Sunday, September 23, 2012

Settling into the new fall routine

We are a few weeks into the school year now and the kids fall activities have all begun.  Not having rep hockey to contend with this year I fully expected the fall to be pretty relaxing bordering on boring but I have to say that is not the case at all.  I seem to have filled the time gaps that Ty's hockey took up last year.  I realize it's a bit of a problem I have - I can't seem to leave a free night free.  When I see a blank space on our monthly calendar I immediately begin to think of activities the kids could be doing to fill that time. So here is our fall schedule...

Sunday - Ty and Troy hockey
Monday- Vanessa horseback lessons, Troy swim lessons
Tuesday- Vanessa acro and Hip hop, Ty Judo
Wednesday- Ty hockey development
Thursday - Vanessa gymnastics, Ty Judo
Friday - FREE NIGHT (although I've been taking the kids public skating after school)
Saturday- Ty and Troy hockey

The difference between last fall and this fall is that this year our schedule is totally predictable.  What you see is what you get.  It is much easier to make plans with a schedule like this for example this weekend after the boys had hockey we were able to take the kids to see a movie (ParaNorman was a great little movie btw).  Also the kids were invited to 3 birthday parties this weekend and were able to attend all 3!  That did not happen often last year.

Troy and his best friend Adam are on the same team this year - this reminds me so much of when Ty and Adams older brother Ryan were on the same team at this age.  :) 
Ty was thrilled to start Judo this summer and was so proud when he earned his first stripe.
Vanessa is loving gymnastics - especially the shiny outfits she gets to wear.  She is already talking about competitive gymnastics...maybe next year.   
 The boys love picking Vanessa up from horseback riding lessons...

And here are my 3 little monkeys on their way to school one morning.  

This predictable fall/winter schedule will definitely take some getting used to but I'm hoping we can make the most of it. In the meantime the kids are enjoying a free Sunday evening outside.  

Wednesday, September 05, 2012

A few summer moments before heading back to school...

Its that time of year again... :)  I do love the fall, love that the kids start school and their new activities, love that the air smells crisp and fresh, love pulling out the fall clothes, shoes and boots,  love getting back to the arena to watch all my boys play hockey. Love apple picking, trips to the pumpkin patch, Halloween, not to mention my birthday... so much to look forward to.  
To wrap up the summer we were pretty busy with trips to the cottage, a wedding, trip to the African Lions safari, St. Jacobs... Here is a quick look at the rest of our summer.  It was a good one and went by very quickly but I always welcome the fall with open arms.   
Our annual August long weekend at the cottage


 Having fun at Dave & Lisa's Mexican themed wedding




 The kids had a blast with their grandparents, cousins & family friends back at the cottage mid August

 A Labour day weekend trip to the beautiful St. Jacobs 

 As always, Iain walks the kids to school for their first day.