Blake's 1st day of Grade 2!

Blake's first day of Grade 2 was the 2nd of September!  He was super excited to see all his friends!  We managed a few play dates over the summer but he really missed seeing his friends at school. Last year there were two grade 1 FI classes, this year those classes combined to make one grade 2 class!  Blake was also excited about this because now all the kids he went to kindergarten with are all in his class.  I thought he might miss the small class size but so far so good!  Blake's teacher this year is Mlle. Melissa.  She comes with raving reviews!  She is the technology lead in the school, which means each student in her class has their own iPad and she has iPad mini's as well, which they use for different exercises!  Blake says she is quite strict with the iPad use and reassures us that they are strictly for learning ;)  The first day of school we all brought Blake to school.  His classroom is soooo nice!!  Think grade 2 Pinterest classroom and that is what it is!  Mlle. Melissa is very creative and has a beautiful classroom!  Plus it smells so good in there, I spotted a Scentsy warmer on her desk ;)  We are certain Blake will have a fabulous year in Grade 2 and can not wait to enjoy the journey with him! Here are a few photo's of Blake on his first day of Grade 2!

We searched high and low for this Guardian's of the Galaxy t!  He really wanted one for his 1st day of school :)

In his new classroom!

Extra curricular activities begin!!

BAM ... back to school, back to hockey/dance/swimming/and possibly ringette!!  No easing in ;)

Blake's first ice time was September 3rd.  The first 2 ice times were warm-up skates.  The next 3 skates were technical skates, where a team of evaluator's evaluated skating skills.  The next 3 ice times were evaluation games.  And finally, after all of that, the teams were set!  Blake's first skate with his team was on the 20th.  Cal is the head coach this year.  They're off to a great start and are both enjoying themselves!  We are KC 054 Storm and can't wait to get our league game schedule and officially start this season!!  We had a great parents meeting on Saturday morning, it seems like we have a wonderful group of kids and parents (although some 'strong' personalities ;) )!  Reese and Emerson have lots of other siblings to run around and play with, which is always good!!  Keeps them happy at the rink :)  I can't wait for not only our first game but our first tournament!!  Tournaments are so much fun and great for team-building!

Emerson and Reese's 1st day of dance was Wednesday the 10th!  Emerson is in Kinderkids (or as we call it, the blue bodysuit!) and Reese is in the Preschool program (aka the red bodysuit!).  They both enjoyed their first class.  They have the same teacher, Miss Rosslyn.  Reese's class is from 4:30 to 5:15 and Em's class is 5:15 to 6 pm.  It's great it worked out they are on the same day and we only have to spend 1 evening at the studio!

Emerson and Reese attended a 'Try Ringette' session on the 9th.  It was hosted by Ringette Alberta and Emerson came off the ice and told me, "I want to register Mom!"  I immediately teared up.  I was quite surprised, as she had a hard time at first.  She has only skated with a walker and there were no walkers on the ice during this session.  I had prepared her for that scenario and she was 100% okay with not using a walker!  But she is very afraid of falling and hurting herself and so the first few falls were tough on her and she came off the ice upset.  She sat with me for a minute or so and then voluntarily got up and went back on the ice and tried again!  I was surprised but sooooo proud of her!!  She wanted this so badly and was determined to try over and over!  There was a very sweet young girl who was volunteering during the session and she took Em and Reese under her wing!  They loved every minute on the ice and in the dressing room afterwards Em said to Reese, "Reese, do you want to register?"  Reese said, "Sir!" (which is sure but sounds like sir!).  It was adorable and I literally got tears in my eyes .. again!  I can't wait for the girls to start ringette, the weekend after Thanksgiving weekend.  I volunteered to coach and hope to help the girls and all the other players have a great year and learn many new skills but most of all have fun and fall in love with ringette!!  Now to register them and get them equipment ... oh boy, these sports are expensive ;)

The YMCA changed their swimming lessons to a continuous format, so we have been registered in swimming lessons all summer long.  But due to vacations and camping weekends, we have missed quite a few.  And at first Blake was registered in a later lesson but we finally got him into the same time slot as the girls, so they all swim from 4:30 to 5 on Friday's!  The girls really love swimming lessons.  We have never once heard them complain about swimming lessons or say they didn't want to go!  There have been times with dance class, that Em has said, "Do I have to go today?"  But never, ever with swimming!!  They really love swimming lessons and are doing awesome in their lessons!  Em has to master an unassisted back float and she'll be moving up to the next level!  If the instructor helps her onto her back and let's go, she can float forever!  But when she throws herself back into the water, she sinks!!  She needs to ease into it vs. throwing herself back!  lol!!  Blake's in the big pool now and is gaining confidence again!  He hadn't been in swimming lessons for almost a year and so was a bit nervous to being again!  But he's doing great and is swimming quite a distance now, all by himself.  Reese is fearless as always and I have a feeling it wont' be long until she is in the same lesson as Emerson!  She swims underwater and everything!

