"She's got dancing inside her"

So said one of Gwendolyn's instructors at the final session of her recent creative dance class at Arts Umbrella. Take a look at this video and see if you agree:

More photos from Reifel Sanctuary

Daddy really enjoyed accompanying the Family Montessori children on their field trip to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in early June. Her are a few more photos from the day:

 Dressed for the weather and ready for adventure!

 A swallow stands guard over nest box #76

 Two resident sandhill cranes pay us a visit

 Spot the wee birdie...?

Peering down from the top of the observation tower. Thank goodness for that fence!

June photo collection

Let's catch you up with a few photos from Gwendolyn's June:

 A menagerie of characters drawn by G. on her nifty coffee table "canvas" (Roll out the paper, anchor at each end with a few staples and viola! No more worries about felt pen marks on the wood!)

 Serving Daddy at the school's Parent Tea

 Sharing a lunchtime laugh with a school buddy while on a field trip to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary (Daddy seems to remember the joke was about stinky bird poop...)

 Demonstrating her mastery of the decanomial square at the "show your work" evening at school

Posing with Laura, Gwendolyn's Arts Umbrella creative dance teacher

Last day of pre-school; hello kindergarten!

Friday was the last day of pre-school for Gwendolyn, and it was marked in fine style with a school picnic at Kits Beach. Next year, she moves to the top of the heap at Family Montessori: a member of the "Lunch Bunch" kindergarten class.

Sadly, several of her best pals from these past two years will be moving on to other schools. They'll be just a phone call or e-mail away, though, and we'll be sure to keep in touch!

Gwendolyn shares a hug with some favourite classmates

The artist describes her latest work

A new bike!

Gwendolyn outgrew her tiny run/pedal bike a while back, and it's taken us until now to find a suitable replacement. Enter this preloved, sweet little purple number; with the addition of some fancy handlebar streamers, it received our G.'s enthusiastic approval. We're now good to go for Pedalheads camp this summer!

These are pictures of the first official ride: to Caffe Cittadella (1 1/2 blocks away) for a muffin and steamed milk.

What to do for Mother's Day?

Well, go to the Blue Sky Circus, of course! Gwendolyn has been fascinated with all things circus since being introduced to a video of Cirque du Soleil a few months back -- so much so that her Mom graciously offered to take her to a performance yesterday by the talented CirKids of CircusWest. Extra Mothers' Day points for you, Mama!

Here's a photo of G. and one of the performers after the show. Looks like someone had a good time, yes?