Demonstration of Learning

On Thursday afternoon I spent time in Blake and Emerson's classrooms for Demonstration of Learning.  I always love these days, seeing what the kids are working on, hearing how they are doing in the classroom and experiencing their joy and pride as they show me around their work spaces and classrooms!

I visited Emerson's kindergarten classroom first.  I spend a bit of time in Em's class, so I have a really good idea of what she does in her day and how she is doing.  Mme Sina has also started an Instagram account, which I LOVE!  It is so cool to see what the class is doing on a day to day basis, I love checking Instagram and seeing peeks of Em ;)  Em is doing really well in kindergarten.  Since the beginning of Sept, her teacher has told me how responsible she is and what a joy it is to have her in the class.  Apparently she is a model student ... I've questioned this a few times and am always told the same thing!  I'm very glad she is so well-behaved and helpful at school but have to admit I almost feel embarrassed at times because she is a normal kid and at times I feel like a shitty parent and for some reason I have a hard time accepting a compliment ... I guess.  I guess that's really what it boils down to?!  I felt the same way in preschool, like the teachers were gawking at me like I was some sort of rock star parent but really not feeling all that great about my parenting!!!  lol!  But back to Em, she is excelling in Kindergarten, doing well in French and especially Religion.  A kid in a Catholic school, who attends a United Church faithfully, answering every single Religion question her teacher asks and telling stories from the bible.  Blake is in the same boat!  His Religion teacher tells me the exact same thing!!  It's awesome :)  Mme Sina did say that Em is obviously the older student in class and that she needs to be challenged more and that she is really ready for grade 1!  I don't regret not putting her in to Kindergarten when she was 4, as I know (or so I've heard) that 'holding her back' will only benefit her in her later school years.  BUT ... it is so obvious she is ready for grade one!!!  I really have to keep her busy when she is not in school, even just asking her to help with dishes, laundry, etc or asking her to do worksheets/workbooks.  Anything!  She needs to be busy and is not tired (mentally or physically) at all after school!

Blake is doing great as well!  I love being in his classroom, it's like a dream come true.  lol!  Super organized, pretty and bright and damn, it smells good too.  Blake showed me many, many projects, workbooks, movies on the classroom iPads, science, social studies, English language arts, French, Religion, and Art work to name a few!!  I'm very proud of his studious nature and how well he is doing in school.  I do worry that he may not be challenged as much as he should be but since reading his report card, we've found some ways to improve.  Which is always a good thing!  Blake can be just a tad distracted and so that is something we can help him work on.  It's so funny because as he was showing me the different stations at his Demo of Learning, he would get sidetracked by a friend explaining something to their parent and I would say, "Blake!  Blake, concentrate on what you're doing!"  And man oh man, did he ever remind me of Cal!!!  He is the type of person that really needs quiet to fully concentrate and we have definitely found that when doing his homework.  He needs a quiet space, no distractions!  And with a class of 26, I imagine he may get distracted from time to time!  Blake loves school and for that I am very grateful.  He really likes Mlle Melissa (I have a feeling she may be his first crush!) and I think he tries his absolute hardest for her :)  So far he is doing extremely well and I hope we can keep that up!  I keep hearing rumblings that French Immersion kids often experience trouble, or things change, in Grade 3 ... we shall see.

After Demo of Learning we made our way to the music classroom, as Blake wanted to show Emerson and I some of the things they were doing in Music.  We have such an awesome music teacher, I am very much looking forward to the Spring concert and what she has planned!!

After the music class, we had to take in the Scholastic Book Fair and pick out books!  We also bought a book for Reese (who was working with Cal, as Cal could not get the afternoon off and Reese would have been a distraction at school!).  I love these book fairs and we have two to look forward to - this was the English book fair and in a few weeks we will have a French book fair!

