Schooool's Out for Summer!

Yesterday was the last day of school this year.  Ashton came flying off the bus yelling - "I'm free! I'm free!"

Bowen not so much.

Ashton enjoyed school this year, but is definitely needing a break.  Bowen on the other hand has loooved school and is quite sad that it is over until September.  It is always hard for him to say goodbye to teachers he's loved as well.

Real tears even.

By the time we got home, he was trying to be excited.

My sister Rachel and her two little boys had spent the day with me and were still here when the boys got home.  They had fun playing together before she had to get back to Strathmore to pick up her hubby.

Really could this picture be any more precious!

When Jason got home from work we decided to take the boys out for supper to celebrate their last day of school and as a reward for bringing home such great report cards. 

Ashton's teacher had written "Ashton has had a strong third term in Grade Two.  With his dedicated and serious approach to learning, Ashton will experience many successes in Grade Three."  Grade Three - how do I have a boy in Grade Three!!!

Bowen's teacher wrote "I couldn't have imagined this year without Bowen.  It has been a wonderful and memorable experience to work and learn with a child as marvelous as Bowen."  Marvelous??  I don't think anybody has ever called me marvelous!

So we went to ABC Restaurant.  On Wednesday nights at our local ABC Restaurant they have a guy that makes balloon creations for the kids.  Ashton picked a doublesided lightsaber ...

and Bowen had him make him a racecar ...

That completes another successful school year.  Now to enjoy our summer!!

Soccer Wrap Up

The boys were involved with Timbits soccer again this year.  Ashton had games on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Bowen went on Tuesdays.  I wasn't sure how we were going to do this with my teaching every night, but Jason committed to come home on time to get the boys to soccer.  He often went back afterwards but the boys never missed any games.  Except for poor Bowen - it rained so many Tuesdays in May/June.  He was rained out about 4-5 games.  Ashton was only rained out a couple of times.

The boys last couple of games I moved some students so that I'd be able to watch them play.  I'm glad I did because Bowen's last game was rained out and Jason just took him to the Casino to pick up his medal.  Next year he'll be in the older league so he'll play twice a week.  This year was Ashton's last year of timbits and I don't think we'll put him in an older league.  He enjoys it - but it is so hard to fit it into our schedule.  He has cubs and we'll put him in swimming lessons and maybe skating lessons in the winter.

Sensational, Inspirational, Celebrational, Musicational

Last night wrapped up a busy year of teaching music!  I taught final lessons during the week.  I had made toffees for all my students, report cards and summer practise charts.



Thursdays students all ready to go!

I was also busy getting ready for the recital.  A couple of weeks ago I made chocolates, this week I made sugar cookies.



My mom came up on Friday and we got the rest of the food ready.   I had sausage, pepperoni, salami, cheese, crackers, pickles, veggie platters (celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, radishes, red peppers), fruit platters (strawberries, cantaloupe, grapes, watermelon), and cookies and chocolates for dessert.  We spent several hours cutting everything up. 

Then we gathered up everything we would need to take to the church for the recital.  I should have taken a picture of everything we hauled - it was ridiculous.  Two guitars, guitar stands, music, stool, flowers, programs, food, platters, table cloths, plates, cups, napkins, water dispenser, stereo.

While Jason and I got the guitars, sound system, tables set up my mom was busy in the kitchen putting all the food on platters.  I don't know what I'd do without my family to help me.  Even the boys and Emry pitched in.  Mom puts all the food out and keeps it stocked so that I can talk to students and parents.

The recital went so well.  Everyone did great.  After Bowen finished his first little song and everyone starting clapping he looked at the audience and gave a thumbs up - he made everyone giggle!  It was a nice program with piano numbers, guitar pieces, and beautiful singing.  I finished up the night with playing Brahms "Waltz in A flat", and singing "Crazy".

After the recital we assembled all the kids in the hall for a picture.  What a great group of kids.  I love teaching music!

Then it was time for refreshments!  I had made some music confetti on my cricut and spread it on the food tables.

I had such a nice time visiting with my students and their families.  I also received several really nice gifts - flowers, chocolates, bath items, gift certificates to Spa Nail, Chapters, Starbucks.  Now to have a bit of a break before it all starts again in September!

Friday Weigh-In

Just a quick check in on my ongoing battle with weight loss.  This week I lost ...

1 lb

I've been incredibly busy.  Lots going on.  Last week of teaching.  Student year-end recital this evening.  Busy with church calling.  I haven't been too focused on my weightloss goals.  After this evening, life will slow down a bit and I'm looking forward to a much needed break.  I plan on focusing my energies towards getting healthy.  My goals this week are the exercise 5 days, drink lots of water and plan meals every night.  I'll check back next Friday to let you know how I'm doing!

Praise the Almighty Onstar

This morning the boys and I were doing our usual morning dash to the bus stop.  I threw on my shoes and reached for my keys and immediately realized my keys were missing.  I thought back to the night before and remembered that Jason and the boys had already gone out to the truck as I finished with my last piano student.  I grabbed my keys locked the door and then threw my keys in the glove box of the truck when we went to soccer.

