The Neighbourhood Gang

Ever since I started this blog I have wanted to include a section about our Neighbourhood Gang. Our neighbourhood is awesome - it's actually our street but the area is great too. Within five houses that are beside and across the street we have 14 kids plus one expected to arrive in October!(no - it's not us!) We have at least one kid born in each of the last 9 years with only a few overlaps. Every morning the little ones sit, pyjama clad on the step and watch the older ones go off to school on the bus. Spring days are filled with bug collecting and puddle jumping. Summer days are full of sprinkler running and Popsicle consumption. Fall is raking leaves and trick or treating while winter is all about snow angels and igloo building. With the way the Regina housing market is going, the value of our house is increasing by the day but it's little comparison to the value of the friendships we have forged in the past few years. The friends we have around us will forever be priceless! (sorry had to steal the MasterCard line as it fit so well). Here's a few pics of the gang in action that were taken over the last few months. I don't have pictures of all the kids as some are camera shy and others are just to busy for me to get a shot of them. I'll keep trying.

Connor is the oldest on the block and therefore often gets reluctantly pulled into the little kids games and activities. He is a fountain of knowledge about many things but is definitely our go to guy when it comes to bugs and insects. If you've got a question about something, he has the answer (or knows where to find it). He is also a great violinist - we can often here him practising through the window.

Ian is the resident athlete on the street. Whatever the weather there is always a soccer game, baseball game or hockey shoot out on his front step. In the summer it is squirt guns and water fights. Ian is also the proud owner of a mom that gives out candy so Peggy is never at a loss for kids on her doorstep!!

Presley is like an older sister to Sarah thus most of the time they are the best of friends. Like all siblings they have their moments but generally love to play dress up, Polly pockets or hairdresser together. Sarah is looking forward to Presley showing her the ropes at school next year as Presley will be a seasoned vet in Grade 3.

Christian is a sweet. lovable boy that is always willing to play the part of knight in shining armour, King, Dad or most recently the household cat! He also gives out free Ukrainian dance lessons and is attempting to teach Sarah french.

Mattea is a great friend to both Ethan and Sarah. She is Ethan's jumping partner on the trampoline and Sarah's dress-up partner in the play room. Mattea's mom and I have already found clothes that the girls traded or lent each other. Some how I thought clothes sharing with friends would have started at a later age but I suppose with my daughter I am not surprised!

Drew is Ethan's best buddy. Born three months apart Drew is the older woman! They have recently begun to play together fantastically. A favorite activity of theirs is to dance around the fire hydrant singing " Singing together, singing together" over and over. They are sometimes Trouble with a capital T, leading one another down the naughty path but oh how they have fun getting into mischief together. Next year they will be going to Preschool on Friday mornings (perhaps we should start praying for the teacher right now!!)

Tomas is one of Megan's little friends. The youngest of the Patterson clan (until October) he is happiest following the big kids around. When it comes to the trampoline he loves to have a turn with one of his siblings (Connor, Christian or Mattea).

This handsome guy is Megan's beau Kiedis (don't you just love those blue eyes). He lives on a street behind our house but is still a part of the gang. He and Megan like to climb on one another and poke each others eyes out. I'm sure they will grow up to be the best of friends.

One of our many trips to the park. We look like a daycare center when we all go!

The King, Queen and poor Mattea, who was nominated by her brother to be the servant that day!

Presley and Tomas posing at the park on the rocks. I had attempted to take a picture of all of the kids but do you know how hard it is to get 9 kids to look all in one direction and smile? hence the picture of 2 out of 9.

Sarah taking a spin on Presley's scooter.

Dad, Mom, Baby Ethan and sister Mattea. Interesting enough, Sarah and Ethan lived in Mexico while Christian and Mattea lived in Calgary!

Note: I'm not sure why Sarah thinks a mom dresses like that - you certainly won't find me in a pink fancy dress scrubbing the floors! (okay--bring on the jokes about me never scrubbing floors anyway!!)