Hockey

The boys had another great year playing hockey making new friends, developing new skills, and simply having fun.  This is one of those things that I hope to be able to pass onto my kids is the fun of being apart of a team.  I loved soccer for the competition and trying to make myself a better player and person, but it was all of the off field stuff that I loved even more.  Staying in hotels, traveling to different places, eating out with teammates, and of course all of the banter that goes along with it.  I know my kids are learning how to be a part of a team, trying to make others feel included, developing healthy life habits, and learning how to win graciously and to lose with good sportsmanship.  I must admit that I love watching them play . . . whether it be in practice or in games.

Jamie Hockey 2

Jamie loves to celebrate the goals that he scores . . . at times we have had to remind him not to slide through center ice on his knees pumping his fists!

He always got lots of chances to score in every game, which allowed him to focus on other parts of his game once he scored his three goals.

Josh Hockey 4

Josh was a great two way player this year for his team.  Making great passes and back checking hard on his shifts

Yes, even Josh had his patent "Kesler" celebration after his goals.

I love this picture of him celebrating while the other players are down and out.

Josh's skating is definitely his strength.

Josh and Jamie even got to play together for one game this year which was a highlight for the family as we got to see them in action.  It was really cool how Josh took him under his wing and helped him out both in the dressing room and on the ice.  Lets just say that Jamie was a little nervous before this game.

The boys were nicknamed the Sedin Twins as Josh scored a hat trick and Jamie scored the other two goals to win the game 5 to 3.

He was even awarded the hard hat that game by the coach.  Well done boys!!

Hanging Out at the Park

I don't think Emma is having much fun.

Jamie was determined to conquer this one.

On top of the world . . . well at least the playground.
Thanks again to Adam for these amazing pictures.

Victoria

Well, we headed off on another Schwakida weekend . . . this time to Victoria where we stayed at their parent's house close to Sydney.  The kids always have a great time together and the parents aren't so bad either. :)  On this day when we arrived their was a need for some tech support so where else better to call than Dubai . . . yes our tech support came via Dubai on this trip (thanks Jay).  We managed to hit some of our favourite spots when we go to the island and plus some.  Another great weekend with friends.

Searching the tidal pools for sea life.

The Girls!

One of our favourite things to do is the Bug Museum in Victoria.  Lots to see, touch and learn.

Petting Zoo at Beacon Hill park.  Lets just say that this exploration was a little more "cheeky" than usual!

Meeting Pete

I am not sure how Michelle does it, but she always manages to sign us up for a wide range of experiences that simply enhances our lives.  This time we got to see the author of Pete the Cat, Eric Litwin, read aloud his books and share some songs with the audience.  The highlight for me was hearing little Emma finish the lines form the story Pete the Cat before Mr. Eric could.  As a result, she was called up on stage to meow like a cat with Mr. Eric . . . my budding superstar.  Gee . . . she sounds just like her mother when she was a little girl . . . always the Star Performer.

Christmas

Well it is that magical time of the year, where we love hanging out with friends and family and taking care of one another.  I love this age where the kids marvel at the wonders and magic of Christmas.  The decorations, finding that perfect tree, the Christmas lights, hot apple cider at the money lot, pictures with Santa and of course the excitement of the days festivities.  Every year on Christmas Eve, our family goes skating and then heads over to grammy's house to make gingerbread houses and for a yummy dinner.  This year the kids were ecstatic about their gifts from Santa.  Each of the boys received long boards and Emma got the Stompeez that she had asked for.  I love watching them open their gifts and share in their excitement about what they got.  Opening new gifts, playing with their new toys and of course sharing this time with their cousins and grandparents.

After a very long journey the longboards were a big hit. 

Jingles

Every year we get a little visitor from the north that likes to keep an eye on the kids to make sure that they stay off of the naughty list.  Our little Elf is named Jingles and we often find him in different places around our house.  Here are some of the different locations that we found him in.

Lantern Festival

One of the events that Emma's preschool puts on is a Lantern Festival where the kids make lanterns in class and parade around the grounds near her school.  It is a fun community event where there is a drumming station, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, and often a juggler of some kind to entertain the kids.

On this evening it was raining a little so the main event of the night who was the comedic act of a juggler took place in the gym.  So lets set the stage . . . yes, I must admit that I am a little sarcastic with my kids at times and they have grown to question most things that I say.  I have had this long, ongoing joke with them that I used to be a part of the Mexican Circus . . . why Mexican?  No reason at all . . . it simply started as a joke that a colleague and I played on some students at Outdoor Education, so I just kept it up with my kids. Lets just say that on this night my joke bit me in the butt as one of my kids said out loud, "my dad knows how to juggle . . . he used to be in the Mexican Circus".  So lets just say that when the juggler needed an assistant, who else would he ask but the ex-pro from the circus.  Boy did my kids have a good chuckle as I was dragged up on stage for some tacky jokes.