Demo of Learning is always a great day, super proud of our two big kids and wondering how we will juggle three Demo of Learning's next year?!

xo
Tracy

Beginning of March

Our first few weeks of March were great!  Our ringette season ended on the 7th.  We had a fun last ice time, playing a few games and scrimmaging.  The girls improved so much over the course of the season and both say they will play again next year!  We're so proud of them :)  I think the highlight of the ringette season would be the Beaumont Jamboree!!  It was such a great time and very well organized, with fun activities between games and great loot bags ;) 

Blake played a few more playoff games at the beginning of March and wrapped up the season with a tough one!  It was a poorly officiated game and I really hate to say that but it was essentially terrible.  It was a close game but could have certainly gone the other way with a more fairly officiated game.  Quite a few of the boys were upset after the game, Blake included.  He was silently sobbing and did not want consoling!  In my mind, it doesn't hurt to be upset.  Shows his heart is in the game and he's dedicated.  I think everyone needs to learn how to be a good loser, you can't win them all (and you don't learn anything from winning them all!) but you don't have to accept losing ... if that makes sense?! Blake's team had a great season.  Started the year off rocky, came together and learned how to play as a team, practiced hard (and of course, I think Cal had a huge role in them improving with his awesome practices!!), improved tremendously, won silver in the Confederation tournament, silver in Minor Hockey Week (there are many men that you talk to who played EMHL for years and have never even made it to a final!!), were the only Novice team in our hockey club to be moved up a tier, won bronze in the Stan Gantar tournament and made many new friends and had a lot of fun along the way :)  As a head Coach, Cal learned a ton and had fun too!!  All the boys and the coaches, should be proud of themselves!

The beginning of March also brought play dates and dinner dates!  We had our weekly library Pokemon meeting (we try to meet most early dismissal Thursdays!), Reese and I had Erin and her Mom over one Tuesday morning, Reese and I went to another preschool friend's house for a play date and the Parenteaus came over for dinner on a Saturday night.  Oh, and throw a field trip in there :)  I accompanied Reese's class to the Jubilee for a Shumka performance!!  It was wonderful and made me miss my Ukrainian dancing days!  Reese also enjoyed it!  The kids and I also had a fun afternoon with Connor.  Lindsay brought him over while she took Mason to a Dr. appointment.  We walked to the park and met Berlyn.  The kids ran and held hands and had fun :)  It was a beautiful day!!  Of course we've had more snow since then but at least we know it isn't sticking around for long now!  Our first hockey-free Saturday, we headed to Totem Outfitters to buy Blake's lacrosse equipment and stopped for a walk in the river valley on our way home.  It was another beautiful day out and we were trying to catch a glimpse of the Red Bull Crashed Ice track!! 

Great ringette season, Emerson and Reese!

Last KC 054 Storm huddle of the season

Walking with Connor to the park :)

Reese's 1st Playdate!

I had to blog about this :)  This morning Reese had her very first 'school friend' play date!!  She was sooooo excited and sooooo happy and soooooo in awe, it was just simply amazing.  I told her it was time to get dressed because we were going to Erin's house for a play date.  She said, "WHAT??!!  Really momma?  Erin's house?"  I said, "Yes!  Erin's house!"  She said, "Do you even know where she lives?  I know she has a blue roof.  She said her house has a blue roof and white walls.  We can find her house!" 

They had a fabulous morning playing together and I was so happy for Reese :)  Being the youngest of 3 she often naturally becomes friends with Blake and Em's friends and so it was really nice for her to have a play date with HER friend :) 

We will be planning more play dates with Erin in the future!!

xo
Tracy

Happy 6th Birthday Miss Emerson!!

Em turned 6 on February 16th!!  She had her birthday party on February 8th due to the Stollery hockey tournament the weekend of her birthday.  Her party was at the Cineplex Odeon theatre.  This is the first time we've hosted a party at the theater and it tuned out really good!  We would definitely do it again!  The move we chose was a bit iffy (Strange Magic) but all the kids did seem to enjoy it!  I had no idea from the previews that it was such a love story!!!  But it was really cute, the message was great and I enjoyed the musical aspect!  Em thought it was the best ever :)  She enjoyed having friends and family at her party!  They enjoyed pizza, cake and gift opening before the movie!

