First Day of Fourth Grade

Braxton started school on August 17th this year. Seems so early. He was a little nervous at first because he didn't know who his teacher would be, but then on the 16th there was an ice cream social at the school where we got to meet his new teacher, drop off his school supplies and see his desk and classroom. He REALLY likes his teacher and there are friends from last year in his class. Even though I was sad for school to start, it is nice to be back on our schedule. We had such a fun and busy summer, it's nice to have routine again. Although that first day, Emma spent a lot of time knocking on Braxton's bedroom door and calling to him. She just can't get enough of him, as you can see in the picture.

Home Sweet Home

Here's a quick summary:

I am finally getting around to blogging about our trip to Nova Scotia this summer. 18 Glorious Days!!! I wish that I could spend every summer there. We had such a great time. Getting there was an adventure. Flying with 2 kids is not the easiest, we had a lot of things go wrong and we did a lot of running through the airports. I thought back to my earlier blog entry back in March when I flew back to Canada alone and sat and read my book and enjoyed my time. This trip was the complete opposite. We almost missed both our flights, it took us over an hour to clean customs, Air Canada lost my car seat. I will say this though, there is no better airline than Air Canada. They were so helpful when they saw that I was traveling with little ones. Plus, they have TVs on the chair backs with recent movies and tv shows. We watched "How to Train Your Dragon" and I watched "Date Night" while Emma slept.

When we got to Halifax, we stayed at my sister's house over night, I had forgotten how much I hate humidity. It was so gross, I took a shower the next morning and felt so hot and sticky within 10 minutes. We drove to Cape Breton and that's where the fun began. It really doesn't matter where I live, Cape Breton is home and it feels like home and when I am there, it feels like I never left.

We went to the beach. Braxton can now say that he has gone swimming in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The kids played with cousins, EVERYDAY!!! I think that is what they enjoyed the most about the trip, I really liked it too. I saw some wonderful friends, family and spent a lot of time with my sisters. I was there for 10 days and then Ryan arrived. I then had to play tour guide. We went to the Fortress of Louisbourg which is an 18th century French Fortress, we played in the ocean, we had the best pizza in the world, I had girl's night out. We spent a night in Ingonish with most of my family, it was so beautiful there. It's so hard to get all nine of us siblings together, there were 7 of us in Ingonish. We stayed at these cute cabins, played at the beach, ate lot of food, played games and had such a great time. I think that was the highlight of our trip. Spending time with family is what it's all about. After Ingonish, we drove around parts of the Island, Cape Breton is called Nova Scotia's Masterpiece for a reason. It is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I was able to take Ryan and the kids to North River, where my grandparents grew up. We visited my Papa's grave, we ate seafood at a restaurant that had an incredible view of the water. We spent a day in Halifax and visited the Citadel and the waterfront. We decided the next time we go, we will spend a few extra days in Halifax and maybe visit Prince Edward Island. I cannot wait to go back. Being there makes me realize how much I miss it there. I am happy that the kids loved it there, Braxton keeps asking when we are going back.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Kindred Spirits

Anne tipped the vase of apple blossoms near enough to bestow a soft kiss on a pink-cupped bud, and then studied diligently for some moments longer. "Marilla," she demanded presently, "do you think that I shall ever have a bosom friend in Avonlea?"

"A--what kind of friend?"

"A bosom friend--an intimate friend, you know--a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul. I've dreamed of meeting her all my life. I never really supposed I would, but so many of my loveliest dreams have come true all at once that perhaps this one will too. Do you think it's possible?"

--Anne of Green Gables, LMM

Yes Anne, it is possible!!! When I was in first grade, we got a new girl in our class. Her name was Kathleen MacPhee. Imagine my joy when I found out that this little girl moved in a house just down the street from me. I could see her house from our bathroom window. My sister, Melissa and I went down for a visit and it was there that I found my kindred spirit. Since, first grade, Kathleen and I were the best of friends. We played together every day after school and had sleep overs every weekend. I cherish my childhood memories because there aren't too many of those memories that do not include Kathleen. We both wanted to be veterinarians, writers, artists and start our own band and book publishing company. We were going to call it ABC Paperback. We loved books, animals and music. I know that my appreciation for good music is because of my mom and because of Kathleen. We used to sit on her front lawn and have a picnic and listen to our music. We were outside all the time. Kathleen and I were/are like sisters. We have shared some of the happiest, craziest and even heart breaking moments of our lives together. We may not live next door to each other, but I know she is always there for me.

Kathleen with her cat, Skitter, when she was 8 years old

While I was in Canada this summer, Kathleen drove to Nova Scotia to see me one weekend. We hadn't seen each other in 12 year. 12 YEARS!!!! I was so excited to see her, I was almost giddy. It was one the things that I was looking the most forward to since I found out she was coming to visit. We had such a fun weekend, we had a sleepover at my mom's house and she got to spend time with Braxton and Emma. It didn't seem like it was 12 years, it felt like we still lived down the street from each another. Even though we are both older, married, with 2 kids each, she is still my kindred spirit, my friend whom I can confide my inmost soul. She knows me and my heart.

PS: I love the above picture of Kathleen. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this one is the perfect one to describe who she is.