Summertime and the SD Clan

There's been a lot of activity happening with the SDs since our Christmas update and I've committed to doing a better of job of updating more than just once a year...so here we go...

The school year finished off on a high note for Ethan, Liam and Rae.

This year, we decided to keep the boys in separate classrooms and while the impetus wasn't ours in setting that up, it could not have worked out better. Liam was in Mrs. Jacques class...



...and Ethan was in Mrs. Macmillan's class.

Both boys absolutely thrived in JK this year and I think being in separate rooms not only helped out their teachers a lot, but it gave them an opportunity to be treated as real individuals, not just "twins"!! Another boon for the boys being in different rooms was that they got to interact with others without the influence of their brother to be a distraction for them. This turned into a (literally) winning situation for us when I shared on the Today's Parent website a story (see entry #5) about Ethan and how he treated a developmentally challenged boy in his JK class (we walked away with a great shopping cart and treats for the household).

For Liam and Ethan, their sight word recognition far surpassed the Board's expectations of JK students and we just loved getting home pictures that showed how well their storytelling and writing was coming along. Each night they take turns reading stories to Victor and I as part of their bedtime routine and I am amazed how well they can work through difficult or unknown words by sounding them out and using their phonics skills. I have no fears about how well they'll both do as they continue on in school. We're really looking forward to SK in September!

The boys' daycare, Anne Hathaway Day Care, is also an incredibly special place for Ethan and Liam. They've been going there since they were 2 years old and as the Director told us one day, the day that the boys leave it will be the end of an era for them. This upcoming school year will be the last for the boys at Anne Hathaway Daycare and I know that I will sorely miss this place. The boys are also in separate classrooms at daycare and when they switch rooms, boy do their teachers notice!! My favourite picture of the boys from this year was by Lori-Anne Franklin of Laf's Professional Photography from when she visited the daycare and took classroom pictures there too.

I loved hearing the story of how the picture took place from Liam's teacher Doris. She shared with me about how just before Lori-Anne took this shot, Ethan had grabbed Liam and licked him! She laughed so hard when telling me this story and I just relish how much Tara & Nancy and Doris & Louise obviously love my boys.

***

Rae had a strong finish to the school year and once again, found herself going to WOSSA for badminton and tennis this year. More often than not, Rae finds herself in the local newspaper. We generally only subscribe to the local paper, The Beacon Herald, during Rae's sports seasons as we've learned the hard way that there have been too many times when people have stopped us or commented on her picture in the paper only to have us not see it!

My favourite comment was from Rae this year when she shared with me that the paper's photographer came up to her one day and said, "Rae, could you please spell your last name, I always get it wrong!"; as she said, it's a good sign when the paper's photographer is on a first name basis with you! :)




Rae's certainly not just a super jock though, as she proved when she attended the Northwestern HS prom this year. Stunner. Rae's a young woman (which is freakin' me out some days!!) who lets her natural beauty shine through. She certainly doesn't need a whole gob of makeup or trashy dresses to turn heads. Mind you, the reality is also that she was crowing "Muuuummmm!!!!!" as I took some shots of her before she left; in that way, she's totally typical!



Back to JOCK status though, in May Rae did an awesome job with her team the Stratford Revolution when they came in fourth overall in the province in their division. Even though the tournament happened over Mother's Day weekend, I was really proud to watch her and her teammates play.

More basketball for Rae and her friends as they entered the NBA 3on3 tournament in London and took GOLD in the Youth Girls 16-18 division!! This was the second year in a row that the team medalled as they earned a silver the year before. Through blazing sun, a touch of heat stroke, little shade and lots of great competition, the girls kicked it and had a great time! Thanks to Paige, Ashley, Julia and Inge for sharing in such a great weekend with Rae. The S.Dot Ballas rocked it!

Last note on basketball (for this half of the year anyway)...Rae recently completed a four day intensive basketball program at the University of Waterloo run by Point Guard College. I was duly impressed with the instructors, directors and program put on by this organization. I have seen Rae already utilize some of the life skills that they taught them during the camp which is impacting her personally and us at home as well, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how her game improves when she's back on the court with her teammates come September. Can you tell that Rae is focused on playing ball at University in a couple of years and then the WNBA?!...

As Aunt Gail and Uncle Mike and Meme and Pepe know, Rae has been going to Camp Celtic in Lion's Head for the last five years. The reason they know so well is that we often rely on them to help us either drop her off or pick her up from camp as it's a 3 hour trip from Stratford and makes for a long day when we're turning that trip around in one day. Last year, Alyssa joined Rae at Camp Celtic for the first time and I dare say that her tears at the end of their session showed just how much she loved the experience too. This summer, Rae has been given a great honour by being asked by the Camp Director, Lumpy, to pilot a new portage program from Kilarney to Lion's Head this year. She and seven other hand picked LITs (Leaders in Training) will be determining if this is a viable trip to offer campers next year. I am just so grateful that we found a place that gives her amazing experiences, true friends and great opportunities to stretch her skills and her talents in ways that she's never tried before. She may be mad that we're heading to Newfoundland at the same time that she's camping, but I've little doubt that she wouldn't want to miss that canoe trip experience for anything.

***
Victor and I both had really successful volleyball seasons this year as both of our respective teams won the championships for our divisions! It was a lot of fun having us both singing "We Are the Champions" on the same night...

This spring and summer, I'm still docenting at the Gallery Stratford as well as sitting on the Board as a Trustee for the Gallery. I really love the people and the work so far this year, although it's certainly early days yet.

One thing that has been really new for me this year has been my volunteering as a Friend of the Festival for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. I volunteer as a greeter for the main Theatre Store and as a concierge for the Avon Theatre. I love the people watching and being a part of such a great organization.

***

We've done a bunch of work on the house this spring and summer; we had the garage and front steps and porch painted and we're awaiting our new windows that will come in mid-August. It's going to be really wonderful to finally have a huge door in our dining room that will look out to the backyard and give us a year round view of the best part of our property.

Victor also did an incredible job creating a playground oasis for the boys in the backyard. With three loads of mulch, he sectioned off the backyard and created a safe place for the boys and their friends to play complete with a fort, mini-trampoline, ball pit, sandbox as well as the existing swing set...next step will be completing the see saw. We certainly don't need to head to the park when we've got our own in the backyard! I'll post pics of that soon too...

***

So, you read it right! Victor, Ethan, Liam and myself will be joining our best friends Jason and Brian and driving out to Newfoundland this summer. We're leaving July 31st, heading to St. John's for a taste of the George St. Festival with my friend Tyler from my Netcommie days and then we'll be spending a few days in Colliers visiting with Jason and Brian's family before we head to Gros Morne for another few camping days. We're really excited about doing the trek, just not so excited about not having a cabin for the 17 hour ferry ride from North Sydney to Argentia. Ahhh well, an adventure nonetheless!! I'll definitely post an update once we return.

Well, that's about it for now...pics of the updated changes to the house and our trip to Newfoundland...happy summer everyone!