I feel so bad for not updating sooner.  Summer flew by and it ended up being crazier and difficult then we anticipated after the loss of a close friend.   Despite cancelling our big camping trip we managed to squeeze in a few small ones and still had a great time.  The weather was cooler but wonderful (in my opinion) and we got lots of quality time in.

School.  That's the biggest news on our end.  I still can't believe that my boy is in school.  It was very tough..for me.   I felt he wasn't real ready, that he was too little, that he was still my baby.  The first week I cried a lot.  Benjamin, on the hand, has been a rock star.  He had a few tears of apprehension the first couple days, but he adjusted...well.  The biggest obstacle has been the bathroom. Its a lot for these little guys to deal with.  He was nervous to ask to go and having accidents and also just to busy to remember to go.  It has slowly been getting better as time goes by..only the occasional one now.  He loves his teacher so much.  He is her little helper and he sticks pretty close to her side for most of the day.   She says he is just and amazing little boy, that makes me proud.  He even got the responsibility award at his monthly school assembly.  He's been a little cranky after school.   The first month was rough.  He was very tired when he got home and we all have bore the brunt of that.   But that too is slowly getting better.

Benjamin has also started skating lessons which is very exciting.  Dad definitely wants him to be the next Wayne Gretzky..I guess we'll just have to see.  He's also still working on swimming, which he loves too.

Other then that there isn't much else to report.   We have no appointments or anything going on.  He has been learning at a normal pace.  The teachers are all aware of his history and are keeping a close eye on him.  So far no concerns have come up.  I'm so thankful for that.   Christmas is coming fast which we are so excited about...our favorite time of year, but with the winter comes flu season.  I am definitely feeling some anxiety about Benjamin being in school now and all the germs the kids share.  Fingers crossed he can fight a lot of the germs off and come out in the spring unscathed.   This is on the top of my prayer list for sure.   We'll take it one day at a time.

Happy 4th Birthday

      4 years is shocking to me.  I cannot believe it has been 4 years since Benjamin made his hasty appearance.  I remember it so clearly for many reasons.   The journey from there to where we are today is incredible.  I can't stress enough God's goodness in it all.  His guidance daily still helps me through the tough days.  I thought as time passed the scary and sad memories would begin to fade, they haven't, but watching him grow, learn, play and experience life makes them less frequent.  I appreciate every minute I get to spend with him.   He teaches me new things every day and I love how he just absorbs everything around him.  He is funny and busy and crazy at times, but his love for me is pretty remarkable.  I know all kids love there mom's like crazy, but I definitely feel a different connection with him...almost like he knows how much I fought for him.
    The summer has officially started and I know its going to be a good one.   We have some camping trips planned, lots of day trips planned and a lot of down time just hanging out together as a family.  These next few months are the end of one chapter in our lives as in September Benjamin officially becomes a kindergartner.  This next chapter is super exciting and scary all at the same time.   I think he's going to do great in school, but it makes me a little sad that he's really not my baby anymore.   I'm going to miss him.
   Anyways, I hope your summer is safe and fantastic.  I know ours will be.

I feel bad it has been so long since I posted an update.  We are finally in full blown spring mode.  I love it.  The leaves are on the trees and we can finally get outside.  Benjamin is just taking it all in.  I cannot keep him inside if my life depended on it.  He is out there all the time.  Its wonderful.  It just makes everything much better.  I love watching him run, play and explore.  He loves going on "adbentures"  and is constantly pointing out new places as we drive where he think the next adventure could be.  Its amazing.  The past few months have been good.  Benjamin had three morning sessions at the school where he'll be going to kindergarten.   It has been so helpful.   When we went to register him for school we couldn't get him in the building, but yesterday at the last session he was sitting in the classroom between a bunch of future classmates eager to play.  It makes me feel so much better.  I still think full day kindergarten will be a big adjustment for him, but I know he'll love it and I'm looking to this new stage in my life.   I am apprehensive and a little sad, but also excited about having a little more freedom and time for me.

Its hard to believe that summer is approaching so quickly and so is Benjamin's fourth birthday.  It sounds so strange even saying it, Four!  Wow.

This summer is going to be a great summer.  Benjamin is at fantastic age now and I think camping is going to be a lot more fun and a lot less work then it has been.  We're venturing a little further up north this year with my cousins camping and I'm excited for the kids to canoe and swim small northern lakes as opposed to the great lakes.   Its definitely different camping then southern ontario camping.   We're planning lots of day trips as well.  Its going to be great.

We are loving life and enjoying every minute.

This winter has been incredibly cold and long.  We have been hibernating and not leaving the house unless its necessary.  I think everyone is feeling the winter blues right now especially because spring officially arrived last week, but temperatures tonight are around -20 with the windchill.

