Gymnastics Graduation

Hannah completed another session of recreational gymnastics at our local gym and as always enjoyed her time.  I had changed her lesson to an evening class so that she could be back with Coach Alla and it was a good decision.  Alla is a great coach who pushes Hannah to do better which is something she needs.  She did so well and all of her skills progressed this term.  We’ll take the summer off and then she’ll go back in September.

Way to go Hannah!  Mommy is very proud of you!

Hannah was excited to be in this session with her good friend Riley!  (I was thankful to have her Mom Melanie to visit with each Monday evening too.)  I’m thankful for the friendship Hannah and Riley continue to share even though they are in different classes at school this year.  They’ll be back together in gymnastics next September and we’re hoping at school too!

Gymnastics Graduation

Hannah enjoys attending a recreational gymnastics class at a local gym.  I enjoy watching her and seeing her progress.  She may never be an Olympian but that’s fine with me, I’m just happy to see her active and pursing improving her skills!

She looks like an Olympian, doesn’t she?!!

Hannah with Coach Sammy.

Congrats Hannah!  Mommy is proud of you!

My Gymnastics Girl!

Hannah took a year off of gymnastics to try baton but was excited to go back to gymnastics in July.  I could see such changes in her after the year off!  She was that much older and stronger and more focused too.  Even the way she carried herself showed more maturity. 

Last week at graduation we were able to watch from inside the gym which is a rare treat.  Normally we’re in the parent’s viewing area where window space is tough to get so I enjoyed my time in the gym.   Unfortunately I have yet to figure out what camera and setting to use to get good pictures.  The majority of them ended up like this!  Seriously?!?!   Must work on that for next time!

Anyway, videos were more successful.  Hannah’s tumble track time

and back hip pullover on the bars.  Her coach was really impressed by how much this skill progressed during the term and how close Hannah is to being able to do it completely on her own!  Pretty good for 6 in recreational gymnastics.

Hannah with Coach Jenn.

You did so well Hannah and Mommy is so proud of you!  I’m excited to cheer you on again this fall at gymnastics!

Graduation Day Photo Shoot

The night of Hannah’s SK Grad Hannah we had fun with a little photo shoot.  So grown up!

We started off serious but pretty quickly the silliness set in!

Mommy, what happened to your head??

My SK Grad ready for Grade 1!

Last Day of JK

How could it be that today was already Hannah’s final day of JK??!!

Wasn’t it just yesterday that Mom and I were dropping her off for her very first day of ‘big girl school?’

I hadn’t realized how much my sweetie’s face had changed over the year until I saw these pics side by side.  She lost much of her baby face and it’s really matured.  *sigh!*

Hannah had an amazing teacher this year and I cannot express how thankful I am to her for all she taught Hannah!  I had the awesome privilege of helping in Hannah’s classroom 1 morning every 3 weeks and I cherished those mornings!  I was able to see Hannah learning, growing, interacting with her classmates and teachers.  This is an opportunity few parents get and I was so thankful for it!

Mrs. C. taught Hannah and the others how to problem solve rather than solve the problems for them.  She would ask them leading questions that caused them to think about resolutions to problems.  This is a skill Hannah and her classmates will be able to use for the rest of their lives! 

Being in a classroom with 21 4-6 year olds you know things don’t always run smoothly and yet never once did I hear Mrs. C or Miss H raise their voices.  They got their points across in a calm manner that still conveyed the message required.  What a gift to have teachers who knew how to commandeer a situation in a loving, caring manner and calmly resolve a situation.  Another lesson the children learned without really knowing they were learning it!

The skill I’m most excited about Hannah learning from Mrs. C in JK is the beginnings of reading!  It is so exciting to see Hannah pick up books that I have read to her and she begins to read them to herself and then ask for help as needed!  Last week as we drove across the city she read a long book out loud and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing!  I love this new world that is opening up to Hannah and Mrs. C is responsible for starting this in her.  Thank you Sharon!!!  Hannah and I now read on a daily basis and not only has her interest grown in reading herself but she is also enjoying me reading our first chapter book to her.  We are enjoying ‘Little House in the Big Woods’ and she asks me to read it to her almost daily.

Hannah and Mrs. C – an amazing teacher who has given Hannah the foundations of learning that she will use for the rest of her life!!

Sharon, Hannah is taking on your love of books and reading and for this and many, many…many other reasons I want to say Thank You! 

Hannah was also blessed to have a great Early Childhood Educator (ECE) teacher in her class.  Miss H is a sweet teacher who enhances what Sharon teaches and shares a lot of time with the kids too.  I would often see and hear her working with the children in circle time and encouraging them to share of their experiences and also what they were learning.  The other special part of Hannah’s relationship with Miss H was that she was the one who welcomed her to the school each morning as Hannah arrived on the bus and was the one who cared for her after school until the bus arrived and then made sure she boarded it safely.  Toni, thank you for all you’ve taught and meant to Hannah this year!

Mrs. C and Miss H are an amazing team and Hannah was so blessed to have them both this year!

