Overdue Update

I am sooo behind in my posts... That's what happens when you don't have internet access! I have some major catching up to do before I can even post about our time here in Canada!

My Birthday Weekend

On June 19, Jason arranged for some close friends to meet me for dinner to celebrate my birthday. It was a surprise- he had told me were were going out to dinner just the two of us. It was so nice to enjoy a good meal with friends! Jason had also arranged for the kids to spend the night at Grandma's house, so we got some time to ourselves that evening. The next day, we celebrated Father's Day and my actual-birthday by going to Jason's mom's house. By request, we had bacon wrapped filet mignon topped with gorgonzola cheese and a balsamic vinagrette sauce. Oh my goodness, it was sooo good... On Monday, we headed out to Jill and Adam's home for a meal with them and the Wienses. It was a great evening- aside from getting to talk and hang out, we spent time with their chickens and even got in some pool time (it was freeeeezing, though!). Christa made me a strawberry shortcake for dessert- the perfect end to what I am going to claim as my birthday weekend!

North Fresno Church's VBS

Vacation Bible School takes place every summer and yet this was the first year that we registered Grace to attend. It seems like we are always heading out of town during the same time frame. Even this year, she only went for 3 days. She had so much fun and made some new friends. She came home most excited about the singing time.

On Thursday, we headed to Jason's family's reunion. His mom's side, the Penners, get together every 2 years. Since I've been in the family, we've gathered at Shaver Lake, on a cruise, in Colorado, and this year, we headed to Tahoe. Next post will be about the reunion!

Swimming

Even though it is near the end of June, we've barely been able to use our pool because it hasn't been warm enough. Can you believe that? Here in Fresno, not warm enough?! Every year for years, it has taken a lot of coaxing and bribing for Grace to even get into the pool. For whatever reason this year, she has gained enough confidence that I can actually say that she's become a fish! She has begged to go swimming every day, even when it is cooler outside, and now it takes a lot to get her out of the pool. She is eager to try new things in the pool, and we are so proud of her!

Jeremy seems to be following in Grace's footsteps in that it has taken some coaxing for him to get in the water. He is slowly getting used to it- he enjoys doing "airplanes" with Jason, occasionally blows bubbles, and will splash around. I wish now that we had signed him up for swimming lessons in Edmonton in a few weeks, but he was so reluctant to be anywhere near the pool a while back, that I opted out of it. Looks like he'll have to just settle for airplanes in our backyard pool!

End of the School Year

Well, it's the end of the school year! It's unbelievable to think that an entire school year has passed! Here's an overview of how each of us has emerged from this past year.

Grace: Her last day was Thursday. I wondered if it would be emotional, but it wasn't. That's likely because her teacher has been off since before Spring Break recovering from knee surgery. The kids had Water Play Day, but since it was rather breezy, the sprinklers weren't turned on. All 4 classes of kinder rotated between different activity stations outside. I had planned on helping all morning- the teachers were ok with me bringing Jeremy, so he was with me the entire time. He did pretty well! Grace's report card is wonderful and she mastered everything she was supposed to. Lots of kids from her class will be moving so it'll be interesting to see who's in her class next year. In her words, she "loved kindergarten!"

Jeremy: I have enjoyed spending time with Jeremy in the mornings when Grace is at school. He has grown a lot this year, though it's been harder for me to see since I'm with him all the time. I know that the home daycare he returns to in August will be surprised to see a "boy" and not a "baby!" Aside from always being with me running around doing errands, some things he and I have done this year- playdates, library visits, storytimes, trips to the park, and mommy-and-me gymnastics. He was potty-trained this year, learned how to ride a tricycle, and has a great love for books! He continues to have both "terrible" and "terrific" days, all in the life of a two year old!

Jane: I have loved being able to focus on my family, and am immensely grateful for this past year. Aside from focusing on my family, I have been able to focus on "me" this year. I learned a lot and gained so much perspective from being in Trinity Presbyterian's Thursday morning Bible study, I worked out at the gym regularly (it doesn't show- it's more that I committed to it), I read many more books and even started a book club, I was able to reflect and write in my Mother's Journal for my kids, I accomplished my goal of completing Jeremy's First Year of Life Scrapbook, I spent more time with friends... I definitely consider this past year to be one of rejuvenation! I recently found out that I will be returning to 5th grade at Harvest (where I've been for the past 3 years). I am filled with excitement and anticipation, already brainstorming and making plans for the year ahead. Again, I will face the challenge of balancing work and home... After this year and seeing the effects and importance of focusing on the family, I know that "home" has to tip the scale! I will work hard to do that!

