2013 Christmas Letter and Photo!

We hope this letter finds you in good health and preparing for the exciting holiday season!  We have 2 new additions to our outdoor Christmas decor this year – Yoda and Hello Kitty … both in Santa hats, of course!  The kids were very excited when Cal came home from work with these new inflatable decorations!

Hard to believe another year has almost passed.  Everyone is 1 year older and 1 year wiser!!  We had a great summer, enjoying our new trailer.  We put it to good use with trips to many campgrounds and lakes in AB.  Many new, wonderful memories made with friends and family, we couldn’t ask for more.

Blake is now 6 years old and in grade 1.  He is doing well in French immersion and thanks to his virtual classroom; I think I could pass kindergarten!  His first 2 weeks were tough but he is now looking forward to school every day and doesn’t want to miss a second!  I’m not sure if it is school he doesn’t want to miss or the Star Wars games they play at recess but alas, we are happy he is happy!!  Blake’s playing hockey again this year and having a fantastic year.  It’s nice to be the 2^nd year player and score some goals – good for his confidence!  Blake is a sports nut.  He comes by it naturally … Cal and Blake are two peas in a pod!  Ask Blake the score in any NHL or NFL game that was played within the last week and he will tell you!  Jersey numbers, player names, he remembers it all!  Cal is quite happy with his son’s ‘knack’ for stats!  Blake also has many other joys in life – swimming, running, drawing, math, snowboarding (a new skill!), dancing (resembles more of a break dance style!), bike riding, the iPad and LEGO!  I asked Blake what he would like to tell his friends and family in this year’s Christmas letter and he said, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

Emerson is 4, soon to be 5, and is enjoying her last year of preschool.  She loves school, her teachers and all her friends!  Em is really into dance and absolutely loves her dance class!  She is looking forward to playing soccer this summer and says she is going to play ringette next year (I can’t wait to coach!!)  She is a wonderful big sister to Reese, very motherly!  Em’s other loves include - riding her bike, swimming, make-up (we’ve had a few ‘incident’s’ this year!), arts and crafts, dressing up, skating, singing and baking!  Oh and she loves to shop!!  Em is a sweetheart and such a help around the house.  She loves to clean and do chores – I hope this continues for many years!!  I asked Emerson what she would like to tell her friends and family in this year’s Christmas letter and she said, “Tell them I made a snowman!”

Reese just turned 3 and is Mom and Dad’s cuddle-bug.  She is most definitely the baby in the family, true to the label!  Funny how that happens?  As mentioned above, Emerson really ‘mothers’ Reese and Reese soaks up every second!  Reese loves the class we attend at the YMCA, she believes this is her school and is always telling us, “I learned that in Miss Christine’s class!”   We sing, dance, listen to stories and do a craft every class.  Reese also loves her swimming lessons and is a little fish!  She will start unparented lessons in the New Year.  We recently took Reese skating for the first time and were amazed at how well she did!  She loves it!  Some of Reese’s other favorite past times include reading (she is often found in her room reading books!), playing with her babies, playing Barbies, riding her plasma car and watching Dora!  I asked Reese what she would like to tell her friends and family in this year’s Christmas letter and she put her chin to her chest and looked up at me with her big blue eyes and a concerned look on her face!

Cal and I are doing well!  Cal ran in the 5 Peaks Trail Run Series this spring/summer.  He ran the enduro races (approx. 17 km each race) and enjoyed the challenges that trail running brought!  Em and Blake even participated in a few 1 km kids challenges.  Cal’s in his 15^th year of employment with Telus and enjoying his work from home/don’t have to travel to downtown Edmonton commute.  Cal is the head coach of Blake’s hockey team this year.  He loves this role and puts 110% into planning every practice and game!  I am keeping busy with my online consignment venture and juggling children/home life!  Mom’s taxi (aka mini-van) sure puts on a lot of miles between grade 1 and preschool pick up and drop-off’s and all the other activities!  I’ve applied for a few jobs this year but haven’t found anything yet.  I’m keeping my eyes open for a very part-time Occupational Therapy Assistant position in the schools.  One of these days the right opportunity will arise!  I’m taking a break from my kettlebell class.  Cal and I have been making better use of our YMCA memberships, attending boot camps and various classes!  We celebrated our 9^th wedding anniversary in October and look forward to our 10^th in 2014.

From our family to yours – wishing you nothing but the best in 2014 and a blessed holiday season!  Merry Christmas!

xoxo

The Cameron’s

Church Pageant

Sunday, December 15th was our Church Pageant.  The kids had been practicing during the previous few Sunday's and they did great!!  Reese did not participate, maybe next year!  She was not on her best behavior, not just at Church but all day.  We're not sure why!  Em knew every line, action and song by heart and Blake confidently delivered his one line, "I is for in God's love!"  Blake was quite nervous and had told us a few times, "I'm not going."  lol!  But he went and he rocked it ;)  It was fun for them to be a part of the pageant this year, as we missed last years!  We're looking forward to the PJ Church service on Christmas Eve.  It's like a birthday party for Jesus - complete with cake!

We're busy, busy, busy with Christmas preparations - shopping, baking, getting classmate and teacher gifts together, etc, etc.  I intended to volunteer for Santa's anonymous one Friday evening but with freezing rain, I didn't want to drive to the south side.  Another volunteer opportunity has popped up and I'm very excited to contribute.  This Sunday evening I am going to be handing out chili, hot chocolate, warm clothing and homemade baking at the Hope Mission in downtown Edmonton.  I joined a local group called, S.M.I.L.E. (Supporting Many Individuals by Lending Encouragement) Edmonton , and hope to volunteer more in the future.

Wishing everyone a great week-leading up to Christmas!!  Em and Blake's last day of school tomorrow and we are all off until January 6th - can not wait for some down time and family time :)

Take care,

Tracy

Pardon Me?!

Yesterday we were talking about Christmas and the kids were excitedly talking about how many sleeps until Santa comes, what they're going to get for Christmas, etc, etc.  I'll often try to remind them about the real meaning of Christmas and as I was starting to do my spiel yesterday, Emerson interrupted and did it for me!!  It's so interesting how she, more so than Reese and Blake, soaks up everything she hears at Sunday school.  After finishing my sentence, Emerson pauses and says, "And you know what I want the most for Christmas?"  I said, "No I don't, what do you want the most for Christmas?"  Emerson says, "My families love."  Now where in the world would she have heard that or came up with that from?!?  She often catches us so off guard with the things she says!!!!

~ Tracy

Family Date!

Today was family date day in our house!!  Blake and Cal had hockey practice early this morning and when they got home we told the kids we were taking them to the Disney movie Frozen and then out for supper.  They were sooooo excited, I love seeing them that way :)  I said, "Hey guys, do you want to go see Frozen this afternoon and then to BP's for supper?"  Blake said, "Whaaaat???!!  Frozen, the movie?!  YEAHHHHH!!!!"  Em and Reese were also bouncing around, excited!  I love, love, love that what we think are 'simple' things, continue to excite them.  We will enjoy that for as long as we can!!!

The movie was awesome, we all enjoyed it.  This was Reese's 1st movie theatre experience and she did great!  She sat in her own seat for a little over an hour and then stood up to stretch out and sit on Cal's lap for the remainder of the movie :)  After the movie we went to BP's and had a nice dinner!  It was a great afternoon/evening!