As I dropped Hannah off this morning I fought the tears and then as I arrived to pick her up at the end of the day they were there again.  Even though Hannah doesn’t realize it at this time, I know that today was a huge day in her little life!  A day when my baby girl went from being a JK to being a JK grad and now ready for SK!!!

I am forever thankful that at Hannah’s school they see consistency as important.  We are both super excited that not only will Hannah have Mrs. C and Miss H for her teachers again next year (Woot!  Woot!!!) but, the 10 other JK kiddos she shared the classroom with her will also be together as the SK children who will guide, share and welcome the new group of JK kiddos who will join there classroom in September!

Have a great summer Mrs. C and Miss H!  We’ll see you in September for another amazing year of learning, growing and experiencing new adventures together!!  We love both of you!

Gymnastics Graduation June 2014

Hannah just completed her 2nd Session of 5 & 6 yo Girl’s Gymnastics and I can see her skills steadily progressing.  It’s not unusual for Hannah o lose interest in an activity after one or two sessions (In our home if you start a session, you finish the session even if you lose interest) but so far gymnastics is  one of the few activities that she’s enjoyed for an extended period of time.  Hannah has been taking recreational gymnastics for 3 1/2 years now and other than taking a break each summer, she attends classes each Saturday morning September through June.

It is neat to see her having fun with the other girls in her class and working on her skills.  Hannah is working hard on slowing herself down and concentrating on her skills.  Love her little face concentrating in this video and the sweet smile even when she needs to climb up and try again. 

My cute little monkey just hanging out.

Hannah with Coach Sydney.  She had her both terms this year and she loved her.  Sydney was a great coach!  Hope she is her coach again in September!

Congratulations Hannah!  I love to watch you doing something you enjoy so much!

PS – Hannah’s adorable Minnie Mouse gymnastics outfit was a gift from our friends Liz and her DD Ava.  Thanks so much Liz!  It fits her perfectly and she looks adorable in it!!

The Puzzler

Hannah visits with Mom and Dad on Thursday evenings while I teach piano at home.  Last night when Mom and Hannah got to the house dad was working on a puzzle.

Hannah walked over to check out what he was doing and he mentioned that there was an unusually shaped piece that he couldn’t find while he pointed to the gap.  Hannah looked around the table for a bit, reached across dad and then popped this piece into place.

Mom called me at work laughing telling me about it while Hannah found another piece and put it in too!  Heh. 

The puzzle?  Check it out.  1000 pieces of van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’.

Probably beginners luck but it still makes for a great memory! 

Dad called me at work this morning and asked what time Hannah’s lunch was.  He was wondering if he could sign her out so that she could go help him with is puzzle? 

Hannah’s Gymnastics Graduation

Another term has drawn to a close at gymnastics so Hannah had her graduation ceremony last Saturday.  She has been taking gymnastics for more than 2 years now and still really enjoys it so I’ll continue to enrol her as long as she does.

Flashback to Gymnastics Graduation June 2011.  Little cutie!

We also had a graduation in January of this year but well…ummm…you can probably tell why I didn’t have enough pics for a post.

Everyone can have a rough day but it was all good before we left.  Love you, my little gymnast!

Such a Beautiful Graduate

Last Thursday we celebrated Rebecca’s Grade 8 graduation.  Where has the time gone?  I was blessed beyond measure to be invited into the delivery room when she was born and she grabbed hold of my heart with her first cry and has held on to it  since then.  We share a special relationship and I love her like crazy!

Wednesday she invited me to go on a grad field trip to see The Wizard of Oz with she and her class.  We had a lot of fun together shopping at The Eaton Centre in Toronto and then going to the theatre.   I wasn’t sure what it would be like following 6 teens around the mall but they were awesome and we had a lot of fun together!

Thursday evening was so fun as I was now familiar with her classmates and could enjoy cheering for each of them as they crossed the stage.  I’ll be honest though, my loudest cheers and heart were all for one special girl.  Our Bec Bec!!

She graduated with honours and was also the recipient of the French Award.  (I’ll keep this in mind when Hannah moves into French Immersion in Grade 1 since Mommy doesn’t remember much French at all.)

After the ceremony Hannah found her Bec Bec to give her flowers.

Hannah and Rebecca share a special bond and as funny as it may sound, they have a great time hanging out together.  I think these pictures speak volumes.

Rebecca’s teacher was wonderful! 

Many of us went to celebrate this special occasion with Bec.  Her dad, my brother Ken.  The rest of the family was there too but I didn’t get an opportunity to snap a picture of them all together.

Grandma and Grandpa

Tor.  The girls became friends as babies and their friendship has stood the test of time.  I’m really glad they’ll be back in the same school next year!

Auntie Cathy.  So proud of our girl!!

The evening ended (for the family anyway) with the traditional first dance with Dad but this one ended up being a family affair.    So much love for one little girl!

A teasing post with Daddy.

Younger brother Keenan dancing under duress.

Grandpa.  I have a picture like this of Dad and I dancing at my Grade 8 graduation.  How neat that Rebecca has this privilege too!

Rebecca, You are a beautiful girl inside and out and we are all blessed to know you and be your family!  All the best in high school!!  WE LOVE YOU!!!