A Little Magic, A Little Music

Today we completed the last of the birthday celebrations with my gift to the girls - a vist to Harry Potter at the Hogwarts School of Wizardry! (Well, the Harry Potter Exhibition at the Ontario Science Centre, anyway.)

Unfortunately, they do not permit photos inside the exhibit which is a real shame, because it was so wonderful to see. If you have been a fan of the movies, then every twist and turn through the authentic rooms full of actual movie items was thrilling. And Bryanna was chosen at the beginning of the exhibit to sit on a stool and have the Sorting Hat placed on her head...and then was sorted into Gryffindor House! (Okay, Bryanna thought it was neat, but this mom - who is a major Harry Potter fan - burst into enthusiastic applause to hear that familiar voice intone through the room "Hmm, daring...brave at heart...Gryffindor!"

We saw costumes, wands and crystal balls, life size models of many of the characters (Auntie Kim, we saw Dobby!), and full size recreations of some scenes (Hagrid's hut was COOL). The girls pulled crying Mandrakes from pots and threw blodgers through small Quidditch hoops on the first try (oh, oh, oh, to be able to take a photo!). Anyway, a very fun afternoon that I enjoyed as much as the dynamic duo did.

And the music?

Well, this was Education Week and the time that Osprey Woods P.S. holds its annual Spring Concert. We headed over early with Nanny and Papa to line up for the first come first served seating in the gym - it was chilly outside but a beautiful evening.

We paused to see the Killdeer bird that had made a nest in one of the schools's tulip gardens...roped off now to keep the mom and her eggs safe until the babies hatch...very cool.

Then it was inside to see the performances. Bryanna had been practicing in the ukelele choir all year and it was great to see her perform - the group was really good!

Then Cassidy and the junior choir arrived to sing a couple of pretty tunes related to the earth and the environment (the theme of the evening). However, why one of the tiniest girls in the choir was placed in the third row behind taller kids baffled all the Thompsons, but fortunately our seats up front allowed us to see her between the rows! She gets a real kick out of performing...

(Cassidy's video clip...)

A little later Cassidy performed with the grade 2s and 3s in a funny take on the three pigs story...is this a priceless photo or what?...

Finally, Bryanna and the grade 5s returned to perform Wavin' Flag...I had no idea that this was coming and was part of the school's committment to teach an awareness of the needs of others around the world...I had heard nothing of it from Brya and found myself very emotional as all the kids broke into song at the end of a video presentation.

(Brya's video clip...)

So, yes there is gardening waiting for me, and purging (again) of far too many closets and drawers and basement boxes. Work is very busy, and multiple projects are piling up.

But, still, these magical, musical moments with the dynamic duo make the everyday so much fun!

Birthday Celebration Number Two

According to Bryanna, however, her birthday is Number One since she is older. ;-)

And I remember now why we have combined the girls' birthdays for the last six years...two weeks of birthday celebrations is exhausting!

I'm happy though because Bryanna is completely satisfied with her first school-chum sleepover party, the homemade cupcakes, homemade spa treatments for her friends, and winding up the celebrations - her family party at her restaurant of choice, the Mandarin.

The girls are incredibly sweet...they are a happy (crazy) group that get along really well.

While the girls had pizza and cupcakes, Cassidy and I had our own little party - she was delighted to have full control of the laptop for once!

The girls explored Bryanna's very tidy room...

...and then moved to the basement for spa treatments (a place that has seen many other spa activities in the past!)...

After that came gifts, and popcorn and DVD movies...

Despite the huge basement they had to spread out in, the 5 staying over all decided to squeeze together in one corner. And as the final moments of The Princess and the Frog came to an end around 12:30 pm, they all were asleep.

I was very proud that I made it through MY first sleepover as a mom. Yahoo me!

Saturday was spent recovering and spending some time at the park in the sunshine and then Sunday arrived - Bryanna was officially 11 years old! She had breakfast in bed and was delighted to receive a gift certificate for earrings from her sister (which she chose later that day at the mall).

Brya loves everything about visiting the Mandarin but in her opinion, the very best part is the apparently unlimited supply of king-sized crab legs! I lost count of how many she ate - more than 10, less than 20, enjoying every buttery morsel.

A perfect end to another wonderful birthday for our beautiful girl.

We love that smile!

I did it! I did it!

I could not WAIT to blog this!!!!

On Monday, April 12th, my sister blogged about "A Homemade Life," an amazing book by Molly Wizenberg. I was so taken by my sister's post that I went and bought the book that day. I finished it this past weekend...I love how Molly writes, and was completely caught up in the stories of her life...I wanted to weep when she wrote of the loss of her father, felt a personal recognition of her love of Paris, and my own heart felt like singing when she found her Brandon.

But the way she speaks of and loves food - it is wondrous, and homey, and comforting and, well, yummy. I immediately wanted to try the recipes found throughout, though my past attempts at unknown recipes have not set the world on fire by any means. I dubiously eyed some of the instructions and unfamiliar ingredients.

But this weekend is Bryanna's 11th birthday and she wants cupcakes for her sleepover with school chums. Coincidentally, Molly includes a recipe early in the book for what sounded like scrumptious chocolate cupcakes. This had to be a sign.

I read the recipe all the way through (Molly's tip), made my grocery list and shopped for the ingredients. I figured if it didn't work out, I still had time before Friday to use a cake mix (hee hee). I set out all the recommended bowls, and prepared the recipe as close to Molly's instructions as I could. I hesitated at the inclusion of half a cup of coffee...but I obeyed.

