Jr Regional Cross Country Meet

Emma has been training like crazy for her very first race - the Jr Regional Cross Country School Meet - and she's been loving every minute of it. The race was October 6th at the Terry Fox Center in Ottawa and the day was . . . well . . . wet! It was pouring out and cold, but it didn't stop the kids!

There were about 200 participants in the age 9 girls group.

The girls from Emma's school getting ready to start (and soaked at the same time!)

Just finished the hills and now heading into the wooded area.

Coming out of the woods and onto the track for the last 100 meters - Emma's #13 in the black

The finish line is in site and wow - she sure sprinted hard for the last bit!!!

Emma - 21st place in 200!!!

Emma enjoyed herself (and the day off of school) and can't wait to race again, so it looks like we're going to be finding some more kids' marathons and cross country races that she can participate in. It's a blast watching how much fun she has and how she pushes herself to her limits with sports . . . she'll be one to keep an eye on in the future!!!

Classroom Showcase

Last night Braden took all three kids to school for their Classroom Showcase. They each had a chance to show off their new classrooms, introduce their teacher to Daddy & show what they've been doing so far. This was Navia's very first time being able to take her Daddy to school and she was soooooo excited. When she woke up she ran to tell him that today was the day!!!

I was working so I couldn't go, which was hard, but at least Brade was able to take off early from work. I sent them with the camera and it looks like Navia must have been the photographer because this is the only non-fuzzy picture . . .

It's nice to have a picture of Navia with her teacher, Mr. Jamieson. Next time I'll see if I can make the photographer a bit older than 4 and see if the pictures come out a bit clearer - hehehe!

The one part that I didn't mind not being there for was the Book Fair . . . talk about hectic with 3 kids running around telling you what they want, while tons of other kids are doing the same thing with their parents . . . ug! Isn't Brade such a good dad to take the kids there all by himself!!!

Oops!

This morning I was cleaning up my desk and I had the special cover on a scrapbooking blade, I just needed to take it out from the holder - and that's when I made my big mistake . . . the blade needed to be pulled out by the safety cover, but instead I pulled it sideways, taking the cover off and slicing my finger. Ouch!!!

So I quickly wrapped it up and went to my doctor to see if I needed stitches and well . . . I cut it pretty bad, but I also sliced it all under my nail, making stitches impossible. So, after having it wrapped up and a 'wonderful' tetanus shot (reminder - always remember when your last one was otherwise they just automatically give you one - ug!) I came back home and can't even type on the computer properly. Teaching tonight will be interesting, but playing this weekend at church, well . . . hopefully by then it will be closed up properly and won't be a problem. Pray hard!!!

Oh, and on a side note Brade is limping around due to a swollen foot/ankle. He needs to get an x-ray and we'll see what is going on. No more running for him for a while.

On a happier note (for Brade & the kids) tonight the kids get to take Daddy to their school's Student Led Conference where they show their classrooms, have a presentation & show what they've been up to already at school. They can't wait & Brade is able to take off early from work to see it. Me, on the other hand, well - I'll be working. Yep - it's the first event of the year that I will be missing . . . more to follow I'm sure. I'm just glad that at least their Dad can be there. Hopefully he'll take pictures so that I can see and then I can show you too!!!

Emails & Cross Country

This week has been an exciting week for Emma. Yesterday she stayed after school to try-out for her first team sport - the school's 'cross country' running team. She had a blast and can't wait 'til the next training days - Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30 - 4:00!!!

And another first . . . well . . . our little girl got her own email address!!! We've been putting this off for 2 years now, but decided that if she follows the rules that we've given her concerning it she could have one. Little did we know that she wanted to be able to email Dad at work and other family members. She's been having fun, although her typing skills aren't what they could be right now, so if you get an email from her remember - it took her a LONG time to type it so ANSWER her!!! (that's the protective mom talking - hehehe!)

Another first...

This morning Braden got up early and Emma and him headed of to ReChurch to help set up . . . and . . . practice electric guitar with the band!

Yep - Braden played electric guitar for the first time with a band at church this morning and he did really well. The guys had fun playing with him and it's going to be something that he keeps on doing. He'll still be leading worship (about once a month) on his acoustic guitar, but a few other Sunday's he'll join the other bands on electric. He's enjoying it and it was cool to see him up there and hearing what a great job he did!

I guess it's just a wknd of firsts for him!!!

It took two years but . . .

Braden finally caught his first real fish (his second in 2 years, but the first with a picture) This morning Braden & the kids went fishing and they each caught one fish, but Daddy caught the biggest!!! They forgot the camera so brought it back to the house to take a picture and then Brade released it (good thing we live so close to the river!!!)

Notice the fish's mouth . . . it's a carp . . . a bottom feeder . . . which means it isn't for eating - yay for me!!! I like getting my fish already dead & skinned from the store :)

First Day of School

Kaleb, Emma & Navia getting ready to walk to school

Well - the day has come when all THREE kids have gotten up early to get ready for school!!! Yep - Navia had her first day of school today and all 5 of us walked together - and then only 2 of us came back to the house!

This year all the kids are in class splits - I guess that's what happens when you put your child in the English programs and not the French ones out here - kinda frustrating, but what can you do? Kaleb is in Grade 2 in a Grade 2/3 class, Emma is in Grade 4 in a Grade 4/5 split and Navia is in Junior Kindergarten in a Junior/Senior Kindergarten split.

Navia's first day at school - Junior Kindergarten!!!

Aren't they cute?!?!!!

Mommy & Navia waiting on the white line for her teacher, Mr. Jamieson, to bring them into their JK/SK classroom.

And then Navia came home after her first morning in school on the bus - another first!!!

According to Navia, the first day of Junior Kindergarten was . . .

"... cool! I did finger-punching, and played with baby dolls & legos and big balls! I played with a girl and boy but forgot to ask names." It's really cute - she wants to go to school "every single day, but on the bus this time!". So tomorrow I will take Navia to the bus and Kaleb and Emma will walk to school by themselves.

Fall has officially begun!!!