RUN THROUGH...

It's official, let the summer games begin!

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

Today marked the final day of grade one and grade three in our house.  Both Quinn and Kieran had fantastic years.  They were surrounded by wonderful teachers, phenomenal friends and an outstanding community.  We are so grateful to so many.  Thank you to everyone for the support, kindness, caring and desire to help watch these little boys succeed academically, socially and emotionally. We are beyond lucky to live in the community we do.

I decorated the front porch before walking down to do 3:30pm pick up.  As the boys wandered up the street they were excited to see the house decorated, celebrating the final day of school.  I have a short video of them running through the streamers up the stairs.  I'll try and post it later.  

Happy and Safe Summer to everyone.  

On to grade 2 and 4.  Where does the time go?

CREATING SPEEDY'S HEADSTONE

The boys enjoyed working with the soapstone and Dremel tool this weekend.  Their goal was to create a headstone for Speedy's garden grave.  The dust was excessive, the noise was tiresome, but on the whole the boys loved the time they spent working and creating their masterpiece.  The ceremony placing his newly created gravestone took place just before dinner last night.  I'm not sure how religious our Speedster was, but the boys thought he ought to have a cross to mark his final resting place.

IT'S BROTHER'S DAY!

Ok, so we might be the only family that celebrates "Brother's Day" but we love it.  Brother's Day was a holiday I came up with after 2 year old Kieran asked why there was a Mother's Day and a Father's Day but not a day to celebrate the kids.  In my mind I was thinking, isn't everyday "Kid Day"?  So, we celebrate Brother's Day the Sunday after Father's Day each year.  The boys love it, and I do too.  I think it is important for kids to recognize how lucky they are to have a sibling, to tell them all the reasons they love them and appreciate them.  I hope Brother's Day is something our boys remember and continue in some form or fashion even when they are old enough for us not to be pulling it together.

This morning the boys woke up and exchanged cards and gifts.  Naturally, the gifts are a highlight.  I had secretly gone and bought them stuff to give one another so it was a great surprise when they descended the stairs to find the table decorated and with treats on it.

Kieran's adorable card to Quinn

Building his new Star Wars Lego ship

Building his Star Wars Lego

FATHER'S DAY

We LOVE to celebrate our favourite dad's.  The boys enjoyed spoiling Dave with a sleep in and some treats on Sunday.  We enjoyed having my dad over for some cinnamon rolls, coffee and fruit goodness.  Lots of outdoor play, hanging with neighbours on the porch, a delicious sushi dinner and a wander in the hood to the new gelato spot.  Sounds like the perfect day!

Special beer labels

A sleep in.  No paternity test necessary, not only do they look alike, they sleep the same too!

The table as he came downstairs

What he really wanted was a motorcycle, so, we HAD to deliver!

K's card. The green ribbon is meant to be the birds tail!

Q's card

MONEY MONEY MONEY!  Q turns to me and says, "do you think he knows it is fake?"

BURLINGTON B.G'S MEET

Saturday had us heading off to Burlington B.G's (Boy's Gymnastics) Club for their inaugural invitational meet.  The boys both improved from their competition even one week prior.  Quinn loved presenting as a Demo athlete and Kieran enjoyed competing in the Interclub Level 1, 8 year old boy category.  I forgot to bring my camera so I ended up shooting video of their routines on my phone.  The few photos I took were at the awards ceremony.  Quinn received a trophy for demoing.  Awards were presented for each of the 6 elements in Kieran's group.  He did really well, earning a Silver medal for his Rings routine, a Bronze medal for his High Bar routine and placing 3rd overall in his group for all 6 elements.  Well done boys!

The March In.  Q is carrying the TGI sign (shortest to tallest is how they determine)

BG's Road Map to Happiness.  I might need to adopt some of these.  #8

Quinn Fitzpatrick.  Demo Athlete

Demo boys showing off their trophies

Kieran - sharing the silver medal spot with his teammate, Evan - RINGS

Bronze Medal spot for High Bark

Receiving his bronze medal for overall.

R.I.P SPEEDY

Sadly, our hamster Speedy died last night.  The boys are devastated, and I must admit I feel sad too.  We didn't have Speeds very long, but there was something quite endearing about him, for a rodent that is...  Dave and I knew that Speedy was not long for this world.  About a month ago we noticed his belly swelling to an unusually large state.  He was not able to move very well and definitely seemed to be sleeping more than he was when we first got him.  We took comfort that he continued to eat and drink right to the end of his days.  We tried to prepare the boys as best we could, but as we checked on him before going to bed last night and realized he was gone they both burst in to tears.  It's never easy to say goodbye, not even to a wee hamster you only had for three months.  They are keen to get another one, which we agreed we would do but not until August when we are back from the summer cottaging and ready to return to the routine of life.  Quinn was lying in bed last night trying to fall asleep and thought "Slurpee" would be a good name for our next hamster.  Kieran's going to put in the name "Guacamole" for the middle name.  Stay tuned, I'm sure we will introduce Slurpee Guacamole Fitzpatrick in a few months time.

Cute face Speedy in his healthier days

Playing with the Speedster on the back deck.

His final resting place, in an old Nikon box that we will decorate and bury in our backyard.

GYMNASTICS ENERGY COMPETITION

Yesterday had us up early and on the road heading for St. Catharines, Ontario to attend a gymnastics competition at a club called Gymnastics Energy.  This was Quinn's first ever time competing in the Demo division.  He was the youngest from TGI at the age of 6 competing.  Quinn was in the first flight beginning at 8am-10:30am.  Kieran's flight was next which had him competing until about 1:30pm.  Both boys loved the experience and have a special bond with their Coach, Tamara. They enjoyed sharing the day with the friends they have made at TGI.  From there we traveled 20 minutes further down the road to Great Wolf Lodge.  A bunch of families took advantage of the group booking and went there as a treat post comp.  It is a really fun way for the boys to hang out and play with friends outside of the gym and a nice way for the parents to get to know one another better.  A very positive weekend indeed.  Thanks to Coach Tamara for all of her hard work and dedication in getting our boys ready for events like these and ensuring they are always a fun, optimistic experience.  See you next weekend at the Burlington Competition!

Tamara having a giggle about how big Quinn's suit is.  Thanks for the loan, Mr. K!

Sillies while waiting for Quinn's name to be called announcing his floor routine.

About to do a headstand...

Headstand into front roll

TGI Buddies - Quinn and Steven

Pull up on the Rings.  Way to go Q

Having a giggle with Tamara before he starts his Parallel Bar routine

Meeting the High Bar Judge

Nice swings, Q

Getting some last minute coaching in between High Bar practice and official presentation

A quick prayer before High Bar

Tamara loving Q's new haircut

Spiking it up

Presenting to Judge as he starts his routine

Good swings, keep those legs together!

Demo Boys getting their medals and certificates

Medal Presentation

Medal around neck, certificate in hand!

Post Comp Treat - A Ring Pop!

Kieran started his rotation on Floor.  Nice form, K! 

Showing his strength with a pull up on Rings to start his routine

Skin The Cat on Rings.  Toes pointed, shoulders back and down, nice focus!

K's big dismount from P-Bars, his favourite element of the 6.

High Bar - L Sit.

Nice swings, legs together, toes pointed.

Working hard to stick the dismount...

And he sticks it!  Nice job, Kieran!  Coach Nick gives a cheer for sticking the landing.  K looking to the Judge.