"Back In The Day" OR "Best Party Ever"

Saturday night was the night for the last big school fundraiser of the year.

It also ended up being the most fun I've had in years.

Mike even went on record as saying "that was the best party I've ever been to".

Let me tell you how it went down.

Traditionally, Confederation Park does a "Pub Night" in spring.  This year, we had a nearly new PAC at the helm and we decided to change things up with a live band, dance, and bar in the school gym.    It ended up being called "Back In The Day" because of the crazy mix of old and new music that was going to be played.

I couldn't wait for Saturday night.  Our great friend Don just happens to be the lead singer for the cover band "Hey Stewey" that was performing.   Don's two kids go to Confederation Park, so it was pretty neat to have a school parent performing.  Mike and I love "Hey Stewey".  We've gone out to see them play a few times in the past two years and every time we are blown away by Don's ability to be a vocal chameleon.

But before the music started, we had to dress up.  After a few fruitless trips to Value Village over the week, I found my 80's groove in the mall.  Good thing everything old is new again.  For reals.

Here's my friend Lisa, strutting her 1970's stuff all over that gym floor.

And Mike... who did not come up empty at Value Village and took it to the next 

level with his handlebar moustache.

Heather had a wicked 1970's Charlie's Angels cat suit going on...

... and the ladies behind the bar smiled and poured all night long!

Here's the man of the hour -  Don.  

For this night he was also mistaken for Brett Michaels.

The ladies loved him.

Lisa's only challenge of the night was staying in an upright position with that wig on her head.

I love these ladies.

That's Lisa's Aunt Tina.  She knows how to pour a good Dr. Pepper.

Sasha's special friend Heloise's mom and dad...

... and the cutest thing on the dance floor, our friend Michelle!

Most unbelievable transformation of the night went to our friend Marc.  

He knows how to rock the 1970's, complete with chest hair.    

Mike grew an awesome afro on his head during the night too!

For the third set of music, the wig came off, and Don looked like Don again.

I liked Brett, but I like Don even more.

I can't think of a better way to have ended our time here. 

Awesome music, all my friends, cold beer, and a dance floor.

We walked home that night with neighbors and ended up heading over to their place with a bunch of other parents for a night cap.  The party continued - and I loved every minute of it.

Best party ever.

Wish we could all do it all over again this weekend.

Sunday Looked Like This

Sunday was a day to celebrate our two years living here.   

This place is really beautiful, but it wouldn't have been a life-changing season without the relationships we've made.   

We owe them all to our girl's school.  There is great value in sending your kids to a neighborhood school and hanging around the playground after dismissal.  You'll probably forge some pretty amazing friendships.

Thankfully, it didn't rain on Sunday.  I needed the kids to eat outside in our concrete jungle also known as a backyard.  I don't know where we would have put everyone otherwise!  Even though it was cool and cloudy, they were great sports!  We just shoved hot-dogs and chips at them while the adults filled up on all the other "real" food.  It worked like a charm.

I will never tell the secret ingredient in my pulled pork.  

It seemed to reignite Leanna and Darren's relationship. 

Look, they're kissing! 

Soon the plates were full and there was a loud roar of conversation happening around the kitchen table.  

My favorite sound.

Mike and I thought it would be a good idea to have everyone head over to the park after lunch so that we could take family pictures of everyone.  Selfishly, we wanted good pictures of every one's families before we leave, but we also wanted to do it as a "thank you" gift for everyone.  Here is just a sampling....

These are our neighbors from across the street, Darren, Leanna and their daughter Zoe.

Leanna is a loud and proud Italian who actually says "Ciao" when she says goodbye, and "Who you tellin'?" on a regular basis.   Zoe was in Sasha's kindergarten class.  She has spent lots of great hours playing at our house.  She's the easiest kid in the world to love and to have around.

This is Lisa and her daughter's Sophia and Ava.  Sophia is bubbly and social.   I fell in love with Ava from the minute I saw her head full of thick, blond angel hair when she was only a few days old.  And Lisa is one of my heroes.

This is Marc, Michelle, Vivianne and Elise.  Vivi and Sasha have been together in school for two years, and Elise and Ellie are together this year.  They were the first family to invite us over to their house for one of their epic Halloween parties.  They love people with passion.

This is Dave, Christina, Ethan and Zara.  Christina is an artistic and creative soul.  Zara and Sasha were together last year in kindergarten.  She is a tiny little ray of sunshine.  She draws the most amazing pictures of people.  We have several of her and Sasha that she's done that are treasures.

This is Heather, Don, Alejandro and Susie.  I fell in love with Susie and Alejandro the first minute I laid eyes on them.  Heather is vivacious, determined and capable.  Don is ridiculously funny, gentle, and one of the most amazing vocalists I've heard.  Hannah has had the extra pleasure of spending lots of time with their kids as their babysitter.  I'm pretty sure she'd do it even if she didn't get paid.

