Canadian!!

You know your Canadian when even a bad snow storm doesn't keep you out of the rink.....

And that when you get home from school  you spend hours outside playing in the school!!

First chapter book done!

Griffin has come along way with his reading this year. From Fly Guy to Ready Freddy! Griffin is now reading chapter books and very proud of himself!

I'm very proud of him too. The journey wasn't always easy. Lots of tears, many struggles, and frustrations. But he did it. For the most part, Griffin is a reader!!

Congratulations buddy!

A day of Mourning

Dear Target,

The disappointment you have caused by the news that your closing your doors in Canada is HUGE.  

I waited a very long time for those doors to open, and when they did I was dismayed that you opened in hundreds of cities, but my own. But it didn't stop me, I traveled to many of your locations thanks to our traveling hockey schedule and enjoyed each experience. 

You had many naysayers, but I was never one of them. I was your loyal shopper and you have let me down. I think you have forgotten that you don't give up when your down, and quitters never win. 

Likely I will visit you in the states, but it won't be the same. 

Yours in disappointment!

Snow Much Fun!

The boys finally got their snow and had a lot of fun playing in it yesterday. 

From sledding to building a castle with their new snow toy to laughing at their mother tobogganing!

Best part....they played together all day, just the two of them without fighting and they had fun!

Waiting for the game to start

Griffin had an awesome game yesterday scoring 2 goals but more importantly playing awesome!

He came back today playing awesome as well. The game was lost in the last 2 minutes, but a heck of an effort by all!

The win!

Happy birthday TBird!

Someone special celebrated their 38th birthday! Lucky for him he got to celebrate at a hockey tournament! 

Happy Birthday Tony!

SNOW.... finally!

The boys were super excited to get out their toboggans! We finally have snow (preferably without the -20), so the boys rushed home from school and ran across the street to our small toboggan hill!

I'm thinking a cup of hot chocolate goes hand in hand with their first toboggan run!

Next up... Snowmen!

CUJO Tournament

Griffin had his first hockey tournament this weekend and boy was it ever a great time!

If you were to ask Griffin what his favourite memories of the tournament they would go like this;

1. Play new teams

2. Win a trophy

3. Playing with friends at the hotel

His advice to other kids going to their first hockey tournament;

Work hard and have fun!

Well said from our little hockey guy! And we're glad he took his own advice to heart! 

A well needed reminder!

I received this email from a former student/co-op student this past week.
Simply made my day... and a good reminder that what we do, really does matter!

Hi Mrs. Bird,
 
I am writing this email to let you know that today I received my first university acceptance for concurrent education at Brock University! I just wanted to write to you and let you know, as well as to thank you for all of the time and opportunities you have given me. I have always wanted to teach, but working with you just confirmed how much passion I have to work with kids and just how rewarding and fun it all can be. I know from personal experience with my mom that teaching can be a very thankless job, even if you put so much time and love into it. I wanted to make sure you knew just how thankful I was for working with you and that you have made a great impact on my life. You were always very encouraging and I can't think of a happier moment then when you shared my successes with both myself and my mom. You allowed me to do a lot more than I think most school co-op placements do and I am very thankful that you respected me enough and knew how capable I was. You were continually willing to take me on, even just for the half hours in the afternoon and that shows just how much you really care about your students. I know that as a teacher there are many hardships you battle with students and I just wanted to take the time to share my success with you to remind you of all the good you are doing even if you may not know it. I cannot thank you enough for letting me into your classroom and your teaching secrets and will definitely take your planning and ideas into consideration when I one day have a classroom of my own.  I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas, and have a very happy new year!
 
I will not forget how much you have helped me and have led me to where I am today, Thank you!
Yours sincerely, Hannah 

Owen's Holiday Sleepover!

 Owen had five of his buddies sleepover last week!  

Lots of video games, some tv, and snacks.

 

Griffin had decided he was going to sleep downstairs with the boys too,

but 30 mins later, he was upstairs in his bed... smart kid!

 

Gizmo wanted in on the action too!

 

The kids had a good time, but I am no hurry to do this over again :)

 

Loving Instragram!

Follow me on instagram!

Happy New Year!

On New Years Eve, we had planned to go tobogganing and then to our neighbours for a nye party.  Unfortunately, there wasn't any snow.  Instead, we enjoyed watching the Canada vs. USA game and then headed over to the Brookers to join them for their party.  Our friends the Skinners also came along with us which was nice for the boys to have friends to spend the evening with.

We had a great evening playing games, and then ringing in the new year!  It is fun now that the boys are old enough to stay up and ring in the new year with us!

My only wish for the new year is to continue to be blessed with such a wonderful life.  If 2015 is anywhere near as great as 2014, we are in for a great year!

Happy New Years everyone!