who braved babysitting duties.

Speaking of being without K & T, I was also able to be on my own on Friday night; thanks to my mom! While Ray was at work and my mom took care of the kids, I was free to have dinner without feeding anyone else but myself, and I was able drop by James & Connie's housewarming where I saw people I haven't seen...since Karch was born!

Renovations Part 1.5

Now that our windows are done, we decided to change our stairs and hallway flooring. So, after almost three years of walking on "carpet-stapled-on-plywood steps," we finally got our stairs done! To make our stairs flow to the hallway, we decided to get our hallway floors done as well! The flooring is bamboo. Good for the environment and good for us!

Before....(Look at what Karch is stepping on. The original blue carpet which Ray and his friends removed before we moved in was then nailed down on the stairs, so that we don't get splinters walking on plywood steps!)


After....(We still need to do some interior painting in the stairway and foyer.)





Even Tessa is happy with the renos!



Stay tuned. We are getting our bathrooms done too. Now, if the contractor/plumber would just hurry it up. It's been over a month!

Note to everyone out there who does not have any renovation connection...be sure to contact your homebuilder's association for recommendations or hire a company who is a member of the Better Business Bureau!

Happy Mother's Day!

We hope all of you mothers had a wonderful day!

-RJKT

Out and about

We finally got our single-pane windows replaced to more energy-efficient ones on Thursday. That's a good thing! Unfortunately, I was forced to take the kids out of the house for five hours straight! I haven't really done that...EVER. So, Thursday was a whole different story. I took BOTH K & T to a playgroup (Tessa's first playgroup experience, but I forgot my camera!), shopping, and then to a nearby coffeehouse for lunch. By the time we got home, the kids were napping in the car. When they woke up, we still couldn't come in the house, so we had to stay outside. It was tough work. I don't know how other moms do it! I looked like more than my usual mess by the end of it all. At least, I know I can actually take both K & T out on my own for more than just a walk to the park. Small steps, I tell you!

Happy Birthday, Mama!