GYMNASTICS!

Life at TGI (Toronto Gymnastics International) has become a big part of our world.  We started taking Kieran to a Parent & Tot gym class when he was just 15 months old and we have been going there ever since.  From P&T to Kindergym to Advanced Kindergym and then last September, Kieran was asked to join the Boys Pre-Competitive program which has us there 4 hours a week, potentially 6 hours starting in the Fall.  Quinn is hot on the heels of his big bro, having been asked to join the program in September as well if availability allows.  I guess my days as a potential hockey mum are slipping away, which I am ok with - gyms are much warmer than arenas!  With his first ever competition only 10 days away, Kieran was at the gym training from 3:30-6:45pm today.  From 3:30-4:15pm he had one on one training with his Coach and Quinn was invited to join in until the other boys arrived for their regularly schedules practice.  Here's a short video I took on my phone this afternoon with both boys on the high bar.  (K on left.  Q on right)

FUN FAIR!

We spent Saturday afternoon at the annual Annette P.S. Fun Fair.  What a fantastic way to spend an afternoon.  There were bouncy castles, slides, toilet paper toss, fishing games a dunk tank, karaoke (of which Dave participated - I have video to prove it...) bake sale tables, silent auction, class theme baskets for a raffle, police, ice cream truck, snow cones, cotton candy and the famous Kindergarten Cake Walk to which we have been baking and donating cakes to for 3 consecutive years.  I cannot wait to graduate from kindergarten!  :)  For the first time this year, there was a very sweet photographer who put up a back drop a bench and brought some homemade props.  She took photos all day long and then posted them to a site for those of us who left our email addresses.  Some of them are fantastic, and for all of my photographer friends, I have done the proper thing and ordered print copies from her.  Here's a glimpse of them - I cannot wait to get my copies!!! 

Ben and Kieran - best friends for as long as they've known what a friend is...

Dave, me, Kieran, Ben, Ellie and Jason.  Quinn watched us have our photo taken.  :(

GROWING UP!

We received Quinn's first ever solo daycare photo.  Kieran went to Humberside Daycare before Quinn and they always took a sibling shot for everyone if requested.  Humberside ends after SK so this is Quinn's first year without his big bro around.  Amazing to think come this time next year we will be ending our daycare years there.  We have been there since Kieran was 9 months old!  Time flies!

TRAMPOLINE MASTER

Dave and I met and started dating when Connor was in grade 2.  I remember when we would take Connor out to see the Airshow, a park or to Playdium most people we encountered assumed he was "our son".  Con and Dave do look A LOT alike, but little did people know that I was 23 years old which would have made me 16 when Connor was born!  Amazingly, he is now 20 and entering his final year at Dalhousie in Engineering.  I have loved watching Connor grow up to become the remarkable young man he is today.  Having known him for so many years I can tell you that he logged many, many, many hours on the trampoline he so kindly brought and set up at the cottage last weekend.  C was giving flip lessons to all of his nephews and nieces and doing "superman" jumps with them.  Let it be known that Connor is a SUPER COOL Uncle!  Thanks for all you do Con.  We're looking forward to some serious cottage time with you this summer. 

MULTI-TASKER EXTRAORDINAIRE!

Aunt Kelly (also known as Martha Stewart) never ceases to amaze me.  She is the multi-tasker of all multi-taskers!  Mom of 4 kids, wife to Darin, Paediatrician at her own office as well as on-call at the hospital, chauffeur of kids here, there and everywhere, packer and purger of anything and everything, able to accomplish anything she wants!  This short video is just a glimpse of one of her many talents - get it done while there's a distraction!  :)

COTTAGE SEASON BEGINS!

We had a fantastic long weekend up on the island with the entire Fitzpatrick crew.  Seventeen of us were there in total which makes for a lot of people; however, spread out over two cottages and properties makes it amazing space to share.  Gathering on a dock for breakfast, lunch and dinner is unbeatable!  The weather was exceptional and all of the kids were in swimming, the lake temp was 62 degrees which is still a bit chilly for me!  Uncle Connor brought the big trampoline he used to log hours and hours on when he was a kid, he has very kindly donated it to the cottage for this next generation of jumpers.  So fun!  A few pics I clicked on my phone, ooops!  I won't forget my camera again, promise!

A great on route stop - WEBERS!

The first sign of summer - a quick stop to pick up some burgers for the cottage

First boat ride of the season.  Q and K are keeping the fireworks safe!

Enjoying the fireworks with Auntie Meggy

Before bed sparklers on Cousin Rock

INSPIRING

Our niece Kaitlyn (baby Kaitlyn, not to be confused with our other niece Kaitlyn who is turning 9 next week!) is truly an inspiration to those around her.  Kaitlyn was born in October 2010 and it wasn't until she was born that the dr's realized she was born without a femur in her left leg.  She has a tiny prosthetic leg which has allowed her to walk and bounce and explore her love of life.  She is one of the happiest little people I've yet to meet and it was such a treat to see her trying to keep up to all 6 of her older cousins at the cottage this weekend.  Unfortunately I forgot to pack my camera this weekend but managed to capture a few videos on my iPhone.