May: Pancakes, Covid, King, Daffodils, Friends, STEAM, Track, Mother's Day, Swimming, Music, Assignments, Showcase, Long Weekend, 100 years, Soccer
It has been a busy month, so busy that I have just made notes of things in point form that I want to write about here on my blog.
Finally today I have a few moments to document the things before the list gets too long.
Easton's school had their annual pancake day where we cooked approximately 925 pancakes! The kids were so excited to have this fun day! We got donations, grills, volunteers and then had a very busy day!
On May 5th, the World Health Organization declared that Covid-19 no longer represents a global health emergency. Most people are done with masking, however, we still wear them in crowded spaces and the kids still wear them at school. But when we are in places where we mostly trust that people are doing the right thing or outside we go mask free now. This announcement comes 3 years after the United Nations health agency first declared the international crisis. This is a symbolic end to the pandemic that once caused lockdowns, turned the world economy upside down, and killed at least 7 million people world wide. The pandemic hasn't come to an end as there are still spikes in Southeast Asia and the Middle East where thousands of people are still dying every week, but the rest of the world is in a much better place.
May 6th marked the coronation of King Charles. We got up early to watch the festivities on television. I had my own mixed emotions about the day so I can only imagine how he felt. The sadness of a Queen who died, and the responsibility of the future of the Monarchy. The RCMP was well represented in the parade, the chariots were beautiful, and seeing the crown, staff and scepter were rare sights. Of course the balcony scene was so different without Queen Elizabeth.
Next up was Brian's uncle Paul's daffodil party. Many of the Verkley's came out to see each other and enjoy all the varieties of daffodil flowers that Paul has on display. We celebrated with good company, good food and a lovely weather day! There has been rain so some of the ground was wet but we could still be outdoors which was so nice. Easton managed to find a few boys to play soccer with. Selinah decided that I needed to take her on the path that got me a soaker, but she laughed a lot as she took photos on her new kid camera. We were the last to leave as it has been a while since we saw all the family, we wanted to enjoy every last minute. There was even a late night chess game that took place and Paul gifted us some daffodils to take home to plant.
I got together with my friend Patti to walk around two new paths this month at Greenwood. Well, one I have done already but it was new to her. We saw some trilliams and got caught up. Life is so much nicer with friends. I love that we have shared our parenting journey and can talk about it all. :)
Easton's school had a STEAM night. Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Hadley came back to her former public school to volunteer with me. Hadley volunteered for two sessions while I did one and then Brian, Easton and I attended the second session.
Easton had his first ever track and field event at his school this year. He was supposed to have it in grade 4, but then the pandemic... then two years of virtual school and now finally in grade 7, his first time competing and he loved it. He tried the 100 m, javelin, 400 m, long jump, 1500 m, shotput and 200 m. The day finished off with freezies. He got a few 2nd's, and a few 5ths. This year ribbons were not given out, but hopefully they will come back next year.
For Mother's Day I got two new pillows with the kids' birth information on them. I LOVE THEM! We also played Carcassonne, the board game, and Brian BBQ'd steak, and vegetables with yummy potatoes as well. It was a bit of an emotional day as I spent some time thinking about my mom, but I am so very thankful for my mother in law and my own children.
The kids are back in swimming lessons after being off for three years. Singing lessons for Hadley and guitar lessons for Easton have wrapped up for the year.
Hadley has been busy with mid term assignments and I think she is thankful they are finally done. Easton has been working on his science project which is due at the end of the month.
Easton's school put on a dramatic showcase for HighSchool Musical Jr. Taken from the movie they did an hour and a half show of singing and dancing. It was full of energy, lights, music and was so much fun. He has been practicing the dance moves around the house for a while now. I think he wasn't sure at first that he would enjoy it but after doing the show for an audience, he actually loved it. He was very tired all week but it was worth it. I let him sleep in for two of the days and drove him to school instead of being picked up by the bus which gave him a half hour each morning and he was still on time. To end off the week, they did Jump Rope For Heart on Friday. I had never seen it done this way before but they had the new high jump mat out where they jumped over the rope, they had hula hoops where they skipped or hula hooped, and a few other stations. Not much actual skipping happened but they had a great day outdoors and raised some money for a good cause. It was the perfect way to end a busy week. Freezies on this day too!
For the May long weekend we went to Darlington. It was close to home at just about a half hour from our house but nice to get away and try our tent trailer for the first camping trip of the season. We arrived Friday night and spent most of the night in the trailer as the rain came down, hard! For hours! But after many card games and books being read, we managed to get outdoors to do some fishing with some of Easton's new equipment that he got for Christmas. Sadly no luck at actually catching a fish, but we enjoyed the views of the swans and geese. We even brought out the frisbee for a while and of course the campfire was a lovely way to end the evening.
Yesterday Brian's grandma celebrated a major milestone with her 100th birthday. We came back from camping early in order to drive to London to celebrate the day with her. We enjoyed a nice lunch, cake and ice cream, gift giving, and reminiscing about things that happened in 1923. The first issue of Time magazine was published, Bob Barker from the Price Is Right was born, The Hollywood sign was inaugurated in California, Roy and Walt Disney founded the Walt Disney company. The first Yankee's stadium opened its doors and the Yankees won the World Series. A six room house cost about $4000.
Marian looked so incredibly happy and proud to have her family around her and shared stories about riding the horse bus to school, how she loved being a teacher, how she was older than sliced bread which came into regular use in 1928. She remembers getting a car and indoor plumbing. She was so proud of her husband who made cereal at Kelloggs. She was proud of where she chose to live the last bit of her life. She had such a positivity that radiated.
She got letters from the Governor General of Canada and the Prime Minister. She would have gotten one from the Queen, or the King but sadly when the request went in for the documents the new king was not yet crowned.
She was surrounded by family and a few friends and was celebrated at an earlier party this past week with the people in her building and I think she felt all the love!
I was glad to have shared the day with her.
Easton has his first soccer game tonight and he has the same coach as he had for hockey and three of the players are from his team, so the four of them will have a fun season I am sure.