First Day of Kindergarten

So today was the day!  Adrian had his first stay at Kindergarten.  It was two hour visit with his first full day being Thursday. I am proud to report that he did great.  He was getting more clingy the longer I lingered but I told him 'one more hug' and I felt him take a deep breath then he stepped back, gave me a wave and said good-bye.  My brave boy.  I have to admit to crying like a baby on my way to the car.  It was just such a big moment for our family.

Unfortunately I don't have many details to share because he is pretty mum on the topic, and the more I prompt the less he tells me.  I think I'll just have to wait and let him tell me as he thinks of things to report.  Stay tuned for his first trip on the school bus on Thursday!

His school photo shoot.

Posing with his sister.  She didn't stop asking to go pick him back up the whole 2 hours he was gone.

A little antsy

No hesitation

Humouring Mom with a photo opp

King on NMES

Summer News/Catching Up

My goodness it has been a busy summer!  We have been having a blast and haven't slowed down since PEI.  I am starting to look forward to those lazy fall days and returning to a routine.  Although our 'routine' is about to change abruptly with Adrian starting kindergarten in a week.  I can't wait to report about the big day.  He seems to be feeling quite positive about it.  I think he is ready for the challenge.  The real one having problems is me!  Adrian is done at the Preschool Center on Wednesday.  We have had three great years there and I have really watched him blossom there.  Vivian is still there and it moving up to the 2/3s room on Thursday and will have a whole new circle of friends.  She is quite a little social butterfly so I am sure she will enjoy it.

The summer has been filled with activity -- too much to even try to summerize in a blog entry.  Every weekend we have one or two things planned and I try to fit in something fun after work as well.  Below are a few pictures to give you an idea of what we have been up to...

Vivian is officially in her big girl bed.  The crib is a thing of the past.  She went straight to a double bed and never looked back. 

We had a  great Beek family reunion in Doaktown will all much of Jamie's family from out west and MA.  The kids loved all of the attention and all of the candy they got from the parade of lights that night.  Thanks for this lovely picture Adina!

We had a fun visit to the zoo near Uncle Brian's and Aunt Tracey's house.  It was hot if you can't tell by our flustered faces.

Vivian was very careful not put her fingers near the cage.  She wasn't chacing a duck taking a finger off.

Adrian, Vivian and Grampy U are buliding a camp in the woods behing my parents house.  What a fun memory for them to have.

You don't want to meet these scary pirates on the high sea!

Whale watching in St Andrews.  It turned out to be sunny but we didn't see many whales.

Looking for the whale with Uncle Brian and Grampy.

Adrian's 5th Birthday.  *sigh*  He loved presents this year for the first time ever.

Ice cream and cake with his BFF Abby.  They have been pals since birth pretty much.

Blowing out the candles.  What a great party it was.  All of the kids were so good.

PEI 2011

Our annual summer vacation in PEI was another hit this year.  We had the best weather ever and enjoyed many days at the beach! 

 



We kicked off vacation with some Canada Day celebrations.



Fishing in Millstream

Can you say tired?



Running on the beach.  Cutest baby bum ever.



It seems strange that Adrian was ever scared of this pool.. now he jumps in the deep end.

Smores are always a hit.

She is supposed to be a bunny but I think stubborn goat might be more accurate.

An evening stroll on the beach.  (How much bribing do you think it took to get them to hold hands?)

Old Orchard Beach

We took a long weekend trip to Old Orchard beach.  Yes, a strange time of year to go but it was off-season and we got a real deal on an apartment big enough to fit all four of us plus Grammy and Grampy U.  It was cold, but at least it didn't rain for the majority of the time.  There was an indoor pool and cafe within a few feet of our apartment so that kept us busy.  Adrian's favorite part was that he got to buy a pop from the pop machine.  I love that kids are amazed by the simplest of things.  Vivian's favorite part was the 'ducks' (which were really seagulls but she insisted on calling them ducks).  It was a good trip and a welcomed break from the usual.

Running on the beach.  Nothing like shorts and a rain coat!

 

Finding sand dollars.  I have never found these before. Adrian picked up every shell on that beach and insisted we keep them all.

 

We found the best park and this was the highlight of it.  Once you got in it didn't stop spinning.  Just ask Jamie who was almost sick afterwards.

Feeding the seagulls leftover french fries.

Vivian sneaking up on the 'ducks'.

Adrian's Preschool Graduation

Adrian was super excited for Graduation as was I.  He had practiced for weeks, knew all the songs and I had been treated to private performances.  But it seems Adrian has inherited my fear of performing because as soon as he had to walk to the stage he came running to me in tears.  Poor guy.  I understand completely (I passed out on stage during a solo at the music festival in grade 3).  One of his very kind teachers took him up on stage and stayed with him but it was all he could do to stand there.

But we had a great night nonetheless. Adrian had a large cheering section with both sets of Grandparents attending.  He was all smiles when he received his diploma and then we had a fun pizza party on the play ground.

Getting his diploma.  Interestingly enough I figured out that a year of preschool costs the same amount as a year at UNB in tuition.

Family photos are always a challenge.  The kids just wanted to get going.

Showing Grampy and Grammy Underhill his artwork.

On the playground with Nanny and Grampy Jones.