Brief Update

We had a meeting with Alex's first-grade teacher last week, and right now it looks like Alex will meet the academic standards for graduating grade one! This is despite him missing four afternoons a week from September through the end of February when he was in the Transition program.

Of course this would not be possible without the hard work from the people in his school and class, and the tutor that has been seeing Alex once a week as well.

Alex has worked really hard this year and we are all very proud of him.

Hotwheels

We were playing with the track on Saturday. Or rather, I set up some track, Nathan played with it, and I played with the camera.



(That jump was landed.)

Sesame Street Live

It isn't clear, but the blue blobs are Alex and Grover.

I think the picture of Alex smiling is one of my favorites, ever. It is rare to see Alex so genuinely engaged and happy and enthralled; it is even rarer to capture it with a camera.

Thanks to Ave and Meme who made this afternoon possible.

2010 Christmas Wishlists

Jennifer writes (and David posts):

Dave:

Dave is requesting a non-stuff Christmas so he'd rather get options to go out and do something rather than a physical present. If tickets, etc, seem too pricey, then a cash donation is always acceptable.

Ideas for tickets: Australian Pink Floyd Show, Hockey, plays at the NAC, etc (he tends to enjoy the classics more than the moderns), concerts at the NAC (he enjoys the pops series).

Other ideas: gift certificates to restaurants, movies, Chapters, Tip Top or the Bay.

Jenn:

I'll take a second ticket to an event that Dave wants to go to as my
gift (except hockey). Anything at the NAC would be a nice evening for me.

DVDs: Blindside, Connie and Carla, Easy A

Gift Certificates: Chapters, Future Shop, Addition Elle, The Shoe Company

Alex:

For the boys, we're also asking for a reduction in the sheer amount of stuff that comes home with us. Alex is very much enjoying playing soccer at school and he's enjoying music, so if someone would like to help cover the costs of some lessons, that would be great.

He would love to have an iPad of his own.

Clothes: Tops: size 7/8 Pants: size 6 or 6X Shoes: size 13

Books: He's doing very well with more complex stories and seems to really like the more scientific stuff, like geography or nature books.

Interests: Sesame Street, Elmo, Wiggles, science, numbers + math

Gift Certificates: iTunes (he likes a lot of music and videos and has his own iPod)

Nathan:

We're asking for a reduction of stuff for both boys but for Nathan, we'd also like to skip the clothes. His drawers are literally bursting
with stuff.

Nathan really loves to dance so if anyone would like to help with the cost of lessons, that would be great.

Interests: Sesame Street, Dinosaurs, music, animals

Toy ideas: musical instruments (of reasonable quality and simple to play), toy figures or animals.

Our dollhouse has been broken in disputes and Nathan would love to get
a new one.

Nathan on a Government Website

November, 2010:

Halloween 2010

Jenn does up mini pumpkins or peppers for the front step (yes, that's snow on the car there):



Cosumes all made by Jenn. Featuring:

Alex wearing Nathan's Elmo costume:



Nathan wearing Alex's Captain Feathersword costume:



Jenn as Supermom:



...and Dave as Cookie Monster:

The Wiggles Tour, Ottawa 2010

Nathan and Murray compare wardrobes:



Jeff tries to disentangle himself from Alex:



Nathan is moved by the music: