So a lot of you have asked how Jonny and Zack are getting along. the answer is quite well, but it took some fancy planning to start things out on the right foot.

When Jon came to visit us in the hospital he got to finally meet Zack, who he had only known before as "Mama Baby Tummy". It was different. He was happy and announced he was a big brother, but didn't want to sit with Zack, or touch him. That's when Zack gave him a present (ok, it was me, but we said it was from Zack). Zack got Jonny a hot wheels car (which he loves) and right after said thank you to Zack. Soon after he sat with him and was holding him, touching him lightly and carefully, and even giving him kisses!

When we got home from the hospital,  Zack had another present for Jon, this time a small Mega Blocks table. I think this helped Jon accept him faster. He talks about Zack a lot now, touches him, kisses him, holds him, talks to him, sings to him and just generally loves his little brother. I'm so happy to have Zack with us now, and am so proud of how Jon is adjusting so well to having a new member to the family.

I hope you enjoy the new pictures! I'll try to post more this weekend!

At 4:28 am on Saturday, November 22, my wife gave birth to our second child, another boy, who we named Zack Christopher Martin. Zack weighed 7 lbs 14.6 oz, was 19.75 inches long and has two really happy and proud parents.
As a result, I won't be at school for a short time while I help my wife, Jonny and Zack adjust to the new situation. I have posted some pictures for you to have a sneak peak and hope both Zack and Jonny can visit us in class one day soon. The class has iPad time on Monday afternoon, so if you see this post, let the class know that they can all have a quick look before getting to work on art projects.
I'll try to post more when I can. For now, have fun with my temporary replacement and I will try to be back soon!

Although I am sure everyone knows, I thought I should make a post to remind parents and students that my wife and I are currently expecting our second child. In fact, my wife's predicted due date is actually today (Monday the 17th). As a result, I will more than likely be absent from the classroom for a little while, which might change routines a bit, but when that will start is up to my future offspring.

An EOC (educator on call, or more widely known as a "substitute teacher") will be in the room and will be running things based on my plans in my absence. Updates to the homework section of this website will not happen as usual, but the student agenda will still be completed daily. I will however try to make time to add to the home page with pictures and updates when I can find a spare minute here and there. If parents desperately need to get a hold of me, you can still use the contact form on this page and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Any guesses on what day you think it might be? Today is the earliest, 27th is the latest I would assume the doctors would let the baby wait. Boy? Girl? Comment below with your guesses!

A great time was had by all today as we invited Oliver, a local artist, into the classroom to help us with some soapstone carvings. He walked us through the process from shaving off large edges to using very fine sandpaper to eliminate scratches and give it that extra smoothness. Students got to choose between a wolf, orca or bear and the final results were amazing! Be sure to check out more pictures in the Pictures section of the website!

I hope that everyone had a Happy and safe Halloween! We definitely had a fun time in class on Friday. I have posted pictures of our lanterns in the pictures section of the website and am currently working through the pictures taken form our (loud) party. 

This week we will finally have a whole week together after a series of 4-day weeks. We will be performing In Flanders Fields at the Remembrance Day Assembly on Friday, so I hope you have been practicing this weekend! 

See you tomorrow!