C Wilkinson 2003 click to enlarge
Happy Holidays from the Bowlan Family

Happy holidays to one and all. Well 'tis the season again! Who would believe another year down. The newsletter proved to be so popular last year, we decided to do it again.

We had a great summer. The end of June took us all over to Amherst for the Great Atlantic Fun Fly weekend, with Great Hobbies as the major sponsor. The kids had a great time enjoying "hotel life" and swimming in the pool.

Throughout the summer we enjoyed many picnics at different parks and beaches each week; often with a great gang of other Moms and kids from play-group. The kids had a ball picking different places to meet. We also got to spend some quality time with Shelley (my sister). She was unfortunate enough to have broken her foot halfway through the summer (and her a teacher!). We were glad to be with her and try to help with some of the household tasks. The boys love going to "Shelley & Jody's farm"! Shelley and Jody also had a another successful season, harness-racing.

June 6th marked "retirement day" for my Dad - we're so proud of him! In October he was honored at Governor's House with the 30 years of service pin. He now has more time to play golf, visit the kids and play with the stock market! Way to go, Dad!

Chandler enjoyed his third summer at Rustico Resort for more golf lessons. He can sure drive 'em! It was a great opportunity to spend quality time with Grampie who took him each week.

Chandler also hit the baseball field for his second year with the Stratford Blue Jays; another great season. I love being a baseball Mom.

Chandler is enjoying grade two French Immersion with the same teacher this year. We are delighted as she is the best! He's also back at Beavers (keeping with a Bowlan family tradition) and catechism - to make his First Communion in the Spring.

Connor decided to have a go at the soccer field this year, however it was short lived! He informed us that he was quitting and he was never going to play again! He is a man who likes to make many daily decisions. We tried to just be positive about soccer regardless. After a couple of weeks of going to soccer anyway and Connor sitting on Mommy's knee in a lawn chair, we decided to not make an issue of it and let it go. I guess we'll try a different sport next summer.

Connor began "Fun n'Learning Pre school" in October. He goes Tuesday and Thursday mornings for two hours and it has become a great ice breaker for kindergarten next year. The first three days brought tears for Connor and I both, but now it's routine. He's already learned so much, made many new friends, and now looks forward to going! Both boys will be having Christmas concerts soon. Connor's concert.

This past Spring, the crazy Easter Bunny brought the boys new bicycles- oh, the excitement! They both love to go for bike rides and we have some great little trails in Stratford. Chandler and Mark also did some longer rides on the Confederation Trail together.

Chandler and Connor are of course brothers, and even though they have their moments of wanting to "hurt" the other, they are certainly the best of buddies.

Mark kept pretty busy this year, trying to stay out of trouble! During the long weekend in May, Mark, his brother Jeff, sister Leanne and her boyfriend Jeff Keefe, took on doing a fairly large roofing job. They replaced the aging roof of my sisters storey and a-half house. It was very steep and took a little longer than planned, but another job well done!

Mark bought a new bicycle this year. In an effort to get into better shape and for a challenge, he and Jeff Keefe cycled the Island tip-to-tip over two days and next year might plan to do the whole trip in one day (about 20 hours). They also had some great fun kayaking together.

Mark and his buddy, Gary, even squeezed in a "Bass fishing derby" weekend in Nova Scotia in July; lots of fish and fun!

Mark continues to be busy at work with two stores on the go and forever projects at home. This summer he finished up our shed and completed our major overhaul of basement renovations (family room, toy room, and bathroom/laundry room). He doesn't even want to know what I've got in store for the kitchen in the spring! shhhhhh! For now he's thrown himself into learning and setting up our own family web site. He has big plans in store!

As for me, I attend a fitness class three times a week to maintain my sanity in a house over run with boys! We have a great new gym in the newly finished Stratford Town Hall. In October I started back babysitting two marvelous boys (6 years & 17 months) one day a week. We enjoy them so much!

Last February I started as a member of the Board of Directors for C.H.A.N.C.E.S. (Caring, Helping And Nurturing Children Every Step). It is a government funded (by Health Canada) not for profit organization dedicated to children 0-6 years of age and their families. It involves pre-natal programs, structured play groups, and parenting courses-all free of charge to anyone. I've been going to their play groups since Chandler was a baby and attended many of their programs. A truly amazing organization. It only involves about ten meetings a year with a small amount of work on the side; I'm really enjoying the involvement. As most of you know, I have a serious "Teddy Bear" addiction? I have continued to expand my Cherished Teddies collection to the point we needed a curio to house most of them. They now total over 150 pieces.

For Halloween, the kids were dressed up as "Robots". Connor had decided that's what he was going to be earlier in the year. Their costumes had lots of lights and motion, and they had a great time visiting family and friends collecting their loot!

So, we do a good job of being busy around here. Now we're getting ready for Santa. We wish you all a wonderful Christmas with much happiness, health, and love for 2004!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!