Wild Play

I know that I have mentioned Bradyn's friend Alexander in previous posts.  Sadly, Alexander is ending his French Immersion days this year and heading off to a different middle school from Bradyn.  I'm so sad to see the two going separate ways, and really want to try and keep them connected.  As our 'last hurrah', we went to Wild Play Aventure Park last weekend.  The kids had been there with the daycare but were only allowed to go on the 'kiddie' course and wanted to do the 'big' one.  I hadn't originally planned to do the obstacle course with them but changed my mind at the last minute.  It wasn't the skinny little wires or wobbly, unstable planks you had to walk across that got to me, it was stepping off the platform to do the zip lines and the final bungee jump.  Once I stepped off it was fine but actually taking that step sure was tough!  There were a few climbing portions that you needed some arm strength for but other than that, it wasn't too strenuous - it just messed with my head!

We had a 2-hour wait before our turn (we didn't know you could make reservations) so we headed over to the river to kill some time.

Finally getting all geared up.

Trial run on the lower course.

You could only have 3 people on a platform at a time and one on the 'activity' so B decided to hang out in the net.

Bradyn held the lead while I brought up the rear behind Alex and she literally flew through the course (when there wasn't a people-jam).  She was loving it while Alexander and I were a little more cautious. 

Not sure I want to do it again but I suspect we'll be there again next summer.

P.S. - I see the videos aren't showing up - I'll try and get that fixed but it may take me a bit.

Middle School

Wow.  Just wow.  Bradyn is now in Middle School.  I know I've said it a million times and I know I'll say it a million more in her lifetime.... where does the time go?  This year as Bradyn enters grade 6, she is going to a new school.  I admit I've been dreading the change for a number of years now but in all honesty, it's going really well (but it has only been 4, sunny days LOL).  Between us and another family we drop the kids off at school in the morning and then after school they walk about 10 minutes across to the main road and catch the bus up the hill to our place.  We did a few test runs of the walk and bus before school started so Bradyn and her friend Brayden (I know, too much) are handling it like pros.  

Day one was actually 2 1/2 hours instead of our usual 30 minutes, which was great.  As I write this on Sunday September 10 we still don't know who her teacher is, but an email from the principal Friday night assures us we'll all know tomorrow.  I knew Bradyn was nervous Tuesday morning because she ended up changing what she had been planning to wear - she was suddenly self-conscious of her choice.  We quickly found something else and off she went.

I tried to hang back at the school as Bradyn reunited with her old classmates because I didn't want to embarrass Bradyn in front of new, potential friends, and I didn't want to be that mom.  It was tough.  I was happy and excited for her but then I felt the tears welling up in my eyes.  I'm glad I was able to stop them from falling down my cheeks but was sure wishing I'd worn sunglasses like the mom I was commiserating with.  I snapped a few photos from afar but they are terribly blurry.

I met Bradyn and Brayden ("Brayden the boy" as we call him) at the designated flagpole meeting spot after class and then sent them on their way to catch the bus home.  I stopped at the mall on my way home to pick up a few things and soon received a text from Bradyn saying she was home safe and sound.  She also sent me several photos her and a friend had taken as they were walking to the bus.

On Day 2, Bradyn took her new backpack and some school supplies with her.  I love her new shoes!

I've looked at pictures on Brady's phone that she has taken this past week.  It looks like she's having lots of fun with her new independence - so many smiling faces as the kids make their way to the bus.  Sure hope those smiles continue as the weather gets wetter and colder!