Happy 3rd birthday, Miss E!

Exactly 3 years ago, this little girl entered into our lives and has truly completed our family in many ways.  She is a passionate "go-getter", and a ball of joy.  When she laughs, she laughs with her whole being: squinty eyes, body chuckling, and at times, almost hyperventilation.  When she has her mind singularly set on something, just WATCH OUT!  

"I do it myself!" is her favourite exclamation.

And yes, you can do it, Miss E!!  With God's help and our full support, you can probably conquer the world...   

Happy 3rd birthday to our spunky girl!!!

pure joy

A while back, we were looking through our family pictures and realized that it's been way too long and our Emmy was just a baby, around 8 months old.  We thought what better time to take our new family pictures than Autumn!  We envisioned beautiful fall colours and leaves tossed up in the air....and that's exactly what our dear friend, Sharon, was able to capture for us.

The kids never seem to cease to amaze and humour us with their sayings.  Noah just asked us tonight if he could sleep in Emmy's room and he justified it by telling us that his sister is a "gorgeous angel"

Location:  Shaughnessy Park

Many, many thanks to Sharon and Joe!!  We love our new family pictures!!! 

http://www.chicgeekphoto.ca

It's September already?!?

This should have been Noah’s first day of Kindergarten and Aidan’s first day of Grade 2 but….

alas the BC government and the BCTF has yet to come a resolution.  I strongly stand behind my colleagues who are taking a stand for the rights of our students.  Before this whole fiasco started, I decided to take a “one year” leave of absence to spend more time with my kids.  Even though, I am not physically wearing my sign or striking, I am with you in solidarity, BC teachers :)

This past summer has been such a whirlwind!  A good, fun, sort of a whirlwind.  It started off
with our block party, then followed by Canada Day, birthday parties, impromptu playdates, Victoria weekend, Pioneer Camp, Whistler trip, Blueberry picking with the Mukais, Anacortes camping trip, "Mel and Iz" Bellingham shopping run, Aquarium and finished off with the Fort Langley oTentik experience.

It’s been a full summer, indeed and despite how much I do love summer, I am looking forward to going back to a life that is more “routine” like.  Let's hope that school will start sooner than later.  I thrive on lists and routines!

Emmy and Tinky :)

I came up with a few lists (just for fun) to share with you all.

Best playground in the lower mainland:

1. Terra Nova Rural Park
2. Centennial Beach
3. Kitsilano Beach
4. Garden City Park
5. Steveston Park

Best restaurant according to Aidan and Noah:
Dinesty

Best movie according to Vince:
About Time

Best Emilia phrases:

“I love you guys”

“I want to be Cinderella and I want you to be Vince” as said to Mommy.
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I better get going as I believe that the kids are attempting their own version of the ALS ice bucket challenge inside the house...

You are 5!

Dearest Noah,

I can't believe that you are 5 today!  You have brought so much love and joy into our family by your contagious laughter and generous heart.  Shortly after your birth, I had to be rushed to the ER due to some residual placenta that caused a lot of bleeding.  You did not fuss at all while we were at the hospital for over 24 hours.  Despite it being such a scary experience, I was very thankful to have such great care at SMH!  While at the hospital, I remember glancing at you, and thinking, "this is one chill baby!".  You are still that chill baby...

I love every ounce of you, my cuddlebug!

Mommy

Mind trick on BC government

If only life was easy like in the eyes of a seven-year old boy.  Aidan told me that I should try the "mind trick" on the BC Government by wishing and making them *in my mind* that they will give public school teachers a fair deal.  How I truly wish that I could do that?  My optimistic side kicks in and is truly hopeful that an agreement will be reached by the end of this weekend and that the strike will be averted.  But.....

After 12 years, there has been deep cuts within our education system.  We are truly at the end of our rope!  Personally, I teach part-time in a Grade 6/7 classroom in Vancouver, BC.  My class is composed of thirty students in which six of them are designated and are on IEPs and I have a few other students who require extra help but are not designated.  I only have a 0.5 Support Worker and some resource time.  It is not enough!  I am constantly trying to come up with creative ways to teach so that every one of my students have a fair chance at learning.  I fear that many of students are falling behind and I know that with the proper support, they would be able to catch up.  Teachers have taken 0 percent wage increase since 2002 in order to have class size and composition, but the government took that out and increased class size and completely disregarded the compositions of classrooms, making it into a "no limit" for special needs students within the class.

In January 2014, The BC Supreme Court reaffirmed that provincial legislation limiting teachers’ bargaining rights is unconstitutional, restored collective agreement provisions stripped in 2002, and ordered the province to pay $2 million in damages plus court costs.  Instead of the government righting this wrong, they have decided to appeal and take no blame in this fight for students.

I'd really like to try the "mind trick" on the BC Government and hope that they will improve our class sizes, class compositions and staffing levels for specialist teachers to increase one-on-one time for students.  

One can only hope!

Seven

Happy 7th birthday to my thoughtful, tenderhearted and spirited child, Aidan Cooper Chan!!  

I am so proud to be your mommy.  You really do live up to the meaning of your name as the "little fire".  But despite your rough and tumble exterior, I also see the sweet, gentle and sensitive side of you that not many people get to see.  

Just the other day, I was feeling quite sick and you came into my room and tucked me into bed by reading me my favourite story about a dog named "Balto".  You kissed me goodnight then as you were about to close the door, you bid me farewell by saying:  "I hope that made you feel better.  Good night, mom, don't let the bed bug bites".

As I drifted off to sleep, I prayed and thanked God for placing such a special little boy into my life.  xoxo,  Mommy

From HK!

Thank you to Auntie Cynthia, Uncle James and cousin gigi for our special Christmas package from HK :)  Don't the kids look spiffy?

Happy 2014!

We want to wish our family and friends, near and far, a wonderful New Year!  May you seize each and every single moment and enjoy this crazy journey that we call "life".  We have so much to be thankful for this past year and we'd like to share some of our fave holiday moments.

A special visit from Uncle Herwin and Auntie Jean!

Christmas Eve Breakfast with Santa at Grouse Mtn

Awesome times with the Mills and Li families