Things have been pretty calm around here.  Nothing major this winter in regards to illness.  We were supposed to take a family trip to Niagara Falls on Valentines weekend, but Benjamin did come down with a pretty good cold which kept us home.  He had a low grade fever and was super wheezy so I didn't want to risk being 2 hours from home and needing his asthma doctor or the ER.  Thankfully with his rescue inhaler and a dose of steroids at home we managed to muster through it without a visit to the hospital or doctor.   Anyways our trip has been rescheduled and I'm sure it will be great.

We officially registered Benjamin for school in February.  That makes me sad and excited all at the same time.   We decided to enroll him in the local English school for junior kindergarten and then move him to the girls French school for senior kindergarten to grade 8.  He seems pretty apprehensive at the idea of school, but I'm sure once he's there he will love it.  We have our first introduction to his school/class/teacher on Wednesday already so he'll get to see beforehand where he'll be going.  I'm sure that will cut back some of the anxiety over it all.

We added a new member to our family a few weeks ago.  The girls have been begging for a pet (another one) for a while so we finally caved and they bought a bunny.  His name is Oliver and he has been a great addition to our family.  Benjamin loves doting over him and really shows lots of love to him.  It's very sweet.

That's about it around here.   Spring is around the corner and finally getting out of the house and outdoors is what we all desperately need..its so close....

January is flying by...not without a little excitement.  We can officially register Benjamin for school NEXT WEEK!!  That is crazy.  It doesn't seem possible and it makes me want to cry.  I am an emotional person anyways and I think last year was the first year I didn't cry as the girls started school for another year (yes grade 4 and 5).  So in September when Benjamin has his first day of school I am guaranteed to be a disaster.  It can't me true, not yet, he's to young, I'm not ready :( .  But the reality of it is that he IS ready.  I know he'll love it.  He'll have so much fun and just thrive.  We haven't decided exactly where we are going to send him yet.  The girls are in French immersion which he isn't able to start until SK, but he can to JK at the local English public school.  Its not a great school and that's my only concern..but it would only be for 1 year. Or we could see if he would be accepted into a French first language school.   I am not fluent but have OAC French and can understand quite a bit and the girls speak it very well now.  So I think that could be an option as well.  I always have the option to not send him for JK and just have him start in SK.  We'll see.

Everyone has been super healthy in our house so far this winter (knock on wood).  We've had a great winter.  We've been having fun in the snow, building forts,  and even enjoying a couple of snow days.  I love winter, and so do the kids.  Its so fresh and beautiful.  We definitely aren't complaining when it comes to the cold.

Benjamin does not have any appointments in the near future which is great..we're gliding along nice and smooth and happy at this pace.  So that's about it for now.

Wow...almost 2014.  Its so hard to believe.  This last month has just flown by..with all the business and excitement of the season its bound to happen.  We have had an amazing Christmas season.   We decided early on to go with the idea of  "less is more" and it worked out beautifully.   The girls knew from the get go that we weren't going overboard.  For once we didn't have the dilemma of where we were going to put the excess of toys and "stuff" they received.  It was perfect.   We snuggled and watched movies or read books about Christmas time and just ignored the madness outside.  Benjamin had a blast this year.  Just watching him get so excited about Santa,decorating, wrapping presents was amazing.  Watching him experience it all was just fascinating.   I stepped back a number of times just to watch him..what a blessing.  

We're planning on having a low key New Years eve at home with the kids and close friends.  I'm really looking forward to that.  Its going to be great.  I am just so content with life right now.  I feel so overwhelmed by the blessings.  I know that 2014 is going to bring about great things for my family.   I'm just looking forward to every minute of it.  It also comes with big changes as Benjamin is old enough to start kindergarten in September.  That is a crazy thought....Hopefully it doesn't come to fast :) .

I can't believe that we're already into November.  Its shocking to me....and a little sad to see the warm weather turn cold.  But things have been great here.   Busy as usual, but so good.   We had a fabulous Thanksgiving and Halloween.  The kids had so much fun...and we spent a lot of good quality time together.   This past weekend we spent in Toronto at the Royal Winter fair.  We had a blast.   We have never been and it was a great experience.   I definitely recommend it if you haven't been.  Benjamin is at the age now where its easier to do these things.  He was such a good boy.  Just having a nice family weekend away was great.  I am so thankful for that.

Not to much new is happening around here now...We're gearing up for Christmas.  We're taking a much more humble approach to Christmas this year.  One or two small gifts and focusing more on what we can do as family building memories that the kids will have forever.  I think about my childhood and the things that really stand out.  I don't remember any of the gifts I got...I remember the traditions we had.  When I was a little girl we would go to church on Christmas Eve and then go to Victoria park and see the lights.  I loved that.  I also remember my grandma's perfect table setting, that she had us help her with...and Christmas crackers.  We always had sausage rolls and pineapple juice in little wine glasses.  I love those memories and really want my kids to have similar ones.  Our focus is on family...and Jesus.  I feel so excited about this Christmas and the blessings that are going to come from it.

Anyways here are a few pics from the last month or so around here.