Alia a.k.a. Barista Jr.

It's Sunday morning and all is quiet. I'm awake but not in a real rush to get out of bed. I hear noises coming from downstairs. 'That sounded like the coffee machine. Alia's making me a coffee!'

Part of me (over-protective mom) wanted to go downstairs and supervise. The 'anti-helicopter' parent in me said: Jo, wait and see. Be ready to run if you hear a scream but if you go downstairs now, there will be more disappointment than joy because the surprise will be ruined.

Sigh! Just another sign that the girls are growing up so quickly. Last night, Alia made delicious cookies all by herself. The only thing I did was get the bowl down from the top shelf of the cupboard, put the cookies in the oven and take them out and, I think most important of all, explain the difference between plastic wrap and parchment paper!! The cookies were a success!

I am proud to report this morning that the coffee was delivered to me in bed successfully and was delicious! Alia was very proud and pleased with her accomplishment and Kyra got a hot chocolate out of the deal. (There was extra steamed milk leftover after my coffee.

What a awesome way to start a Sunday morning! Thank you Eric for training our jr. barista!

First Flight

July 7 - The babies are out of the nest. 

This past weekend, we found mama bird perched on the patio chairs in the backyard. She was on guard duty as we spotted one of the babies perched on a branch in the cedars. 

They are also starting to coo again. Up until now, they were very, very quiet. 

July 12 - Hanging out in the apple tree

Morning Dove family was spotted on the branches of the apple tree in the backyard. The babies feathers are speckled, unlike mama bird who's feathers are grey and sleek.

Les œufs éclorent!

One day Alia and Eric announced that there are baby birds in the nest! We finally spot two baby birds. Every evening before bed, we check up on the birds. We probably took way too many pictures over the course of several weeks. I think our total is up to about 100+ and the crazy job of editing the number down to a reasonable amount is coming soon!

We have since spotted papa bird and mama bird taking turns in the nest.

our family of doves

"Maman, il y a un nid d'oiseau à côté de ma fenêtre!"

Can you see me?

This past spring, Alia showed me the bird's nest just outside her window. At first, I only saw the nest but as I looked very carefully, the mother bird appeared through the cedar branches. At first it didn't look real. The bird didn’t move! But all of a sudden it blinked and it was not just my imagination or my eyes playing tricks on me.

The morning doves built their nest on top of another older nest, probably one that a squirrel built last year. The bottom of the structure is very chunky and full of leaves. The top part of the nest the birds are using is more typical with smaller twigs.

Every morning, Alia would check up on the nest. Mama bird was always there. After school and in the evening, always there. I sometimes wondered when she ate. And where was papa bird? We saw him a few times sitting on the nest but most often it was the mother bird in the nest. She hardly ever moved, never cooed. Really good camouflage!

Apple Camp 2012

The girls have spent the last two mornings at Apple Camp at the local Apple Store. They have been creating their own compositions with GarageBand and this morning they are editing their movies in iMovie. Hopefully this will further inspire them to create other movies.

Where did the school year go?

Returning to the classroom full-time was a lot harder than I anticipated. I knew it would be a challenge but what a challenge! Let's just say that on the first week of summer vacation Kyra and I are sick! I am so grateful for Eric being around to drive the girls to swimming and piano, giving me some time to prepare lessons, etc... This first weekend of the summer holiday, I am putting my feet up and enjoying the garden, the sunshine and family time.

The girls did a fabulous job at school this year. Both sang in the choir and took chess lessons at lunchtime. Alia joined the improv club and volleyball team.

The girls are looking forward to summer camps this summer. Today is Alia's first day at horseback riding camp. Kyra's art camp starts tomorrow.

Our summer will probably be just as busy the rest of the year but we will definitely find the time to slow down, hang out on a picnic blanket in the shade of  tree and just breathe.

Cabane à sucre 2012!