Count Me In!

Dear Owen,
Tomorrow you begin Senior Kindergarten.

Today we went together to meet your teacher, Mrs. Fraser and to visit you new classroom. For the past few weeks, whenever we talk about school, you say "I am a little bit nervous and a little bit excited. I am just going to have to be brave". I am amazed at your ability to communicate your thoughts; it is so great to hear you freely express your hesitation and your plan to deal with that...such wise words for such a little guy. As we approached the school you gripped my hand and got very quiet. You said that you were a little scared and then in the next breath said that you were not scared at all. That is bravery.

When we arrived in the school we had to wait for a few minutes in the hallway. This was a wonderful little moment where you found your hook and cubby and were able to peek in the classroom on your own terms.

After some initial shyness you held Mrs. Fraser's hand while she gave us a tour of the classroom. Mrs. Fraser was cleaning a pirate ship which you were very excited about. There are stations all over the class for reading, listening to music and books on CD, 2 computer labs, craft area with easel for painting and a sand table. I walked behind you smiling to myself as you tentatively explored each area; you looked to Mrs. Fraser for reassurance a few times and she was warm and kind and just perfect with you.

We then sat at a table and you did some "games" with Mrs. Fraser. She asked you a lot of questions about rhyming words, numbers and sounds and you concentrated really hard and answered every question. There were a lot of distractions; the older kids were outside having recess and playing outside of the windows and you clearly wanted to explore the classroom, but you stayed focused until Mrs. Fraser said that you could go and play. I know how hard this was for you and I was so proud!

You played for a few minutes while Mrs. Fraser and I talked about the daily schedule and what we can expect in the months to come. There will be gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a reading book will come home once a week, you will learn new letters and math concepts each week and periodic trips to the school library.

You used the bathroom and went into the BOYS after reading the sign - great work! When it came time to leave you did not want to go...you wanted to stay...how exciting!

As we walked back home, still hand in hand, but not the death grip we walked over in; we had a little conversation that went like this:
mama "So, what did you think?"
owen "Count Me In!"
OK buddy...we will count you in! The smile on your face was proof enough to me that you are going to be just fine! This school is very different from your last school and I have been feeling very nervous and apprehensive about how this year will go; how you are going to cope with the changes. After today's visit, I feel much better. Your excitement is contagious!

Tomorrow is your big day and Daddy and I couldn't be more proud to see you growing and moving forward! Have fun, be kind, pace yourself, be true to who you are, and most of all remember that Daddy & Mommy love you very, very much!
xoxoxo

Me & Auntie K

Some pictures from the summer of Owen and his Auntie K

cool dude

THE POSE from his hip-hop dancing days
Which quickly morphed into the Chicken Dance...nana-nana-nana-nuh
And the fish????
love you my sweet boy ~mama~

Bike Helmets

Imagine my surprise (and delight) the other week when my dear hubby arrived home with a huge shopping bag. I LOVE shopping and I LOVE presents and I LOVE surprises…so what could go wrong you ask? Bike Helmets! My sweetie had lovingly purchased 2 helmets; 1 for me and 1 for him. I know…I know…everyone is supposed to wear bike helmets…but seriously…I am not training for the Tour de France, nor am I riding on the side of a highway or at any great speed…I am following a four and a half year old with training wheels for goodness sakes…what do I need a helmet for??? Now, to be fair…we had talked about this. The kind of talk where we don’t decide anything, just talk. “We really should be wearing helmets as a good example for the kids” kind of talk…not the “Let’s go out and purchase helmets” kind of talk. Anyway, I am now the “proud” owner of a bike helmet and it got a debut ride just over a week ago. All 4 of us donned our gear and rode to “The Big Park”. There is a “rock wall” that the kids climbed, slides, swings and lots of good park stuff…then we rode home. I will have a search…but I think the photo of me in my helmet has somehow disappeared…but here is one of Adrian and the kids to enjoy:

Head & Shoulders - June 28

Isabelle is so interested in knowing the name for everything...and has learned most of her body parts...she very proudly will point when asked...it is quite sweet and oh so clever.

