Left Coast Mama » Firsts

The First Week of School

Gwen — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 05:05:42 +0000

This is the first week of firsts for our household. This week we don’t have an afternoon kindergartner, we have a full day grade 1 student in the house. This graduation to full day has made some distinct changes to our family routine, especially in the mornings. Aidan now needs to get up and actually get moving in the mornings. No more lazy mornings for us. No more second breakfasts at 9:30 am for Quinlan. The only saving grace is that Aidan started a new routine about a month ago and now gets dressed as soon as he gets up.

First Day of School

7:00 am Anthony goes into the boys’ room and wakes Aidan up from a deep sleep. Today Quinlan wasn’t out of bed either.

7:15 am Anthony goes back into the boys’ room to make sure that Aidan is actually getting his clothes on and hasn’t gone back to bed.

7:30 am Aidan eats breakfast and I come up to get some tea and maybe some toast.

7:45 am start bugging the boys to get their shoes on while I make sure that the lunch I made the night before is in Aidan’s lunch box. Also make sure Aidan gets his teeth brushed.

Playing at School

8:00 am make sure the boys have their shoes on and Aidan went to the bathroom. Get my own shoes on.

8:10 am If we are lucky we are now leaving the house and are heading to school.

8:15 to 8:20 am Most likely the actual leaving time.

On the way home after the first day.

8:15 to 8:45 am Aidan talks the whole way to school about whatever he is going to invent/change in the future. Quinlan riding in the stroller (for now) also talks about whatever is on his mind at the moment.

8:45 ish am We get to the school and have a few minutes playtime before the bell rings.

Lining up to get into school. They can't wait.

8:55 am Line up just before the bell rings. The bell rings and Aidan’s temporary teacher brings the kids into the school.

Running around the Vancouver School Board Offices.

Sometime afterward Quinlan and I go on our merry way towards home. Next week on Tuesday and Thursday Quinlan and I will be heading to Douglas Park for preschool. This means Tuesdays and Thursday I will be bringing the car in the morning. Mondays and Wednesdays we will still be walking and heading straight to the aquatic centre for swimming lessons. I am determined to walk most days this year. Thursdays will be the full on car days because Quinlan has ballet on Thursday afternoons. Fridays I still intend to walk because Quinlan has no activities and Aidan’s piano lessons are not until 5:00 pm.

It is going to be a busy year!

"Read me a story?"

First Day of Kindergarten

Gwen — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:18:03 +0000

Another milestone met by my eldest boy Aidan. Another milestone met by his parents. The much anticipated first day of kindergarten. I am excited to have Aidan in “real” school.

Aidan Patrick Floyd age 5.5 years

I wasn’t too sure how Aidan was feeling about kindergarten. Most of the time Aidan was quite happy to talk about going to kindergarten and today he finally asked me what would happen if he skipped school today. I laughed a little and asked him what he wanted to do instead. He said that he wanted to stay home and play. When I informed him that if he didn’t want to go to school we would have to set up a schedule of learning time with mommy every day. He very quickly remembered that his friends would be part of the school experience. This was the first real indication that Aidan was a little nervous about going to a new school. He was used to the kids from preschool and was a little sad that none of them would be a part of his new school.

Once we started the first day of school routine and the pictures on the steps out front Aidan started to get excited about going to school. The walk took us about 22 minutes and hopefully I will keep to my resolution to walk most days.

Aidan on the playground outside his classroom.

Aidan’s teacher seems nice and I was happy to get a chance to see how she works in the classroom and how she was with the kids. While I know from experience that things are not always the same when the parents aren’t around, she had a nice easy way with the kids. This is a good thing because between her two classes she has 44 kids to work with.

Quinlan on the new equipment.

I had a chance to sign up for a chat with Aidan’s new teacher and I was honest about where he is in terms of his reading ability and his tendency towards talkativeness/lecturing. I didn’t tell her that he is also adding and subtracting numbers at least up to 12 because I didn’t want to seem like I am bragging. I am so glad that she was excited that he is reading so well, it really reassured me.

I also have my first volunteer option for his classroom. When I offered to get some things for the classroom like kleenex, Mme. L asked me to make play dough. It is a good thing I have a very cool book with all kinds of recipes.

