kicking off summer vacation

That's Anna up at the top saying good bye, see you soon to one of her teachers Mrs. Bonany - she just finished teaching her 28th class year, and we feel so lucky for Anna to have had her. Anna speaks very highly of her and all on her own, she wrote - 'you are special to me' in her thank you card.

We've kicked off our summer vacation here, and to get things going we had pancakes for Anna's end of school dinner, and they each received a basket of summer activities - beads, swimming toys, Sam got a yo-yo book, Anna got new markers and a fresh pad of paper that she's using as a diary to keep track of her summer adventures, Henry got a new orange ball. First up on our list was strawberry picking yesterday out at Stonehaven Farms, and the berries were so juicy. We picked for an hour and brought home two baskets, they checked out the straw maze and sandbox too. We've also been starting to read chapter books at bedtime now, and one of the first ones recommended to us was Toys Go Out - it is a great first chapter book for 4-6 year olds, next up is My Father's Dragon, again, another good series we are excited to start. If anyone has others, please let me know!

Our first day at home with all four of us went well yesterday - I had prepped dinner ahead of time and the house was semi-clean and with enough clean clothes for everyone we spent almost the entire day outside. Sam is the one that needed the most help - he's not used to having Anna home in the day, so that is taking some time for adjustment, but Henry is so happy to have Anna home, he can pull her hair and laugh at her songs. He's trying hard to say her name...."Nannana", it's coming, he knows it, just needs some practice. Oh, and to start the summer off with a bang, Sam gave himself a summer hair cut last night in the basement while we were visiting with friends on our patio. Chopping the front of his hair off with craft scissors, thank goodness it grows back, and it now matches his new finger and toe polish. This kid cracks me up....parenting him is never dull, and it's going to make for an exciting summer, I am so lucky to be able to be home with them again. Our days are very full, but the years are so short.

anna graduates to grade one

 

We got to attend Anna's graduation ceremony yesterday - it was so amazing seeing her up there at the podium - she got to recite a special poem selected by her teachers and she read it in a loud, clear voice, she did not stumble once, and it was awesome to hear her small voice through the microphone. Her class also sang, and they presented small diploma's to each of the kids. This was a huge year for Anna...she went from going to daycare in one city, to all day, every day senior kindergarten in a real school, in another city. On top of that she moved to a new house and got a new brother in there too. Her teachers have told us she's done very well. She's kind, sweet, she's smart, is at the level she needs to be at, and will be going to grade one in the fall. They thank us for raising a wonderful little girl, for being involved, engaged and our guidance is evident through Anna's character and love for school. Both of her teachers wrote to us how very fortunate they were to have the opportunity to teach Anna this year. We are so proud of her, and we are also happy there is a break from school (yahoo, no lunches!), and we as parents have learned a lot this year too. Well done Anna!

- here was the first day of school, holly cow, Henry is so small!

- teachers in Ontario are currently on work to rule, so there are no report cards, however we did get a letter of promotion, and Anna's teachers were kind enough to write a note on Anna's progress

sam: the harvester

Tomato's, kale, stawberries, cherries, oh my. Sam has taken on the role of picker and harvester of all and everything growing outside. He's down at our neighbours, Margaret and Vince's picking strawberries, we discovered the tree under the kids bedroom is a beautiful cherry tree, and our garden has got a great crop of kale. We made a pizza tonight of almost everything from our garden (minus the sausage) and it was amazing! Sam and Henry's favourite thing to do at the grocery store is look at the lobsters, and they love asking Noah (the guy who always seems to be working when we are there) to take one out and look at it. I think I'm going to have to buy some soon for all the effort they put into it, and Sam is keen on learning how to cook one. Henry has started eating more finger foods, he's been wanting them, and is doing well with chewing and using his pincher grasp. He's scooting around on his bum so much that we are applying bandaids and socks so he doesn't give himself anymore blisters on his ankles.