First Day of 6th Grade

Maya started school this week. She is going to a charter school (a school that is publicly funded but privately run) that includes grades kindergarten through 9th. Grades 6 to 9 make up the junior high part of the school which is in a different hall from the elementary part of the school and has a different lunch schedule, so they don't mix with the younger kids.

In junior high Maya has seven different classes/teachers through the day, so it's a big adjustment for her, especially after doing home school last year! So far she loves her Musical Theater and English classes. She is also taking French but since that class is an elective it's a mixed class with kids from all junior high grades. I have a few concerns about that. Actually, my biggest concern about her taking French at school is that it will make her hate French! I don't have a lot of love for language teaching in schools here but we'll see how it goes. What I want to do is get a French au pair who will teach Maya (and me and Josh) at home. Someday...

There will definitely be some adjustments for Maya as she gets used to a heavier workload than she had at home, but I am impressed with her efforts and desire to do her best (mixed in with meltdowns that it is too hard and she hates school, of course). Math is a subject that she struggles with so she asked me to go over the upcoming lesson at home with her the day before so she is prepared for the lesson in class. That's determination!

One of my favourite things about Maya is that she is a very kind person. She is already making new friends. We carpool to and from school with our neighbours and Maya also has at least one class with each of them.

Father's Day 2012

For Father's Day this year we had breakfast on the deck. It was a lovely sunny morning and Maya and I even cooked the pancakes outside on the barbecue's stove. Pancakes are a favourite in our house and with strawberries and cream they are extra tasty.

Josh got a long-awaited-and-very-much-hoped-for-but-didn't-realistically-think-he'd-get iPad. We are very happy for him to have this new toy and to see the joy it brings him! Maya was begging to use it all day and I am pretty sure she and I will have some fun on it. Josh just bought the Ticket to Ride game for the iPad tonight and I'm sure I'll be the one who plays that the most.

This is my favourite picture of the day - it is Maya preparing to give Josh a Wet Willy while Josh is on his iPad (he got a cover/stand for it the next day so he doesn't normally have to prop it up on things). Since Josh taught Maya about Wet Willies I think it is fair that he is the victim of them from time to time!

We love Josh for all he is and all he does for our family.

Pottery Making

Maya enjoying the pottering making set that she got from Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas.

The finished product.

Maya Turns 11

Maya generally does not like the idea of getting older because Josh keeps telling her the new jobs she'll have to do each time she turns a year older. Despite that, she was really excited for her birthday this year. As usual, she was super excited to get some new American Girl outfits. Thanks Grandma Maureen and Poppy!

We've been enjoying reading American Girl mystery books lately, so she got a couple of those this year that aren't available at our library - one about Josefina and one about Felicity.

Maya has been wanting a remote control helicopter for a while now. She was very happy to get one this year. Unfortunately, it didn't survive the day. Those things really need to be more durable! Or I guess we should have paid more attention to the 14+ age recommendation on the box. Maybe we'll try one again when she's older.

Kate and her very generous mother (and brother and sister) gave Maya a ticket to see the musical Wicked with Sara and Kate this summer. I loved her reaction.

 I think the girls will love the musical and they'll love seeing it together.

Mum and Dad also got Maya something she has been wanting for a while - Chocolate Chip. That is the name of this dog that is, yes, an American Girl toy!

Cheer Camp

Maya and Kate did a cheer camp for a couple of days last month and they got to perform in the high school basketball half time show. This video is teeny, but if you can make them out Maya is on the front left end and Kate is on the back left end.

Outdoor Ice Skating

A new outdoor ice skating rink recently opened near our house so Sara and I took Maya, Kate and Ethan. My favourite moment was when Ethan stated that he hasn't ice skated much before, then went directly across the middle of the rink. I love that he was fearless.

A New Career Path

When I came to pick Maya up after my final day at my last job (that I'd done for 4 1/2 years) my family decided to celebrate with me. I have decided that I am finished with jobs that I don't like. I am now officially self employed and loving being my own boss.

Christmas Day 2011

Christmas this year was on a Sunday which was a really nice way to start the day. Maya got to open a couple of presents before church and then when we got back from church we all put our pajamas back on and opened up the rest of our presents. Maya sang in the church choir which I was very impressed with (she was the youngest choir member). Josh and I were narrators in the Christmas program so it was nice for the three of us to participate that day.

Maya made these little pillows for her dolls Josefina and Felicity for their Christmas presents. I think the dolls are very happy with them. Maya has been learning a few things on the sewing machine - it's great to see her developing that new skill.

 Maya got an electronic massager for Josh. Sadly this photo shows the only massage she has given him with it so far.

 She got a pedicure set for me and gave me a relaxing pedicure last week.

 Tara and Greg had one of our favourite family photos framed.

Zoobles. Maya had been eyeing this toy for months. Every time we went to Target she would visit it. She didn't expect to get it for Christmas and was pretty excited when she did.

 Maya's new iPod Touch comes with so many great features. She can access the internet as long as she is on a wireless system so she has been able to speak with her cousins in Australia, she can text Josh and I or anyone else with iMessage, she has all the games that Josh has on his iPhone so she no longer wants to dominate that. Oh, and she can listen to music. I didn't get a photo of it, but Josh got me a new iPhone (with a great cover) and I love it. I didn't think I would enjoy it so much but it is so much better than my old phone.

 Another great expression when Maya opened her Soul Surfer Blu-ray - it was her favourite movie of last year.

 Josh with several of the gifts from his parents. He is already planning on getting a box of Freddo Frogs from Costco in Australia when we go there - just look at the size of that box!

 We headed over to Mum and Dad's in the late afternoon for dinner, games etc. All of us kids got Mum and Dad a sun oven which they were very excited about.

 Maya gave Mum and Dad this Christmas decoration which she painted herself.

 Mum and Dad gave Maya this pottery wheel which she is eager to get using. I am sure there will be several pottery gifts for people in the future.

 Digger didn't miss out on the festivities - he got a treat and a special reindeer outfit.

Dad got Mum photos of them both when they were younger which is something Mum has been wanting more of around the house. I think they are just as good looking now as they were then.

 Maya and Kate wrote and sang a special Christmas song for the whole family.  

Corinne's family came up the day after Christmas. Here they are opening their presents from Maya - fudge for Joshy and Sam and a wristband for Ethan that Maya made herself.

This picture is Ethan and Maya hugging while Ethan shows off his wristband (just in case you thought it was Maya in a headlock!).

One of the things that I really enjoyed about Christmas this year was how much effort Maya put into getting presents for people. She even got a gift for our sweet elderly neighbours, Ross and Jamie. 

Tea Party

In early December Maya held a tea party for her cousins. She wrote out invitations and made most of the food herself. I was their server. The kids had a great time eating and sipping their hot chocolate.