Quinlan making faces.

The walk home wasn’t as frantic and we took our time and got a celebratory hot chocolate from Starbucks. Both boys downed it very quickly and without mess. I was very impressed. We also managed to meet Monette and Malachi on the way home. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to chat as she was rushing to get another child from school.

When we got back to the house and changed Quinlan I took the boys out to the courtyard to play with the camera and get some better pictures of the boys. While I didn’t manage to get them together I did get some really good shots of Aidan for the first time in a long while. He actually didn’t have the “Cheese” face all the time.

This little boy was in fact saying "Cheeeeeese"

All in all it was a good day. Sunshine, walking, hot chocolate, playing on a new playground, meeting new people, a pirate ship shirt (without a tie), what can be wrong with that?

Aaaaaar!

© 2010 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | 6 comments
Related: Aidan, Education, Firsts, milestones, My Boys, Pictures, Pirates, playgrounds, Quinlan.

Photo Friday: GeoWoodstock

Gwen — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:23:09 +0000

I have a number of posts I am in the midst of writing, like a summary of my first weekend away from the boys, and I have a lot of pictures for these posts. Since the posts are not ready and I want to be posting more of my photographs as well I thought I would have a mostly wordless post. Entirely wordless is beyond me so I am posting on a Friday.

Fake castle in front of a property on the way to Carnation, Washington. I think it was just a farm.

The line up of cars behind us on the way to GeoWoodstock.

Hand detail of the Troll in Fremont, Washington. The Troll is a huge sculpture underneath one of the Fremont Bridges.

One of the Three Billy Goats Gruff just down from the Troll. Fremont, Washington.

Olympic Torch Relay: A Chance For Aidan to Shine

Gwen — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:55:27 +0000

When Anthony and I moved to Vancouver almost 13 years ago we knew we loved the city, but plans for after his PhD were murky. When Vancouver got the games seven years ago all we knew is that we really wanted to stay and experience the games as much as we could. When Aidan was born we knew he would be almost five and this would be an even better experience and boy were we right. Aidan has been so excited about the 2010 winter Olympic Games, especially when we went down and got the boys (and us) some Canadian Olympic gear.

Aidan and Quinlan in their Olympic Gear

On Thursday we got the chance to see the Olympic Torch Relay up close in two spots. We decided early on that Quinlan, Aidan and I would go to Vancouver City Hall to see the torch and take in the atmosphere of anticipation. I was a little apprehensive because of the threat of protesters ruining it for everyone, but I decided to be positive and we invited some of Aidan’s preschool friends to go with us. Jasmine (Veronica’s mom) told me she was making a torch for Veronica and that inspired me to make a torch/magic wand for Aidan and Quinlan. I also realized that I had 3 white pirate hats leftover from Aidan’s birthday party last year so I made the 3 kids some Olympic hats. I think they were the cutest kids there. Thankfully Keiko (Shinto’s mom) was there as well since she had the working camera.

Getting Cookies and Hot Chocolate at City Hall

Aidan was so well decked out that he was tapped to be part of the pre-show. He and Veronica were picked by some of the city of Vancouver staff as the the “best red” kids. We asked that they let Shinto come up too since they were all together and we let him wear Aidan’s jacket. They were called up to the stage (the steps of city hall) and they ran through the gauntlet that the torch runner would go through. Aidan started his “Go, Canada, Go!” cheer.

Go CANADA!!!!

I almost cried I was so happy for Aidan. He always wants to be picked to go up on stage and he finally got his chance. They then ran back to cheers and clapping while they waved their flags and torches. It was the best feeling.

Running Back Through the Gauntlet to Cheers.

We then waited and the kids did the “Go, Canada, Go!” dance. We were very lucky and it didn’t start raining until just as the torch went by us.

Go Canada Go Dance

Look at the Torch!

Right after the torch went by, we had a quick hot chocolate to warm up and then Quinlan, Aidan and I headed up to UBC so we could see the torch as it came through. As a bonus we would get to experience it all together since we picked up Anthony at work. Unfortunately this experience wasn’t quite as fun since it was pouring and it was cold. It was a bit better for actually seeing the flame however, so I am not sure which was better.