Tomorrow the kids are in the pageant at Church.  I'm not sure if Reese will participate ... I've brought her to the last 2 Sunday school classes and she has rehearsed but I'm not sure she'll want to participate in front of the entire congregation!!  We'll play it by ear!  Em is ready to go, she knows all her parts, songs, etc and Blake is nervous!!  He has one line, "I is for in God's love."  I will let you know how it goes ... hopefully he can overcome his shyness and deliver his line!!

ttyl :)

Tracy

Grateful

This afternoon Emerson and Reese came up with a really cute game.  They took turns playing Santa Claus!  One girl would pretend to be sleeping on the couch while the other (Santa) hid a toy in her stocking.  Santa would then go back to being herself and wake the other girl up, saying, "Look, look, Santa came!!"  It was soooo sweet and cute to watch them play this game and come up with all the rule's, etc.  One of those moments that make me so thankful that I get to spend every day with them :)

BTW, I've been really behind on my blogging!!  So there will be some post's that will pop up from November that I've been working on but haven't posted, if you want to check some of the back-dated post's, there will be new ones :)

xo
Tracy

Oil Kings Game

You can see the front of Blake, red jersey on the far right!

On Saturday, November 16th, some of the second year Initiation 2 KC St. Matthew's players, played during the intermission at the Oil Kings game.  Blake was one of them!  I was so excited for him!!  Cal was down in the dressing room getting him ready and was able to be on the bench during the short game.  My Dad and I caught the game from the stands!  It was very quick, a few minutes, maybe 4?  But the kids thought it was pretty cool to play on the ice at Rexall Place and enjoyed watching the Oil Kings game!  1 goal was scored and although we didn't see who shot the puck into the net, Blake and some of the other players out there say it was Blake ;)  Quite the experience for the little guys, one we will never forget!

Cheering on the Oil Kings!!

Blake, Dad and I

Celebrating Reese!!

Opening gift's the morning of her birthday!

Cupcakes on her birthday!

Cal rearranged his EDO and took Reese's birthday off instead of his usual Monday.  Reese was very excited to open her gifts from us the morning of her birthday!!  We got a good preview of what Christmas might be like!  She ripped right in to them, it was great!  It was out the door bright and early, as we dropped Blake off at school and headed to the south side.  I had a long-standing appointment to have our van detailed, so Cal and the girls picked me up there and then we went to the Terwillegar Rec Centre for swimming and play gym fun.  The girls had fun swimming, the little fish that they are and enjoyed the indoor play gym.  It was such a cold day!!!  Winter has officially 'hit' Edmonton :s  Next up was lunch and Reese chose McDonald's!  After some time in the McDonald's play place, we picked up the van and headed home.  The girls and I had fun making cupcakes for Reese's birthday dinner and a few extras for her party on the 23rd.  Reese requested spaghetti for her birthday dinner, it is one of her favorites!!  We all had a fabulous, fun day :)  Just wish Blake could have been with us for the entire day.  I would have let him play 'hookie' but that would not have been cool with Blake!!!

On the 23rd we had a birthday party for Reese at our house.  I had asked her if she would like to go somewhere for her party but she wanted to have her party at home :)  We had the Streadwick's, Parenteau's, Stony Plain Cameron's and Grandma and Grandpa D over for an afternoon of playing, pizza and cake!  Reese wanted a Dora Mermaid theme and thanks to Etsy and Ebay I found invitations and an edible cake topper!!  She also loved her Dora balloons and banner :)  I think this was the year that Reese really 'got' that it was her special day!  I could tell that she felt very special and enjoyed all the celebrations!!!  Thank you to everyone for your part in her special day!

xo
Tracy

Family photo at Reese's 3rd birthday party!

Mermaid Dora cake!

Backpack loot bags made by Tracy, Emerson & Reese!

Happy 3rd Birthday baby girl!

Sweet Reese ~ 3 years old

Today you turned 3!  3 whole years!  Your first 3 years have passed unbelievably fast.

We love you more than words could ever express.  Your Dad, sister, brother and I all dote on you and adore you :)  You are so lucky to have 2 of the best older siblings!!  They are so kind and loving and patient with you, it is truly heart-warming for us to see.  You are very close with Emerson and I pray you always stay that way.  Being 21 months apart, I can see the potential for a wonderful friendship and support system amongst the two of you.  You can fight like cats and dogs too but for the most part, you are the best of friends :)  Emerson behaves very 'motherly' towards you!!  Blake has always adored you, right from the first time he met you in the hospital.

You are my little cuddle bug and like to always be close to me.  I find that hard at times but then I stop and think and realize you are already 3 and before long you will be much more independent and I will miss this stage.  I think you have heard us telling people you are shy, because you now tell us, "I'm shy."  You don't open up to people really quickly and prefer to play by yourself when amongst kids you don't know.  But you do play great with your brother and sister and a few of your friends :)  You most certainly are shy, but we're working on helping you break out of your shell a little bit!!  You love Come Play With Me at the YMCA and most especially Miss Christine! Often when we ask you where you learned something, you reply, "At Miss Christine's class!!"  You know most of your colors and shapes and can count to 15 and sing your ABC's!  We definitely don't work on these skills with you as often as we did with your brother and sister!  Sorry about that, but I have a feeling you pick up a lot from Blake and Em and you are a very smart little girl :) You have even picked up some French from listening to Blake do his homework!!  You love to swim and are missing your swimming lessons, since you are not registered at the moment. When we register you again, you will be in unparented lessons.  Dad has been to soooo many parented lessons, it will be strange to not have him in the water with you!!  We recently went public skating as a family and were shocked at how well you skated!!  You fell down and were able to get up all by yourself, we were very impressed!  We can't wait to take you skating again :)  You love to read and I hope that will continue throughout the years.  You like to pull all the books off the book shelf and flip through them!  Sometimes I will find you in your room, on your glider, reading a book :)  You also love to do arts and crafts and looooove any craft involving glue!!  You also love Lego and enjoy sitting at the Lego table with Blake!

We can't wait to explore your third year with you Reesey!!!  We love you to the moon and back and are so proud of the little lady you are becoming :)

xoxo

Mom & Dad

Could it be??

Only 6 more Friday's until Christmas Day!!!  It feels like as soon as Remembrance Day long weekend has passed, Christmas sneaks up on us!  In the past, even before kids, we never decorated until December 1st and now with Reese's birthday on November 19th, we find that still works well.  We have time to celebrate her birthday, take a week or so 'off' and then into Christmas!!  Full swing ... letters to Santa, a visit to Santa at the mall (or one of his helpers!!), baking, gift buying and of course decorating!!  Last year I was lucky enough to get some awesome hand-me-down Christmas decorations from my Mom and I LOVED the way our house looked last year ... I'm so excited to decorate this year!!

The beginning of November has been great.  We've been blessed with really great weather and continue to play at the park after school whenever we can!

On Friday morning we headed to Tisdale, SK for my cousin Dallas' wedding.  Emerson had preschool photo's that morning so I quickly ran her into the school for her photo's and then we were off!  The roads weren't the greatest and were absolutely terrible from Saskatoon to Tisdale (approx. 200 km).  But we made it and I am so glad that Cal was behind the wheel!!  The kids are unbelievable on these long road trips.  I can't believe how well-behaved they are.  We're very thankful!  Only 1 stop each way, on an approx. 1600 km round road trip!  The wedding was nice and it was great to see my SK family.  The kids love spending time with their cousins (2nd/3rd/4th??).  They get a long great and have so much fun, especially this weekend while sitting at the guest book table at the wedding and dancing the night away :)  They were also glad they got to go to the Austin, Ryann and Alex' house to play!  We all had a great visit with my grandparents.  Emerson was sooo excited to see Great Grandma Marg.  It was very sweet, she kept saying, "I can't wait to see Great Grandma, she gives the best hugs!"  And they were all excited to stay at the condo again!!

We have an exciting few weeks coming up with my birthday tomorrow, a 'Smith' family dinner on Friday evening, KC St. Matthew's I2 (a mixture of all I2 teams) playing during the intermission at the Oil Kings game on Saturday evening (Blake is sooooo excited!!), Reese's birthday on the 19th and Reese's birthday party on the 23rd!

