Surprising Portland

According to the Globe and Mail, Portland, Oregon is the model for 21st century cities. We didn't even know this when we made a pre-emptive strike there in late October so that Rheanne could attend a training session with the Rubicon software corporation on their Atlas curriculum mapping system.

While she worked and learned and spent her days in the lap of luxury in the Rubicon headquarters, Morgan, Quinn and I explored this gem of the Pacific Northwest.

We spent terrific days at the Oregon Zoo, the Science Centre, Forestry Museum, Children's Museum and a boring (except for Dad) Maritime exhibit. Rheanne joined us every evening for a wrap up of the day's events and a dinner at one of the area's funky restaurants. It was a great visit and a lovely taste of autumn weather (we returned to humid 25C conditions in Bermuda). Our next stop after Portland was Vancouver. The topic of our next blog!

Happy Halloween!

First Day -- Last Year

Today was a banner day for our family as we started our last full school year in Bermuda and for the first time, Quinn joined Morgan in full Somersfield uniform. It is amazing to us that when we came to Bermuda, Morgan was in P1, the way Quinn is now. We are so proud of both of our boys and we can't quite believe how fast time is flying by.

Party Hopping: Phase 2

Birthday weekend continued with a "moveable feast" in honour of Quinn's 5th birthday. We began the day at the beach at the Fairmont Southampton with Quinny's posse (Ty, Ayden, Finnley, and Neil) along with major domo Morgan. Next move was to the Cabana beach bistro for chicken tenders and ice cream sandwiches and then up the cliff by trolley to the slide pool at the hotel. Three hours later, the guests were sated and sun drenched and we moved into family party mode, staying the night at the hotel enjoying dinner overlooking the sea followed by birthday cake delivered by room service. The most painless party ever, and a holiday to boot!

(A little slideshow of Quinn's year -- don't forget to turn on your sound)

Swimming with the Fishes

Our July birthday celebrations began in earnest this weekend with the first of two back to back parties for the boys. On Saturday we ventured out by ferry to Dockyard with Morgan's great friend Pete to experience "Dolphin Dip", a half an hour in the water with a dolphin, in this case Bailey. Morgan and Pete got her to do tricks, rubbed her tummy and even got a kiss (Morgan) and a dance (Pete). What a memorable experience!

Over the bounding waves!

Summer has hit with a vengeance! It is hot, sunny and beautiful and the boys celebrated the first week of July by plunging into sailing camp at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. The weather was perfect for beginning sailors and Morgan and Quinn took to sailing like old salts! Morgan was immediately "promoted" to the next age group and Quinn became the darling of the "Sea Squirt" set. As one counsellor assured us, "Quinn the Fin is the only camper with a nickname. Everyone knows Quinn!"

Meanwhile, his studious brother let us know after one day that he had mastered sailing and was now ready to give advice to more novice participants.

And their parents? Rheanne combined working out, working, and spending the day at the spa, and Jim simply enjoyed going in to work in shorts and a golf shirt after 10 months of ties and long pants!

This weekend is "birthday weekend". Morgan is first tomorrow with a special experience at Dolphin Quest and Quinn has his posse coming to the Southampton Princess for beaching and swimming on Sunday. Highlights in the next post!

It's all about the holidays!

Florida ...Lowry Park Zoo, Tarpon Springs and Sponge Diving "Cruise", Target, Starbucks, pool, running trail (10 miles!)...

M1 Trip: Washington DC ...walking, walking, more walking, museums, restaurants, very little sleep, happy kids..."Ag Show" ...lumberjacks, huge pigs, cotton candy, always a hit...

Happy Easter! ...hot cross buns, kites, hunting for easter beans, chocolate eggs, sandcastles at the beach...

Bermuda has it right when it comes to holidays!

We came back from Christmas break for six weeks and then we had a family holiday in Canada.

Six weeks later we headed to sunshine, shopping and splashing in the pool in Dunedin, Florida for our spring break.

With two days of school under my belt, I headed off to Washington DC (with 35 students) for five days while Jim, Morgan and Quinn had Friday off for the annual Agricultural Fair.

This weekend we are soaking up the Bermuda sun for our Easter long weekend!

Next break...May 24th -- Bermuda Day!

Dashing in the Dark

Message from Morgan:
Tonight was "Dash and Dark", a series of races for kids in Bermuda in all different schools. Quinn's race was first and he had a bit of a case of nerves starting but then Mommy came with him and helped him make it all the way around the course. Then it was my turn. I had to go two laps around (800m) after I warmed up. When I was racing I felt very confident and really believed in myself to finish. I ran slowly at the start because I wanted to save up my energy but then I sped up at the end to get in front of a blue-shirted boy right at the finish line. It was so much fun for both of us. It wasn't really about who got a prize but it was all just for having fun.


Message from Quinn:
I had fun. Lots of my friends ran as well like Neil and Koki and Nia and Aliya. Next year I'll be faster. I was sad during my race but I still ran my race and I beated a boy with a grey shirt and someone else. I wish I could fly.
p.s. I liked being a pirate for character day today.

Theatrical Debut

What an evening! The students in P2, P3 and P4 (grades 1-3) at Somersfield put on a fantastic opera entitled "Pearl" with Morgan playing the coveted role of sailor number six. We couldn't have been more proud!

Snow Days

Early February saw us take advantage of mid-term break at Somersfield to head north to visit family and friends and reacquaint the boys with winter and snow! Our holiday didn't start as planned with Jim making an early work-related side trip to Pennsylvania, but the boys and I headed up to Port Hope where Nanna and Grampy taught them the ins and outs of sledding! By early in the week, Jim had caught up to us and it was time for a series of whirlwind visits across the province!

From Port Hope we went to Toronto to get Jim and then back to Kingston where we got to meet Koen and have a nice afternoon and morning visiting with Mary-Kate, Bodhi, Dan, Brett, Karen, Sophie and Clara. From there we headed back to Toronto where I spent a night catching up with Rosa while Jim, Morgan and Quinn took the opportunity to visit with Grandma in St. Catharines.

Friday it was back to TO and then on to Air Canada for a Saturday morning hop back to Bermuda. Not exactly what you would call a relaxing holiday, but a break nonetheless!