By the Forestry Building in the Pouring Rain

Getting Excited to see the Torch Again

We didn't see the police escort at city hall, but here it is massive.

It looks like we don’t have any pictures of the actual torch, but we did get it on video!

I think all in all it was a fabulous way to start our Olympic weekend.

© 2010 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | 7 comments
Related: Aidan, Anthony, Firsts, Gwen, milestones, My Boys, Quinlan, Vancouver, Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

One Year and a Birth Story

Gwen — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:50:16 +0000

Last year this time I was a bit of an uncomfortable mess. I was ready to not be pregnant, but Anthony and I were a little worried that my mom wouldn’t make it here in time. I really wanted my doctor to be the one to deliver Quinlan and she was on call the Friday but not the Saturday and I had a feeling that I would be delivering sometime that week. I cancelled an appointment with my hairdresser because I wasn’t sure if I would make it or not, and it was a good thing I did. I won a ticket to a green family conference for the Saturday and I thought that I would try to go. Aidan and Anthony had Preschool Curiosity Club also on the Saturday morning and my mom was due to arrive from Halifax at 1 pm.

I didn’t think that Quinlan would take me so literally that I wanted him to be born on the 25th. I know I kept telling him that he couldn’t come until the 25th in the evening because then Nana would be there to take care of Aidan. We did have some back ups, but the few days before Tammy was away at a conference in Colorado, and we felt a little uneasy about calling Tomer and Carla in the middle of the night if we needed too. Anthony wasn’t sleeping very well that week either because he was so afraid I would have the baby and we wouldn’t have anyone to look after Aidan.

We thought we were in the clear. Saturday morning we all woke up, we knew my mom was in the air on the way here, I was feeling good and all of us had breakfast. The boys were going to drop me off at the Wall centre for the conference and all would be good. Then just after breakfast my water broke. It was 8:30 am and I should have called Dr. I then. I found out later that the switch over time was 9 am and she would have stayed for the birth with me if I had called then. I was still planning to go to the conference since there was no pain, but luckily Anthony decided that it would be a good idea to stay home and put Tomer and Carla on standby.

My contractions started at 9:30 ish and they kept getting closer together. The on call doctor told me to call him when they were 5 minutes apart. By 11 am they had gone from 8 to 7 to 5 to 4, and by the time we got through to him they were just coming with almost no time in between. Anthony called Carla, and when she said she was going to wait for Tomer to get back. She must have heard the very tense voice Anthony had and decided not to walk leisurely, but made it in just over 5 minutes running. Thanks god for that because things went really quickly from there.

Anthony and I got to the hospital at about noon and with the paperwork we were in pretty quickly. After being assessed they were getting me ready to go up to the nice delivery/staying rooms but decided that with the way my contractions were going and the dip in Quinlan’s heartbeat that they should get me into a delivery room right away. We got into the delivery room at a little before 1 pm and I had to push. There was no stopping it and no time for the epidural that I so desperately wanted. I am pretty sure that the nurse pulled a resident into the room because the on call doctor (I cannot for the life of me remember his name) was somewhere getting his scrubs on. Anthony had no time to re-park the car or find something else for me to hold other than his hand. Like the independent little cuss he is, Quinlan had decided that enough was enough and he was coming out right NOW! Crushing Anthony’s hand I gave another push and Quinlan came into the world at 1:10 pm.

There is no way we would have made it up to the posh delivery/staying suite. I would have had Quinlan in the elevator instead, he was that determined to come out. At 2 pm my mom’s plane touched down in Vancouver. It turns out that while Quinlan listened to the date I wanted him to be born, he was a little fuzzy on the time.

In looking back I can see in his delivery the type of personality that Quinlan has developed. He is so determined to do everything. He is curious, independent, and fast. He loves to be close, but he is also not afraid to go and explore. He is growing so fast and trying so hard to do all the things his brother does.

I can’t believe it has already been a year. My infant will be an infant no longer. My newest toddler. My 1 year old. But always, always, my baby.

© 2009 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | 5 comments
Related: 2nd Pregnancy, Aidan, Anthony, Birthdays, family, Firsts, Gwen, milestones, My Boys, pregnancy, Quinlan.