It has rained off and on here alllll day.  The roads may be interesting tomorrow morning ... drive safe everyone in and around E-town!

xo
Tracy

Remainder of October

Before we know it, it will be Christmas!!!  7 more Friday's until Christmas ... wow!!

We had a great October, full of school, work, hockey, swimming, dance, date nights, dentist appointments, birthday's, meetings and more!!!

All 3 kids visited the dentist for a check up and cleaning and all 3 did fabulous!  Reese has 2 bottom teeth that have fused together.  I did not know this was even possible!  Our dentist predicts an orthodontist visit in the future but nothing to worry about quite yet!

Cal is playing hockey again this year and had his first game at the beginning of the month.  It's a nice ice time and only once a week, which works well with our schedule!!  This month I finished my kettlebell class.  I've been registering for session after session for almost 2 years now.  I'll miss the class but hope to drop in now and then.  In the meantime, I'm going to make better use of our YMCA membership, going to boot camp and other classes!

The kids swimming lessons finished up at the end of the month.  Blake passed on to the next level, Reese will begin unparented lessons when we register next and Em is going to take the same level again.  The only item not checked off on her report card was an unassisted back float.  She sinks like a stone when she tries to go into a back float!!  If the teacher starts her off and lets her go, she floats like a pro ;)  They're not registered in the next session (much to their dismay!!) but will start up again after Christmas.  They sure love swimming!!

Cal and I were a little bit spoiled this month with a lot of date time!  One night a little shopping, dinner and a movie, another night dinner and an Oilers game and then an afternoon of shopping, dinner with Cal's brother and his wife and the Brad Paisley concert!!  So nice to get out together, it's been approx 6 months since our last date.  Now our babysitter is off to SK for a University placement but she'll be back in January, thank goodness!!!  The kids love her so much, the last time she babysat, she said they danced around the living room singing about how happy they are we went out and they love it when Mom and Dad go out!  LOL!!  The day of the concert, the kids had a great time with Grandma D.  We all went to the Mini Monster Bash in Stony Plain and then she brought them back to our house for dinner and bedtime.

Cal's Mom's 60th birthday was October 9th.  I really wish we would have been able to spend it with her but she is in Grande Prairie and is a busy lady these days.  We were thinking of her though and hope she had some time to herself on her big day - she rarely takes any time off or to her self, Lord knows she deserves it!  She did have a nice dinner and cake at Carmen's that night, which is nice :)

My Dad's birthday was on the 24th and Carmen's birthday was on the 29th!  It's a busy birthday month in our families!!

We celebrated my Dad's birthday this evening.  He was away working on his actual birthday and the kids would not let a birthday go by without a proper celebration!  We had a delicious dinner and carrot cake!  Linds and Connor Facetimed with us during the birthday song :)  When we were leaving Emerson said, "Thanks for inviting me to Grandpa's party, Grandma!!"  Too cute!

On the 28th I accompanied Em's preschool class on their field trip to Safety City.  It was an awesome field trip, the kids learned a lot and we all had fun in the mini-city!  Emerson couldn't believe there was a little Tim Horton's and McDonald's ;)  She also loved riding the battery-operated quads around the little city and following the street signs and lights!!

On the 30th I volunteered at Emerson's preschool Halloween Party, while Mom, Dad and Reese spent the morning together.  It was a fantastic party!!  Those teachers sure put a lot of thought and planning in to their day.  The crafts were so cool and fun!!  Reese had fun with Grandma and Grandpa and later that week told me, "I like Grandma and Grandpa from Stony Plain, they can come to my birthday party!"  Good thing, since they were invited anyways!!!

On the 31st the girls and I joined Blake's class for a few hours during their Halloween party and school parade.  I love that we were welcome to join in!  We had fun and I enjoyed spending some time in Blake's classroom.  Blake was sad because his friend Addison's last day in his class was Halloween Day.  He's had 2 classmates move since the beginning of school and being the sensitive boy he is, he is not fond of someone leaving :s   A few weeks ago when we were driving home from school he said (in an angry voice with a scowl on his face), "When are we moving."  I told him we are not moving and he said, "Good.  Even if we do move, we have to move somewhere so I can go to the same school."  I told him not to worry!  I had no idea why this even came up until 2 days later when he told me (in a sad voice with a sad look on his face :( ) that Addison was moving.  Another life lesson.

Halloween night was great, the kids collected more candy than anyone would ever want and have put a major dent in it (with some help from Cal and I!)!  We also donated a large bowl to TELUS and re-filled our own candy bowl for our trick-or-treater's!!  It was a late night, but tons of good 'ol fashioned Halloween fun running from house to house in the neighbourhood, some time spent with our good friends the Parenteau's and chatting with friends and neighbour's!  We all love Halloween!!!

Hope you had a great October, I see that white stuff on the ground ... looks like Winter is officially here!  So funny how the kids are all excited when it snows and most of the adults are complaining ;)

~ Tracy  

Happy Thanksgivng

We have so much to be thankful for in our lives and on the top of the list is our 3 beautiful children!!  They make us laugh (and sometimes cry), keep us on our toes, give the best hugs in the whole wide world and fill our hearts with pride and love!

Blake is doing excellent in Grade 1.  He is learning more and more sight words each week.  He has math problem homework every week, he loves school and has a wonderful little group of friends :) They are such great little buddies, the other mom's and I are always remarking on how great they play together!!  Blake is a hockey nut - we have to pvr all the Oiler's games and he knows every player, number, game score, etc.  He's also really into football and baseball.  Oh, and curling and golf and, and, and ... he's a sports nut.  I believe he gets a little bit of that from his mother but a lot of that from his father!!!  Blake's passed on to the next level of swimming lessons and is a bit sad that we are not registered for the next session.  But we'll register him again in the New Year!  Blake is still really into Star War's, I am learning a lot about Star Wars from my 6 yr old!  I struggle with all the gun play and shooting but have relaxed a little bit!!  I know it's part of being a boy and he knows it is just play.  Doesn't matter if they have play guns or not, they will turn anything into a weapon!!  Boys ;)  And he still loves his Lego!!  He will spend a lot of time building!  We enjoy seeing his creations and love how he uses his imagination!  I love that Blake still has to give us a huge bear hug and high fives when we drop him off at school.  I know one day this will change, so for now I am soaking it all up :)

Emerson is doing fantastic!  She flourishes at preschool, nearly every preschool day her teachers are telling me how great she is ;)  During the week before Thanksgiving they were gushing over how when she was asked what she was thankful for, she replied, "A house because it keeps me warm and safe."  Apparently most of the other responses were, "my bey blades, my tv, my Mom, candy!"  Too funny!!!  The teachers are always remarking about how cooperative, helpful, mature, etc, etc, she is.  To be honest, I have a hard time accepting a compliment and have to bite my tongue at times!!  I feel the need to balance out the praise with, "Oh, you should see her at home some days!!"  But I am so incredibly thankful that she is so wonderful at school and try to graciously accept the compliments ;)  She has come a long way this spring/summer with her printing!  For the longest time she was writing "Em" but now she can write her full name :)  She knows all her letters and a lot of the sounds!  Em is in dance again and loving it.  She spends a large majority of the time we are home, twirling around and dancing!  "Mom, watch this!"  "Mom, watch me dance!"  Honestly, she is dancing 95% of the time we are home!!  I can't wait to see what dance their teacher choreographs for them this year!  Emerson is such a huge help at home.  I can always count on her to dress herself, brush her own teeth, be ready to go at the door, help Reese if need be, do any chore around the house that I ask her to - she's just so good!  She has her 'moment's' of course but boy oh boy is she ever a huge help!!  She has even taken to changing Reese's diaper!!!  And she does a good job of it too!!  I never have to ask Emerson to do something twice :)