Eyes
Nose
Ears
Teeth...just don't get too close, she has become a chomper lately. Owen warns everyone, "if she comes at you with her mouth open...RUN FOR YOUR LIFE"

Soccer - First Game - June 3rd

What can I say about soccer this season? We have had ups and downs...lots of excitement pre-season...less excitement once the season started. Owen favourite parts of soccer are...shaking hands at the end of the game, refreshment time, being goalie.
Pre-Game Drills
Our other little soccer player...she runs onto the field to kick the ball every chance she gets
Practicing in the net:
Owen is the first light blue in the line...

UPDATE JULY 22 - last night was our 7th game and Owen played "out" for a whole quarter. I know that there are only halves in soccer, but the coaches switch the players half way through each half...so he played for 1 quarter in goal and 1 quarter "out"...and he KICKED the ball for the first time. This is really huge for him. He does really wonderfully in practice and playing on the weekend with Daddy...but has not wanted to participate at all in the games, except as a goalie. We are not sure if he finds the crowd around the ball intimidating...or if he just likes crouching mid-field picking weeds...or if he just does not really know what to do...but this week, for the very first time, he ran with the crowd (encouraged by his wonderful coach) and kicked the ball. We are so proud of you buddy!!!

Treats - June 28

Isabelle has discovered a love of marshmallows. Here are a few pics I was able to grab as she snuck a treat and then climbed into the cupboard to hide while she enjoyed it...funny girl.


Another favourite place for our little climber is to sit on the counter while I cook or put dishes away. I am sure the time will come soon when she will not be able to sit straight up without hitting her head on the cupboards.




Gotta love the little chicklit teeth

Making Jam - June 25

With all the fruit and juice and gooiness related with jam making, I was impressed that Owen actually got right in there and really helped. To date he has not tasted it...but there is lots left...we are hopeful.





We made about 10 jars and he has happily shared it with his grandparents and friends...we hope you are enjoying the fruits of our labour.

Berry Picking - June 21

We went strawberry picking. Trying to promote healthy eating and thought that some visits to local farms would be a great way to start. Owen loves to eat strawberry jam when we go to restaurants, must be something about the little packages. He has never touched a real strawberry, but I had high hopes for our little trip. Get him picking, making jam...maybe he will eat one. Did this happen you ask? NOPE! Owen decided that picking was too gross, he saw the hands of a few people picking before us and they were covered in red berry juice...not for my boy. So he asked if he could be the official photo-gruffer. He snapped some really great shots and true to his word, did not touch a berry the entire 90 minutes we were at the farm.


Charley:
Paige:
Rows and Rows of wonderful berries:
A bright red berry:
Hay:
One of the many full baskets of berries we picked that warm day:
The only pictures I have of Owen from that day were taken on the drive home. We drove by a farm and there were some cows grazing very close to the road...so we pulled over and watched them for a while...Owen kept leaning out of the window moo-ing very loudly to get their attention...a few times a cow would glance his way...it was pretty cool.

Last day of school - June 20th

Owen had his last day at Blaisdale Montessori school...notice the sweaters and long pants...it was a very cool morning. We have decided with our separate and hectic travel schedules, that it was in the best interest of the whole family to hire a live-in nanny. As a result, we have pulled the kids out of their school. This decision was one of the hardest we have ever made and even harder because we do not believe it is in the best interest of the kids...but in the best interest of the family as a whole...tough one for us to make. ANYWAY...Owen's last day of school was sad for him and us. We gave him free reign over the camera and he took over 300 pics in the space of a few hours. Pictures of his friends, his classroom, the playground and so much more. I plan (when I have some free time - haha) to make a book of the best 20-30 of these pics for him.

Owen and Mme. Doris - French Teacher
Owen and Miss Scott - Teacher's Assistant
Owen and Mrs. Zylstra - Casa Teacher
Funny Faces (Ra'Esa, Rosalie, Kendall, Owen, Darren & Ethan) Hamming it up for the camera:
"This is the important stuff I don't want to forget mom"...quote from Owen as he snapped pics of stairs, no parking signs and fire extinguishers...

His view of the art on the walls:
Owen's classroom:

Owen and a bunch of classmates below the sign to the entrance of the school: