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

Emilia is 2

Emilia Grace Chan is 2 today.  I remember the night she came into the world so well. Born at 2:27am, Emmy or Empem (as we like to call her) was 6 pounds, 12 ounces and 49 cm long. Vince and I were so excited to have a baby girl join our family.  It was an intense and painful back labor but it was well worth it when they placed her soft, tiny, and wrinkly body onto mine.

Last night, I was holding her tight and trying to remember her days as a baby....and not wanting her grow up any faster.  Turning 2 seems like such a big milestone!  She was such an easy going baby that it's hard to believe that she's turning into a spunky toddler who exerts herself through making everyone laugh and at times, growling like a dinosaur to get attention.  She just adores her older brothers and tries her best to keep up with their shenanigans.  

 

Some of Miss E's faves...

Fave food:  Chinese!
Fave character:  Elmo

Fave book:  Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle

Must haves for night time sleep:  Elmo blankie, Elmo, and a ton of books.  How does she sleep in the crib with so much stuff?

I love it when....
-she asks for a kiss in between the crib rails at bedtime

-jumps up and down excitedly when I come home from work

-she shows her nurturing side by taking care of her stuffies and/or babies

-she pretends to tuck me into bed

-she makes daddy pretend he's a baby and wipes his bum!

 

The last picture really captures Emmy's silly side.  She took out many towels and placed them carefully on top of Rylee :)  Thankfully, our dog withstands all the fun tortures from our kiddies!

Happy 2nd birthday, Emilia!!  You are so loved!!! 

Just roll with it...

It has been "one" of those weeks.  At times, I feel like treading under unknown territories and the past few days have been definitely interesting to say the least.  I am learning to "just roll with it...."  It all started with Emilia when she scraped her nose onto concrete, then Aidan ran into a bench and Noah cracked his front tooth.

I wonder what will be next?  ;)  

Thank God, they are still all smiles!!  I love my three monkeys!!