Sunday, October 27, 2013

Catching up...

It's been a very long time since I've blogged.  Things have been busy but very good.  Zachary and Nicolas are adjusting well to school and are actually enjoying it.  They've made lots of new friends and are learning lots of French.  They are starting to speak it at home and are even teaching it to Charlie.  I have been able to volunteer at the school a few times and love that I have the flexibility and freedom to do so.  It has been so much fun to watch the kids in action at school.  It has also given me to the opportunity to talk to their teachers and get to know them.

Zachary is in the same class as his buddy Thomas down the street.  This was great for him since not only did he have a friend from the get-go, his friend is perfectly bilingual and can help him out in classs.  He is, however, having a bit of a harder time adjusting to this new normal.  He is easily frustrated these days and has a hard time accepting things when he doesn't get what he wants.  I think this is largely due to the fact that Nicolas is no longer as accommodating as he once was.  But he is slowly getting used to it.  His favorite days seem to be Fridays.  On that day, he has a gym teacher instead of his usual teacher and they do a lot more physical learning.  This is right up his alley.  His French comprehension is unbelievable but he is still pretty shy to speak it unless he is singing a song.

Nicolas, not knowing anyone in his class, spent the first week or so being very quiet.  He really had no one to talk to and spent a lot of time just listening.  This has helped tremendously with his French comprehension and he is speaking a decent amount at home.  He came home during the second week of school having made a new friend.  His name is Coby and he informed Coby of our address and told him he could visit any time.  From the moment he made this friend, Nicolas became a different person.  He is less shy and a lot more outgoing especially towards other children.  He is making so many friends and having a blast at school.

It is amazing how far they have both come.  They were terrified of school and they are now thriving!  We got back their first mini report card and the only sort of "negative" aspect was that they are so shy they are not really speaking in class.  I know this will come with time and for Nicolas it has already started somewhat.  They have also learned to ride two wheel bicycles without training wheels.  They are growing up so fast!


Zachary, Nicolas, Thomas and Coby at the Aquadome (a school activity):


Charlie is growing like a weed and almost no one believes me when I tell them he is not 2 1/2 yet.  He is so tall and speaking so well.  He repeats just about everything and is learning something new each day.  He is such a joy to be around.  I am really enjoying being alone with him for the first time in his life.  I get the feeling he is enjoying it as well.  The days go by quickly though.

He loves having the run of the roost (and the toys!) while the boys are at school.  But is quite happy to see them get off the bus at the end of the day.  He is no longer sitting in a high chair and no longer sleeps with a pacifier.  I am debating on putting him in a big boys bed soon but have not decided when.  He is more than able to handle it, I am just fearful that if he can get out, he will try to avoid nap time.  Even though he still needs his naps.  I am trying to take it all in since he is not going to be little for much longer.  The road to potty training will commence soon and then I will officially no longer have little boys.  I am happy for the new chapter but cannot believe how quickly it has gone by...


 

And finally my fantastic three little men...


Thursday, August 29, 2013

A New Era: School has started

Zachary and Nicolas went to school for the first time this morning.  I cannot believe that my little big boys are old enough to be starting kindergarten!

 
At the bus stop:

In front of the school:




We went to see some of the neighborhood kids get on the school bus this morning.  It also gave us the opportunity to meet their bus driver.  She seems like a wonderful lady and I have heard only good thing about her.  Since we (Steve and I) had to go to the school with them this morning, we drove Nicolas and Zachary to school.  We then headed into their classrooms and met their teachers.  We made a drawing for their lockers and hung it up.  We put all of their school supplies away.  Then it was time for them to head off with all the kids to go play in the cafeteria while we had meetings with their teachers about the curriculum and what was to be expected of them throughout the school year.  The boys were amazing and headed off like such big boys!  We were unbelievably impressed at how well they did.


Next we were off to Toys R Us to buy some new Lego to celebrate this big accomplishment and milestone.  Of course we had to pick Charlie up to come with us since he couldn't be left out.  The boys come home happy having had a very positive first experience at school.  Tomorrow they have their first half day.  I am dropping them off after lunch and they will be taking the bus home.

