The Beeton Fall Fair

When we finally saw Michelle, Marisol and Amelie at the end of August, Michelle suggested we go to the Fair again, and I readily agreed. Last year it was cool and rainy, this year it was sunny and so very hot!

The girls were so cute as we drove through Tottenham, Kate and Alice exclaiming at all of their memories. Ken dropped us off at the Fair entrance in Beeton and the girls marveled again at the park they used to go to. We were quickly met by the Tokarev's and Ken and in we went.

Michelle had picked up all day ride passes for the girls in advance to save money and the girls enjoyed going on ride, after ride after ride. We walked around and looked at calves and ponies and bunnies and chicks. Fiona went on a pony ride and seemed kind of nonplussed by it. Alice had a caramel apple and Fiona and Kate had a bag of cotton candy. Fun was had by all!

After we'd had more than enough fun at the fair we went to the Tokarev's. The girls love playing at Amelie and Marisol's house. They had so much fun playing outside and inside and us adults enjoyed chatting. I love talking to Michelle. Love. She is what I miss about Tottenham. It was so fun being around the corner. During the school year we sure didn't get to take advantage of it, but there was comfort nonetheless. 

The girls didn't want to leave. I love that they all get along and play so well together. Until the next time Tokarevs, and as always, thank goodness for Kindermusik!

The First Week of School

Last weekend I felt like a cat in a thunderstorm. I felt a little bit out of my skin. We had an amazing summer. I wasn't ready to go back to work. I'm never ready to go back to work. The kitchen was clean almost every night. The house was clean more often than it wasn't. I was an event planner, taking the girls from one fun thing to another. I was with my girls all summer! Who wouldn't want to live like that forever?

On labour day Ken gave all of us back to school blessings. They were lovely.

Wendy - I was blessed with mental and physical strength. I was blessed to find joy in my work. I was blessed with calm and patience with my children, that I would find my home to be a refuge. I was blessed with safety as I travel. (The last thing really made me weep. I travel far on the 401 every day. I felt the strength of that blessing immediately.)

Kate - She was blessed that her academic achievement would continue. That she would find new ways to learn, that she would be kind. She was blessed that she would find friends to share joy with.

Alice - She was blessed to be a joy to her class and family. She was blessed to be mindful that actions have consequences. She was blessed to enjoy the challenge of learning French, that she would make lots of new friends. She was blessed that her home will be her refuge.

Fiona - She was blessed to be brave, to not be afraid of going to school. She was blessed to love her teachers and her classmates, to be a light to her teachers and classmates. She was blessed not to be afraid, to take care of herself and always think of others. She was blessed to be healthy and happy.

Tuesday came, like it always does. Ken got the girls ready, took the back to school pictures and dropped them all off. They walked to school and Kate took off without saying goodbye when she saw her teacher. Alice was dropped off with her teacher in the gym. Fiona was handed over kicking and screaming to her teacher in the yard.

Kate's teacher is Mme DiClemente. Kate had her for music, drama, art, and health last year. Kate already loves Mme DiClemente, and Mme DiClemente already loves Kate! YAY! Kate is in a 3/4 split.

Alice's teacher for the first week of school was Mme Darnley in a 1/2 class. Alice had a really great first week. Yesterday after school Alice was given a note saying that on Monday she would be moved to a straight grade one class and her new teacher would be Mme Harvey. Alice was a little upset last night but she'll be great.

Fiona's teachers are Mrs. Marinero and Ms. Coulis. Mrs. Marinero is there replacing another teacher who is on maternity leave. Ms. Coulis is the DECE and has been at the school for five years. Fiona had a hard time with goodbye. Tuesday was awful, Wednesday was almost as bad. Thursday Ken didn't force her but gave her the illusion of choice, go to school or go to Daddy's office and do nothing all day long. Eventually she chose school and Ken signed her in at the office and handed her off to a support staff outside her classroom. On Thursday night I spoke to Ms. Coulis asking for help with the morning goodbye. Friday morning Fiona still had a few tears but she actually walked away from Ken into the yard.

It has already been a HUGE blessing for all three girls to be at the same school. Fiona has received comfort from her sisters in the after care program. They've enjoyed seeing each other randomly in the halls - walking back and forth to gym and other transitions. Alice and Kate even played with each other at recess on the first day. I am so, so thankful that they're all in the same school this year. It's going to be a great year. I am so thankful for our many, many blessings. I am so thankful to be a teacher. I am so thankful to be Ken's wife. And I'm so thankful to be the mother of these three amazing girls.