Jason: Jason loved having me at home this year. It wasn't as stressful as it can get when both of us are working. He particularly loved Tuesdays (Baking Day for me and Grace). When I return to work next year, we'll have to go back to sharing "house duties" such as cooking and cleaning. After teaching eighth grade for seven years, Jason has decided that it's time for a change. There was an open sixth grade I.B. social studies position, and he asked for it. His principal approved and has said that should he not enjoy the year, that he won't be bound to it the year after. It's still at his middle school and he'll be joining a team of teachers that are very collaborative. Jason is really excited about the idea of working with I.B. students, having less emphasis on testing (sixth graders do not have state testing for social studies), and working with a fun curriculum (Ancient Greece, Rome, China, etc.). He will likely still coach volleyball and resume his duties as Department Chair.

Looking ahead to summer, it feels like it'll be gone before we know it. It's pretty packed- hope you'll keep checking in for updates of all of our adventures!

Grizzlies' Game

This past Saturday, our family went to see the Fresno Grizzlies play baseball against the Sacramento River Cats. It was Jeremy's first baseball game ever (and Grace's first one that she can remember). It was also a chance to hang out with our friends, the Wiens family. Since there were so many available seats, we decided to sit way at the top so that the kids would have some room to roam. There was no way that our kids would be able to sit in their seats for an entire game. Grace barely noticed that there was a game being played. Jeremy paid more attention to the game, but it was Parker (the mascot) who really caught his attention. Partway through the game, Christa and I took the kids to the Fun Zone, a chance for the kids to take a walk and go on the inflatables. We stayed until the 7th inning, which was about 9:45pm, probably the latest our kids have stayed up in a long, long time (we didn't find out until much later that the Grizzlies won 4-3).
Look who we ran into- it's Grace's friend, Madison!

Gymnastics

This past semester, we enrolled Grace in gymnastics at Break the Barriers. We are drawn to this amazing place mostly because every person is made to feel successful in their programs. Another reason why this semester was so enjoyable was our dear friends, the Yamashitas, were also enrolled in the same class, so we got to see them and spend time with them every Wednesday! Last week was Grace's last class and I'm so disappointed that I didn't take more pictures over the semester. In these last few weeks, I was asked not to take pictures because there were kids in the class who didn't have "clearance." It didn't matter that I was only taking pictures of Grace! Anyway, this is all I have of her experience!Getting her stamps at the end of class

Every week that we take Grace to gymnastics, poor Jeremy has only been able to watch. He has often asked to join in and isn't allowed to. Well, we looked into a class for his age group at Break the Barriers and there were no openings. So, we splurged and decided to enroll Jeremy in a parent & me gymnastics class at The Little Gym. Our dear friends, Christa and Levi, also enrolled with us, so it has been fun to spend a little time together on Fridays. Jeremy's been going now for almost two months. Unfortunately, during all this time, he has been very reluctant to try many of the new skills. I never would've guessed that he'd be so hesitant and clingy! I always thought that he was a risk taker! Yesterday was the final class, also called, "Showtime." I invited Jason's mom to come and watch, hoping that with an audience, Jeremy would actually perform and do some of the skills. It took A LOT of coaxing- I felt bad that she drove all that way and he didn't do very much! (There are a few more pictures in the album on the right).

Gymnastics is done for this year... I'm glad both kids got to experience those classes, but I can't say that either of them loved it enough to continue in the Fall... I wonder what they'll try next!

Terrible and Terrific Twos

My last few blog posts have been about Grace, so I figured I should write something about Jeremy. He's going through a phase right now that has Jason and I pulling out our hair (how's that for being honest?). He gets easily impatient, throws many tantrums a day, demands to get his way, bullies Grace (seriously- he pinches her, hits her, pushes her- you get the idea), he's whiny, and gets into everything possible (making huge messes in the process)... Terrible twos? Yup! I wake up hoping that today will be the day that we move on to a different phase! He certainly goes back and forth from Terrible Twos to Terrific Twos!

In between all these frustrating moments, Jeremy is endearing and sweet. His smiles and giggles still light me up, and he says some of the cutest things! He is playful and imaginative (lately, he's been roleplaying using his cars- "This is the Daddy Car, and this is the Mama Car. Time to eat now, cars"). He loves to help and be a "big boy." The video below is of him helping me make breakfast, a moment of our big boy in his Terrific Twos!