With their new Lego:

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Potty Time!

Charlie had a big milestone moment before bed tonight.  He peed on the potty for the first time!  I am so happy and proud of him!  Hopefully this is the start of our last effort at potty training in this house.  Maybe we have started the road to being a diaper-less house...

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Progress at the pool...

Zachary, Nicolas and Charlie have all started swimming lessons at our outdoor pool.  The water has been quite cold and the weather has not cooperated very much.  It's quite disappointing since they have been doing so well all year.

W took them to the pool tonight and played around in the water.  They both decided to try something they have never done before... I couldn't be more proud of them both...




Saturday, June 22, 2013

Vacation to Mont Tremblant 2013


We just got back from our 3rd annual family vacation to Mont Tremblant.  We stayed in the pedestrian village again and are so happy we did.  Here is the view of some of the upper part of the village form our balcony.



 There are so many activities to do with the kids.  They LOVE the mini-putt and the the luge.  We had fun at both of those activities many, many times.

 Here are the boys walking to the mini-putt.  They brought their own putters from home:

The boys on the mini-putt:

My favorite foursome!

Enjoying some time at the pool.  The boys discovered the Tarzan rope this year and we couldn't get them off it..






Steve showing the boys how to climb the rock wall...




The boys in the dune buggy...


Busters are enjoying the gondola ride to the summit:



We planned our trip to be there for Charlie's 2nd birthday.  The day started with a few gifts.  We had a fun filled day including Charlie's first ride on the luge.  He decided he wanted to have pizza for supper, so we did. They also decorated a cookie and had that instead of cake.  We ended up having the birthday cookie the day after his birthday since we went out for ice cream after the pizza on his actual birthday...



Enjoying a picnic lunch at the top of the mountain for Charlie's birthday:


Steve and I took the boys on a little hike in the woods to see a waterfall.  They loved it!  Hopefully next year they will be up to hiking a little bit father.  I managed to hike up to the summit on Wednesday in 80 minutes!  Here is a picture of my favorite men by the falls...


Here is Zachary/Daddy vs. Nico/Pop-I on the Luge.  I was supposed to be Nico's partner but on this run he opted for Pop-I instead.  So, I took pictures.  Mom-I was back at the hotel with Charlie while he was napping...
 


Our newest family picture...


Thursday, June 6, 2013

Fun outside

Here is some fun the boys had last weekend.  Nice to look back on on this rainy Thursday afternoon...  Hopefully the sun comes back soon.





Wednesday, June 5, 2013

What's new?

Well, things around here have been busy as usual.  We are coming off a little rough patch with Charlie.  He had a bit of a cold two weekends ago.  I was away from the Saturday to Sunday and when I got home on Sunday afternoon, it had gotten worse.  By the time we were getting ready to put him to bed on Sunday night, he was a lot worse.  So bad that I packed him up and headed to the emergency room of the hospital.  Thankfully it was a slow night and we were seen quickly.  He was having an asthma attack and he had pneumonia in his left lung.  So, after seeing the doctor, having an asthma treatment, some antibiotics and a chest x-ray, we were on our way home.  All in all it took just under 2 hours!  I was very pleased and happy to know my little man would be alright.  He has finished his round of antibiotics and seems to be no worse for wear.

Soccer has been going so well.  The second week of soccer was completely rained out.  No practice and no game.  But our third week was a huge success.  Zachary and Nicolas had a blast at soccer practice and did so well during the game.  They went out every time the coach called on them. They were even sitting on the sidelines anxiously awaiting their turn to play and asking if they could go out next.  The team is doing really well and has improved a lot since the first week.  Soccer really seems to be getting the boys our of their shell.  They sat on the sidelines with their teammates and were more than fine with us not be there with them!

Here are a few pictures from our latest soccer practice and game...

Zachary kicking the ball into play:

Nicolas with his new number and corrected name:

The team during half-time:

Getting a pep talk from Coach Babacar:

Nicolas kicking the ball:

Go Rottweilers!

Enjoying a well deserved popsicle after the game:

Some of the boys enjoying their popsicles after practice:

Charlie got a popsicle too!