Grade 4

Right on time this year, Bradyn headed back to school to start Grade 4.  And just like every other year, the first day consisted of a whopping 30 minutes.  She went back to her Grade 3 classroom and our beloved Mme Piggott for attendance, and to find out where she was to report to on Wednesday morning.

It was pouring rain on Tuesday morning, so we had to do some porch shots.

After school, during a break in the rain, I dragged Bradyn out to the gate for our standard 'First Fake Day of School' photo.  It was actually a lot of fun because when I started trying to take some Mommy-Brady selfies, we got hands, half faces, lots of smiles and giggles.  

On Wednesday morning when I wanted Bradyn's 'Official' First Day of Grade 4 photos, she wasn't having anything to do with it.  As you can see, she has graduated to being too cool for Mom to take school pictures.  Sorry for including so many, but I just love how you can see the attitude and then the ice melt as I kept taking them and saying 'just one more GOOD one'.

Is it me or did she age 5 years between fake first day and real first day?  LOL  

I was impressed that Bradyn came home on Monday September 14 and knew who her teacher was going to be.  (I figured that like in past years, it would be closer to the end of the second week).  Bradyn is in a Grade 4/Grade 5 split class this year and got the teacher that she had wanted - Mme Luca.  She also got a young boy by the name of Ben in her class this year that is new to Panorama.  

I think you know what's coming next....

The answer is yes.  There have been endless conversations about Ben every day since.  Bradyn SAYS she doesn't have a crush on Ben, but 'me thinks thou dost protest too much'.  

I think Grade 4 is going to be a very fun year.

Red Stripes

As you know, in my last post I shared with you that Bradyn has started Jiu Jitsu.  Well now we have a flurry of stripes to tell you about!  I still haven't figured out the rankings in Jiu Jitsu or what exactly stripes are earned for, but Bradyn now has 2!  (I do know that the more stripes you have, the higher ranking you have for that particular colour of belt.)

On Sunday September 13, Bradyn was awarded her first red stripe for her dedication and hard work to date.  Since she only started in July, I must admit I was a bit surprised.  I was also totally bummed because I was shopping in Costco when I got the message from Kevin that she got her first stripe.  (Kevin takes Bradyn to her Jiu Jitsu and Kick Boxing classes.  I figure I've put in my time with swimming lessons and gymnastics for the last 8 years LOL)

With Quinn, her instructor.  Bradyn was so happy!

Imagine my shock when today, just two weeks later, I got another text from Kevin.... "Guess who got her 2nd red stripe?"  DAMN!  Are you kidding me?  Missed another one.  I won't lie.  At first I thought perhaps Don (the owner, who usually teaches the Sunday class) didn't know Quinn had given Bradyn a stripe 2 weeks ago.  But Don wasn't even there - it was Quinn that gave her another one.  Quinn said that Bradyn was earning a stripe because she always pays attention and asks great questions (like the mechanics of how the various moves work and to ensure she's doing it correctly).  Two other children were also awarded stripes today.  

I think that when November rolls around, we're going to try and get Bradyn taking classes 2 days a week.  She seems to have a real affinity for it and while I love watching the Kick Boxing, Kevin really loves the Jiu Jitsu.  Needless to say, there's a lot more MMA talk going on in the Reeves household these days.