Lil' Skipper

"Skipping is jumping for joy, step after step."

- Terri Guillements

One of the things Tavish has learned at school is skipping (or at least we think that's where it came from). His technique improves dramatically with every joyous hop. At first, he could really only hop on one foot. He's come pretty far even from this video. His running too is a source of sweetness. He's pretty quick for a kid that hasn't completely lost his toddler running wiggle!

Heart Map

Tavish was moved to a different classroom one last time to one with less students (17) and a great LTO teacher. It was curriculum night after his second day in her class and it was informative and welcoming. We checked out the work that was up displaying drawings that showed "the people, places, and things that are most important" to them. We saw a few drawings of ice cream and other random (and often unidentifiable) illustrations. Then, we stumbled on the best one. No bias, but we think our son is clearly a noble genius...

Monkeying Round

"There are rich counsels in the trees."

- Herbert P. Horne

Turns out, Tavish loves climbing trees. I guess I should have seen it coming with the way he climbed up the escarpment and then the boulders at the beach. Now he's taking on trees and climbing on up...

MOMENT: Tree Top

The 'kindergarten' playground at his school has a few trees and one of them seems to always have a young child climbing up it's small, low branches. In typical Tavish style, he observed this behaviour for a few days then I turned around one day to find his limbs up among the tree limbs. This became his main after school attraction. A friend has a "climbing tree" in their front yard. This treewas more robust and complicated to climb, but he was up for the challenge. All of this was great practice for the apple tree we stumbled on at the Brickworks in September, he scrambled on up and returned with a snack for the whole family! This climbing thing can be fruitful after all. Yum!

Enjoying the fruit of Tavish's labour

Street Party 2013

One of the more exciting events to anticipate with our move to this neighbourhood and street was the annual street party. The street is blocked off to traffic and there is a plethora of activities for adults, kids and families. It sounded like an amazing event. I later found myself recruited onto the Street Party Planning Committee and then knew it was going to be great - there are residents of the street that do an incredible amount of work to make it so.

Here are some of the events that were planned:
- street yard sale; craft tent with bird houses to paint, jewelry to make, and your bike to decorate
- cupcakes to decorate; EMS to visit (police, fire, and ambulance)
- obstacle course; bike parade; kids games; street sports (soccer and hockey)
- street potluck; kids movie outside; dance party; tiki bar; bonfires

To make it even more magical, this year's event was framed around the street's 100th birthday, there was birthday cake and a plaque that was unveiled to commemorate this milestone. September 21st was the much awaited day and it finally came as did the rain...

MOMENT: Can't Rain on our Parade

The rain was relentless. It literally did not stop raining until about 8pm. Constant rain. The event was not for the faint of heart. However, the spirit on this street is alive and well. Shelter was cobbled together, events were cut or modified, children were soaked, but the party went on. The turn out was apparently very poor by contrast to past years, but the people from the street made a real splash anyway. The annual raffle where the prizes are from local businesses was exceptional and despite the lower number of people, we made close to the same amount as past years! The prizes were impressive - you could win some real loot! (sadly, our family did not though) All of the money went to raise money to replace the trees that our street lost in a big storm this past summer. This was a great experience with little digital documentation due to inclement weather, but we are keen to do it again next year - we will keep our rain gear ready!

Tavish  was 1 of only 2 kids in the initial bike parade.
They kept biking, so more kids eventually joined!

Blurry from rain or was it the speed?

The crafting must go on!

Rain won't keep our son inside!

Niagara Bound

With our new proximity to Niagara Falls, we thought we'd take a fall day trip with the family for some apple picking, waterfall watching, and escarpment hiking.

MOMENT: Local Adventures

We discovered a small, organic apple orchard where you could pick your own apples. Tavish climbed up ladders and picked us all a snack in addition to more apples to enjoy throughout the week. We then made our way to the Falls. Neither Tom nor I had been there since we were very young. Still impressive. We then went on a hike where Tom and I had this realization (while huffing a puffing on the way up):

We always figured there'd come a time when Tavish would be faster and stronger than us, but we certainly didn't think it was going to be when we was four...

When we hiked back up to the top, Tavish asks if we can do it again (without any sign of fatigue). Um, no. We're thinking next time, we'll strap Keva onto his back to even the playing field a bit...

An apple a day...

The apples of our eyes

Watching water fall

All geared up...

...with our game face on

What goes down must come up

Tavish and Mommy watching the water

Going back up...

Making it all look so easy...

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!