Karate Classes

Matthew attended his first karate class this week. He loved it, so at the end of the class we bought him a uniform (which comes with one free month of classes).
The classes focus on self-discipline, strength building, safety, memory skills and lots of fun!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Happy 70th Birthday Uncle Jack!

We had a great time at Uncle Jack's birthday party this afternoon. The boys got to eat cake and other goodies, play with  Joey and Logan, and see lots of other family including Grandma and Grandpa and  Auntie Sammy.
Matthew is looking forward to visiting Uncle Jack soon and playing some Wii with him.

Happy Halloween!

It has been a full weekend of Halloween fun. Friday we went to the Fall Fun Fest at school. Lots of games, a crawling maze, a cake walk, and lots of Matthew's kindergarten friends. Saturday we carved pumpkins and practiced wearing our costumes. Finally Sunday - TRICK-OR-TREATING! The rain held long enough for my monsters to run around our neighbourhood until they were too tired to keep going (about 7:45pm). Matthew dressed as Sully from Monsters Inc. and Michael was Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc. Such adorable monsters!

Birds of Prey

It has been a LONG time since I posted. Since my last post Matthew has started kindergarten, I have a new teaching position and Michael turned 2! Matthew's new kindergarten teacher is amazing! I am lucky enough to volunterr in the class most Tuesdays. They have been studying crows and birds of prey. They even had a Harris Hawk and a North American Kestrel come visit their class.

Matthew was a little scared to stand so close to the screeching birds.

Go CANADA!

Today was a day full of Olympic sights. Just shortly after breakfast we saw the torch run past our house.

Then I took Matthew to school with me. Our whole school walked to Burnaby Village Museum to see the torch pass through there.

Finally we had Dale Walters (Bronze medal winner - Boxing Bantam weight in the 80's and dad of one of the Gilpin students) and Shawn O'Sullivan (Gold Medal winner for boxing in the 80's) visit our school.

Matthew and I even had a chance to hold a torch that was part of the relay on Wed. Feb 10th.

Michael also got to hold a torch (they were handing them out in the morning when we saw the torch in the dark.) Every time he holds it up high he cheers like he heard everyone cheer this morning. Too cute.

I can't wait to see the Opening Ceremonies now. One more day!

Using the Potty!

Well, we have had a busy holiday season and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. But in the midst of all the bustle Michael has decided to potty train. Out of the blue he pulled me into the bathroom, said "Pee." Then when I out him on the toilet he actually peed and poohed! Yeah, Michael! Since that first occassion he has asked 2 more times with results both times. Could we be diaper free before two?

Santa's haircut

This whole Santa business can get tricky - and Matthew is only 4! We were sitting admiring our new Santa photo when Matthew asks me why Santa's beard was so short this year and more grey than silver. I claimed that I didn't notice any difference, so he went a got last year's photo to show me. Sure enough, last year Santa had a (fake) long, luxurious silver beard. This year Santa's beard was grey, shorter and much coarser (and real!)

I quickly explained to Matthew that just like everyone else, Santa needs to trim his hair and he must have done it recently. As for the silver/grey discrepancy I think he forgot about it while we were discussing Santa's haircut. Good thing too because I'm not sure what I would say.

If you have any suggestions let me know - the topic is likel to come up again knowing Matthew.