So our kids are staying active and having fun :)  We enjoy shuttling them around, coaching them and taking it all in!!

~ Tracy

Sad to see the end of August

The remaining weeks of August were great.  

We had a fabulous camping trip to Carson Pegasus Provincial Park with Cal's brother Gerry, sister Carmen and their families and his Mom and sister Kathy's two children.  Since Blake's hockey camp was cancelled (due to his pneumonia) we decided to leave 1 day early and spend Thursday night there by ourselves.  The rest of the crew arrived on Friday.  It was so great to spend the weekend together!  All the 'Cameron' grandkids were together for the very first time!!  We got some great photo's :)  We hope to make this trip an annual event.  The kids loved spending time with their cousins, Aunts, Uncles and Grandma Bev.  Reese is quite smitten with Kourtney, it's very cute!  And Blake is in love with Dylan :)  You can just see the admiration in his eyes!!

Emerson had her Kindergarten shots.  There was some drama leading up to the shots but in the end she was calm and collected and did fine!  I feel so bad for Em, she really doesn't like being in pain ... or being sick ... she's definitely more sensitive to pain then a lot of other children!

On the 20th and 21st the kids had a sleepover at my Mom and Dads!  It was nice to have a short break, I'm not ashamed to admit it ;)  They were soooo excited to have a sleepover, we had to put off telling them until a few days before because they want to pack as soon as they hear they're going for a sleepover!  Cal took Thursday off and we spent the day doing errands!  Amazing how much we can get done, by ourselves ;)  We also enjoyed dinner out!  Thanks Mom and Dad, greatly appreciated!!

On the 23rd Cal and the kids participated in the Chicakoo Lake 5 Peaks Race.  Cal ran the enduro race - 14 km and the kids ran in the Kid's Challenge - 1 km.  They all did awesome!!  Cal ran his best time and Blake, Em and Reese rocked the 1 k ;)  Blake and Em came across the finish line near the front of the pack and Reese came in running for her life!!  Her little legs were going so fast, I wasn't sure her body could keep up - it was awesome to watch!  So proud of them all!  Christa and Berlyn also joined us and Christa also ran the enduro, and B the 1 k!

That weekend was also a birthday party weekend - Em had 1 on Saturday afternoon and Blake had a birthday party on Sunday afternoon.  His birthday party was a street hockey party and then he had 3 on 3.  He was very tired by the end of 3 on 3.  At this point in time he was still recovering from his pneumonia.  I could tell it was a bit much for him but thankfully he had a good rest Sunday night.

On the 25th the kids and I hung out with Connor while Linds and Mason were at the pediatrician.  We had fun walking to the park and playing at the park!  Connor was so cute as we were walking to park, pointing out every truck, car and 'choo' ;)  Em loves mothering Connor and Connor doesn't seem to mind!!  That afternoon we met Cal's grandparents and Mom for dinner in Spruce Grove.  It was great to see them, we had a nice visit.

I had Preschool Orientation on Tuesday.  I do not enjoy public speaking but as the preschool President, it was my job to lead the orientation ... I got through it and everyone keeps telling me how well I did.  So I will forget the feeling I had while standing in front of all the preschool parents and take the compliments!!

Wednesday brought the First Rider's event for Emerson.  Em is taking the kindergarten bus home from school, so we attended First Rider's so she could familiarize herself with bus safety and take a bus ride before the first day of school!  She had fun and was answering all the questions ... that's our Em!!  Always with her hand up and eager to answer all questions!  We didn't need to know a lot of the info because the teacher's aide in Em's class will be leading the bus students to the bus and the bus drops her off at our house ... but it's a good experience and reinforces sitting still, no snacks, listen to the bus driver, etc.

