The boys and myself have been very sick this winter. We've had multiple pneumonias, ear infections, sinus infections, strep throat and asthma attacks. We ended up at the Montreal Children's Hospital twice but thankfully the boys are all healthy right now.
The spring is upon us even though the temperature outside is not showing it. Hopefully the weather will warm up before next weekend since the Zachary and Nicolas are having their first birthday party with their friends on Saturday. It should be lots of fun!
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Charlie in a big boy's bed...
Well, it's finally done. Charlie's bed was transitioned from his crib to his toddler bed this morning. Zachary happily helped me take off one of the sides and put up the rail. Charlie had his first nap in it this afternoon with no issues. He went to bed like a champ and I even had to wake him up. He was quite proud to crawl out of his bed by himself. The next step will be to get him out of diapers and I will officially no longer have babies in this house.
Zachary was so excited that Charlie is now in a big boy bed. He wanted to check on him during his nap. This is what we found...
Zachary was so excited that Charlie is now in a big boy bed. He wanted to check on him during his nap. This is what we found...
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Super Dave...
Super Dave is what the boys call our very good friend and neighbor that lives across the street. Zachary and Nicolas have been calling him that since they could talk and it was one of the first name that Charlie spoke (long before he said Mama)! He loves the name and deserves the title! He has played and continues to play such an important, daily role in the boys' lives. The name is so appropriate that even Steve and I have a hard time not calling him that when the kids are not around!
Super Dave makes a skating rink in his backyard every winter and has been do so for quite a few years now. Since the boys are just learning how to skate this year, it has been a great place for them to go and practice. There have been many skating sessions and hockey games played over there this winter.
A week ago, Steve volunteered to go skating with the kids at school. They started going in January and went every Tuesday afternoon (as long as the weather cooperated). The first time they went, Zachary and Nicolas could barely stand up alone on skates. But, with the practice they were getting at Super Dave's, they improved tremendously over the course of a few weeks. This did not go unnoticed by their respective teachers. Nicolas' teacher commented to Steve on the amazing progress in Nicolas' skating. Steve responded by talking about all the practice they had been getting at Super Dave's. The teacher then looked at Steve puzzled which prompted him to explain who Super Dave was... The teacher explained to Steve that she had been hearing a lot about Super Dave from Nicolas. However, she did not realized that Super Dave was a person. She thought that he was Nicolas' imaginary friend!
Super Dave makes a skating rink in his backyard every winter and has been do so for quite a few years now. Since the boys are just learning how to skate this year, it has been a great place for them to go and practice. There have been many skating sessions and hockey games played over there this winter.
A week ago, Steve volunteered to go skating with the kids at school. They started going in January and went every Tuesday afternoon (as long as the weather cooperated). The first time they went, Zachary and Nicolas could barely stand up alone on skates. But, with the practice they were getting at Super Dave's, they improved tremendously over the course of a few weeks. This did not go unnoticed by their respective teachers. Nicolas' teacher commented to Steve on the amazing progress in Nicolas' skating. Steve responded by talking about all the practice they had been getting at Super Dave's. The teacher then looked at Steve puzzled which prompted him to explain who Super Dave was... The teacher explained to Steve that she had been hearing a lot about Super Dave from Nicolas. However, she did not realized that Super Dave was a person. She thought that he was Nicolas' imaginary friend!
The boys
Here is just a cute picture of the boys I took this morning. Zachary and Nicolas are on Spring Break this week. We are enjoying just hanging out and relaxing. They have been in such good moods and have been a blast to be around. Hopefully this continues throughout the week...
Sunday, March 2, 2014
A winter of antibiotics... and fun!
Well, we've spent a good part of this winter on antibiotics. It all started with Charlie and Nicolas having pneumonia in November and continued on from there. Nicolas has not only had pneumonia but also an ear infection and strep throat. Charlie also had strep, hives and a few colds. Zachary seemed to be the healthiest of the bunch only having had strep. Both Steve and I battled sinus infections and I also came down with a terrible case of strep. We all seem to be much better and hopefully our household can stay healthy for a while.
We had a wonderful holiday season filled with lots of fun and time with family and friends. The boys got everything they wanted and stated it was "the best Christmas ever!"
We headed down to the Great Escape Lodge at the end of January and again this year had a blast. The boys are older now and were happy to play on all the slides and swam like champs. Charlie also had a much better time since he was able to do so much more. Next year will be even better...
As part of Nicolas and Zachary's Christmas present from us, we got to take them to a Montreal Canadiens game during family day. The boys made signs for the event and we went all dressed in our Habs t-shirts. They had an amazing time! The only disappointment came when the game was over and the Habs didn't win.
All three boys are amazing as usual. Zachary and Nicolas are almost perfectly bilingual and they are loving school. Charlie is learning some French at home and is enjoying his alone time. He is growing like a weed and is SO tall! His vocabulary is through the roof. No one ever believes me when I tell them he's only 2 1/2 years old.
Well, here we are all happy healthy. Hope everyone out there is doing well... I will try to get back to writing more regularly...
We had a wonderful holiday season filled with lots of fun and time with family and friends. The boys got everything they wanted and stated it was "the best Christmas ever!"
We headed down to the Great Escape Lodge at the end of January and again this year had a blast. The boys are older now and were happy to play on all the slides and swam like champs. Charlie also had a much better time since he was able to do so much more. Next year will be even better...
As part of Nicolas and Zachary's Christmas present from us, we got to take them to a Montreal Canadiens game during family day. The boys made signs for the event and we went all dressed in our Habs t-shirts. They had an amazing time! The only disappointment came when the game was over and the Habs didn't win.
All three boys are amazing as usual. Zachary and Nicolas are almost perfectly bilingual and they are loving school. Charlie is learning some French at home and is enjoying his alone time. He is growing like a weed and is SO tall! His vocabulary is through the roof. No one ever believes me when I tell them he's only 2 1/2 years old.
Well, here we are all happy healthy. Hope everyone out there is doing well... I will try to get back to writing more regularly...
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...
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:
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:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)