First Day of Kindergarten

Our little Hayden had his first day of Kindergarten this week!

It is a day that we have been looking forward too for a long time, and not for reasons you might think! 

He is long overdue for some formal education and intellectual stimulation for that clever mind of his!

We enrolled him at Midnapore Elementary School across the street from our house, so it is a very quick 3 minutes walk from our backyard gate to the school.

So, yesterday, I snapped a photo of Hayden in front of the school in the same spot Jonathan stood about 34 years earlier . . .

The school hasn't changed a bit, except maybe the size of the trees!

Here is Jonathan and Hayden on the morning of . . .

Hayden was so excited, but really has no idea of what kindergarten really has in store for him!

Midnapore School offers a Mandarin Immersion program so we have enrolled Hayden in that program. 

It should be interesting to see on this year turns out and how well he learns the language. In kindergarten, they are only taught Math and Science in Mandarin, and the other subjects are in English.

I'm hoping to learn along with him, but the more I study up on the language, the more nervous I get. 

But overtime, and as I help Hayden with his extra homework that goes along with the program, I'm sure it will sink in.

To finish off this post, I thought I would include some photos from the last few months to sum up some of the fun events that happened this summer!

Sophia, above, enjoying a chocolate pudding pop on the patio! 

A very typical summer day at the house!

This picture below was taken at Elbow Falls which we usually go every year to visit, but this year was completely different as the entire surroundings around the Falls have changed. The path and picnic areas were completely taken out with the flood waters and has left behind a large rocky area that most of the people were walking on to explore the damage. 

But the size of the Falls looked the same, thank goodness!

This photo of Hayden and Aubrey portrays the typical condition of their feet everyday this summer!

If there was dirt and water in the backyard, they would be sure to make a mud puddle out of it, complete with jumping and splashing of the mud on me!

This year, Hayden also played soccer and fell in love with the game! He was quite good and getting some break aways with the ball, thanks to his running speed and long legs! And scored many goals too!

He was very proud of his accomplishments, as were we, which gave him that extra confidence he needed in knowing he was starting to acquire a skill hi really enjoyed.

This summer also included a very daring endeavour on our part - our first family camping trip!

Well, one night of camping was too daring, but definitely enough to keep us busy packing and unpacking for days before and after!

Here is our happy camper, Sophia!

Always smiling . . .

The kids enjoying the campfire . . .

And we enjoyed a nice visit with my parents out at the campsite, then back in Calgary before they left to go back home to get ready for their mission in England!

Hayden is getting a lesson on fire building from Grandpa Dennis - Hayden was in heaven!

And Aubrey and Grandma Chris making a blueberry pie for dessert that night!

She loves being the helped in her apron!!

Looking forward to the adventures Fall brings!