Wednesday evening the Francis clan arrived!  They stayed for 2 nights and we packed a lot of fun into that time!!  We started out at the Launch Pad on Thursday morning, followed by Chuck E Cheese, some shopping and meeting Lesley, Gerry, Colby and Jenna at Red Robin's that evening!  Phew!  What a day!  Our kids are used to visiting 1 of those spots every 6-12 months, never mind 3 in 1 day ... lol!!  I think they felt they hit the jackpot ;)  But we had a super fun day and loved both the Launch Pad and Chuck E Cheese!  And of course, dinner at one of our favorite family restaurants is always good!

On the 29th Blake got to meet his hockey hero, Taylor Hall!!  I had tears in my eyes (surprise, surprise) as Blake posed for a pic with Hall.  There was a 3 on 3 hockey camp at the KC arena that week and Cal and Blake had attended earlier in the week.  After talking to a friend of mine, I hear that Taylor Hall was going to be there on Friday.  So Cal took him over to the arena and the girls and I met them there after my Cameron's Closet meet.  There were numerous NHL players there, it was pretty neat for a little hockey-lovin' boy!

Our long weekend was pretty low-key.  We spent Saturday at Lindsay and Jeremy's.  Cal, Dad, Jeremy and Blake built a shed.  Mom took the younger kids to Treehouse for a few hours and Lindsay and I cooked!  We made meatloaf, meatballs and Saucy chicken!  Stocking up the freezer for Sept :)  The guys got the shed up and now Jeremy just has to side and shingle it.  Blake enjoyed helping the guys, swinging a hammer and operating the drill!

And that brings us to 'Back to School 2014' ... I think that deserves it's own post :)

Talk to ya' soon!

xo
Tracy

'twas the night before Em started kindergarten!

Dear Emerson,

Tomorrow is a day you've been waiting for: your first day of kindergarten. You are so excited to learn and to make friends and it makes me happy to see just how excited you are.

As I sit hear tonight, I go back to the night you were born.  I remember the Dr. saying, "It's a girl!" and I couldn't believe it!!  I so badly wanted a little girl but secretly thought I was selfish for wanting both a boy and a girl.  That feels like yesterday.

And now, here you are getting ready to start KINDERGARTEN?!?!  I can hardly believe it.  And like the day you were born, I find myself filled with so many emotions.

One of those emotions is sadness.  Although you are more than ready to embark on your formal years of schooling, a part of me selfishly wants just one more year of you all to myself. I am so so SO grateful for the 5+ years I've spent at home with you - we've had tea parties, dance parties, baking parties, parties for your stuffies, dress up fun, trips to the YMCA and the library, play dates, cuddles on the couch while watching cartoons, shopping trips and so many more fun days :) You're the best little helper, always willing to help me with chores around the house and with your baby sister.  I wouldn't trade a million dollars for these days with you.

Which brings me to another emotion ... Hopefulness!!  I really hope you make great friends, that they invite you to sit with them at snack time, and play with you at recess. I hope they are kind and generous and I believe that they will be. I believe that you will meet some wonderful kids and have a lot of fun with them as you grow up together.

You were so excited to receive a postcard in the mail from your new teacher!  She seems fantastic and I am sure she will teach you many wonderful things and I hope and pray that Dad and I have given you a solid foundation that you and she can build on.  You already have a love of reading and books and I hope that continues.

And last of all, I am feeling excited for YOU! School is so much fun. Being a part of a school community is so much fun. You will learn, play, grow, and be loved. I hope you are happy and challenged and encouraged. Please know that your Dad and I expect you to always show compassion, generosity, and respect. We expect you to always be kind, good, honest, and hard-working.

I can't wait to hear all about your first day and the friends you've made!  I can't wait to see your gorgeous eyes, shining with excitement when you run off the bus!  I can't wait to feel your tiny arms around me and I can't wait to give you a kiss, after your first day of school.  I just know you are going to be so proud of everything you are learning and I can't wait for you to share that with your family :)  You are smart, kind, hard-working, talented, fun, creative and beautiful.  Your Dad and I are SO proud of you.  You will do wonderfully, we believe in you!

I love you, Sweetie (aka Em and Em the gem,!).

Love,

Mom

August is up next!

