summer catch up~ part 2

as i mentioned before, summer 2011 was full, full, full.  once home from our cottage trip we rolled right into five (yes, you read that right) of our children celebrating birthdays in a 1.5 month span.  throw in a "gotcha day" celebration as well when we remember Hudson's homecoming from Haiti.  so, yah...lots of celebrating happens as we speed right up to the end of summer vacation.  AJ's birthday is the last of the five that are closely bunched, and he turned four this year!  before AJ's birthday, however, he had a momentous few weeks of starting junior kindergarten (JK).

walking in, first day.  hudson was so excited to bring his little brother in...

there was much discussion about the decision of starting him at all, and eventually Jeff and I agreed that the best scenario for him would probably be to try him at half-days (instead of full), every other day to start.  we decided to trial it for the first while and were prepared to pull out if necessary.  well...one and half months into school and it seems like it's been a really good decision, so far at least...AJ loves going, and asks most mornings if this is his day to go.  he loves the time there with his classmates and teachers, and also painting, playing and recess.  he doesn't love printing and worksheets, but even there some improvement has been noted.  he actually colours, and is starting to print his name (good thing it's only two letters...we aren't teaching him his full African name just yet :)).  he's pretty short in stature compared to most of his classmates, but he is articulate and grasping the basic schedule and expectation of the JK classroom.

this past month we also took a family day trip to TO to attend a Jays game.  baseball at the ballpark, on a Saturday afternoon, with sun and treats and wide-eyed togetherness.....bliss.  last time we attended a game we were there with a dear Dutch relative (hi Meindert! come back!) many years ago.  it was great to go again, and to see it this time through the eyes of our children.  the whole bit of it....riding the subway, people watching, the busyness and diversity of the city, the Rogers Centre, Yorkdale mall....plus, imagine AJ's surprise when he saw his picture on the jumbo screen between innings, naming him as one of the three Junior Jays stars....

so.much.fun.  happy to have that memory with our kids and time together too.

and lastly, AJ's birthday~ and he was here!!!  what a special occasion it was.  very near to the forefront of my mind that day was all he must have experienced in his first few years of life.  the questions, the sadness, the loss.  yet, so very thankful that we were together and able to love him and squeeze him and enjoy his presence...unfortunately for AJ, his birthday also fell on the day he was scheduled to see a specialist in London.  so, off we went in the rain on another road trip, which i actually think he quite enjoys.  he's such a happy traveller, and we both seem to love the peaceful drive together, just hangin' while we drive.  the appointment went well, and the doctor was sweet.  she feels he is doing very well.  too bad she ordered bloodwork before we left because that is never fun, let alone on your birthday.  again, he was very brave.  the two techs felt so bad about causing the child pain on his birthday that they appeared with not just a sticker, but a Phineas and Ferb activity set which AJ proudly carried out of the hospital, looking as though he almost felt the pain had been worth the prize.  he carried that box the whole way home, never letting go, even when he drifted off to sleep. 

what a trooper.  once back home we shifted into party mode.  the evening was really special~ a construction site cake, cousins, grandparents, a scooter, and a tent. 

he seemed so pleased (although maybe a touch disappointed in my vocal performance during a rendition of "Happy Birthday"...isn't that what his face seems to be suggesting??  i'm offended....) and it was quite indescribable to tuck him into bed and snuggle my four year old gift...such a treasure.