snapshots

Why don't they just say they want our money?

Ah, the frankness of 5 year olds. Risa wanted to know what a "fee" was and how was it different from a "fine". I was looking over the notices she brought home from school, and was muttering about the fees, at about the same time my mother was complaining about receiving a parking fine. But it's all about handing over money, isn't it?

And this might as well be a picture of a money sucker. Vancouver had a doozy of a rainstorm this week and we had a suspected sump pump failure which resulted in water backing up into our catch basin. There is about 3 inches (8 cm) of water down there. Luckily the water did not enter the house, but we spent 2 frantic hours scooping and shopvacuuming it all out. Our sump pump, on which we are now taking a crash course, is at the end of its life of 13 years and is now being upgraded. It's going to leave quite the hole in our pocketbook. With global warming, we might expect more of this weather.

Here is Risa in essential Vancouver gear: the waterproof raincoat and gum boots. She's holding a snail caught from our garden to bring for show and tell at school. The class is learning about snails and slugs. Her backpack is almost as long as she is. We were informed that children are "expected" to carry a backpack that can hold one 8.5x11 inch folder, one library book, and snacks and supplies needed for the day. I was astounded at what 5 year olds are expected to carry, but Risa seems to be holding up without complaint.