Soccer

Ethan continues to love soccer and gets better every game. He is a regular goal scorer for his team, which is undefeated against the other teams in the same age category (4-5 year olds). He loves his two coaches, Coach C and Coach J and playing with his teammates, particularly Tyler and Brooklyn. Here are a few pictures from Monday's practice.

Baby Loland's Due Date

Baby Loland's due date came and went uneventfully, except for the opportunity to participate in a Valentine's Day playdate at Michele's (a friend from work) new home. Matt, Nik, Logan and Ethan had a great time playing together. We managed to get them sitting at the table for a quick bite of lunch before hurrying off to play again, not wanting to waste any of their precious play time together!

Michele and her daughter, Darcy.

Logan, Matt, Nik and Ethan (from left to right).

Abbotsford's Live Site

The Abbotsford Recreation Centre is a Live Olympic Site for the 2010 Olympics. In addition to hosting both the Japanese speed skating team and the Russian figure skaters, it has various events going on throughout the Olympics. On Saturday, the events included a market place, craft centres, bounce z0nes, sports demos, skating and swimming, and many more. For Ethan the highlight was the Sports Ball demonstration. From "slam-dunks" to obstacle course running, the kids were kept moving and had a great time.

The Opening Ceremonies Final Dress Rehearsal

At $1200 a seat, there was no way I thought I would ever be a part of the live audience at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic games. So, when the opportunity to be a spectator of the final dress rehearsal arose, I knew it was an opportunity of a lifetime. So, just four days before I was due to have Baby Loland #2, I headed into Vancouver with Jan (the amazing friend that provided me with this opportunity). What an amazing experience! We had a great time and enjoyed the show so much, I will never forget it! Here are a few pictures of the evening:

Canada arrives!

The Spirit Bear apparently weighed 900kg.

Go Canada!

Julie Carries the Torch! :)

After the Torch came through Abbotsford, one of the Torch bearers moms, a hearing teacher in Abbotsford, brought in the Torch her son, Nick Taylor, carried to show and share with my students. So, although I was not an official Torch bearer, I still had the privilege of "carrying" the Torch.

The Torch Run Arrives in Abbotsford

We were very excited for the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Abbotsford, just five days before the Olympics began in Vancouver. So, with great anticipation we set out (during the Super Bowl) to try and catch a glimpse of this once in a lifetime event (or twice in my case). We found a great location in downtown Abbotsford where we witnessed the torch go by. We then headed down to Abbotsford Exhibition Park for the Torch celebration ceremonies and watched the Torch arrive there as well. We even found a kind Torch bearer to take a picture with! It was a great night. We enjoyed spending time together as a family and celebrating with 15,000 other Canadians our great country. GO CANADA!

Awaiting the Torches arrival!

The Torch is passed on.

Miss Piggy Comes Home With Ethan

From January 28 - February 2, we had the privilege of providing a home for Miss Piggy, Ethan's preschool class pet, a guinea pig. Ethan was very excited to bring Miss Piggy home with us and helped feed her (she loved lettuce), fill her water bottle and even clean her cage. He made sure Miss Piggy got her vitamins everyday. Miss Piggy slept in Ethan's room each night and when we had to return her back to class, all of us were a little sad to see her go (except maybe Chloe).

Case's 2nd Birthday

Ethan helped his friend, Case (a friend's son from my Blue Jay Elementary days) celebrate his 2nd birthday on January 30, 2010. Ethan had a lot of fun playing with the Sesame Street characters, eating cake, collecting pinata treats and watching Case open his gifts! Happy Birthday Case!

Ethan Visits Terry Fox Elementary

I brought Ethan to school with me today to enjoy a field trip to a presentation at Howe Middle School by Max-a-Mime. The show was done without any words. Max was very funny and kept us all laughing. Ethan enjoyed being with my students, who were also very excited to see him.

Ethan sitting with my class, just before the show began.

Max-a-Mime in action!

The Zoo in January

Ethan and I went to the Zoo on Saturday. We had the most beautiful warm weather and so thought we would take advantage and go for a bike ride. We had a great time. The zoo was quiet and all the animals seemed to be out enjoying the lovely weather too because they were easy to spot.