Dear Clara and Leo,
I am so proud of you for having the confidence and the skills to walk back to school after lunch on your own today. I admit, I did secretly follow you to make sure you arrived at your destination safely but deep down I knew there was nothing to worry about. You crossed the streets holding hands carefully checking for cars, you skipped along the sidewalks staying close to each other, and you even met up with friends as you arrived at the school yard. I'm so proud of you both. Thank you for taking this responsibility so seriously. I love you so much and I can't believe how you are growing up in front of my eyes!
Mommy

For all you visual people out there, look how Marc motivated the kids to get through our family to do list this Sunday. EVERYTHING was checked off before bedtime! Way to go team !!!

The only thing that was not accomplished was the lightsaber fight Leo had added at the top right corner of the whiteboard.

Wedding weekend

We spent a beautiful weekend celebrating the marriage of Gordon and Shanna in Lennoxville, QC. The wedding was at the Bishop's University chapel, Clara followed along with the service and sang all the songs. Leo on the other hand, hunkered down with my ipod and played games with the volume on mute... there are some battles that are just not worth fighting.

After the ceremony Leo and Malcolm took advantage of the large lawn in front of Saint Mark's chapel. They ran around, climbed a stone wall and used twigs as lasers. It was the perfect activity for two little boys that don't generally love staying still! Clara hung out with Farley and the adults until it was time for us all to head to the reception hall.

Afternoon turned into evening. We ate a delicious meal followed by more pies than I'd ever seen on one table then the music came on. Clara and Leo loved dancing, but each with their own strategy. Clara danced to every single song and took quick breaks only when she was either thirsty or hot. Leo waited until the dance floor opened up and then launched into his dance moves. Marc and I tried to keep up with the dancing maniacs but at around 11pm Leo sat down with Papa and ended up dozing off to dreamland using Marc as a mattress. At about 11:45 we pulled the plug on the dancing queen and told her it was time to go home. She was ready.

What a night we had. Gordon and Shanna's family and friends were bathed in a beautiful atmosphere of love. It was truly a very special day thanks to two very special people.

Husband and wife. Clara was the photographer.

The Bubble Kids! They handed out bubbles as everyone left the chapel.

The Gagnon family looking our best

The real Gagnon family!

Clara, Auntie Patricia and Farley.

Tidman girls and a Boyd boy.

What the kids were doing while the bridal party were being photographed.
I think it involved lasers.

Leo's turn with the camera. Hi Auntie Ann Marie!

Mama

Auntie Patricia

Great Balls of BUTTER!
Clara didn't realize you normally cut a dinner roll open before buttering it!

Papa and Clara dancing the night away.

No more dancing for Leo, he was d.o.n.e.

Breakfast meeting with Malcolm.
Backyardigans and froot loops in the hotel restaurant.

Look who lost his first tooth!

Leo has been waiting and waiting to loose a tooth. Ever since Clara started losing teeth 3 years ago, Leo has been talking about when it would be his turn. Well, his turn came during the first full week of school. Apparently the tooth fell out (or was wiggled free) while Leo was waiting to go outside with the service de garde at lunchtime. He didn't tell anyone that he had a precious pearly white tooth in his hands, he just went out to the yard and played. Well, as you can imagine, he didn't manage to keep hold of his teeny tiny tooth and was soon found frantically searching the yard. The head of the service d'animation happened upon my unhappy boy and he explained that he'd dropped his tooth with tears streaming down his cheeks. She told me afterward that she was really worried that it would be impossible to find such a small thing in such a big space but she put on her glasses and looked down. Wouldn't you know it, she saw the tooth right away! She said she didn't know who was more relived her or Leo. After that near disaster, the tooth was carefully placed in a little ziplock bag and presented to me along with a gap-toothed grin when I came to pick up my very proud son at the end of the day.

I keep catching Leo admiring his new smile in mirrors. He tells me it makes him feel good and more grown up. I think it enhances an already captivating grin.