Teacher/Parent Input Day

Today I was able to have 10 minute visits with each of the kids teachers and just had to share the following a story Mrs. Stewart told (Eli's teacher).

The other day the class was working on their printing and with book in hand Eli went up to her and their conversation went something like this:

Eli: I've decided I'm not doing any more printing.
Mrs. Stewart: You have to finish your printing.
Eli: No. I've decided I'm done so I'm not doing anymore.
Mrs. Stewart: You don't have a choice. In grade 2 you have to do your work and right now all your printing has to be done (or something like that).

Eli with his head down headed back to his desk to finish the task. She said she actually felt bad for making him do it but at the same time she can't just pick up and go home when she wants to and he needs to learn that sometimes we don't want to do things we have to do. I totally understand but man he cracks me up!!

In A Years Time I'll Know

Having decided to go ahead with the genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer (I'm one of those lucky people that qualify) I went in and had the blood work done today. I should know sometime next week right? WRONG. It'll take a year (give or take) to get the results. Wonder if I'll remember that I had it done when they call me with the results?

Happy 40th Les!

Happy 40th Birthday Les!

I thought of throwing a surprise party but if you know Les well enough you know how much he would have enjoyed that! Last month his parents were in town and had family come over for some celebrations and that was more than enough celebrating for him.

So I played it cool.....we stayed home. I made a nice dinner.......then I ran out to pick up a cake. I spent so much time running around trying to find his gift today (he didn't give me much notice on what he'd like) that I ran out of time to make a cake BUT it was well worth it just look..............

........WOW do you see that expression too?!!! Must have been good!!

Weekend To End Breast Cancer 2008

I don't even know where to begin. This was an absolutely incredible weekend, one that I would suggest YOU should experience at least once in your life! Definitely physically and emotionally exhausting like none other but WOW - incredible!

It all started out with the sign-in and the safety video presentation Friday night. With the high energy permeating all around me I found myself signing up for the 2009 Weekend to End Breast Cancer (I still need to update my 2009 webpage) as did my sister-in-law......all for the cool limited addition shirt we kept telling ourselves!!

7:30 am Saturday morning 1600 participants began the walk, a 35 km day. About 5 kms into the walk we befriended a solo walker - Jamie. Throughout the day we laughed with, were cheered at, and were encouraged by so many amazing people whether it was crew, fellow walkers, drivers, strangers, family and friends......

It was about the last 10 kms where I could feel myself struggling. Physically I was becoming tired and encouraged my team mates to walk ahead of me and this is when I became emotionally exhausted. Alone in the heat of the day but not truly alone. At a cheering point I recognized a mother and daughter from my children's school encouraging, cheering. At that moment recognizing someone on a more personal level made the tears swell up but it wasn't until I reached the last pit stop with just under 4 kms to go that the tears started. I saw my chemo oncologist. The first time I've seen her since my very last appointment with her back in November. Then with only 1/2 a block to go I passed a home with a little girl and her father cheering me, I could hear him say that I was a survivor......well what a flood of emotions and at this point totally physically exhausted I really was a mess, thank goodness for sunglasses!!

Finally, 11 hours after starting I walked into to camp completing the 35 km walk - I DID IT! After a shower, having a couple blisters looked at by the medical team and a quick bite to eat it was time for bed - exhausted. Not long after getting settled into bed sprinklers suddenly went off and all you could hear was the sure shock from screams and laughter but they went off almost as fast as they went on.

7:00 am Sunday morning and we were on the trails again. This time not so spry but still full of energy. I was still physically exhausted and quickly knew that I wouldn't be able to complete the day. My hip was giving me excruciating pain as I walked so after 5 kms I pulled the plug. A little disheartened that I couldn't complete the 60 kms but at the same time very proud of myself that only 9 months after completing treatments I was able to complete 40 of the 60 kms. WAHOO!! Hanging out with my sister and brother driving from pit stop to pit stop cheering on our team mates was still an exhilarating day. Finally....the 4 of us together crossed the finish line being cheered at and high fived.

Of course nothing can prepare oneself for the closing ceremony. Already on an emotional overload it became even more of one when I helped a fellow survivor walk into the closing ceremony. A cancer survivor for 5 years only to find out that it has come back in her spine, tailbone, liver and one lung - it was an honour to walk beside her, to see and feel her strength. First the walkers, then the crew, then the survivors followed by empty shoes representing those that have passed on. 1600 walkers with just over 4.1 million dollars raised and the 2008 Weekend to End Breast Cancer was completed. I am honoured to have been a part of such an amazing event and am PUMPED for 2009!!!

L to R: Jen, Diana, Tricia, Nikki - All For One Team

Thank you to Cooper's Foods, Harvest Meats and Weston Breads without your donations our hot dog sales wouldn't have been as much of a success as they were! Thanks to my Uncle Animal, Jack, Donna and their friend Gina for starting the 'Bald is Beautiful' campaign on the Island, the fundraising efforts were tremendous and made our success all that much more! And of course many many many thanks to all of you who made a donation, I couldn't have done it without you!

Most of all a huge thank you to the All For One Team. I am so honoured to have been a part of this event with them - my sister-in-law Nikki, cousin Diana and sisters Tricia and Tamsen. Tamsen wasn't able to make it due to a sudden family move for school but she was so involved throughout the year with planning, training and fundraising that even though she couldn't make it she was certainly in my heart.

The Start Of A New School Year

I love watching and listening to parents as they mill around the school trying so intently to find out who the lucky teacher is that gets their darling child, who their classmates will be and ultimately WILL they be happy with their child's predicament for the school year? I have to admit at times I can and have been one of those parents but I'm certainly not a seasoned parent on getting all the right answers. Most of all to me its fun and very interesting to watch!

I still can't believe I have a daughter in grade 4 - an intermediate! No longer in a primary grade unlike her brother who even more unbelievably is in grade 2. Now that the kids have officially been placed into their new classes I can report that all seems to be well.

Adrianna has Mr. Macgregor for her teacher and I'm very excited for her, not because of the teacher because I really don't know him but because grade 4 was when I had my first male teacher - Mr. Moulton. He was fabulous! I hope she has a great time in his class this year.

Eli has Mrs. Stewart for his teacher. He seems well adjusted to the fact that some of his buddies are in different classes something he's handled much better then last year. He's still not with his 'girlfriend' or the 'one he's going to marry' - Emily but he'll still be able to see her at recess and lunch and he's okay with that.

What's just as exciting as new teachers (to me) is that their classrooms are right by each other again AND Eli's class still has morning reading so I can still participate in the mornings, something I knew very few grade 2 teachers do and in all honesty something I'm not quite ready to give up. So......on the eve of the 2nd day of school I can say I'm happy with how the new school year is turning out!