Our August began with a trip to the Whitecourt Lion's Campground on August long weekend ... I know you're jealous ;)  Kidding aside, the campground was better than we expected and the company was as fabulous as expected!!!!  We met my bff and her family and had an awesome long weekend!!  Our kids love each other, Blake and Nicholas are best buds and the girls play great together too!  And turns out the town of Whitecourt has THE best park!!!  The Rotary park in Whitecourt is a-m-a-z-i-n-g.  It has a nice spray park, a great playground, a pond you can fish in and the coolest outdoor 'waterslides'!  We had a blast!!  It was a super hot day and the kids absolutely loved the slides.  Earlier in the summer we took a day trip to Discovery Canyon in Red Deer and had a great time but I would totally recommend this park in Whitecourt over Discovery Canyon.  Discovery Canyon is pretty (a more natural scene with rocks surrounding the slides and a waterfall, etc.) but the slides in Whitecourt, combined with the spray park and playground, trumps Discovery Canyon!  If we don't camp in Whitecourt next summer, we will be making a day trip to visit the park!  Besides visiting the park, we had a pretty chill weekend, hanging around the campsite, visiting, the kids riding bikes to and from the lack lustre park (but of course the kids didn't notice!!), playing games, campfires and just enjoying our weekend!

Tuesday to Friday was Pedalheads bike camp for all three kids!  Reese was super excited for her first bike camp :)  Em was almost on 2 wheels last summer and we knew she was ready for a 2-wheeler.  She would not let us take her training wheels off, she wanted to wait until bike camp!  So of course, within an hour of her first day of bike camp, she was riding on 2 wheels!  Blake had a great week, learning more about road safety and hand signals, traffic signs, etc and Reese loved her little class!  She pedals like a maniac and I have no doubt she will be on 2 wheels next summer!  As parents, Cal and I love this summer camp!  The staff are all so fabulous and it is a really great quality camp, combining biking, games and fun!

Rewind to August long weekend - late Sunday afternoon Blake started not feeling well.  He had a fever and was very tired.  We had a more normal bedtime that night and he woke up Monday morning with a fever, again.  I wasn't too worried, I figured he was tired and maybe a bit run down.  By Wednesday his fever was still high and it was not responding to Tylenol and after a few hours Advil was not doing the trick either.  So I took him in to the medi-centre on Thursday afternoon and the Dr. suspected pneumonia :(  He prescribed antibiotics and we went to the lab to have a chest x-ray to confirm.  On Saturday morning we had a follow-up Dr. appt and it was confirmed that he did have pneumonia.  I was surprised because even though he had a fever, he did not seem as ill as I would have thought a 7 yr old with pneumonia would be.  He was very upset that he could not participate in his upcoming hockey camp or a 3 on 3 hockey game on Sunday afternoon.  He still attended his friends birthday party on Saturday afternoon, but did not take part in the floor hockey game.  I felt so bad for him, it brought tears to my eyes :(  He was really looking forward to his Edges hockey camp, he loves the Edges coaches and his friend was going to be at camp with him.  But obviously it was more important for him to rest and get better asap.

So the next week was significantly slower than originally planned!  We spent the majority of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at home.  Our pediatrician was back from vacation this week, so we went in to see him on Tuesday afternoon.  He listened to Blake's lungs and said he did not hear anything and that the antibiotics must have done their job!  At this point Blake's fever had been gone since Friday but his cough was still there.  Dr. R said it could take some time for him to feel 100% better but that he was on the road to recovery!  He also suggested following up with an x-ray in a few weeks to confirm the pneumonia was gone.  By Wednesday we really needed to get out of the house and do something fun!!  So we met my sister and nephews and my Mom at the Valley Zoo!  The zoo has undergone some renovations since we were last there!  The renovations looked great and we had a fun time!  We've always loved visiting our little zoo.  The kids are free to roam, as we follow along and it is never too busy.  Lucy the elephant is always a big draw and within a few minutes of walking through the gates, we spotted Lucy!  She was on a walk around the zoo with her trainers :)

Mixed in with the above, we also found out that Cal's interview in Red Deer was successful and he was offered a new job!!  This is a very exciting career move for Cal, we're all so proud of him and very happy for this step up the ladder!  He will be the new Design Specialist II for ATOPS (Access Technology Outside Plant Standards).  He is responsible for standards in access engineering for Telus - this encompasses ON, Quebec, AB and BC.  This position will entail some travel.  His first day is September 15th and he will be flying to Vancouver on the 14th for meetings and team building on the 15th, 16th and 17th.  Then at the end of September he will be in Calgary for meetings.  I have a feeling it will be an adjustment, with him away from home every now and then but we're behind him 110% and are very excited for the new opportunities this job will present!  Congrats Cal, we love you and are soooo proud of you :)

Cal's also been playing hockey with his good friend Eric and began attending the November Project in July!  He's loving these workouts and the atmosphere of the group.  Check out their website!!

