D-Day
The last World War turned on this day 75 years ago. If that is history you aren’t familiar with, you owe it to yourself and those who sacrificed on our collective behalf before to learn more. I offer a humble thank you. Thank you to those who have served. Thank you to those who lived on and to those who we wish had.
Photo credit unknown. Unfortunately the photographer cannot be credited as this is a photograph in our family which did not have that information on the back.
I thank my grandfather, Percy – he’s sitting in this photo taken during WWII, for his service and the life he led afterwards despite the horrors he endured and the friends he lost.
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Happy Birthday Kezia!
To my sweet girl…
You are a magical and wonderful young lady who delights in life. And everyday you live that life with love, kindness and wonder. Always I will be completely enthralled with you and everything you do. It is my privilege, and an absolute joy, to be your daddy. I am deeply grateful for each day I have watched you being and becoming the amazing person you are. I am excited for many more with you my dear.
Happy 9th birthday Kezia!
With all of my love,
Me
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Kezia’s dance competition season begins
This year is my daughter’s first as a member of her dance studio’s competition team. She has been working hard on her three routines and last weekend was the Springbank Dancer’s public performance ahead of the spring competition schedule.
Kezia’s is competing in three categories – hip hop solo, small hip hop group and large group musical theatre. All of the routines are great for her and allow her personality to shine throughout.
She loves performing and this weekend was no exception. She danced wonderfully and had a great time – on and off stage.
It was the first time I got to see each of her dances on stage and in full dress. The choreography done by the studio’s teachers is great and she has put in the effort to learn them cold. It was really fun to watch it all come together and see Kezia doing what she absolutely loves to do. And I absolutely love watching her do everything she wants to do.
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A spooky and fun Halloween night
Halloween had a little shadow over it this year for us but the kids excitement and enthusiasm was quickly kindled and we had a great night. Our community is fantastic for trick or treating and the neighbours helped to make it a lot of fun.
Kezia was dressed as Rey from the latest Star Wars movie – she had her Jedi skills on display all night long.
Kian made his 80’s cartoon style Skeletor costume at home and enjoyed playing the character and doing the high pitched voice.
I enjoyed touring around with the kids and they were very accommodating while I snapped away – and were very generous sharing their candy with me.
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First day back to school
It was a busy morning getting ready for the first day of school in time for the bus this morning. Bobbi did a great job having everything planned out for the kids so it wasn’t chaos. Kezia is super excited to get back to class to see her friends and get Grade 3 started.
Kian and Bobbi are embarking on a home schooling adventure this year which will be amazing for both of them.
Kian is very excited about the opportunity to dive deep into subjects and be more in control of where his efforts are placed.
Both the kids are excited about each other’s path this year.
It was fun to photograph them together, and get one with Kezia and I (thank you Bobbi), before she got on the bus to get her year started.
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Happy Birthday Kian!
My dearest boy on your ninth birthday I should soon start to refer to you as a young man for that is what you are and have done the work to become. I love how much fun you have doing the things which you are drawn to do. I love your fierce commitment to equality and fairness. I love the joy you take from time spent with me, our family and your friends. I love everything about you and especially love learning about the new things you pick up, the dreams you have, the challenges, the triumphs and everything else that comes.
I tremble, a little, when I think how fast your first nine years have flown by but I am incredibly excited to see where you will take the many yet to come. I am humbled to be your father and honoured to be your friend.
Happy birthday my son! Let’s make sure all of the wishes you made come true!
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Happy birthday to my little angel
Today you celebrate your 7th birthday. The joy you share with me and everyone you touch is just one of your amazing gifts. Every minute I am with you I fall deeper in love with you, with everything that you are and with everything that you are becoming. It is a wonderful honour for me to be your daddy, to be part of your journey and to celebrate you. Happy birthday my little angel. Happy birthday Kezia.
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Christmas day around the house
Kezia and Kian had fun from early Christmas morning when Kezia told her grandparents she just missed Santa Claus. We made it out sledding in the backyard before lunch and then we had family visit in the afternoon.
On Boxing day we had thirty family members come over for dinner – kids and adults all seemed to have a great evening.
I hope everyone is enjoying a lot of family time!
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Light painting with glow sticks
After a great evening with another family who came over for dinner, we enjoyed having some time playing around before bed. Kian and Kezia had a bunch of glow sticks that they connected together and swung around in the dark. We had a lot of fun tracing out crazy patterns during a series of long exposures.
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Halloween Tricking and Treating
The kids in Redwood Meadows were out on the prowl last night tricking and treating their way around the town. Our troop of cousins, friends and a couple of adults headed out just before dark. The neighbours were characteristically generous and all of the children made out like bandits.
Kian was a skeleton assassin and Kezia was a leopard. Both stayed in character for much of the night – except when daddy asked them to pose together for a quick shot together.
The Redwood Meadows firefighters had one of their trucks parked outside and stopping there was a highlight for the kids (and another source of heaps of candy!)
Everyone had a really great time – running between houses, jumping around and sharing a lot of laughs.
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First day back to school
Kezia and Kian were excited to start their new school year at Banded Peak today. The first morning had a good dose of chaos but we still had a few minutes to take a few photos before the bus picked them up.
I’m looking forward to a great year for these two wonderful children who I love so very, very much.
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Happy Birthday Kian!
To my son Kian, you are a strong, brilliant warrior. I love your sense for doing what is right, your passion for knowledge, your rough and tumble physicality, and your love of life, light (and Minecraft!). And, above all else, I simply love you.
You have held my heart in your hand everyday since you were born eight years ago. There is no place I would rather it be.
Kian just after his 1st birthday. And below, from last fall flushed after a long play in the leaves.
Christopher Martin Photography 