Reese is doing great!!  She really loves Come Play With Me at the YMCA.  Every day she asks to go!  She loves Miss Christine!  She isn't as keen on the child minding room at the YMCA.  At first she loved it but that changed a few weeks in!!  She still goes but she is not fond of 'Grandma Jan'!! Reese seems to prefer to play by herself and is often annoyed and/or mad when someone tries too hard to play with her or include her in activities!!  I think she is a bit of an introvert at this point in time ;)  Which is totally fine but society seems to have a hard time accepting that some people just aren't people, people!!!  She's a very happy little girl and loves so many things, just not a lot of people.  And she is a very sensitive little girl and I have to remember this!  She will tell me, "You hurt my feelings!" if I raise my voice at her :s  I do believe that it is wonderful that she is so in touch with her feelings at such a young age!  Reese loves playing with her Barbies and her babies and really enjoys playing Dr. :)  I am often her patient!  She checks my ears, eyes, nose, gives me medicine and puts a bandaid on my hand!!  Reese loves books.  At home, I will sometimes notice she is not in the living room or kitchen and when I look for her, she is sitting on her glider in her bedroom looking at books or she has pulled out every single book on the bookcase and is sitting reading.  She also loves swimming and will start unparented lessons in the new year.  Where has the time gone?!  It seems like such a big step for my baby!!  We love our sweet, cuddly little girl :)

We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving long weekend.  We are looking forward to the Stony Plain Cameron's and Grandpa Bruce joining us for dinner this evening!  The kids are very excited!!  My parents are in Fort McMurray at my sister's but we had a great visit everyone last weekend!  We got our annual Forest Green park fall pics under our belts and the kids devoured Grandma's spaghetti dinner and had a blast playing with Connor ;)  Blake, Em and Reese absolutely love him!!!  And on Sunday Reese and I joined my Mom, Lindsay and Connor for the Run for the Cure.  We walked 5 km with Reese and Connor in Lindsay's double stroller.  It was a beautiful day for a walk!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)

xo
Tracy

Happy Anniversary to us!

Happy 9th wedding anniversary to us :)  On the 9th we celebrated our 9th year of wedded bliss!

Okay, let's be honest, it hasn't all been 'bliss' but that is what makes a marriage stronger :)  We have grown so much as individuals over the past 9 years and have grown together as well, through challenging times and great times.  9 years passes SO quickly, it is really unbelievable.  It feels as though our wedding day was maybe 2 or 3 years ago, NOT 9!!

It's fun to look at our wedding photo's with the kids, they love seeing all our wedding day photo's and hearing about our awesome day!

We have 3 date nights planned in the next few weeks, so didn't go out on our actual anniversary!  I enjoyed my flowers though and I'm pretty sure I have Emerson trained to remind her Dad that Mom needs flowers on almost every occasion ;)  lol!!

Love you Cal :)

xoxo

It's all good ...

Blake took approx 1 1/2 weeks to adjust to the new Grade 1 routine!  He is now excited to get going in the morning and does not ask to stay home ;)  Phew!!  I'm a bit of a softy, that was quite hard on me.  All I wanted to do was wrap my arms around him and keep him home!

We had a meet the teacher/BBQ at Blake's school on the 19th.  It was fun, nice to visit with our school friends and friends with kids in other grades and lots of fun for the kids!!  I love watching them all play together!  The siblings, classmates, everyone, just having a blast :)  I really like Blake's teacher, Mme. Khair.  The few times I have spoken with her, I've been very happy with what I've heard!  And Blake seems to really like her.  They've started going to the library every Tuesday, so he is bringing home an English and a French book.  His nightly homework is spelling different family members and friends names and sounding out the letters of the alphabet in French and English.  They are starting on French sight words and will soon begin a home reading program.  I can't wait for him to begin reading more!!  Although I won't have a clue what he is saying, I'm still excited for him!

He's had his first hot lunch of the school year, which was exciting for both us ... I was happy to not have to make a lunch!  Blake started bringing his own soccer ball to school.  They play a lot of soccer at recess, along with Star Wars!  Everyday after school we stay at the park and play, sometimes for an hour or more.  We're so lucky our weather has allowed us to do this!  The kids have so much fun and the mom's chat and often remark at how well they all play together :)

Last Thursday the girls and I joined Blake and his school on their Terry Fox run (walk).  It was a brisk morning but beautiful around Lake Beaumaris.  We love this hidden little gem in our city ;)

On Sunday afternoon Blake and I escaped on a little date!  I asked him where he would like to go and he quickly said, "Chapters!"  We spent 2 hours reading books and looking at Lego!  And followed that up with a treat at Starbucks ;)  We love Chapters and I love that our kids love Chapters!!  It was really nice to spend some one on one time with Blake.  I do feel like I don't get to spend much time with him since he's started grade 1!  Even when he is home, it seems like the girls take up so much of my time!  Take getting dressed for example, Blake grabs a pair of pants, underwear, socks and a tshirt and gets dressed.  The girls are a whole process of leggings, skirts/dresses, tops, headbands, hair clips, etc, etc ... they just take longer and have more 'coordinating' to do, which takes up more of my time!!  So it was great to spend some uninterrupted time with just Blake :)

Blake has started hockey, he's been on the ice every weekend since the 15th.  They have now formed the teams, so this Saturday will be their first skate together.  Cal is head coach this year and really looking forward to the challenge!  He's already planned out numerous practices for the year, he's very excited and prepared :)

Blake's also enjoying swimming lessons and started 6 yr old lessons this session!  He's expecting to be in the 'big' pool for the majority of the time!

Blake participated in his 3rd and last 1K run of the 5 peaks trail running series 2012/2013 season, a couple of weekends ago in Devon.  He told me that the run seemed short!  I told him he should maybe try the 3K next year ;)  He's really enjoyed these runs and Cal and I are so proud of him!!  Emerson opted out of the Devon run, as it was quite chilly outside that morning!  I can't wait for the kids to run next year and I'm guessing Reese will be joining them!!

Blake would like to try Tae Kwon Do and so we've been looking into programs.  We'd like to take him once a week but most schools recommend twice a week.  It's such a juggling act, trying to balance school/homework/extracurricular activities.  Our current schedule is working quite well, so I am afraid to upset that balance ;)

~ Tracy

Reesey

Miss Reese is almost 3!  She is quite the little character :)

Here are some of her favorite phrases: "I don't need you Mom!"  "I can do it myself!"  "NO!"  "I want to wear a dress!" "That's MINE!" ... needless to say, Reese is a very determined and stubborn little girl!  She knows what she wants and prefers to do everything all by herself.  Which is great, I love her fierce Independence ;)  Although hearing, "I don't need you Mom!" a gazillion times a day, does sometimes pull at my heartstrings!!!  Yes my dear, you do need me.  Sorry, but you will always need your Mom ... trust me, I know!

She's so darn cute, I want to squeeze her every minute of every day!  She has followed in her sister's footsteps and insists on wearing a dress every.single.day.  I'm just glad that the dresses don't necessarily need to be twirly, I can pass off a tunic as a dress!  And no matter the weather, she will NOT wear a coat or sweater!!  "I'm not cold Momma."  Even though I explain that it is cold outside ... doesn't matter!  

Reese makes us laugh and smile every day.  She is so funny, it is just plain awesome ;)  Her facial expressions are so animated, it is very entertaining!  She loves to do 'tricks' and says many times throughout the day, "Mom, watch my tricks!"  or I will be trying to get her out the door or to bed or out of the bathtub and she will say, "Okay Momma, I just have to show you my tricks."  These tricks include jumping, 'swimming', rolling, balancing on one leg, dancing, twisting, hanging off the island in the kitchen, and laying on the back of the couch, to name a few!!!  She always completes these tricks and then looks up at you with a big grin, sooooo proud of herself!!

Reese seems like a very smart little girl!  Of course we think she is, being her parents, but I do find that her speech and vocabulary is advanced for her age!  People have always remarked on how well she speaks and we agree!  She loves to count and knows most of her colors.  She has an amazing memory and surprises us at times with her recall!

