He finally wakes up and realizes it’s that special day, the day he gets to go to his big boy school for a whole day. He quickly gets dressed, brushes his teeth and washes his face without argument. Wow, this is feeling good!

He eats his brekky, we pack his lunch and backpack, and he even has time to watch a TV show while I get ready. We head out a few minutes early so we can capture this monumental day with some photos to share & remember.

Looking good

What a poser

Check out the coolest backpack...STAR WARS - from Pottery Barn Kids

Running to school! Wonder how long that will last?

Come on Mum....

Running towards the playground

In line with Cael & Cailyn - two friends from nursery school

Thomas' school for the next 8 years

So that’s the start to this day, Tuesday September 15th 2009, Thomas’ first day at JK! Now I’m going to get caught up on editing some sessions without interruption.

After school Update

I walked Ripley to pick Thomas up from school and didn’t take a camera so no after school photos.

Right after the bell rang, Thomas came out of school with his teacher and classmates. He was thrilled to see that Ripley had come to meet him. I doubt I can get Ripley out of bed to walk with us in the morning but she’ll enjoy the afternoon pickup.

Rather than leave right away and head home Thomas said he wanted to eat the rest of his lunch, at school, on a bench. So for the next 10 minutes we sat there watching the kids get on the buses as Thomas munched on his remaining lunch.

At the moment here’s how he ranks his social scene…

JK is better than day care, but nursery tops JK.

As we prepared to go to the local park for the first game Thomas was adament he didn’t want to play.  That soon changed when he began to realize what it was all about.  Dressed in a royal blue team shirt and new “W”aterdown ball cap he quickly looked the part, even taking up some traditional baseball poses while in the diamond.

At first he’d hit the ball then chase after it but quickly understood he needed to run to base.  When fielding, he kept a very keen eye on the ball.  During the last inning in the field Thomas was quick and scooped up the balls from 4 of the 5 batters.

Game time is 6:30pm every Monday for 9 weeks.  The evening light was golden although shooting into it for most angles.  Next week they are on a different diamond and should be well lit if it’s a sunny evening.  Here’s a small collection of last night’s photos.

Ready to play

Jumping on the 'blast' base

Two racing for the base - not exactly what should happen in the game

Making base

Good hand-eye coordination - the Wii is paying off

Totally looks the part!

One happy little guy!

Thrilled to have scooped up the ball

After getting gas we decided to get me a coffee and Thomas a cookie.  At first he wanted to do the drive-thru but I told him he can’t say hi to the new employees if he’s stuck in the back seat of the Jeep, so in we went.

Pics taken with my crackberry

Chocolate chunk cookies rock!

The all important drive-thru window

Someone pinch me!

January 18th Thomas and I boarded a flight from Toronto to Gatwick, his first trip away from home. The 10-day trip had a few family related purposes and consisted of two plane trips and 3 train rides.

Auntie Hazel met us at Gatwick and we took a train through London to Bedford where my Mum, Thomas’ Nanny, met us. The first part of the trip we stayed with my Mum in the Midlands. On the flat Fens of Lincolnshire Thomas figured the mud looked good to play in. He discovered sties, played Pooh Sticks, saw huge farm equipment and photographed an old church and gravestones.

Splish Sploshing in the mud

Tackled a stone sty

Barholm Church

Of course we had to head to the local chippy to pick up fish & chips for supper on our first night.

In a real English chippy with Nanny

Boys will be boys. Thomas’ affinity to water (a true Weedon trait) drove him to dunk a dog toy into the bird bath water, then throw it around the garden for Sampson to chase. He managed to get the toy stuck in a tree a couple of times but he & Sampson had a good play.

Dunking a dog toy in the bird bath

We walked the dogs across the field and found a dead rabbit skeleton. There is a photo but I’m not posting it When Sampson was let off leash he ran like a crazy dog. I’m sure it felt great to run hard

Walking Danny & Sampson with Nanny

Great time playing outdoors without snow

Thomas insisted on walking Danny down the road towards the pub. He did great at the beginning but when Danny pulled he let go of the leash. It was funny watching Thomas chase after Danny trying to stomp on the leash to stop him.

Walking Danny down by the pub

One reason for the trip was for my Nana’s cremation. Although I wasn’t sure how Thomas would behave during the service he was pretty good, and in fact was quite humorous. During the service the minister said “have mercy”, Thomas found this curious as mercy is his word for me to stop tickling him. Then during a prayer the minister said “Jesus Christ”, Thomas immediately turned to me and said “Mummy, that man said Jesus Christ, he’s naughty”.

He saw Nana’s coffin and asked me “what’s in the box”?, I said “Nana, she was old, tired and fell asleep and didn’t wake up. Now she’s going to heaven”. He looked horrified and asked, “my Nana”? “No hon, Mummy’s Nana. Your Nana is in Canada with Grandpa Julian, we’ll see them when we get home”. I said “we’re here to say goodbye to my Nana” and he quietly said “bye Nana” and waved to the coffin. Really quite touching.

After the service Thomas got an opportunity to play with his cousins; well second, third, whatever cousins, I’m not a genealogy expert!