Field Trip to the Zoo

Grace's last field trip in kindergarten was to visit the zoo this past Thursday. We actually have a zoo membership (a generous gift from my fifth graders last year), so the part Grace most anticipated was getting to ride the bus. How could that seem more exciting than a trip to the zoo?! I don't get it. We knew there wasn't going to be enough room for the chaperones on the bus, so Madison's mom, Heather, and I were going to carpool together. Before the trip though, Mrs. Sousa asked if we'd be willing to take Madison and Grace in our car with us, since there were more students than seats on the bus. After a lot of convincing, Madison and Grace rode to the zoo in "the little grey bus" (aka: Madison's family's minivan). To "ease the devastation" of not riding the bus," we let them have gum, chocolate banana bread, and brownies. "You guys are so lucky- none of those kids on the bus get to eat all of these cool treats!" The actual zoo visit was pretty quick because Grace's kindergarten class is only half day so we had to return to the school for dismissal. The highlight was simply being with friends! Hopefully, Madison and Grace will get to be together in the same class next year! I am bummed I didn't take more pictures!

Kindergarten Open House

This past week, we went to Grace's Kindergarten Open House at school. Since I volunteer in the classroom weekly, I have pretty much seen everything before. Grace focused on showing Jason everything in her classroom, from the live ladybugs and butterflies to her writing and artwork. Amazing to believe that our Gracie is almost finished with kindergarten!

(This is wonderful Mrs. Sousa, who has been the long-term substitute teacher while Mrs. Butler is off recuperating from knee surgery)

Grace's School Carnival

Grace's school had a carnival this past Friday and so of course we "had" to go- Grace was so excited all week. Our whole family donated an hour of time for her class' booth, the ever-so-loved Cake Walk. After helping out, we ate dinner, played some carnival games, and the kids spent some time on the inflatables. The kids had a lot of fun! More pictures in the photo album on the right.

Kick Start to the Swimming Season

Grace has taken swimming lessons every summer since she was 2. Every summer, it's like having to start from the beginning all over again because she forgets everything she learned the previous summer and so she is reluctant to get in the water. This year, we decided to restart the swimming lessons in the spring rather than the summer so she'll have a little more swimming time in the months to come. We enrolled her at Break the Barriers for the spring session and this past Tuesday was her last class. I am thrilled to say that she did not hesitate to get in the pool this past session! She tried everything her teacher asked without the need for coaxing or bribery. It should warm up around here pretty quickly, and then she and Jason will spend more time in our pool. She has gained a lot of confidence in the water, so hopefully her swimming abilities will really improve this year!She will once again take more swimming lessons in Edmonton when we travel up there in July.

Happy Mother's Day to Me

More love than I ever thought possible, all wrapped up in these two little kiddos... Even though Mother's Day is to celebrate mothers, I think of it as a day to remind myself how lucky I am to be a mother- especially to these two munchkins. Being a stay-at-home mom this year has given me a different approach to motherhood- there have been many ups and many downs, but all in all, I feel incredibly blessed and am so grateful!

Caleb's Cruisers

This past Saturday, we woke up bright and early to participate in the 6th Annual Hinds Hospice Angel Babies Walk/Run (aka Walk to Remember). Our family of four joined "Caleb's Cruisers," the team walking/running in memory of Caleb Wiens, the son of our close friends, Aaron and Christa.Angel Babies is a unique program based in Fresno that has helped many of my friends- for more information about their services, click HERE. Jason ran the 5K with Aaron and Randy, and almost everyone else on the team walked the 5K. Unfortunately, my "hates-to-walk" daughter, was already complaining about being too tired to walk as we went looking for the bathrooms and I couldn't imagine how I'd make it through 5K of her whining. So, I decided to switch at the last minute and walk the 2 mile race. Luckily for me, the Mack family had also decided to do the same- I was glad to have some company! It turned out that Jason, Aaron, and Randy finished the 5K before our 2 mile walk even began, so they ended up walking with us, too. After the walk, we signed up for all of our kids to run in the Kids Races. Grace and Jeremy each ran in races of 1/8 mile against other kids their ages. Every kid got a particpant medal which our kids were so proud of. Jeremy wore his for most the day!The morning's events were a great way to spend time with friends and show our support for this family that we love so dearly. I hope this becomes a yearly tradition! (Thanks to the Wienses and Mack for some of these pics!)