Junior Kindergarten

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go."
- Dr. Seuss


Auntie Colleen came to the house to help out with the first morning. This was especially helpful as Tom had a work obligation that was scheduled before he knew the date of Tavish's first day. She joined us for the inaugural walk to school and then walked around with Keva so I could put my full focus on this important day.

Tavish: First day of school (Junior Kindergarten)

Tavish's support crew for the walk to his first official day

Auntie Colleen's 'good luck' handshake

MOMENT: Let Him Go

To be honest, it took every ounce of strength (and posed positivity) I had to leave Tavish at the school with his teacher. From drop off, I went to the Office, despite my fear of being 'that parent', to address my concerns with the Principal. The good news is that it worked, his first day would be his only day in that classroom. He was moved into Ms. C's class after the weekend to join another 32 JK/SK children. Also good news, Daddy was able to accompany us to Tavish's second, first day of school which was especially memorable because they both rode their bicycles!

Daddy and Tavish on day 2 of the first day of school

** Spoiler Alert: Tavish would only be in Ms. C's class for 3 1/2 weeks before he is moved again into a smaller class with Ms. T. Yay! This is where things begin looking up for our first experience as parents of a child in the public education system...

Test Run

Tavish's new public school had a staggered start, so his first day of school was on Friday, September 6th. In an effort to help with the change, I'd arranged a meeting with Tavish's new teacher for Thursday after school. With excitement, Tavish donned his new backpack and filled it with food (from his little kitchen) to carry. It was very sweet to see the pep in his step while I followed along with some secret dread in mine. Time will tick on regardless of my trepidation so I am eternally thankful for Tavish's authentic optimism because it can even make Mommy, who is naturally weary of change, feel some excitement too... 

Excited to see his new school

MOMENT: Public School

I will not glorify this experience. Tavish was a trooper and bravely met with his teacher and his new sparse classroom. There wasn't a great welcome, nor a sense of clarity about what to bring or expect, there also wasn't much in terms of effort made by the teacher to engage or connect with Tavish. His positive attitude made the best of the situation and he generated excitement about the idea of meeting new friends and playing in the playground. I just wish I could share his joy and am grateful that he protects it ...

The new backpack filled with pretend food

And...he's off running!

The Last Hurrah

"Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well."

- George R.R. Martin

The summer was fun, busy and crazy at times too. Through it all though, I recognized that things were about to change. Tavish was going to school. Sure, he's been at a Montessori school, but this felt somehow very BIG and very different. As part of our 'last hurrah' together, the kids and I went off to the Beach by bike spending one of our last days of summer the way we spent most of our days - the three of us adventuring together...

Biker boy at the beach

Her chariot awaited the end of her nap

MOMENT: Biking with my Babies

"Summer's lease hath all too short a date."

- William Shakespeare

Checking out some boats en route

Catching a nap en route too

Taking a moment to enjoy the water

...before adding more rocks to it

Journeying out on the pier

The boy and the boulders we climbed together

Look who woke up to join us in our climbing!

Bonnet baby

Mmm, this might be tasty...(um, no!)

"Nothing, nothing felt better than the way the sand
felt beneath my feet. It was both solid and shifting.
Constant and ever-changing. It was summer."
- Jenny Han

It was a beautiful day for a bike ride. Tavish rode on his own (10km round trip) and Keva rode in the Chariot. We had an incredible time together throwing rocks (and preventing Keva from eating a few), climbing boulders, digging in sand, feeling free and just generally being happy to be together...

Fort Frances Part II

The kids and I went back 'home' for a week in the summer (Daddy had to work). The timing was pretty entertaining given that Mommy had laryngitis. The visit started off at our family reunion at my Aunt and Uncle's campground. The majority of the visit was spent at the cabin and wrapped up with one final day in town before flying home...

Keva and Tavish circa August 2013

 MOMENT: Family is Fun

Happy to see Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Colleen, airport arrival

Tavish and Grandpa are reunited and laughing, waiting for lunch

Checking out a landmark, Norland Chapel

The great baby inspection, family reunion

Dropping a line in at the lake

Boating Beauty

The fellas paddling Footprint Lake

Keva, her apple, and her Mommy join the fellas

Boy in the Bow

Keva getting close, but not too close

Bedtime reading

Cousin cuddles watching cartoons

Tavish and Keva, Sophie and escapee Eli

Sophie and Tavish, being cute

Tavish and Sophie, watching trains go by

Keva and Eli, sitting still (briefly)

Keva swiping some food from Eli

Keva, summer time

Tavish of the summer

There was no shortage of fun and adventure. Tavish holds even more affection for his big cousin, Logan who introduced Tavish to Batman and the world of cartoons. They had a great time together at the reunion too with all of the other cousins. Our time at the cabin sped by... Grandma and Auntie Colleen really stepped up to engage in all sorts of activities with Tavish and when Grandpa wasn't in town golfing, he too was out exploring and playing with the kids. We even fit in an afternoon with Kate and her kids who are twins in age to ours ... and yes, the tradition of photo taking is alive and well. Enjoy the tribute to all things great about our August visit...

Stair Master

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Keva is a stair master now. This video was taken when she embarked on her first solo journey up, up, up the stairs...

MOMENT: I Think I Can

Everyone surprised themselves on this mid-July evening when Keva conquered her first flight of stairs. She wasn't too sure she could go the whole way, but she did! We weren't sure we would (patiently) let her take the time to do the whole flight solo, but we did! Taking just over 8 minutes to complete, Keva now has a whole new view of the world...

Algonquin Park

"Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe."

- Henry David Thoreau

Our fearless family of four finally made it out on a canoe trip that involved portages. Two in fact. Each way. It was memorable and wonderful ... and yes, we'll consider doing it again sometime...

MOMENT: A Trip To Treasure

The Captain of our crew

'Sweetride' loaded with precious cargo

Daddy, the 'Sweetride' carrier...

Mommy, the baby (and gear) carrier...

...and Tavish who leads the way!

We meet up with our camping companions

Keva and Finlay holding hands

Keva loving the camping life

Tavish especially loving the campfire life

The portaging families that knew they could!

Algonquin Park provided the perfect half way point to meet up and adventure with Jessie, Paul and Finlay. We enjoyed our two night canoe trip together, rain and all. I know that we are already keen to book again for next year. Memories like these won't make themselves, you've got to get out there and make the moments count!