Hugs for cousin Liam

Cousins Ian & Gareth

Thomas immediately found two “new best friends” as he says. Cousins Leah & Nikki. Nikki wanted to take Thomas home with her, if only I could have convinced Sarah to let her!

Leah, Nikki, Thomas & Liam

Ash was great! Playing countless games of pool with the kids. Thomas learned the finer art of pool and the fact you need to stick out your tongue as you concentrate on your shot!

Ash helping Thomas shoot pool

Thomas & Ian

Liam & Ash playing pool

Ian & Ash

The second half of the trip found us on a train from Peterborough to North Allerton where Grandma & Grandpa met us. The journey took us through York and we saw York Minster Cathedral from the train.

York Minster Cathedral from the train

Another reason for the trip was so  Thomas could meet his Great Grandpa Tom who is 101 years old, and for who Thomas is named after. Young people are wonderful to watch when they meet someone they know from stories and pictures but have never met in person. No shyness, instant connection. Thomas was proud to show his Great Grandpa the toys he had with him and loved hearing stories and a poem.

Thomas and his Great Grandpa Tom

We also visited a race horse stable in Middleham, North Yorkshire. Grandma & Grandpa own a leg, hoof, or maybe an ear, of a young racehorse. We saw the other horses then met their horse. I’ll have to ask Grandma its name.

Grandma & Grandpa's Race Horse

We had a quick visit at Middleham Castle, once home to Richard III. Thomas was quick to want to take photos, this time using my Canon 5D. Too heavy for him to handle by himself but with a little help he did quite well. This is one of the photos Thomas took of Middleham Castle.

Middleham Castle

Thomas wanted a photo with us all but there was no-one around to take a one. He said “use the timer”. How does a 3 1/2 year old know about a camera’s self-timer, let alone when, why & how to use it? With the camera precariously balanced on a rail, and the dried moat about 15 feet below it, we got a good group shot of us at the castle gate.

At Middleham Castle

We took our last train ride from North Allerton to Manchester Airport and stayed at the airport hotel overnight. The combination of traveling, busy days and fresh air took its toll on Thomas every night. He had long and restful sleeps every night and didn’t seem affected by jet lag at all. This is at the hotel before flying home the next morning.

Total Exhaustion

Our homebound flight was so much longer than the outbound. We didn’t get an extra seat between us, Thomas slept a mere 90 minutes versus the 5 hours going to the UK, the 2+ hour delay for fog, a cabin that was abut 5 degrees too hot and my back seizing up all made for a long and uncomfortable flight. On arrival in Toronto, Thomas was eager to see his Daddy.  Our baggage seemed to take forever but we zipped through customs to find Justin waiting for his squealing & giddy little boy!

At 3 1/2 Thomas may not remember his trip so I’ve made a book up so he can look though it and hopefully remember for years to come. You can see a sneak peak of the book, and purchase a copy if you want, at my bookstore.  A copy shipped to us yesterday so he should receive it early next week.

Testing the maple sap!

We took a wagon ride around the sugar bush. Mountsberg operates
two dual teams of Percherons and they are a popular draw.

Percherons working the sugar bush

The all important sugar shack where 40L of sap is reduced to a mere 1L of glorious syrup.

Steaming Sugar Shack

Thomas has progressed from not wanting to get dirt on his hands to absolutely loving the dirt.
I think I’m in for some muddy pants this Spring.

Wellies, wax jacket and a baseball cap!

Along with mud & dirt, Thomas has an affinity for puddles especially when he’s sporting a pair of Hunter wellies.

Wellies = splashing good time!

Thomas simply loved his trip to Mountsberg.
Finally the weather is here to enjoy a good 2+ hour outing on the weekends.

Chuffed little lad

Mountsberg also has a Rapture Centre where birds of prey are rehabilitated.
Some are released but others that have wing injuries or human imprinting are cared for indefinitely at the centre.

Rehabilitated turkey vulture sunning herself

The centre has a pair of bald eagles that can not be released. It’s nesting season
and bald eagles often nest on the ground.  This photo was taken through the chain link fence.

Bald Eagle nesting

Thomas always enjoys a good rough up, as long as he wins!
Justin took the brunt as Thomas tackled him to the ground.

Tackling Daddy

The first is the length, with snow and cold weather often hanging around from November through April.  The second is the more intolerable greyness we suffer with for that same period.  Sure the sun come out but there is a serious dull, boring, monotone look to the environment around you.  Even the coniferous suffer and seem like the saturation of their needles gets bought down.

Well March 21st rolled around and even though we didn’t get the sun or warmth the weatherman promised, it was still the first day of Spring!  We’re still in for another few weeks of greyness but the mercury is climbing and we have had some nice days already.  Soon enough we’ll be in shorts & T’s running through the water parks trying to cool off from the intolerable hot & humid Summer days Ontario endures.

Thomas hit the Waterdown Wetland trails on his bike on Saturday.  It’s not the first time on the bike this year and it wasn’t overly warm but we did get out and enjoy the first day of Spring!

I'm with 'im

Climbing trees like boys do

Proficient at maneuvering his bike

Everything is a boring monotone

Peddling the boardwalk

Happy little lad