Joy-filled June

Uncle Craig introduced the kids to appetizers and floats with supper

It's been a wonderful, packed June, and I'm thankful for the arrival of July tomorrow.  July has a different pace.   It always begins with a party every year (Happy Canada Day and Happy Birthday Natasha!) June also has so many reasons to celebrate, including birthdays, an anniversary, Father's Day, summer, the end of school, and graduations.  Three of my nieces graduated high school this year and this past Wednesday evening, Isaac graduated Grade 8.    

Isaac playing O Canada

Isaac was asked to play O Canada at the graduation and he played very well!  Graham and I were proud parents as we stood and sang along.  Actually, in typical "us-fashion" we arrived just in time for "standing room only."  Graham decided to look around to see if he could find somewhere for us to sit and a woman said she had decided to sit on the floor at the top of the bleachers due to a health condition and she and her husband gave us their seats.  And, they were right behind where Isaac was playing the piano so we had the perfect view!  Thank You Lord!  

JK to Grade 8

Kohen and Lily-Anna enjoyed a Kids' Retreat with our church.  Unfortunately, Lily-Anna's piano recital was the same day so she couldn't perform but she and Kohen had a great time.  Isaac performed well in his year-end recital.

Isaac is part of the Building Youth Leadership Development program.  He had a day and a half of training and he will volunteer at a city-run summer day camp for two weeks in August.  He'll have a mentor who will provide feedback.  He needs to plan at least one activity during the first week and daily activities the second week.  Isaac volunteers with 2 and 3 year olds at our church and he loves it (and has a few little fans) so I know he'll do a great job.  When I first told him about the leadership program he wasn't too excited until I told him that he would be working with kids and he knew he would enjoy that.  

It was so lovely to see Graham's brother who was visiting from B.C. as well as my Auntie Celia who was visiting from England.  She moved back to England two years ago so I don't get to see her often.

I enjoyed helping out with Track and Field at Kohen and Lily-Anna's school.  This is the first year that Kohen was able to participate as it is only for the junior students.  Kohen's birthday is right around the cut-off age so he was the youngest in his group and he said he had a great time. 

Lily-Anna's 8th birthday was at the end of May but her family celebration and her party with friends were both in June.  She really wanted a party in our home and while I was very nervous about this given that we live in a small home with one washroom and there would be 12 extra girls and a mom, bringing the total of people in our home to 18.  Did I mention there was a heat wave so it felt like 37 degrees outside, thus cancelling the plans for a picnic and outdoor time?  For all of these reasons, we  came very close to switching to bowling (as it's easy to book a spot at the last minute this time of year).  Lily-Anna wanted no part in that plan.  

I believe God gave me wisdom with an easy and fun paper flower craft and ways to split up our space into stations for different activities.  It was a family affair with Graham leading the craft and games in the living room, the boys leading target practice using foam arrows as well as other team games in the basement and cupcake decorating in the kitchen along with some Giant Jenga in the hallway.  Apart from washing hands, I'm not sure if any of the girls even needed to use the washroom.  God knew what would work and I'm thankful.  I heard from a couple of moms that their daughters had a great time.  The mom who stayed was also an immense blessing.  She went right to work and we definitely needed her help.  

Kohen recently became interested in watching hockey so he and Isaac decided to contribute towards the price of a one-month subscription to one of the sports channels online.  We enjoyed watching the Oilers win those three games in a row!  Too bad about the last one.  Graham also decided to use some birthday money to subscribe to another channel so we've been enjoying watching some football (soccer) games of the Euro and the Copa America.  We were quite surprised to listen to the opening prayer of the Copa, which quoted Jesus saying He came to bring abundant life; acknowledged God as the source of all life; and asked for blessing and protection in Jesus' name.   I wouldn't mind hearing more prayers like that before sporting events.  

Lily-Anna has been thoroughly enjoying riding her bike of late.  She is always up to going out with Graham or me around the block or down to see the ducks or to a park.  We learned about a local Pump Track recently.  Isaac enjoyed trying it though he said he doesn't completely have the hang of it as he still needed to pedal his bike.  One of Isaac's teachers organized a bike club at the school so Isaac went on a few rides.  They were planning to go on a couple of long rides but unfortunately the heat wave cancelled those plans.  I'm hoping we can go on some family rides this summer locally.  

Another highlight of the month was seeing one of Isaac's friends (who is also the son of friends) get baptized in the river.  What a wonderful reason to celebrate.  I love baptisms but they are definitely extra special when I know the person getting baptized.  

L-A made flowers for her teachers

At Isaac's middle school, all of the grade 7 classes and grade 8 classes compete again the same grade classes for points all year.  Isaac's class won both last year and this year.  They were rewarded with a bbq on the last day of school.  We continued our tradition for the last day of school.  Graham and I both go to pick up Kohen and Lily-Anna (and Isaac came with us as his school ends earlier).  We then take some photos in front of the school (we started the photos in 2020 when the school was closed on the last day as it had been since March).  We then go to the convenience store for a treat - usually a slushy or ice cream.  I picked a cake pop from the bakery close to the store.  This year we invited the girl whom we picked up and dropped off for school all year.  We weren't late to school once.

I finally planted perennials

Isaac saved me a little work by completely forgetting that his class had planned a potluck until he someone asked him what he brought.  Thankfully, there was enough food.

I volunteer with a literacy program at the elementary school with three children each week.  We were able to celebrate all of their hard work and progress.   

As part of her birthday present, Lily-Anna's cousins invited her for a sleepover.  She had such a good time.  

It's well past bedtime so I'll see if I can quickly add a few photos.  

Oh yes, Graham and I also celebrated our anniversary this month with our annual trip to the Keg for steaks and a delicious Billy Minor Pie (SO good!).  

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.