A - "O"- K

Jonathan and "Mr. O"

Here's Jonathan with Joe O'Connor (a.k.a. "Mr. O"), his awesome Educational Assistant, on the last day of school.  We were happy to find out today that Mr. O will be back to Rideau Public School in September!

Great Grade Eight Grad

 This evening was Grade 8 Graduation at Calvin Park Public School.  Here's Allison in her new dress.

                                                             Getting ready to go.

                                                           With Grandma and Dad.

                                                              With Mom and Dad.

  With her grade 8 homeroom teacher, Mike Depew.                      Proudly wearing her medal.

Allison received the Burgess-Davidson Literacy Award for the student in the Challenge program who demonstrated excellence in writing.  We were very surprised and proud when her name was announced, although her teacher had already told her she might receive an award.  We're very proud of Allison:  she's a great student, a sweet girl, and a wonderful daughter.

never mean

Jonathan headed for the "yellow-blue-red" as usual today when we arrived at school.  His former classmate Sam came over and took a few shots with the small yellow ball Jonathan had brought -- but he missed every shot.  Each time, Jonathan responded by saying, "So close!"  Sam laughed and said, "He says I suck."  I told Sam, "No, he's saying 'So close' -- Jonathan would never say you suck."

Afterward I got thinking about when Jonathan was in kindergarten and one of his classmates told her mom, "Jonathan is never mean."  To me that is a pretty good depiction of character, to have someone say that you are never mean or that you would never insult someone.  I know when I was nine, people were sometimes mean to me -- and I was sometimes mean to other people.  I remember refusing to hold a certain girl's hand when we were playing a game because she was very fat.  I still remember the look my teacher gave me.  She didn't have to say a word; the expression on her face said it all: "BUSTED."

I don't think that (most of the time) we should condemn ourselves for what we did when we were nine.  We're far more responsible for the things we do when we're nineteen, or twenty-nine, or ninety-nine, and our meannesses at those ages are likely a lot more serious.  But the thing is with Jonathan:  he will probably still not be mean when he is nineteen, or twenty-nine, or whatever.  He doesn't have that tendency most of us have (or develop) that makes us judge people according to their skills, or their weight, or their appearance, or their status.  Everyone in his world is a friend -- and not just the garbage truck guys, either.  And if that's how you see the world, how can you be mean?

Sam, you don't suck ... you're close.  Really close.

"It's a beautiful day -- don't let it get away" *

The weather was gorgeous today:  sunny, breezy, no humidity.  I walked Jonathan to school and he was so cheerful and contented.  A friend came over shortly afterward and picked me up, and we went on a little shopping excursion and then had coffee and talked and laughed together.  I got home, only to head out soon again  to meet another friend at a noontime concert at St. George's Cathedral.  We spent an hour listening to the Cantabile Men's Chorus -- it was lovely.  Then I went to the market and bought some strawberries; berry season is here and they're so delicious!!

A beautiful day, start to finish -- well, technically it's NOT finished yet, but I'm optimistic.

*U2 song lyrics

Walk & Wheel 2012

This past Saturday we went to Extend-a-Family's annual Walk & Wheel fundraiser.  We went on a 3 km walk, saw many of our friends, and enjoyed a BBQ.  Here's Allison with her friend Mallory ...

 ... Jonathan taking a seat in the fire truck ...

... and me and Jonathan having some popcorn.  It was a good day.  Our family team (The Prinsenators) raised over $250.