Reese is in swimming lessons right now and still really loves the water.  She is still in parented lessons but we think she will be more than ready for unparented lessons once she is 3.  I also still take Reese to Come Play With Me at the YMCA, at least once a week.  She loves this class and her teacher, Miss Christine!  She often asks to go to Miss Christine's class and also will tell us, "I learned that at Miss Christine's class!" ;)  I've also started taking Reese to the childminding at the YMCA.  She loves it there and enjoys seeing Grandma Jan!!  They love her too and she has so much fun.

It's funny how each child is so different!  I always like to joke that anything Blake and Emerson didn't do, Reese will do!  She keeps us on our toes, that is for certain ;)  At bedtime she will often ask me, "Will you sleep with me Momma?"  It is so sweet, I want to just jump in her bed for the night!!  Love her to pieces :)

Grade 1

Tuesday was Blake's 1st day of Grade 1!!

He was very excited on Tuesday morning, almost giddy :)  He ate the biggest breakfast we've ever seen him eat and was in the best mood ever!!!

Cal and the girls dropped Blake and I off at school on Tuesday morning and much to my surprise, there was a long line up outside the school.  It didn't take long to get inside, find Blake's name on the classroom list and find his grade 1 classroom!  We met his new teacher, Mme. Khair, and he was very happy to see his kindergarten friends!  Many of his kindergarten classmates are in his Grade 1 class but he was most especially happy to find that his best buddy Max is in his class!  I took a few pics and left for the day.  I loved seeing the big smile on his face, so happy to be back at school!

Wednesday morning ... different story.  He didn't want to go to school!  Thursday morning, no problems, then again on Friday morning ... didn't want to go to school.  His reasons for not wanting to go include, "I don't like recess; School is too long; I don't get to sit on the carpet like in Kindergarten."  And on Friday morning, he balled his fists, got tears in his eyes and said, "Fine but you guys can't do anything today.  You have to stay home." So what he's saying is, the girls and I are NOT allowed to have any fun while he's at school!!!  I explained that when the girls are his age, they will also be in school and that he had many fun play dates and fun at home with us when he was 2 and 4, just like Reese and Emerson!!  He was fine once he got to school on those 2 days that he didn't want to go and every day when I picked him up, he was happy as can be!  He hugged the girls and I, gave me his backpack and rushed off to the park to play!  We were staying at the park after school for an hour or more each day.  It was fun, nice to visit with the other mom's and we definitely need to take advantage of this wonderful weather while it's still here :)

Blake has always taken awhile to adjust to new situations, never one to jump right in to anything.  So I am sure it will take a few weeks to get completely used to and comfortable with grade 1, his new teacher and his new classmates :)  

We're excited for Blake and this new adventure in Grade 1!  He is an eager beaver when it comes to learning, soaking it all up.  We can't wait to watch him learn and grow! 

Here are some photo's from his first day:

September 3, 2013

Our sweethearts :)

One last pic on the step, then off to school!

Found his desk, ready for Grade 1!

Au revoir Summer 2013!

We've spent the last week at home and it's been really nice!

Mon, Tues and Wed, Reese and I spent all day at home with Reese in underwear.  I thought we should at least try to potty train her, seeing as she's turning 3 in November.  We would have tried earlier but we were not home enough this summer!!  But, turns out she's not quite ready!  She would go in the potty if I reminded her or sat her on it multiple times an hour but she didn't pick up on when to go by herself!  If I left it up to her, she would stand and say, "Mom, I'm peeing!"  Blake and Em picked it up super fast so I think she's just not quite ready.  I'm not going to wash loads and loads of underwear and clothes for the next month until she 'gets it', I'll just wait a month or so and try again :)  I'm a big believer in the 3 to 4 day potty training method!!  She still wears underwear around home sometimes, as she asks for it!  So should be soon!!  I can't imagine a diaper-free home?!  It's been over 6 years of 1 or 2 kids in diapers in our house!!  And I think I forgot to mention that we are finally a crib-free home ;)  While the kids and I were in SK, Cal put together Blake's old single bed, for Reese!!  We came home and the crib was gone!  Reese was pretty excited and really liked the butterfly bedding I had bought for her!  She is a little monkey, getting out of her bed, coming into our room in the middle of the night and even opening Blake and Em's door and climbing onto Blake's bunk!!!  One night Emerson came into our room and told me that when she was going to the bathroom she seen Reese's door open.  I looked in and Reese was curled up sleeping but I have no idea what she did before that, but I know she didn't just open the door and go back to bed!!  So I warned her that I will put a child proof door knob on the inside of her door if she keeps getting out of her bed.  Every night at bedtime she would say she wouldn't get out of her bed but she always did!!  So we put a child proof door knob on the inside of her door!  She wasn't happy but I'd warned her!!  She now calls for us if she needs us!  I tell ya, whatever Blake and Em did not do, Reese does!  They never got out of their beds or their rooms!  I guess she doesn't want us to miss out on these experiences ;)

Monday and Tuesday we played around home but I could tell Blake and Em were getting cabin fever so I called in some Grandma D back-up!!!  My Mom took them out on Wednesday.  They had a blast, visiting the Lego store and lunch out with Grandma :)

Tuesday evening was Emerson's preschool orientation.  It was nice to see some familiar faces and chat with my preschool peep's :)  I'm on the board this year, which I'm looking forward to!  Emerson's first day of preschool is September 12th.  They do a staggered-entry, so she'll go on the 12th and then on to the regular schedule the following week (Mon, Wed, Fri morning's).  At first she was nervous about going back to preschool and sad that her friend Samantha won't be there (she's in KG this year) but now she says she is excited ;)  She loved it last year so I have no doubt she'll enjoy it this year!

Wednesday afternoon we aborted operation potty train Reese and headed to the park!  Cal took Friday off and took Blake and Em to the Disney movie "Planes!"  They enjoyed the movie!  Reese and I went for lunch with my Mom and Dad while they were at the movie.  Wednesday evening my Mom and I went out for dinner with my Grandma and afterwards I spent some time with her at my Aunt and Uncle's.  It was really nice to visit with her and just hang out!  She's not very chatty so a lot of the time is spent not saying much, but that is okay.  It's nice to just be together.

Saturday we met Eric and Berlyn at the Valley Zoo.  It was a hot morning/early afternoon but lots of fun!  The kids love our little zoo, especially seeing the monkeys and Lucy the elephant!  Saturday night we had the Parenteau's over for a backyard fire/hot dog roast/smore roast.  It was a lot of fun!  Hopefully we'll be able to have 1 more backyard fire before winter arrives!!

Sunday we headed to Build A Bear in WEM for some accessories for Sam, Honey Bear and Rosie :)  The kids love Build A Bear and so do I - such a fun place!!  The mall was NUTS though, so we got outta there pretty fast!!  We went to Mom and Dad's for a visit and bbq.  My Aunt, Uncle and Grandma also came for dinner and it was really nice to visit with everyone.  Mom and Dad are off on their September vacation tomorrow morning.  We always miss them but wish them a fun, relaxing vacay!

Hard to believe our baby boy starts grade 1 on Tuesday!!  He seems to be excited!  We have all his supplies labeled and ready to go!  Lunch plans made, clothes picked out :)

I'll do a back to school update soon!  Wishing everyone who is returning to school a great first day :)

xo
Tracy

Beautiful Jasper

We spent the 19th to the 22nd in Jasper.  Jasper is one of my most favorite places :)  We had a great time with my Mom, Dad, sister and nephew.  We visited Athabasca Falls, Maligne Canyon, Mount Edith Cavell, went for dinner and ice cream in town and enjoyed some time at Whistler's campground!  Blake and Em attended a kids interpretation program at the campground, put on by Parks Canada.  It was awesome, I tagged along and actually learned quite a bit ;)

The kids enjoyed themselves in Jasper, they really love the waterfalls and this year really enjoyed hiking!  We look forward to next year and planning a longer hike.  Cal still needed to carry Reese quite a bit but I think by next summer she'll be able to walk a little more.  Reese kept asking, "Can we go up a mountain?"  lol!  Over and over and we continued to tell her that we were, in fact, already on a mountain ;)  As we drove around Jasper and area, Emerson and Blake liked to ask if we were in Jasper but by the end of the trip they had differentiated between the town of Jasper and Jasper National Park!!  Em remarked many times, "Jasper is my favorite place!"  The mornings and evenings/nights were VERY chilly but the days were nice and warm.  We can't wait to visit again!  