On the 14th, after ringette, Em went with Grandma and Grandpa D to pick out her birthday gift - a new bike!  She'd outgrown her bike last summer and was really excited to pick out a new one :)  

On Em's actually birthday she wanted to go to the Terwilliger play gym after Blake's hockey game, followed by wings at BP's!  She had a great birthday and basked in all the birthday wishes from our hockey friends :)  She had the best birthday dinner ever at BP's - wings, nachos and a giant cookie dessert!!  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa D for treating us to dinner on Em's birthday, it was a great time and Em was just so happy to have those wings ;)  Love her and her unique little traits ... and can't wait to have beer and wings with her on her 18th birthday ... lol!!

Then on the 17th (the Monday was the Family Day holiday), I made little heart cakes for Em's class!  Every year I think Em's birthday is a birthday that is celebrated over a spread of a few days and this year was no exception!  I think that just kinda suits her ;)

On the night before Emerson's 6th birthday I was thinking about our life with Em and her little personality.  She certainly has a strong one!  I think I summed it up best in my FB status:

Happy 6th Birthday to our sweet & spunky Emerson!! I remember hearing those words, "It's a girl!" as tears came to my eyes and I had visions flash before me of all the fun, cool, 'girly' things in my future but never did I imagine how one 6lb 11oz little spitfire might change our lives! My wish is that you never loose your soft, gentle heart, your tough-as-nails, stick-to-your-guns, no-one's-telling-me-what-to-do attitude. You're a walking, talking contradiction, from your tutu and tap shoes to your Oilers jersey and ‘boy’ skates and I know you are going to change the world. Love you a million times around the moon, Em!

It's all 110% true and more!  Em, you certainly changed our world for the better and we love you so very, very much (even on the days you drive us crazy!)  You are so helpful, always volunteering to help us with whatever we may be doing - laundry, cleaning, dishes, etc.  You love us all unconditionally and forgive so easily.  You idolize your big brother and 85% of the time, are so great with your little sister :)

I remember checking into the hospital the day you were born.  I was going for a non-stress test, not to have a baby!  The lady looked at my records and commented that I was quite overdue.  She asked if I knew the sex of the baby.  I said I did not.  She said, "It will be a girl!  A stubborn, beautiful baby girl!"  She was right :)  When the nurse who helped deliver you, held you for the first time, she said, "Oh boy!  This one is going to be spunky and smart!  She'll be saying her ABC's before she's one!!"  And she was right.  You're spunky AND smart :)

Love you Em!  Hope you had a great 6th birthday but really hope you have an incredible year ahead with lots of fun, love and adventure.  We're so proud of you, each and every day :)

xoxo

PS: Here are some photo's from Em's birthday celebrations:

Cake at Em's party!

Us at Em's party!

D

Get that pizza, Em!!!

Presents from Mom, Dad, Blake and Reese - on her actual birthday

In love with her new bike!

Dinner out on her birthday!

Little heart cakes for her school birthday celebration!

Stollery Family Day Classic 2015

This family day weekend, Blake and his team participated in the Stollery Day Classic,

First and foremost, we want to say a huge thank you to all our friends and family who donated to this great cause.  In order to play in the tournament, each team has to fundraise $100/player.  Blake raised $275.  Thank you so much to everyone who donated :)

The tournament format was 4 on 4, with no whistles, no icing and a few other different rules!  It took a few games for the boys to get used to this format!!  We did not get a medal but had a great time and won a few games.  Here's a pic with Blake's sweet new hat, thanks to the tournament loot bag!!

Love that smile and hockey sure does make him smile!!

And a photo of the girls with their new balloon animals, thanks to the balloon man who has worked every hockey tournament we've ever been to at Terwilliger arena!!

