Well...

we have finally had a full week of school - no snow days, no fog delays, back to "normal". Whatever that is!
I must say, I am certainly enjoying my Thursday afternoon Phys Ed classes in the GYM! Now we can actually use the curriculum we have and do proper PE activities. Instead of dodgeball. Every day. Or dangerous games like Alligator (don't ask).
Deanna has been publishing a newspaper. It is called the Friendship Free Press. Mr. Meinen photocopies it and distributes it with the newsletter. This is the second edition. It's full of lovely tips like "Is your homework too hard? Invite a friend over and work together. Nothing's too hard when you share it with a friend!" Very insightful child she is. Can you believe she will be 10 next month? Ya, me either....
Okay, I have to go to Costco now....
That is all.

First Day of School!

In our new facility, that is! After a 3-week break, CCS opened its doors again. This time to its larger, much more suitable and permanent school building in Lambeth! The kids were so excited to go to school today. A 3 week holiday is nice, but it was plenty long enough...

I took my camera along this morning to record the historic events! After 32 years in the "old" school, this is a BIG DEAL!! I told the kids they were part of history!!! Mr. Meinen told them the same thing in his opening remarks this morning. There was not an assembly, but the school did morning devotions together in the chapel. Yes, we have a chapel! No more moving desks aside in Gr 7/8 classroom for assemblies, and hoping there is enough room.... we can fit 100+ people in the chapel, and if we need more room, we move to the gym!

So here are some pictures of the historic events!!

Waiting to come in! The Grade 1-4 entrance.

Yep, they still remember how to line up!

Grade 5-8 entrance.

Opening devotions in the chapel.

Allison and her speech therapist in the "Special Ed" office! Nice and bright and sunny, compared to the dungeon of a basement we used before.

Grade 1/2 classroom

Grade 3/4 classroom

Grade 5/6 classroom

Grade 7/8 classroom

Mr. Meinen needed a coffee before he started teaching. The staff room is a LONG way down the hall....

Weekend Pet

Abby is visiting us again for the weekend. She is the best kind of pet to have! She comes and stays for a few days, keeps the kids occupied, and then she goes home before she costs us any money!

She has the most beautiful big brown eyes, but she always looks so sad. Last night when she came, Natalie was quite concerned about her. She spent about 1/2 hour trying to cheer her up. She just laid on the floor by Abby, talking and talking to her, and hugging her...

The dog has no reason to be sad, though, she gets treated like a princess around here!

Natalie had Deanna's headband light on today, because she was an "I Spy". She pulled it down over her eyebrows and said "See Mom, now I'm mad"

Then she pulled it back up and said "Now I'm happy!"

Monday the kids go back to school - finally! I'll try to remember my camera, and post some pics of them in the new school! They can't wait....

And a Happy New Year too!

OK, anonymous or not... I wish all of you readers a blessed 2009!

We rang in the New Year with friends. After hearing a really nice sermon, we went over to Tammy and Albert's with two other families. It was a lot of fun!

"Mrs. Meinen, do you have batteries?"

"Say Cheese, Mom!"

Art and Albert took the kids sledding at about 11:00 p.m. It was cold, but a lot of fun.

They came back just in time to warm up and watch the Times Square countdown.

Joel synchronizing his watch to the countdown...

A few more seconds....

Cameras ready...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I guess we were too loud for her.

The revelries continued with Wii downstairs, and some Canadian Trivia upstairs. By the time we headed home, it was after 2, and ALL of the kids were still up! Needless to say, we all slept in today, and are enjoying a "lazy" day today.

Homemade pizza for supper and early to bed... for everyone!