This was our last camping trip of summer 2013.  We have had an amazing summer with many fabulous friends and family!!  It's been great visiting with everyone and spending so much time in our new trailer.  We can not wait for next camping season and have plans in the works already ;)  

The rest of our summer will be spent at home, doing some fun things around the city and getting ready for back to school!

Talk to you soon ;)

~ Tracy

Camp week!

This week Emerson is in a Jitterbugs camp at the YMCA and Blake is in a hockey camp at the Castledowns arena, ran by Edges.  I've also signed Reese up for some time in the child minding room at the YMCA.  So I've been dropping Em and Reese off and going to work out!  After I pick Reese up, we head over to the arena (which is attached to the Y), watch some hockey and then we all pick Em up at noon.  It's been really nice!

Reese is loving the childminding room, she doesn't want to leave when I go to pick her up ... At first I had her booked in for 1 hr but I've changed it to an hour and a half since she loves it so much!  That also gives me time to shower ;)  In September I'll be taking her to the child minding room and working out every Monday and Wednesday morning, I'm looking forward to it!

Emerson is enjoying Jitterbugs!  They've gone swimming once now and will go again on Thursday. And there's a dance party on Friday that she is excited about.  Blake's having fun at hockey camp although he's been a bit under the weather this week, poor guy.  I think he's just really tired from all our travels and the late nights that have come with visiting and camping.  We ran in to a friend of ours at the arena, her son is older and is in a camp on the other ice surface.  It was really nice to visit with her and her handsome sons!  They are such nice boys.

In the afternoons we've been playing in our yard and at the park.  We had a nice park picnic this afternoon!

We're getting ready to head to Jasper on Monday morning.  We can't wait!!  We love Jasper and are excited to spend the week with my Mom, Dad, sister and nephew :)  I can't wait to breathe in the fresh mountain air :)

~Tracy

Road Trip to SK!!

Thursday morning the kids and I loaded up the van and hit the road!!!  Our destination - Tisdale, SK and most importantly, Grandma Marg and Grandpa Art's condo :)

I wasn't too nervous about the trip with the kids all by myself but I have a tendency to not worry or think things through and then when the day comes realize I may just be in over my head ;)  But that was not the case this time around!!  They were so good, I was very impressed!  8 1/2 hours in a vehicle is tough on anyone, never mind a 6, 4 and 2 yr old!  I have what I guess you could call a 'road trip strategy' ... as far as watching DVD's, playing on the iPad's, playing road trip games, taking breaks, etc!!  It worked really well this trip and I think the kids knew (thanks to my warnings ;)) that they'd better behave ;)

We had a fabulous time in Tisdale.  I was SO glad we went.  The only thing that would have been better, would have been if Cal could have joined us but with all the holiday time we had planned this year and him covering for his manager, he stayed behind.

My Aunt took us to visit our old Smith family cabin at Marean lake on Friday morning.  It was great to visit there, I have so many great memories from spending time at Marean during summer holidays but it was a little bit sad to think that, that chapter is over.  I am thankful for all those wonderful years in which we were blessed with that little piece of heaven on earth!!  It truly is a gem and hard to describe unless you've been there yourself.  I only wish we could find something similar, close to us but the cost of something like that near Edmonton would be extremely expensive!!  On our way home from the cabin we stopped in a tiny town for lunch and to browse their new gift shop.  It was fun, the kids each found a little toy :)

Friday night we had a BBQ at my Aunt's house.  A few of my cousin's and another Aunt came, it was great to visit with everyone and the kids had a blast playing with the Labelle's (my cousins kids)!

The kids loved spending time with the Labelle's, they were pretty upset when I had to drag them back to the condo after spending the afternoon playing at their house!  We took Grandma and Grandpa for supper on Saturday night, in the condo dining room.  Their condo is so nice and the amenities are fantastic. They can go downstairs for coffee, snacks, meals, card games, etc almost any time of day.  It's wonderful!  And the fact that we can rent a room there is even better!  We've rented the same 2 bedroom suite for November when we return for my cousin's wedding.

We spent lots of time with my Grandma and Grandpa, which was the main goal of our visit.  Their suite is small but spacious at the same time if that makes sense?!  Their furniture fits well and it works with the space!  We loved having breakfast their and visiting each morning.  The kids played cards with Great Grandma, which brought back a ton of memories of my sister, cousins and I playing cards with Grandma when we were young :)  One of my favorite memories of all time is playing golf and nickles with Grandma Marg and Grandpa Art :)  We're looking forward to visiting again.  It's nice it won't be too long between visits, I miss everyone so much but have found it really difficult to make the drive these past few years.  I'm also glad the kids will remember everyone, with the 2 visits closer together.

It was a tiring few days with the long drives and solo bedtimes but I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Thanks to everyone in Tisdale for your help and hospitality, we will see you in November!!!!

xo
Tracy

Camping, camping and more camping :)

We are making good use of our new 'house' on wheels ... and loving every minute!!! 

From the 26th to the 29th we were at Carson Pegasus Provincial Park.  The Hrdlicka's joined us on the 27th and despite the rain and chilly weather we had the best time!!  Candace is one of my oldest and dearest friends but with college and then her career taking her away from the Edmonton area, we rarely get to spend more then a few hours together.  Before marriage and children, one of my favorite weekends away was to her house!!  But since then, we only get the odd visit in.  So, I was super excited to spend the weekend with her and her fam!!  Our kids get a long so, so well, they are so much alike it is almost scary!!  Nicholas and Blake are best buds and Presley and Emerson are becoming fast friends.  Carson and Reese are a little young yet, but Reese played awesome with all the kids and Carson was the best baby I've ever seen :)  Brandon and Cal get along great too, which makes their wives very happy ;)  We've started planning next years trip!

We got home on the Monday and had two days to unpack, do laundry, buy more groceries and re-pack for our August long weekend trip to Cross Lake Provincial Park!  We were at Cross Lake from August 1st to the 5th. We spent the weekend with my sister and her family, my parents, the Streakwick's and two other families whom I know through Jer and Linds!  We had another fantastic weekend!  The weather was great, the kids had a blast playing with all the other kids (12 total) and the adults had a great time too!!  Blake was very excited when he found out Uncle Jeremy was bringing his boat.  Blake loves fishing and got to spend some time on the lake, which made him very happy!  Emerson found a new passion for picking wild berries!!  She found wild strawberries and blueberries ;)  We continued our group camping trip tradition of appetizer night - no one starves on these trips!!  lol!  It was a great long weekend and hopefully we'll all get out together again next year - we might add a few more sites to our May long weekend reservations ;)

We are so happy with our new trailer!  I can't even say how much I love it!!!  I just love it ;)  Definitely don't regret this purchase!!  We have two more camping trips planned - 4 days in Jasper at the end of August and 2 days at my parents lake lot on September long weekend.  And we may get out 1 more time in September!  I love camping with my family so much and it is so good for the kids.  Can't wait to make many more memories in our new trailer :)

In between camping trips, we've been enjoying fun play dates and some downtime at home.  On the 24th of July the kids and I had a blast at K-Days with my Mom!  Blake and Em love playing all the carnival games but don't enjoy the rides (other then the ponies)!  Grandma made sure everyone won a stuffie and in fact, they each came home with an armful ;)  Blake started off the day feeling under the weather.  It came on suddenly but thankfully we found a lady who had some Advil in her purse and he perked up after a dose.  Although he is still not quite feeling like himself :s  Poor guy.

