School's Out for Summer!

Tavish's first year of public school is over. After a bit of unexpected movement in the fall, Tavish settled into a wonderful class that ended with two wonderful teachers.

Tavish: first day of JK

Tavish: last day of JK

MOMENT: Showing and Growing Thanks

Tavish excitedly chose plants for each teacher, painted the container for the chosen plants, and made heartfelt cards to share his appreciation for his two wonderful teachers: Ms. Tran and Ms. Woods. Thank you both for a wonderful and memorable year!

Tavish and Ms Tran

Tavish's two terrific teachers 

Inside of Ms. Tran's card

Inside of Ms. Woods' card

Front of the cards Tavish made

MOMENT: The After Party

We attended the after-school party at a local park. Tavish played with some school friends then played soccer, his favourite after-school activity throughout the year. Keva joined in the festivities with her little red follower. This day marked the beginning of our summer together and foreshadowed a great summer of play and fun....

"Because it's summer and the memories are just waiting to happen."

- unknown

Prince Edward County

We had a wonderful weekend getaway meeting with our friends Jessie, Paul and Finlay in Prince Edward County. They invited our family to join in an annual trip they take with friends. We spent most of our daytime off exploring as a family (other children were weekending with their respective Grandparents). The rest of the group was mountain biking and wine tasting, hence the lack of friend faces!

MOMENT: Rocking it on Bikes

Playing around

Beach Baby

Catching some zzzzz

We brought three bikes and two chariots. Tavish biked a lot, but some spots weren't meant for children to be cycling (roadside), so Tavish enjoyed reminiscing (and napping) in the Chariot from time to time. We didn't return rested from this adventurous weekend, but we returned home invigorated!

Keva Turns TWO!

MOMENT: Cupcakes and Celebrations

Keva's birthday fell on a Wednesday this year, so we had a small gathering on the weekend before with a few friends at the neighbourhood park to serenade Keva and share cupcakes. It was business-as-usual during the day on May 28th, but when everyone was home - we headed off to one of Keva's favourite places: the pool! She excitedly got her bracelet and splashed around with glee. Keva opened gifts and cards from her Grandparents and cousins, and waved goodbye to Auntie Colleen after listening to her "Happy Birthday" message on the phone. Our family loved having pizza for Keva's birthday dinner and indulged again in a sweet treat to celebrate her big 0-2. Can't believe she's two years old...

Interview with a 5 Year Old

Still being continued from Tavish turning 3, then 4 and now as a 5 year old, although this year - it the interview was almost 2 months late as you could guess by the disappearance of snow...

MOMENT: Thoughts of a 5 Year Old

The more things change, the more they stay the same (sushi). Here's what Tavish had to say in May as a 5 year old about where he'd like to fly to, who his friends are, his favourite meal and what he'd like to be when he grows up ...

Five!

The tradition continues! Tavish's party was at a sugarbush north of Toronto. His party was a day before his actual birthday and his party-mates were: Jacob (classmate), Riley (classmate and friend from our street), Isabel (friend from school), Jasper (family friend), Maksym and Seb (family friends from the neighbourhood). Tavish asked for gifts this year (a first), but was happy to share his gift with a charity called "Kids Up Front" where 1/2 of the money collected goes to a child in Toronto so they can go to a sport game, museum or concert. The other 1/2 went toward building up some superhero loot!

Birthday Boy

MOMENT: Party, Party, Party!

Tavish put together mini-greenhouses for his friends to grow basil complete with gardening gloves, tools, seeds, soil, a kneeling pad and some sweetness in the form of a maple sugar candy. He and his friends played in the sugarbush, went on a wagon ride, saw some animals, checked out the sugar shack, shared lunch and enjoyed some banjo tunes with Mommy's friend, Clare. A great birthday party. Oh there was also cake. Very yummy cake. On his actual birthday, Tavish requested sushi for dinner... there's never a bad excuse for sushi - so off we went! 

Wagon Riders

Old-school Sap Collecting

Banjo Sing-a-long

Party Napper

March 24th Sushi Dinner

Bedtime for the Birthday Boy

Vermont

Five days into work, I took five days off (March Break)! We made the best of the never-ending winter by heading on a family ski vacation to Vermont with a detour to Ottawa...

Tavish's ready to hit the slopes!

Keva's ready for a snow-cation!

MOMENT: Ski-cation

This place had it all: great downhill skiing, an indoor water park, nordic skiing, skating, childcare... This was Tavish's first time on skis and it quickly led to his first ride up the chairlift and a green run. Mommy cross-country skied with Keva. Daddy downhill skied with Tavish. We all played together in the water park. A success. This family will be back!

Oh, there was snow...

...so much snow!

And the highlight... the chairlift!

Limited Time Offer

Five years flew past so quickly. Guess it was time to return that call and head back...

(Kathleen circa 2009)

MOMENT: Stay at Home Mom

I knew I couldn't stay home forever and feel very fortunate to have the time at home that I had. March 3rd, 2014 - I went back to work. Tavish was 3 weeks from being 5 years old and Keva was 21 months. It's been amazing and although my title is changing from 'Stay-at-home-Mom' to 'Working Mom', parenting remains a wonderful and rewarding full-time gig. I love every minute of it. Mommy looks forward to seeing you full-time again in the summer!

The best two parts of my job...
(last day at after school pick up for Mommy)