Most Improved

Year-end celebrations started last night with the boys' band concert.  We were lucky and both the Grade 6 band and the 8/9 concert band performed in the same concert.  We had a bit of a hiccup when we arrived.  Ashton's saxophone broke last week and the spare was being used by another student so it was arranged that he would borrow an instrument from someone in the jazz band but he brought his own mouthpiece.  He was letting Cadence look at it while we were in the truck.  We get in the school and he discovers one of the brass pins is missing.  After grilling Cadence she admitted she had tucked it under one of the cushions in her car seat.  He was able to find it (along with some barrettes, lego and other treasures) so crisis averted!!  She has been such a little menace lately - stinker!

The concert was great.  Bowen's band has improved so much since starting last year, and the 8/9 band was awesome. I really enjoyed it, despite the heat in the theatre.

Bowen received a "Most Improved" award.  He was very excited and we were all very proud of him and his hard work.  He really does play the clarinet very well.  He is torn as he loves the clarinet but is thinking about switching to the Oboe next year.  He's going to rent one during the summer to see if he likes it as much.

Ashton has one more year of band in middle school and then he'll decide if he wants to continue to play in high school.  I'm happy my boys love music and are enjoying their experiences in band.  What a great night!

Who Ya Gonna Call

I finally remembered to take pictures of Ashton's finished lego.  He wanted it made clear that he didn't take this long to put it together.  It was actually completed within a couple days.  He figured maybe 9 hours or so.

It is actually a pretty cute set.  I love the little rooms inside.  I love miniatures.  Ashton is definitely running out of room to display all his lego in his room.

He Spent It All in One Place

Ashton has been saving up to buy a specific Lego set.  He's been wanting to buy the Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters set.  So for the past 6 months any money from babysitting, chores, or working in neighbours yards he's been setting aside.  After a babysitting job this past weekend he finally had enough.

So last night we headed to the Lego Store at the mall.  He was so excited to finally be buying the set.

At first he thought he'd wait until the long weekend to put it together, but he was already working on it last night.  I'll be sure to post a picture of the finished project.  I'm proud of Ashton for setting a goal and working towards it.  Enjoy your Lego Ashton!

Girls' Weekend

This past weekend my sister Rachel and her daughter Freya came up for a girls' weekend with Cadence and me.  Who would have ever thought with Rachel being 11 years younger than me that we'd have little girls 6 months apart?  It is such a blessing. They came up on Thursday night and after playing for a little bit the girls were off to bed.  Rachel and I stayed up too late watching TV and talking.

Friday morning we took the girls for brunch at Cora's.  Always a yummy breakfast.  Cadence loves eating at restaurants.

After breakfast, we went to the library for awhile so the girls could play.  The library by our house has a huge play area with lots of different activities.

The girls put on plays on the stage.  I think Cadence was inspired after seeing Bowen in his school play.

When we got home we put a movie in for the girls and Rachel did their nails for them.  I think this was what Cadence was looking forward to the most.

My fabulous husband offered to babysit so Rachel and I could go out for dinner and a movie.  We had a great time.  We went to Milestones for dinner and then to the movie Game Night.  I laughed so hard.  I love spending time with my sister.  I'm so grateful we have a close relationship.  I hope our girls are always best friends.

Saturday, Jason made us a nice breakfast and then we did a bit of shopping (the girls got new shoes) before Rachel and Freya headed home. I hope this girls weekend was the first of many!!

In Memory of Kenneth David - 10 Years

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018 marked the 10th anniversary of the stillbirth of our precious baby boy Kenneth David.  I spent a quiet day thinking of him.  I burned a candle in remembrance and brought out his picture Jason drew and his little teddy bear the hospital gave us.  I looked through his memory box and had a little cry.

Jason was away on business this week so on Sunday we sat down as a family and talked about Kenny and what we were grateful for.  Since it has been 10 years we came up with 10 things.

In Memory of Kenny - 10 Things We Are Grateful For:

1. Grateful for no outward physical disformities other than his clenched hands, he was perfect.

2. Grateful for the months that I could feel him in my stomach and bond with him.

3. Grateful for the memories of his burial in Champion.

4. Grateful for his pouty little lips and chubby cheeks, looked so much like his brothers.

5. Grateful for the strength gained from the experience.

6.  Grateful for the bonding Jason and my dad had (building the casket together, etc.)

7. Grateful that I was able to carry him long enough that we were able to bury him.

8.  Grateful that we could have his baby sister to complete our family.

9.  Grateful that we didn't watch him die or suffer.

10. Grateful for the love felt for a little brother that he never got to meet.

It felt good to express our feelings and support one another.  We finished up with celebrating what would have been his birthday with cake.  The boys wanted to know why I bought pink!  Ha ha!

I can't believe it has been 10 years.  The memories are still so vivid.  Time, or probably more so perspective and strength from our faith has lessened the grief and pain.  I'm grateful for his short but meaningful life.  I know where he is, I know he is with our Savior and that someday we will be reunited as a family.  What a blessing to have this knowledge in my life.  So grateful for my family.

30 Reasons Not to Be in a Play

Last night was Bowen's final performance in his school play.  These school plays are such a huge commitment.  Auditions were in October and they have been rehearsing 2 - 3 times per week since January.  Bowen loves every moment of it.  This week consisted of 2 matinees and 3 evening performances.

The play was called "30 Reasons Not to Be in a Play".  Explaining the pitfalls and bad experiences to be had if you ever were in a play.  It was pretty funny and we all really enjoyed it.  It was great that my cousin Sheri was able to join us.  I know it meant a lot to Bowen.  Bowen was in 3 scenes.  It was a huge cast with 55 kids from Grades 5 - 9.

Bowen was really pleased he got a little monologue that he presented on stage by himself.  I asked him to say it for me last night so I could record it.  He felt really weird, but I finally convinced him.

I'm very proud of my performer. Til next year's play!

John

They gave each of the performers a flower - such a nice thought.