Cha-cha-changes... Junior Kindergarten & The Royal Ontario Museum

This week I watched my little boy grow up a little bit.  Normally I don't notice the subtle changes until I go back and watch old videos.  This week he really showed me that he's growing up.   Here's what happened:

1.  Junior Kindergarten Visit

On Monday, we went to his school for a pre-junior kindergarten visit.  He wore his little man uniform shirt, a pair of shorts, runners, and his little backpack.  He really did look like a little man.  I was really proud of his ability to hold his own.  I was a little worried what it would be like, as he'll be one of the youngest in his class this September.  This visit was good for both of us... he got to see his class and I get to worry a little less.

Here's what made me smile:  1) He said "hi everyone" to the kids in the class without being prompted  2) He raised his hand to answer a question 3) He stood up in front of the class and read the number "14".   For a kid that has never been in daycare, he was really good!  I was surprised he could sit still for so long because I was getting fidgety.  But when a fly came into the classroom, he got distracted as did all of the other students.

Here's a picture of him finding something on the ground.  His "homework" has been all but forgotten.

2.  Visit to the Royal Ontario Museum with his friends

On Wednesday, we went to the Royal Ontario Museum with his little friend H.   They met at a kids party and then ended up taking some classes together (cooking and numbers) through the Ontario Early Years Centres.  This is the same friend that got this apron for her birthday.  

What really stuck out for me was that he was being "Mr Tour Guide" and telling her about all the cool stuff at the museum.  It was almost like he was showing off what he knew!  He was also really brave about going into the bat cave. -

When Matteo lost his shoe (worst thing that can happen in his world), Joshie stayed behind with his friend at the knights exhibit.  While I was busy hunting down the shoe, he showed her his favourite piece in the European collection (the "Lemon Lime" dish).  

Pals who like dinosaurs:
 

Must dig for bones... Poor Matteo is too short to dig for bones.

3.  Play Time with Little Bro

I hear him saying things like:

• It's not like that.  Do you want me to show you how?
• You get the first one you touch!
• You need to take turns!
• Do you want to play with me?

So yes, my baby is growing up.  I'm totally going to be the Mom that cries on his first day of school. 

Jello, Riverdale Farm, ROM, Kindergarten, New Bedroom... in no particular order...

It's been a hectic week so I'm glad I have a chance to sit down and type a little while everyone is sleeping (including hubby).  My mom would probably ask me why I wasn't sleeping but it's my time for a break before the madness starts.

So last week was a busy one...

We went with my sister to the ROM (yes again!!) but I warned her that we probably wouldn't cover a lot of ground cuz the kids are slow.  We went to the European section first this time and stood on Europa.  Then we strolled again through the Dino collection and spent a lot of time in the kids play area.

The family and I visited one of our local schools to check out J/K.  Eek!!!  My baby is going to school in September.  We are going to visit one more before we make a final decision.

 This could be his school next year!!








We went crazy making jello jigglers - or as Joshie likes to call them "jiggler jugglers".   We used their favourite Sesame Street characters.

We went to our first "Little Farmers" class at Riverdale Farm and met "Rooster" the horse.  I was very proud of Joshie for braving the very very cold temperatures.  Can't wait to meet the chickens! 

The biggest change OF ALL TIME for us was getting the kids into the same bedroom and getting our own space back.   Back in August, I wrote about the end of the baby phase for Baby Teo.   This is definitely the end of the baby phase now that he is in a big boy bed with bed rails.  

As for crafting... haven't had a chance to do anything off of my to-do list.  I've had a lot of orders come through and something exciting coming up later this month for my little shop.   

Next up... need to get ready for all the birthdays coming up and especially for Chinese New Year!  I'm exhausted!

Recipe: Mayan Hot Chocolate

Skill Level:  Easy
Ingredients:  1 cup milk, chocolate chips, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper

Directions:  Place a handful of chocolate chips in a mug.  Heat it in the microwave for about 45 seconds or until the chocolate is soft.  Pour milk into the mug.  Heat in the microwave for about 1 1/2 min (or until it begins to boil).  Remove and whisk in a pinch of cayenne pepper and approx 2 pinches of cinnamon.  Enjoy!!

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Today's post was inspired by our trip last week to see the Maya Exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum.   This trip was a little different than our usual.  This time we went as part of a ROM/Mompreneur event.   We had a great time - the kids were spoiled with hot chocolate, fresh fruit, and cookies.  Best of all, they got to meet a Maya High Priest.  The kids were lukewarm about the Maya High Priest - might have been the blue paint or headdress.  

After our morning snack, we went into the museum to see the Maya Exhibit.  Very cool but not as much for the kiddies as for the adults.  After a quick lunch, we made our way over to see the dinosaurs and do a little more "digging" for dinosaur bones. 

If you haven't been to the Royal Ontario Museum lately, I would suggest you stop by.  It's awesome! 

Royal Ontario Museum... again!

Last week we went to the ROM again.  The kids cannot get enough of this place!

This time we decided to take it slow and we mostly stayed in the biodiversity section.

Here are some random pictures... Monkey was very upset when he saw the video with the trapped turtle.  We watched it many times.  He just couldn't understand why anyone would do that.  He's so sweet!

Then we went to the Discovery Gallery for some more fun

My budding paleontologist

Here is bunny hiding behind the abacus

I wanted to get this at lunch but forgot

Mammoth tooth!

Triceratops or Styracosaurus? 

Kids love to touch stuff!

We saw this guy in the elevator

Joshie's fave!  He calls it the "Lemon/Lime"

Pretty fall day

Heading home...  kids are asleep... aah!!!

My City: Royal Ontario Museum

We've been to the museum 2 times in the last two weeks.  The first time we went to the museum, it was because Cheeky Monkey ASKED to go see the dinosaurs.   We had been reading Danny and the Dinosaurs a lot.

The first time we went, I forgot my memory card for my camera so we didn't really get many good pictures.  We saw the Dinosaurs, kids play area (so fun!) and the gems.  Surprisingly, the kids LOVED the gems.  Who wouldn't like some sparkly?  


The second time, we went back to the Biodiversity area to see the polar bear, aquarium, birds.  We didn't spend too much time with the dinosaurs although it was weird that we were the ONLY ONES in that section.  I accidentally shut down one of the interactive computers and hubby managed to restore the videos.   Unfortunately, he chose the wrong video set.  We didn't know how to fix/break it again so we left it.  Anyone seeing dinosaurs was going to have to watch the video on GEMS.  Whoops!

Here's the outside. 
We looked for famous people but no one from TIFF was at the museum.

Oops... Gems not dinosaurs



 

Even Baby Bunny was excited!

To the Bat Cave!

Gobble gobble

Fancy cupcakes at the restaurant

In the Kids section

Dress up time!

Let's dig for dino bones!

Nice to know that there's a defib machine in the Euro gallery

So nice but no pictures allowed!

Modern day rickshaw