On the 25th we enjoyed a visit from Cal's Mom and Grandparents.  We are so grateful Bev was able to bring Grandma and Grandpa Alstad down to visit us!  It was great to see them and Bev!  It's been about a year since we were in Grande Prairie but we're looking forward to heading up there in December for Cal's cousin's wedding! 

Today we went to the Parenteau's for another pool party!!  The kids LOVE splashing around and swimming in Berlyn's pool!  It's a great time!

On Thursday the kids and I are headed to Tisdale, SK for a visit with my grandparents, aunt's, uncles and cousins.  I can't wait to see everyone!!  We haven't been there for a very long time, too long and this visit is wayyyy overdue!!  

Talk to you soon, please send me positive travelling vibes and prayers for our long 8(ish) hour drive to SK!!!  I just may be crazy for taking on this long drive by myself with 3 kids ... ;)

xo

Tracy

Vacay!!

We had a great two weeks, with Cal off for the majority of the time!  He went into work a few mornings and afternoons and of course, answered emails all day long and put out 'fires' ... one of these days we're going on a vacation where he can't access his email or Blackberry ;)

The first week was bike camp in the a.m. and time together in the p.m. - playing outside, a movie, library, fun in the backyard, etc.

The second week we headed to Ol' MacDonald's Resort.  We had a fabulous week!  My parents joined us and we were all very thankful for the wonderful weather!  We had a few beach days, visited the animals many times, did some geocaching/hiking, Blake and Em rode the train and we rented karts twice.  A few stops at the park, lots of bike riding, some ice cream and a great time together :)  Loving my tan, I don't think I've had this great of a tan since I was a kid!!  We love this campground and plan to go back year after year!  It's great for kids of all ages, there are activities for all ages, including movie nights and tie-dying t-shirts, which I thought we'd save for future trips!

In between these two weeks, we attended a friends 40th birthday party (yes, another one!)!  We had a blast, thanks Mom and Dad for babysitting :)  And tonight Cal is at another friends 40th birthday party!! 

This morning we headed to Camrose for Cal's 3rd run in the 5 Peaks Trail Running Series.  He found this course quite difficult and perhaps more so due to missing his own runners and some of his running gear, which was left behind in the trailer.  (*the trailer is at CoachWorks for some warranty work).  Cal's brother Gerry also ran and the kids and I had a nice visit with Lesley, Colby and Jenna while the guys were running!  Afterwards we all went for lunch, it was nice to catch up with the Stony Plain Cameron's :)

Cal's back to work on Monday but we are off on another camping adventure on Friday!  This time to Carson Pegasus with the Hrdlicka's.  I can't wait to camp with my BFF!!!  

Have a great week!!

xo

Tracy

Ol' MacDonald's Resort - July 2013 :)

School's out for the summer!

Blake's last day of school was June 27th and we wasted no time kick-starting our summer camping season!!  On the 28th we headed to Miquelon Lake Provincial Park for the July long weekend.  

Cooling off - the kids spent a lot
of time in these dingy's!!  And thanks to Sharla
for the virgin pina colada's and margarita's ;)

Checking our GPS during geocaching :)

We had a fabulous time, camping in a group site with 6 other families/couples.  This is the second time we've been to Miquelon and we really need to go back more often.  It is quite close to the city, not a far drive for us, and the park is beautiful with many nice trails, ponds and parks.  The beach is also quite nice but the water is touch and go!  We stayed in a group site this time, which was awesome, with a large enclosed shelter where we had our Saturday night pot luck meal and stayed dry on Saturday night during a short thunder storm!  Heidi didn't have to wear a leash and was free to roam around, just like the kids ;)
One of the group sites even has flush toilets and your very own showers - we're booking that site next time!!  The parks centre at Miquelon often host's events and activities and the weekend we were there, we attended a geocaching event.  We've been wanting to try geocaching for quite some time and we all had a great time!  Blake and Em really enjoyed themselves and we look forward to more geocaching this summer.  

We're hoping to try it out in Jasper in August.  We can't wait for our next camping trip, just next week, at Ol' MacDonalds Resort!!  A family favorite :)
This week Blake and Emerson are in a bike camp, ran by Atlantis Programs and Pedalheads.  We enrolled Blake in the camp last year, as he loved to ride his bike but after an incident where he nearly got hit by a car (backing out of a drive way, not Blake's fault at all), he felt quite nervous when biking and a bit hesitant.  He loved the camp last year and even tried riding a 2 wheeler!  Emerson just started riding her bike this year, after 2 years of running alongside Blake!!  lol!  She had no interest in riding her bike last year but this year she hopped right on and off she went.  She loves riding her bike and wanted to go to bike camp with Blake.  The camp incorporates riding their bikes with fun and games and bike and road safety.  So far they're loving the camp, it runs Monday to Friday from 9:30 to noon.  Blake's training wheels were off his bike for a while last summer but he never really felt confident in riding a 2 wheeler so we put them back on and now they are off again!  We'll see what he decides at the end of the week - keep them off or put them back on?!  The camp leader took Em's training wheels off on Monday, much to our surprise and so far she's insistent that they will not go back on!!  We'll see at the end of the week ;)  They were excited to see a friend from Sunday school in their camp!  Emerson actually made her a card last night, it was really cute.  Cal and I have been enjoying 1 on 1 time with Reese while Blake and Em are at camp.  She keeps us on our toes and talks enough for all 3 of them!!!  The things she says and her facial expressions are the best entertainment around!  She's so funny, I love it!  For the first hour or so of bike camp, she's been riding her plasma car.  I think she feels like she's part of the bike camp, as she wears her bike helmet and cruises around!!  I have a feeling she will be asking to go to bike camp next year ;)

We hope your summer is off to a great start!!  Talk to you soon :)

~Tracy   

A Kindergarten Graduate!

Blake has had a fantastic first year of 'formal' schooling :)  He thoroughly enjoyed Kindergarten and all the new experiences that came with it!  Blake had a great little class and made many new friends.  I really enjoyed meeting the other parents and Blake's classmates and found that we were all pretty close, seeing each other quite often at birthday parties on the weekends and sometimes at hockey or the local park!  I like how all the kids were friends and played together and included everyone.  I'm happy to hear that everyone is returning to the school for Grade 1.

Blake's last month of Kindergarten was a very fun and busy month!!  He had an in school field trip (The Number Farm), a field trip to Genesis Early Learning Centre, an ice cream sundae party, a water fun day, a classroom pot luck and a school-wide Games Day!  I volunteered for Games Day and was lucky (ahem) enough to be stationed at the face painting table ;)  It was a great day, I enjoyed myself and I think the children were okay with my limited face-painting skills!!!  Next year I will suggest I am stationed elsewhere!!  Blake's school doesn't do kindergarten graduation pictures or a ceremony although his teacher did put together a nice binder of all his work, a DVD of pictures from through out the year and gave him a kindergarten graduation certificate ;)

Both Blake and I were a little bit sad on his last day of Kindergarten :(  Blake kept asking, "Will I see Mme. Emilie again?  Will I see Max again?  Can I still play with Gavin?" etc, etc, etc.  It was hard for him to grasp that 2 months of summer vacation flies by and before he knows it, he will be seeing all of his friends again, but this time all day, 5 days a week!!  The day after his last day of school, he said to me, "Mom, can I go to school today?"  I giggled a little and told him he was on summer vacation.  He said, "I know, I just thought maybe."  So cute and nice to hear that he enjoys school that much!!  He will enjoy Grade 1, I am sure.  I'm hoping their enrollment numbers don't change too much because as it stands right now there are two grade one FI classes, one with fourteen students and one with fifteen students.  I like those numbers!  I knew Mme. Emilie was moving to another school next year but didn't tell Blake, in hopes that she would pass on the news and she did do that on the last day of school.  Blake came home and said, "Mme. Emilie is going to another school to teach Grade 1.  But she said we could come visit her!  Can we go visit?"  I said, "Of course we can!!"  Although I'm not sure when, as her school calendar will be the exact same as ours!  I'm glad he had a great year and will miss his teacher!

