Graduation Day!!

Today was a VERY exciting day in our house!! Reuben graduated from Senior Kindergarden today. We had so much fun watching their little ceremony. Each child got to say something, Reuben's line was "I have learned many new things in Kindergarden". He said it so fast that I'm sure not one person understood what he said, but it was adorable. Reuben loved his time at St. Patricks and I'm very thankful for the love and support his teacher, Mrs. Diane Filek provided him with over the last 2 years. Here's a few snap shots of the day.

Here's the best shot of the whole class, from the back:

Claudia, Mrs. Hunter, ??Holly, Simone, Alex, ??, Mrs. Filek, ??, ??

Brady, Brady, Reuben and Connor
This was hanging on the wall - Reuben's got big dreams, I LOVE IT!



Here's Reuben with his favourite, Mrs. Filek!

After the ceremony we ALL went to the park for a picnic!

Justin & Andrew joined us too!

SO FUN!
Jules loves to be a ham, she sure does love drinking boxes.
Reuben saying good bye to his classmates.
Holly & Alex really took a special liking to Reuben...... so cute.
We're so proud of you Reuben!

Julianna's First Birthday Party

Today we celebrated Julianna's First birthday together with my family. We celebrated a little early because Grandpa and Grandma are going to Grand Rapids to watch the Sytsma kids while their parents go to Alaska.... anyway, we took advantage of the amazing June weather and held the celebration at the cottage by the lake. Julianna's cake was supposed to be shaped as a carebear.... I guess I need to get better at being specific when I order cakes!
The boys LOVE playing on the beach, they have been waiting for summer, so that they can go to the cottage and it's FINALLY here.

Andrew looks SO cute with his ear protector band on.....
Here's the pretty little birthday girl, she is so sweet. I can not believe she is almost 1. She is so full of personality, she's always got funny expression on her face. She loves to entertain other kids and to play with her brothers and cousins. She really enjoyed having all the attention on her, we've been 'practicing' singing happy birthday to her this week and her eyes light up as soon as she hears it!! So cute!
What a bad Mommy I got suntan lotion in her eyes, this is what she looked like for roughly 2 hours, but she didn't really complain too much.......
Here's a typical picture of my little man, 3 year old's don't always like to pose.....
Reuben on the other hand is a fantastic poser!
Here's the 'kid' table, yummy hot dogs.
Julianna didn't really know what to think about her cake..... it took her a little while but...
She figured it out!

What a little princess!

Aunt Marcy bought her hair barrets as part of her gift...... how do they look? Let's be honest, there's not enough hair!!
She also got a tea set ~ Reuben and Jordan were thrilled to show her how to do it!
Julianna wasn't very good at it.
So Grandma enjoyed a cup of tea with the boys!
We also celebrated father's day... well we celebrated what an AMAZING Dad we have. He is the best!! He LOVES his family, he is a fantastic husband - he loves Mom unconditionally and would give the world for her and to her. He is so proud of ALL of his children and Grandchildren and our love and respect for him is a clear reflection of how wonderful a man he is. Thanks for a wonderful day to celebrate 2 of my favourite people! I love you Jules and Dad!

Mason's Visit to his JK Classroom

I can hardly believe it, Mason had his first visit to school today.... He seems so little yet, he's my baby boy! He was over the top excited to visit with Mrs. Filek in the JK classroom, it helps that Justin was there to create a familiar atmosphere. He got to use his Toronto Maple Leaf back pack with his treats and drinking box! What a cute little man.....
Mason is still a little shy, he wasn't too sure he wanted to go into the room.
Reuben was glad to help Mason back into the van and was busily asking questions and pumping him for info, what did you do, what did you play with, did you color, did you paint, which toys did you play with, did Mrs. Filek read you a story....... Mason just sucked his thumb and smiled from ear to ear. "I love school Mom, Mrs. Filek is so nice, will Justin be in my class every day?" I love how kids think..... I still can't believe my little man is going to JK.

Canada Marine Discovery Center JK/SK 2008

I had the previledge of going on Reuben's class trip this year (last year they went to Marineland on the 12th of June - I was 8 months pregnant and so my Mom went with him, which he LOVED!! Good thing I didn't go cause Julianna was born the night!!) Anyway, I was glad to join him this year and it worked out good because Justin's class went too and Lisa had just had Leah so she couldn't go this year. We went to the Marine Discovery Center by Peir 8. The kids enjoyed the center, it's a beautiful area right on the water. Here's a picture of the classes together. It's not that easy to get 30 plus kids to look in 1 direction.
Reuben looking for the bald eagle over Lake Ontario.
Justin learning to hear as a whale does under water.
Reuben with Brady Poter, Conner and Maeve enjoying a short video.

Justin and Reuben loved the bus ride, we stopped at McDonalds for lunch and the kids got to play in the playland which was of course a BIG hit - then icecream cones before heading back to school. The kids had a wonderful time and I was really glad to join them. Thanks Mrs. Filek for a great day.