Thank goodness we have a keypad to open and close the garage.  So it turned out we really did do a morning dash to the bus stop.  The boys ran - I sped walked.  Every once in a while they would stop and wait for me.  Bowen said to me at one point - "Can't you run a little faster mom?"

So after we got home I called Jason at work to complain about my misfortune.  His reply "Why didn't you just call onstar?"  I hadn't even thought of that!  Jason called them for me and within a couple of minutes the doors to my truck were unlocked!! 

Yeah!!  Now I can run my errands today.  Praise the almighty ONSTAR!!

Better Late Than Never

My music recital for my students is this Friday night - June 22nd.  I'm a committed, reliable music teacher who very rarely cancels lessons - except for her own children!  After a busy week of teaching we never seem to have gotten to a lesson.  Next year I am going to commit to a day and time for my own kids.  They deserve music classes too.  Ashton had a few lessons throughout the year.  Bowen told me that he didn't want to start until next year. 

This past week I realized I'd better pick something for Ashton to play at the recital.  Monday we selected a piano and a guitar piece and he started practising.  He has been doing quite well.

Tonight Bowen told me that he would like to be in the recital as well.  He has never had one lesson.  He asked if he could have a lesson after my last student tonight - how do you say no to that!  So we had a little lesson and he has selected his two songs to play on Friday.  He has practised alot tonight.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!!

A Great Big Kiss

This past week with Father's Day approaching I've been thinking alot about my Dad.  I miss him so much!  I miss him more than I ever knew I would.  I trusted his opinion more than anyone elses, and there was a peace in always knowing my Dad was around and would help me if I ever needed it without a moments hesitation.  I've also come to realize just how much he influenced my life.  The other day I was teaching a new song to one of my guitar students.  It was a favorite of mine that my Dad played often.  It was nice that it reminded me of him.  When I watch Coronation Street or anything British I always think of Dad.  My brothers remind me of him.  He was a great man and I'm honoured and proud to be his daughter.  Happy Father's Day Dad!!

Another wonderful Dad is my husband.  He loves our boys and is such a great example for them.  We had a nice Father's Day together as a family today.

My handsome boys ready for church!

In primary today we had the kids make a candy tie for their Dads.  Love pintrest!  The kids enjoyed making them and I hope the Dads liked their salt water taffy.

After church the boys gave their Dad the gifts they had made at school.

From Bowen Jason got a card, a Daddy book, and a picture of a landscape Bowen had painted.

The book read ...
My Daddy Book by Bowen
My Daddy is a handsome man.
My Daddy likes to watch hockey.
I love my Daddy's pancakes.

From Ashton he received a pencil holder, in the cutest wrapping on a Dad's shirt and tie.

Then I got him a computer game.

Mom came up for dinner and to spend a couple of days with us.  We had steak, caesar salad, baked potatoes, cucumbers in mayonaise for dinner.  Very yummy!!

With rootbeer floats for dessert.

Happy Father's Day to my fabulous husband.  We sure love you and appreciate you!

Tears at the Breakfast Table

It has become a tradition that I make homemade toffees for my students' year end gift. Why do I start these things!  As next week is our last week of lessons, I thought I'd get ahead of all the things I need to do, so I made a batch of toffees yesterday - even got them wrapped. (I know domestic goddess!)  Just need the bags to put them in.

As I was making Ashton's lunch for school today I thought I'd throw a couple in for him for a treat.  So I said to him ... "Ashton run down and on top of the freezer are some toffees, grab a couple for your lunch", as soon as I said it and saw his little face I knew the blunder I had just made.  He said "toffees!" and started to cry.  You see - HE CAN'T HAVE TOFFEES with his retainer.  I felt so bad!  He loves my homemade toffees.  I promised him that tonight before he brushes his teeth he can take out his retainer and have one (even though he is not supposed to).  What a bad mom - making my kid cry at the breakfast table!

Face Painting

Just a quick blog today.  I know I've been neglecting my blog and I feel bad about it.  It has been crazy busy around here lately.  Lots going on.  Lots to get ready for.  More blogs to follow.  But for now just a couple pictures of Bowen.

Bowen got his face painted at school yesterday.  I didn't know this was happening - I guess I didn't read the email!  So I wondered what he was doing when he got off the bus yesterday with his raincoat hood on his head and he had himself bent in half so all I could see was the top of his head.  Once in the truck I realized he was trying to make sure his face didn't get wet.

He had picked space as his theme - with lots of stars and planets.  He refused to wash his face last night.  This is what is left of it this morning ...

Where most of the paint went ...

He's convinced he should go to school looking like this - should I let him?

Meet Marvin

Bowen had a cute homework assignment yesterday.  Marvin the Monkey came to our house for a sleepover!  We were to entertain him and show him around the house.  Pick activities to do with Marvin and write about it and either include a photo or draw a picture.

Here is Marvin and Bowen having an after school snack ...

Enjoying watching a show together ...

Then later, Marvin watching Bowen practise his soccer moves ...

Bowen worked on his homework this morning.  I'm so proud of him - he always does such a good job on his school work.