Do you think Josh is enjoying the show?

Halloween

Well, another great year trick or treating around our neighbourhood.  The kids always get a kick out of running around from house to house with their cousins.  Lots of candy to be had by all.  This year, Josh caught me off guard by wanting to be Dave from one of my shows that I watch.  An easy costume that got a lot of attention from those at school and around the neighbourhood.  Jamie decided that he wanted to be a spy with all of the spy gadgets to keep him entertained.  Emma decided that she wanted to be a cat . . . well at least for most of the time.  At all of the pre-halloween parties that she went to, Emma went as a cat, but on the evening of the big night . . . Emma decided that she would rather go as Ironman.  Yes . . . Ironman.  I guess that is the influence of two older brothers.

No he doesn't look suspicious at all!

Josh even has attitude.

Thanks again to Captain Canada for these amazing pictures.

Emma loved sticking the different stickers and face parts onto her pumpkins.

Love this picture of you Josh.  This is so up your alley. 

Look at the concentration. 

Family times are great times!

Free Play

One of the things that I love about kids is that they can find the joy in everyday things that we as adults simply pass by.  Being in too much of a hurry to get somewhere, deadlines to meet, things to clean and organize, acting in a 'mature' manner, being way too connected to our smart phones, and playing in ways that we feel that people perceive is acceptable and appropriate.  Kids on the other hand, simply play to . . . well, Play.   It is this attitude of being free of judgment of others that I am always struggling to maintain in my kids.  I love how my kids keep me young and allow me to see things again through their eyes.  Playing with them and seeing their excitement in the little things is what I enjoy, but more importantly I am very grateful to be able to share in these experiences with them.  Although I wasn't at the park with Emma on this day, I love how free she feels to simply play with her little buddy in any way that they want.  Emma and her friend found the simplicity of playing in the leaves and simply being together.  When was the last time you played in the leaves?

Thanks again to Captain Canada for these amazing pictures!

Cross Country Run

Run Forrest Run!  Well Jamie and Josh decided to participate in the Cross Country Run this year for school.  I think it is great that they both want to be involved in school activities as this helps make their school an extension of our family.  Both boys did a great job running the course against many other kids that they recognized from hockey and soccer.  Josh's age group had the largest number of participants so we were amazed that he finished in the top ten.  He is a great little runner, who enjoys the competition.  Jamie's group was smaller in number, but competitive all the same.  He was a beneficiary of one of the kids taking a wrong turn as they re-entered the track, which allowed him to take the lead and finish first.  Great Job Boys, we are very proud of you!!

I Ordered The Small Pancakes?

One of the things that we have always wanted to do was eat at a Triple D's restaurant.  I think that I am the only one that watches this show regularly in our family, but everyone has seen a few episodes and knows what it is about.  So we looked into what restaurants were close by that we could take the kids to . . . what?  Eating out, in a restaurant, no dishes, or cleaning up?  This sounds like the perfect out trip to me.  Jethro's Fine Grub!!  We were warned that the restaurant is very small and that the line up would be long, so what better thing to do than to pack up the bikes and put our names in and head out to Pacific Spirit Park for some biking before breakfast.  As expected there was about a 45 minute wait for our table so we went to the park for some biking . . . unloaded the bikes from the truck . . . got our helmets on and headed for the trails . . . unfortunately the park is a walking park only so back to the truck again to load the bikes back on.  Our bike ride turned into a nature walk, which our kids love to do so no loss there.  It is funny how they can walk for an hour through trails, but become knackered with intense leg pains and bouts of starvation in need of nourishments when we walk around the malls for 20 minutes . . . no this is not me!  I must admit that I do need some hot eats or cold drinks to get me through a mall night.

We ordered chocolate chip banana bread French toast, a pulled pork sandwich and Emma wanted the strawberry pancakes with whipping cream.   I am so glad that we decided to share all of them as a family as there was plenty to go around.  My favourite was the pulled pork sandwich.  I think we could of simply ordered the pancakes to share as a family!  Nonetheless, it was a fine morning of biking, I mean hiking, and a feast of a meal.

I'm Back . . .

Boy the first day of school felt like a long day as it almost felt like 11 months has passed since the last time in which I have written on this blog.  Yes, the Party of Five blog has taken a bit of a sabbatical but I am making it a priority for me to take the time to share my perspective and thinking about our daily events.  I must say that I have been getting a lot of ribbing from some family members due to the lack of entries this year.  So let me catch up on a year that was . . . exciting.