This is Soo Sen, Ray, Ethan and Evie.  Soo Sen is warm, hardworking and devoted.  Ethan has been in Sasha's class for two years.  I even got the thrill of being his piano teacher this year!  Evie is a tiny little fairy who flits about and steals your heart.  Hannah loves hugs from Evie, and she's been able to get quite a few when she's babysat for them too!

After the pictures were taken, the sun came out and the real fun began.

No one wanted to go home!  

That's my kind of day.

Memories (and kisses) for a lifetime.

Hats Off Day 2012

Today was the annual "Hats off Day" in the part of Burnaby we live in.  Our neck of the woods is the north part of Burnaby, and the stretch of Hastings that runs through it is called "The Heights".  Once a year, the merchants and restaurants in The Heights join together to put on a huge street festival as a thank you for the business they receive during the year.  It's kind of huge.  And everyone you know is out on the street feeling pretty naughty for strolling down the middle of Hastings like you own it.

The day started out cloudy.  The forecast called for a mix of sun and cloud.  We were optimistic.   We were also a bit deluded.

The parade got things going early this morning.  

There were cops on motorcycles....

.....Veterans marching.....

....and Mounties marching too.

There were also little martial arts kids kicking pads and wood while they walked....

...and Vikings playing instruments.

There were also friends.  That was the best part.  

Sasha's friend Heloise and her dad joined us for the second half of the parade.

It's always more fun if you have a friend close by.

I let my little (gigantic amazon-like) bird out of the nest today and said she could do the whole Hats Off thing with her friends on her own.  That didn't stop us from spying on her and her friends during the day.

We found some more friends as we walked.  My friend Karyne's family has the world's most obedient and lovable dog, Lexie.  Yes, that's right - you are hearing me speak lovingly of an animal.  I'm telling you,  Lexie is special.  She does the trails with me and Karyne every week and listens like no dog I've ever seen.  Mind you, I'd listen too if Karyne told me to do something.

Here I am displaying my love for Lexie by actually holding her.
I know, I was surprised too.

Sasha decided to follow suite.  

You would have too if you'd have been there.

Here is one of Lexie's owners - Ellie's special friend Anna.

One of my favorite parts of the day is (of course) the food!  The Heights has a huge Italian community, and there is lots of Italian sausage to be had as you stroll down the street.  This deli also had some Italian musicians singing "That's Amore".  It was a bit of a perfect corner.

A little further down we even ran into my favorite buddy, Ava.  

We go way back.

I've known her since her very first days and I'm pretty sure she really likes me too.

Shortly after lunch the rain began.  And did it rain.  Not sprinkles, not light drips, but a huge down pour complete with thunder and lightening.  We found a dry haven to try to wait it out, but when it looked like we'd be waiting a long time we threw caution to the wind and ran home and got drenched.

That's OK.

That's what memories are made of.

Like Father, Like Daughter

I felt that I was in the wrong place this week.

One of my most dear and cherished friends in Winnipeg, Christine, lost her dad on Monday night.

Christine and I have been around the bend together...
We've talked up and down and through the valleys that life has handed us.
She has always made herself known in my darkest places.
And I so wanted to be standing physically with her in her sadness this week.

I know she knows this.  We talked about it on Monday night.
But this is my way of standing with her and honoring her dad.

There is a lot of who Christine is that is an extension of her beloved father....

She loves history and stories.  She should have been born in another era because she always seems to have one foot in another time and place.
He was a historian.  He collected artifacts, and loved to tell stories of different places and times.

She is gentle.  If you are in pain or afraid, I can't think of anyone better to stand with you.
He exuded gentleness.   His voice was soft and soothing and full of warmth.  He had kind eyes and a way of gathering people around him without pomp or ceremony.

She is musical.  She loves to sing her heart out.  She sees value in old music and hymns that are sometimes forgotten or not remembered.
He knew the power of a song.  He loved to sing and hear the people in his congregation join him.   He knew how to pick the right song for the right moment.  Sometimes it said more than he could.

She loves her kids.  Her two are everything.  They are fiercely loved and guided.  They are prayed for and secure.
He was always there.  Steady and true and unwavering in his support and acceptance of all who called him "dad" and "grandpa".

She lives in the trenches.  She is not afraid of pain or going where it's uncomfortable or unknown.
He lived in the trenches with people he loved and served.  Sickness, death, funerals, divorce, bitterness,  anger, loss, betrayal.  Those are the places he stood and walked with the people in his congregation.


She knows how to celebrate.  She marks special dates, moments and transitions with cupcakes, thoughtful gifts, rooms full of people and just the right words.
He was where life was.  Births, baby dedications, weddings, anniversaries, baptisms... so many people have his face and name as part of the most joy-filled memories in their lives.


She knows where she comes from, and that God is the author of her story.  Her peace and assurance come from her faith in something bigger than herself.
He spent his days bringing the God he followed to the people, and the people to God.


Tomorrow a throng of people will remember and celebrate Christine's dad.
Tonight I'm celebrating the parts of him that live in her.