Em's pretending to be a pirate with her monkey in a tree ... Reese has a poodle on a pillow, on her wrist ;)

Valentines Day 2015

Today after school was the best 'free time' we have spent at home in a long time!!  The kids were so excited to make Valentines for each other.  They busied themselves for hours, crafting Valentines for each other and Cal and I.  It was so, so sweet!  I loved listening to them, watching them and helping write those special sentences!!  They were hiding them from each other and Emerson was orchestrating gifts from Cal and the kids to myself and from the kids and I to Cal.  She's such a sweetheart :)  At one point in the evening, Reese showed me a picture she drew of her and I.  She said, "That's me and that's you Momma.  And that's a heart in the middle, because I love you."  *Cue the tears*

Emerson does not forget anything - she's like an elephant.  Every holiday, she remembers what we did in previous years.  I've been caught last minute a few time, like the year she woke up on Easter Sunday morning, so excited to see where the Easter Bunny hid the chocolates ... the Easter Bunny really had to do some last minute scrambling to hide chocolates ... now the Easter Bunny knows, he/she must hide chocolates each and EVERY year!!!  Today she was excitedly chatting about the card and chocolates Mom and Dad will give them this year, because they did last year! We like to buy a small gift for them, so she was not disappointed, I remembered ;)

On Feb 13 all three kids had Valentines Day parties at school.  So my Mom went to Preschool with Reese and I went to Blake and Em's school!  It will be so nice when they are all in the same school for a few years ;)   Thank you so much Grandma D for joining in Reese's preschool Valentine's Day party fun!!  They went sledding to end of the party and Grandma said Reese had a blast!!  I got to make punch for 70 Kindergarten kids and the ingredients the French Kinder teacher bought did not make the best punch ... the kids were definitely not crazy about it!!!  lol!!!  Too funny!  I told Mme. Sina that I will be responsible for the punch ingredients next Valentines Day ;)  Feb 13 was also Bishop Savaryn's Best at Blake and Em's school, so I got to take part in the assembly!  It was a lot of fun, with tons of singing!!  The school has a new music teacher this year and she is FABULOUS!!  Lots of singing with actions and being a Catholic school, she incorporates singing with praying!  It was fun and cute to see Blake and his friend Ryan waving to their siblings in Kindergarten!  I also stopped by Blake's classroom just before recess to spend some time with him :)  Great morning spent at Bishop Savaryn!!  Then Em and I met my Mom and Reese at McDonald's for lunch.  Great morning/afternoon!

Valentines Day was spent on the ice!!!  Not a big surprise in this house ;)  Blake and Cal headed to Terwilegar rink for their first game of the Stollery Family Day Classic and the girls and I headed to ringette for our mini-silver ring game.  The girls had a blast and did so well!!  Thank you Auntie Lindsay, Connor, Mason, Grandma and Grandpa for coming to watch! 

After ringette we all went out for lunch to Subway and then Em went with Grandma and Grandpa to pick out a new bike for her birthday and Reese and I went shopping for Em's birthday present!  Reese and I got stuck twice (it had snowed a lot the night before and the snow fell over a nice sheet of ice!).  Blake went with Cal to Bauer 1st Shift and Reese and I picked him up on our way home!  I made a yummy beef/shrimp terryaki supper and as usual at least 2 of 3 kids were not over the moon about dinner but they did enjoy the cupcakes for dessert ;)  It was a great day and Cal and I enjoyed quiet time after the kiddo's were in bed!! 

Here are some photo's from our Valentines Day:

Ready for school on the 13th!

Chocolate for breakfast on Valentines Day!

mmm mmm mmmmmmm!!

So proud of my little ringette players, they are doing so well :)

Surprise!!

Yesterday after school I surprised Blake with a ticket to the Oilers vs Penguins game!  He was so excited, as I knew he would be!!

We had a great night, taking in warm up from the 1st row and enjoying the game from our season's tickets seats (even though the Oilers didn't win!).  We sang Oh Canada along with most of Rexall Place, we danced in our seats to all the great music, we ate nachos and popcorn and Blake talked my ear off!!  He told me all sorts of stats and facts about nearly every player on the ice (from both teams).  Who was traded for who and how tall and how much some of the players weighed.  He asked me questions that I could not answer and had to text Cal for the answers!  Oh and the sweetest thing, as we were walking to Rexall I complained that my hands were cold and I should have wore my mittens.  He immediately said, "Do you want mine, Mom?"  How sweet, such a little gentleman, I will try to ensure that trait remains with him through to adulthood :)

Thanks for the tickets, Cal.  I know you would have had just as good of a time with him!!

Here's some pics from our mother-son date night!!

Loved this time with my boy!

Catching the Penguins warming up, up close!!