School's Out!

It's the last day of school!!

Dirt Bikes

Matt gave the kids lessons in safety and riding form before we let the kids ride their dirt bikes. After the lessons, Matt set up a course and let the kids build their skills on their bikes.

Matt giving the kids lessons.

Oliver learning to pick up his dirt bike.

Chloe picking up her bike.

Turning.

Oliver learning to turn.

They had a blast and keep begging us to let them ride their bikes in the yard. Unfortunately, the grass in the yard did not enjoy their dirt bike sessions.

 

 

 

Birthday & Anniversary Celebration

Chloe's birthday is June 14.

Oliver's birthday is June 16.

Matt and my anniversary is June 20.

And there was Father's Day on the 21st.

It's a busy week of celebrating. Before we got our referral for Emma Claire, I was convinced and scared that she would be born June 18 so we would have some celebration every other day.

We went to eat at our favorite Hibachi steakhouse that has become a birthday/anniversary week tradition in the family. The kids love the food and having the dragon come out to wish a "Happy Birthday" and the Japanese "Banzai" cheer.

Flaming onions.

Emma Claire eating with chopsticks.

A little sibling rivalry.

Happy 6th Birthday Oliver!

Oliver is six! He was so excited when it was his turn to celebrate. He requested a strawberry cake with cars so I made him one. We took him out to eat at his favorite restaurant (Chi*lis). He got a dirt bike & all the gear, a basketball hoop for his bedroom door and some Pok*e*mon cards for his birthday.

Happy 11th Birthday Chloe!

Chloe's birthday was Sunday, but since we were in Canada, we celebrated with cake and the traditional balloons today.

 

I also bought Chloe a cake while we were in Canada but we never ate it since we were in a rush to get out of the country and back home on Sunday evening. Besides, Chloe prefers ice cream cake, so I obliged.

 

Happy, Happy Birthday Chloe!

Back to Canada

We were back in Canada (again) for the third time this race season for the second in the four series Canadian regional race. Chloe's race craft is improving and the race was also the first time she drove her new kart chassis and refurbished motors.

This time the race was outside of Montreal at a very nice kart track located on the old Mirabel airport. If you like cars and racing this is the place for you. We camped with views of the kart track to the front, the rental kart track just behind and the race circuit and drag strip to our left. There seemed to always be some form of auto racing going on.

Chloe on track with a cargo jet taking off in the background.

Oliver and Emma Claire by their favorite car at the track.

This lineup was directly behind our RV. We enjoyed having them as our neighbors for the weekend.

This was our 6:30 a.m. wake up call on Saturday morning. You can hear from the crying in the background that Emma Clairedid not enjoy that alarm clock.


This was our evenings entertainment after the racing was over the first day--



And then, there was this, which was possibly the most ridiculously loud vehicle I have ever heard. People would pay to be taken on a joy ride in it. We got the joy of hearing loss.



We camped again with our fellow racers and friends and also had Tom and Amelia fly up to visit as well.

Tom gave Chloe a BirelArt jacket for her birthday. She's been asking for one for a long time.

Part of the camping crew.

It was also Chloe's birthday!

Happy 11th birthday Chloe!

Emma Claire was also pleased to have someone her age to play with.

Practicing with bubbles as a trophy on the podium.

Coloring with Amelia.

It was great fun with great racing. The only hitch in our visit north was crossing the Canadian border. Usually it's pretty straightforward and a pleasant experience but thanks to the prison break just a few miles from the border that had two convicted murderers on the loose, we were boarded and the RV and trailer searched. It wasn't too long of a delay, just a little excitement,  and the AK-47 wielding Canadian troopers were very nice.

Chloe with a fellow teammate before her final.

Chloe and D at the awards ceremony Sunday. D got a 2nd place finish and the "champagne" spray!

Oliver and Chloe got their birthday presents while we were in Canada, dirt bikes. If it has wheels, our kids want it.

Winding Down for Summer

Just two weeks of school remain. As school winds down, the racing season winds up. In between weekends in Canada and NY racing we've packed in getting as much as we could get down around the house. Of course, we've had end of the year parties, birthday parties (every year almost half of Oliver's class was born in June) and end of the year banquets/awards. Emma Claire and I finished our last Mommy & Me so that is done for year. She will start pre-school in the fall two days a week sans Mom. Swimming is on hiatus for a few weeks so our evenings are just Tae Kwon Do. Oliver has his last soccer game for the season this weekend.

 

The change in schedule is nice. Its a welcome break as we begin traveling for races.

 

Emma Claire helped me purchase and organize furniture for the back patio.

Emma Claire and our babysitter, Cailley, picked flowers and made a headband. Darling.

Chloe and Oliver having fun on the bounce house at the end of the season soccer celebration.