Ladner May Days

Gwen — Sun, 24 May 2009 03:13:22 +0000

As I search for interesting things to do for families with children for Being Savvy Vancouver I come across things I like to try with our family and today was one of those times. We went to Ladner for a day of May Days fair fun and geocaching in another local park. Aidan got to try some of his first fair type rides and Quinlan got some quality time with the grass.

Aidan was really exited to try some of the rides and nearly got on a very small roller coaster. Up until we were actually on the platform and he realized that I wasn’t going to be on the ride with him he thought the Dragon was going to be the very best time ever. Luckily there wasn’t a big line and he did have fun on the other fair rides. He rode on the “train” (a set of Flintstone cars on a track) and then we went onto the Berry Go Round. I wasn’t as fond of this ride as my sinuses were not feeling to well, but the boy enjoyed himself. The fish merry go round was the first ride he tried by himself and he had a blast. I will get Anthony to put some of the video up on the Left Coast Floyds.

As we went around the fair grounds we took in all the free activities. The Delta Police Bear was a little bit intimidating for Aidan though he did like him from a distance. We got to hold some bunnies, played in the Fire house, got a new fire hat and ate some of the requisite mini doughnuts. There was music and face painting (though like always Aidan shied away from anything like face painting or stamps on his skin) and some travelling jugglers and other interesting characters. If you have a chance to go tomorrow I highly recommend it. It was a fun day to be out in a new place.

Aidan and Mommy in the "Train"

Aidan and Mommy With A Bunny

Aidan in a kid sized paddle boat.

Aidan in the Paddle Boats

Quinlan relaxing in the grass.

Quinlan Smiling at Mommy

Hey Mommy, guess what? I am too cute.

PS We got 4 caches in Ladner Harbour Park. Another park we would not have found without geocaching. Even if you don’t geocache it is a nice park full of easy trails and a nice playground at the entrance.

© 2009 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | 2 comments
Related: Aidan, Being Savvy Vancouver, Family Time, Firsts, My Boys, outings, Quinlan, Vancouver.

Preschool and the First Day

Gwen — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:35:47 +0000

So today was the big day. Aidan (and Mommy) went to preschool for the first time. We took some pictures before school some early and some just before. Since I had an appointment with the Diabetic Clinic at BC Women’s Hospital, Anthony stayed home with the boy and took some pictures. I took some after lunch on our way to Douglas park Community Centre where his preschool is located.

Once we were in the classroom (we went to the wrong door) we were asked to sit on the carpet and get a name tag. Aidan preferred to go and explore the classroom. I finally got him to the circle where the teachers were singing a name song and he last a few seconds. After the name song the kids were allowed to roam the classroom and check out the toys.

I had a chance to talk with the head teacher a little but and let her know that I would be happy to help out in the classroom but that it would have to be soon because of their rules. (They don’t want younger siblings even babies in the classroom because they think it is a disturbance. I am not sure if I agree, but I will abide by them.) Though the teachers seem really young, they interact well with the kids and I was able to watch one of them play with a few of the boys. It was nice to see how they dealt with the kids.

I don’t think that Aidan will have any problems adjusting to being in the preschool setting. He may have some troubles sticking with the routine in the beginning, but in a few weeks I expect he will be happy for it. I didn’t see a calendar or weather chart, so that is something I will try to start at home. Aidan is so interested to know what day it is, and especially today he was very excited to know it was the 9th. He told me in the car that tomorrow would be the 10th. I know it is just the teacher in me that is doing an inward squee. It takes a long time for kids to understand dates and how they work.

I know that some people were wondering how I would be about sending Aidan to preschool and if I would be at all upset that my baby is growing up too fast. I will tell you honestly that I am very ok with it. In fact when I have a couple of hours to myself for a few weeks, I am pretty sure I will be getting a good book and a tea and making the most of this time. (I know that this may change Thursday whe I leave him for the first time, but I don’t think so.)

I will leave you with a few pictures. (If you want to see some from this morning check out Left Coast Floyds.)

Aidan Looking Cute with Backpack

Aidan on his way.

Aidan playing for a few minutes before class.

Aidan on the slide before school.