The year flew by so fast and it makes me sad because my baby is growing up.  I think I will be an absolute mess when Reese's kindergarten year comes to an end :s  I am also sad because he will now be in school 5 days a week, all day :(  I will miss him!!  But it is great to see him grow and learn and take on new challenges.  I am excited for him to start reading in French and in a few short years, he'll be bilingual, reading, writing and speaking both French and English!  I'm finding that it is a bit difficult for some people grasp that he is not reading yet when other children who are in English kindergarten have begun reading but it is nice that quite a few of our friends and some of my closest friends, also have children in FI and so we can chat and discuss the program and what not!  And hopefully this will benefit all our kids in the long run.  For quite some time now we have noticed that Blake has a love for numbers and 'figuring things out' but he is now really in to long addition, subtraction and even some simple multiplication!  Last week he said to me, "Mom, is eight plus eight, sixteen?"  I said, "Yes it is!"  Then he said, "Oh, so four times four is sixteen!"  I was pretty proud!

I saw this post on Pinterest and decided to do this for all my kids but instead of using the Dr. Seuss book (because I have a feeling a lot of kids are going to be getting that book when they graduate Grade 12!), I chose to find a different book.  I bought the Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein for Blake and will buy a different book for each of the girls when they start kindergarten.  I absolutely loved this idea and hope that this is a gift they will treasure forever.  I got teary-eyed when I read Mme. Emilie's note, as I'm sure will happen every year when I read their teacher's messages :)

So as we say goodbye to a great Kindergarten year, we have a tear in our eye, but we also look forward to all the amazing things that Grade 1 will have to offer!

Blake, we are so proud of you and what you have learned during Kindergarten.  We are proud of how friendly and helpful you were in your classroom and proud of how hard you have worked to learn new concepts, ideas and tools.  We can't wait to see you flourish in Grade 1!

First day of Kindergarten -
September 4, 2012

Last day of Kindergarten -
June 27, 2013

June?!

Another busy month gone by far too fast!!  Good thing I write most everything down on our family calendar, otherwise I would never remember everything I wanted to write about on this online 'diary' a.k.a. blog ;)

Proud of Em :)

Thank you G&G :)

The beginning of June (the 1st) brought Emerson's dance recital.  We were all very excited (Emerson and I most especially!)!!  The week before the recital, Emerson had a class on Wednesday to learn the grande finale dance.  After 20 minutes or so I went to peek in the class, only to find her crying and in the arms of one of the instructors.  She came and sat with me for awhile and then got up and learned the steps.  I was confused as to why she was crying, as she has always had the best time in dance class and never shown any signs of being scared or upset.  Em didn't really tell me what was upsetting her and after class I spoke to the instructor who also didn't have any idea.  The class was with all the 4 yr old dancers from every class and Emerson's instructor was sick that day and couldn't be there, so I think she was just overwhelmed and missing Miss Jessica!  After this incident I was worried that at the recital, dancing on the big stage at the Myer Horowitz Theatre, she would be totally overwhelmed and either freeze or start crying!!!  She did neither, she rocked that stage!  She had THE biggest smile on her face the entire time!  It was absolutely adorable, I got tears in my eyes :)  I couldn't believe how big she was smiling!  She even remembered (almost) all her steps!  It was great, we really enjoyed the show and all the other performances as well!  Emerson and Reese are both signed up at Variations for next years dance season!  After the recital we had a birthday party to attend at a local spray park.  It was a fun day with very tired kids at the end of the day ;)

Since the end of May brought Emerson's last days of preschool and Blake did not have

In their glory!!

Kindergarten on Thursdays, the kids and I headed out to my Mom and Dad's lake lot on the 8th of June for a day of campfires, quadding and fun :)  We had a great time!  Reese enjoyed quadding last summer but did not want to go for a ride this year!!  Blake and Em love quadding and would ride all day if they could!  They also enjoy taking turns driving!  We played Bocce ball and my Mom blew up a gigantic bowling set they had bought on their last trip to the States!  The day was complete with a hot dog roast and smores!!

Bocce with Grandma :)

The next day, we were invited to a fundraiser at my girlfriends son's school.  Since it was later in the evening, I took Blake and Emerson so Cal could put Reese to bed.  The kids had a blast!  It was a very well organized and planned event!!  The theme was 'Small Town Carnival'.  There was a cookie decorating tent, old fashioned games tent, you could tye-dye a t-shirt at another tent, pony rides, a ball toss, entertainment provided by the student of the school, a bbq, etc, etc, etc!

On the 9th Cal and a few of his buddies participated in a golf tournament for the Alberta Handball Association, of which his friend is the vice-president.  Cal had a great time, he loves to golf but doesn't get out as often as he did prior to 3 munchkins ;)  The kids and I had a nice dinner with my Mom and Dad that evening.

On the 13th the kids and I went out to Stony Plain for a playdate with Erica, Danielle and Grandma D!  We had a nice visit!

On the 14th we took the kids out for a nice dinner, thanks to TELUS!  It was Cal's 15 yr anniversary this year and he was told to take the family out for dinner in celebration.  We asked the kids where they would like to go ... Emerson wanted to go to BP's and Blake and Reese wanted to go to McDonald's!!  I told them we should go to a fancier restaurant and was hoping for the Keg but they wanted to go to Red Lobster, which we all love.  They were so well-behaved, it was very nice dinner out :)

The 16th was Father's Day, we had a nice day at home, playing outside and enjoying the day!  That evening we had a delicious bbq at our house with my Mom and Dad.

On the 19th Blake had a follow-up appointment with his E.N.T. at the Stollery.  I thought I'd make the day a little more exciting by taking the kids on the L.R.T.!  Of course, they thought it was pretty cool and were excited!!  It's the small things ;)  The appointment went well and at this time, as has been in the past, there is no reason to remove the extra sinus in Blake's ear.  That is good news!

On the 20th my Dad picked Cal up for their 2nd annual guys quadding/fishing trip.  They were originally going to leave on the 19th but due to the flooding north of Fort McMurray and a bridge washed out, they had to move the trip to the Lac la Biche area and therefore did not need to leave as early.  They had a few location changes but settled in for a few days of fishing and quadding in the great outdoors!!  By all accounts, they had a good time.  Caught a few fish, did some quadding, drank some beers and stayed up too late ;)

The 22nd brought Blake's last ball hockey game of the season and a birthday party for Emerson.  Blake's last game was great, although he was a bit disappointed that they were playing the Oilers as the Oilers are his favorite hockey team and he didn't want to have to beat them ... lol!!!  We really noticed a lot of improvement in the team from game to game and all the players always had big smiles on their faces!!  Blake really enjoyed ball hockey and wants to play again next year.  After the game I took the kids to Ikea and then we dropped Em off at her party!  She had a great time, I am so grateful for her preschool friends and our little preschool 'family'.  Many of Em's classmates will be returning this year and all returning students are moving from the Tu/Th a.m. class to the M/W/F a.m. class!

Cal came home from his trip on the 23rd, surrounded by hugs, kisses and "We missed you Daddy"!!

Cal had an afternoon of golf with his work team on the 27th and that night we got ready for our July long weekend camping trip!

And that was our June :)  Blake's last month of Kindergarten was busy and emotional (for me), so I will post another blog on that!!

ttyl

Tracy