And suddenly, the most delicious batter was before us. Cassidy, who was my faithful assistant (and photographer), was dipping her finger as soon as the mixer stopped.

And exactly 25 minutes later, there they were!

Now, I am sure they do not live up to Molly's own, though I think with practice (did I mention that I am going to make a second batch tomorrow?) I will get even better. However, they are DELICIOUS! And EASY!

Cassidy, who does not like cake, inhaled one immediately. And Brya who prefers white cake, likewise devoured one. They don't have Molly's Bittersweet Glaze because the kids are going to decorate their own...but even "undressed" they are still so so good. (It is going to take severe self-control not to pour myself a glass of milk and eat the whole batch tonight!)

Thank you, Kim, for the great referral. And thanks to Molly Wizenberg for writing about her loves and showing the everyday cook how to succeed. More of those delicious recipes will soon be taking up residence in our kitchen!

Scientist Day!

Cassidy has been waiting for her scientist birthday party for weeks and it lived up to all her hopes (and mine!).

Professor Krazzy arrived with all his scientific equipment and whipped up an hour of fun for the whole group. He made them laugh, and cheer, and gasp. Paper evaporated, volcanos erupted, a whole egg slipped unblemished through the neck of a flask, fire exploded from a container and diet coke shot high into the air (in the backyard for that one!).

Cassidy loved the lava experiment, not realizing what would happen as she added some colour to a flask...check out the video clip below to find out...

After everyone created their own flubber to take home, we brought out the cake and ice cream. Yum!

Look at this special head-gear...

And finished up with the opening of gifts. How generous our friends are!

This little scientist loved the whole thing and will be talking about it for a long time to come. Happy Birthday, hon!

That Hilarious Kid

Cassidy loves life. She squeezes joy out of every single second and is tickled with each delicious moment that comes her way.

Today this marvellous child turned 8 and so, even more than the norm, she skipped and hopped and giggled through each surprise and experience that unfolded. It just made us want to do more to make that smile of hers appear...and because very little embarrasses her when it has to do with fun and celebration, she throws herself wholeheartedly into enjoying it all.

From the huge grin at being served breakfast in bed (her gourmet menu? a pop tart, bacon, bananas and orange juice) to a shy smile when the whole club sang Happy Birthday to her during gymnastics, to wearing moose antlers on her head at her favourite Montana's restaurant, it is all happy time for Miz C.

Each gift is a moment to be treasured no matter what it is ... and do NOT rush her over the cards because she likes to read every word...

Special greetings and presents from her aunt, uncle and cousin Sophie were an extra treat, as was the cool present of a lap-desk for beds, cars and the couch (Bryanna scored one too, a week before her own big day!)

And did you notice the fashion spectacles? Those were a gift from Brya and she adores them - which says something very telling about how well her big sister knows her.

Happy Birthday, Cass, we love you!!!!

New Wheels, New Digs

February 11th was not a good day for our mom this year as you might remember...

Since then, mom has had lots of therapy, has travelled all over China with our family and friends, recovered from a bad bronchial infection (which dad decided to join in on just to keep her company), and finally mom is starting to feel a return of wellness in many areas.

This week was another giant step forward. From simply admiring friend Shauna's Nissan Versa on Easter weekend, mom and dad went shopping, test-driving and ended up buying one of their own this week!

Metallic Ice...Nice!

Not to be outdone, this Thompson trio went house shopping.

Nope, not that kind. The tent kind.

Having squeezed ourselves into what was basically no more than a pup tent last Summer, we expanded to an 8 man tent with wings that can be curtained off into 3 rooms.

We "test drove" it today too, and despite some gusty winds, we were successful in raising the roof. Now we're just looking forward to some hot, dry weather this Summer to try it out.

Fun times await!

Easter Ramblings

What, you may ask, does this photo of my sister and I standing on top of The Peak in Hong Kong have to do with Easter? Get back to you on that in a minute.

This was Holy Week, when the Christian faith is celebrating and standing in wonder of the absolute love God holds for us...as we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. The girls and I were at three different services this week, celebrating with friends and our St. Matthew's Church community, the joyousness of this wondrous event.

It was also at time for family and friends to come together and we were delighted that Shauna and MacLean could spend a fun weekend with us when they could not be with their family this holiday. The three girls loved their Easter baskets, hunting for eggs, and having an hilarious time with MacLean's cutie-patootie puppy, Scout.

After an uplifiting service at St. Matt's this morning, we basked in the sun in our backyard for a bit, and then joined mom and dad for a meal at the Aberfoyle Mill - delish! as Shauna would say.

Now back to the top photo...

Joyously, Kim, Damian and Sophie were with us in China just 2 weeks ago, and together with our parents and friends, we experienced a glorious 15 days exploring the country of my daughters' birth. Ironically though, that amazing adventure meant that an Easter trip home to Canada was out for Kim this year - and as with all special days, it is now that we miss Kim and her family the most.

As has happened before, Kim and I were on a similar wavelength today and she also posted about being away from this family while my own post was still in draft form.

I guess all those who are fortunate enough to have lived and grown up surrounded by family love will always feel that intense tug when we're not together, even when we have just left each others' company. That just won't change, and truth be told, we would never want it to.

So I went delving into Kim and Damian's China photos and filched a few (that top one from Damian's super camera) and the following three from my sister's. Brings those three loved people right in front of me...until this Summer when we'll be together again.

xoxoxo