QUINN'S ANNOUNCEMENT LAST NIGHT...

And it states... "I will never get married"

With a face like that, you may not have to make the decision...  :)  We are working on the spelling.

COMPETITION SEASON HAS BEGUN

Today marked the first competition of the season.  We traveled to All Star Sports Centre in Brampton early this morning.  Quinn is in his final year as a Demo athlete, while Kieran is in IC (InterClub level 1) with high aspirations of making it on to the Provincial Team for next year.  Quinn will move on to IC next year and if Kieran hits the goal he set for himself a few months ago he will be Provincial Level 1.  Both of the boys have worked hard to improve their skills, strength and flexibility this year.  As they get a bit older you can see their focus and determination a little more clearly.  The Demo athletes are the youngest in the competition and it is done with the intent to introduce them to competing, but keeping it positive on all levels.  Each athlete received a certificate in which each judge has written a positive comment.  It is such an amazing way to introduce kids to competitive sport.  InterClub becomes a little more "real world" with judges marking you and having your score flash on a screen for all to see.  At the end of it all results are tallied and the awards ceremony gives out First place to Tenth place for each element according to age category.  Kieran had an outstanding day today bringing home his first ever Gold Medal, a Silver, two fourth's a 7th and a 9th.  He was awarded 5th place overall.  He was thrilled with his results and is driven to do even better in his next competition which is happening on Saturday May 2nd in St. Catharine's...  Stay tuned for those results.

QBall Rocked it today!  So proud!!! 

Demo Dude says it all.  xo

Kieran in his warm up suit cheering his bro on.  TGI, where it all happens!

Tamara making Kieran a pancake! (proper terminology, promise)

Bending down to receive his FIRST EVER GOLD MEDAL!

So proud!

AH-Mazing moments!

Q and K's collective haul today.  Well done boys!  Keep working hard.

FIRST SPIN CLASS

Every Wednesday night I teach a 60 minute spin class at a local gym.  I have been teaching fitness longer than I have had kids and it is really neat to see the affect it has on them.  They have been coming to a gym with me or training at their gym (TGI) for as long as they can remember.  Both Kieran and Quinn have adopted Dave and my love of fitness.  Kieran has been waiting for his legs to be long enough to join a spin class and has finally reached the point where we can adjust the seat to the lowest height and he can complete a smooth pedal stroke.  Last night he was desperate to join me for my spin class.  It was a last minute decision, but in the end I brought him along.  He lasted 40 of the 60 minutes before being fatigued and too hot.  As I tucked him in to bed he thanked me for bringing him, he told me he had a lot of fun and can't wait to come back another time.  As I rode on the instructor bike I took a quick shot of the group.  K is in the front row not aware that I was taking a picture, but rather focused on the clock on the wall!  :)

CREATE CREATE CREATE

Quinn loves to spend time creating things.  He spends hours and hours and hours making new inventions out of Lego.  Making worlds, animals and other characters out of hama beads. He sits at his desk, or lies on the floor drawing.  He adores sitting down and writing stories that can go on for pages and pages and pages and always, must be illustrated.  He gravitates to bold colour and a vivid imagination.  I love just waiting to see what he will produce next.

This version of Quinn is now on his bedroom door.

Q traced his own hands and shoes and then drew himself in.

Playing around with pastels and shading

ST. PADDY'S DAY

Or, St. Fitzpatrick's Day as it is referred to in our house is always a fun, festive day here.  Both the boys got themselves up and dressed in green.  As they descended the stairs there was a squeal of delight.  Before we went to bed, Dave and I had put a box of Lucky Charms, two bowls and two spoons on the table.  As a house that rarely has sugar cereal they were over the moon thrilled with this find.  Mae quickly came down to see what the excitement was all about and jumped into a photo without being asked.  It was quite funny!

* Quinn wore the green beard all day long.  Removing that beard was ridiculously difficult!  The pain I inflicted on his poor little face to get that tape off was nothing short of torturing your own child.  He will never be putting something like this on his face again, thankfully we BOTH agree on that!

We are so LUCKY!

Green spider and Green worm did not spend the day on the shoulder, but that beard was worn for 8+ hours!

SNUGGLY MAE

After Mae stole one of Quinn's stuffed animals off his bed, we thought we should get her, her own stuffy.  This girl loves to snuggle and if we are not around she seemed to be turning to stuffy's in the house.  Introducing "MOO", Mae's very own stuffed cow!  Moo is very popular and Mae can often be found snuggling up to it or sleeping on it.  It's quite hilarious and adorable all at the same time.

She quickly grabbed "Moo" to take him outside on her backyard adventure.

Moo serves as a pillow when needed

Sometimes she just curls Moo into her neck.

She is snuggled up often!

FAMILY DAY WEEKEND

We spent a very cold family day weekend up on Sandy Lake with Grams and Claw.  This was Mae's first adventure to a cottage with us.  The boys loved some snow fort building, wanders on the lake and efforts to walk Mae.  Best of all, piling on Grampa and over taking his chair was great fun!