I've been enjoying my break from Cameron's Closet!  It's nice to just enjoy the summer and time with the kids and not juggle working during the day/evening and still being a good stay at home Mom!!

And now the month of August is nearly 1/2 over!  We still have our last camping trip of the year coming up + many more fun summer days :)

I hope you're having a great summer!!

xo
Tracy

Wrapping up July!

And just like that, July is over!  What a fabulous month it has been!

The day after we arrived home from our vacation, Blake started a 5 day power skating camp.  As odd as it is to be in an arena in the middle of July, we all enjoyed it ;)  Seeing hockey friends is always fun!!  

Lake Summerside

Cross Lake

That week we also spent a day at the Lake Summerside beach with my sister, nephews and my parents and a day at Cross Lake with my parents.  It was our first visit to the beach club but won't be our last - such a beautiful spot in the city!!  Lindsay can only bring 5 guests at a time, so we did some kid shuffling ;)  And our day trip to Cross Lake was great as well!  Blake and Em got to tube behind Grandma and Grandpa's new boat, which was awesome!!  Oh, and the day we went to Cross Lake, Cal went to Red Deer for a job interview!  

That weekend we took in the RCMP Musical Ride at Amberlea Meadows.  I have always wanted to see the RCMP Musical Ride and I was not disappointed.  Amazing.  Absolutely beautiful!  

The 'pre-show' drug on a bit longer than needed but the main event did not disappoint!!  After the show, we went to Cal's brother's house for supper.  It was great to get together and visit and let the kids play!  They always have such a great time!

The next day Blake was invited to play 3 on 3 hockey and the girls and I met my friend Lindsey and her family for lunch!  What a great weekend!!!

The last week of July brought a visit to the splash park with two families from our Church.  Sunday school does not run during the summer and we have not been attending Church, so it was really nice to get together and visit and let the kids play!  

We also took a day trip to Discovery Canyon in Red Deer with Christa and Berlyn.  Thank goodness for mini-van's, we had the van nearly full ;)  Discovery Canyon was so much fun!  

Discovery Canyon

The tube ride was perfect for Blake's age!  Reese did not want to try it and I don't blame her, I don't know if would have been safe for her to do on her own.  The 'river' was very jam-packed!!  It was a very hot day and I did not have a tube to ride down with her.  If I would have been able to go with her, it would have been no problem.  Emerson finally attempted the river by herself and had a blast!!  It was nice there was a beach to play on and a small, shallow lake to float/swim around in as well!

We ended July with a trip to the movie theatre with Connor and my Mom!  This was Connor's first movie and the kids were all excited to see Planes 2 with him!  It was a cute movie and the kids had a blast!

Reese, Emerson, Connor and Blake at Planes 2

As I'm typing this and looking back on our July calendar I can not believe what a great month July was!!  We were busy, that is for sure, but so many fun play-dates, day trips, visits, etc.  Wow!!

 ... SLOW DOWN SUMMER!!!  (please :) )

Talk to you again soon :)

xo

Tracy

2014 Camping Vacation

Inspired by this quote, I will keep this post brief!!  

We had a fabulous vacation - the best weather EVER.  We had so much fun ~ explored new places (Calaway Park, Mt. Kidd) and old favorites (Ol' MacDonald's, Calgary Zoo, Jasper), enjoyed time with family and old friends, met new friends and spent tons of quality family time, just the 5 of us.  And all within our beautiful province of Alberta :)

Here is a sampling of some of my favorite vacation photos.  If you follow me on Facebook, you can see a lot more ... I tend to take A LOT of photos!  But thanks to my Nikon battery being low and forgetting my camera charger, many fabulous memories will be just ours :)

Em, chilling on the beach at Ol' MacDonald's Resort

My cute nephew, Mason!  On the beach at Ol' MacDonald's!

Train rides for Em, Reese, Blake and nephew Connor :)

My Mom & Dad and all their kids and grandkids!  Great family trip to Ol' MacDonald's!

Pool fun at Mt. Kidd RV Resort!  Adding this campground to our top 5!  Love, love, loved it!

Breath-taking scenery along the Columbia Icefields parkway - on our way from Mt. Kidd to Jasper!

Love these 4!!  Okay Jasper the Bear, I love you too ;)

Beach day at Lake Annette :)

Love these smiles :)

Best big bro!

Very exciting, seeing a momma bear and her cubs!!

Cutest kids ever ;)

One of my most favorite places - Mt. Edith Cavell 

xo Tracy