First Week of School - 2026/2027

It’s Friday, and that means it’s the end of your first week back to school. And this year is a big one, particularly for Holden and Mercedes. Sorry Lexi in the Middle – you’re always important too of course, but this year marks both Holden’s FIRST year of high school and Mercedes’ LAST year of high school – huge transitional moments for both of you.

Holden – We’re so proud of the young man you’re turning into, although you definitely don’t share as much with us as you used to when you were younger. (I do miss the days when all of you fought to tell us every detail of your days and you were the class clown, always with a joke or a funny comment, especially at the dinner table, to get a rise out of your sisters.) You are adjusting to the new routine – earlier mornings (a bit difficult for someone who missed the morning basically all summer!), new teachers, longer classes, changing rooms, etc. So far so good! You might have been a little bit nervous about this new phase, but you took it all in stride, even in a couple of classes where you didn’t have any of your main crew with you. I can’t wait to see what this year holds for you.

Lexi – Despite it not being a milestone year for you, I’m still always so proud of you. I know you can get anxious in new situations, and going back to school after a summer of freedom is a big transition of its own. But you have friends in your classes, your teachers seem decent, your class schedule is good, and you even seem a little bit excited about some of the work you’ll get to do (especially in Science and History). I know you’re incredibly academically motivated, which I love, and I have zero worries about your grades – so my only wish for you this year is that you continue to explore the more social side of high school and your teenage years with the awesome friend group you have.

Mercedes – Although you’re hardly AT school (only one class in-person this semester and two next semester), that doesn’t change what a pivotal time this year is for you. We’ve done one university tour already (Brock) and tomorrow we’re going to tour Trent. And in a couple of weeks you’ll be off to Ottawa for the weekend with Ava to tour uOttawa and Carleton, which is super exciting and also super scary to think of you five whole hours away! You all did Senior Sunrise yesterday and you’re already talking about the Prom after-party… what a fun time this year will be. But let’s not lose sight of the ‘lock-in’ you promised to ensure the best grades possible (while still having the time of your life!) so you have your choice of the kind of future you want next year. No matter what, I know this year will be great – you may not realize it now, but you are living the quintessential teenage life (actually you remind me a lot of me at your age) – driving around with your friends, boys, parties, ENDLESS sleepovers, chatting on the phone at all hours… I couldn’t be happier that you are thriving. And you even got a new job this week! While you may not be sad to say goodbye to McDonald’s, I know it was a great first employment experience. Onward and upward!

All in all, while we’re so stunned by how quickly time is passing, we’re also so proud of the young adults you all are. Funny, kind, hard-working, and beautiful inside and out. What more could we ask for? Here’s to a great school year! We can’t wait to see what happens.

Love,

Mama

Last Day of School - Grades 8, 9 and 11!

Well, we did it! Another school year has come and gone, and this year marks another ending and beginning, as Holden has graduated Grade 8! After 13 years of being a part of the Hewitt’s Creek Public School community, our family’s time there has come to an end. And I’m sad about it! When we were outgrowing our house in Newmarket thanks to Holden’s impending arrival, we were very intentional about which neighbourhood we chose, knowing that we wanted to stay here until you were all finished both elementary and secondary school. It seemed like such a far-off thing, since Mercedes hadn’t even started JK yet. And now here we are, 13 years later, and my last baby has graduated and will be off to high school next year!

It’s hard to believe that next year all of you will be in school together, one last time… and then we start the grad cycle all over again. I am so proud of all of you and your accomplishments this year – it’s been a big one.

Mercedes – Watching you navigate choosing higher-level courses, think about university programs, figure out what you might want to pursue in the future, get your licence, work part-time… it’s hit us that you are almost an adult and with only one year left of high school, you could be moving out in just over 12 months! I’m not quite sure I’ll ever be ready for my babies to leave the nest, but I’m so excited for what lies ahead for you in Grade 12 and beyond – prom, graduation, all the last-year stuff that comes with it, and of course, figuring out university applications and acceptances. I can’t wait to see what your very bright future holds!

Lexi – You’ve finished your first year of high school! And very, very successfully. I know you were nervous about this big transition and moving between classes and making new friends and real exams – but you’ve done so well and we couldn’t be prouder. Your work ethic and perfectionism may have driven me a bit crazy at times, but your marks and comments and attendance record reflect your effort. While we don’t have final report cards yet for Semester 2, I know already that your marks are outstanding, just like Semester 1. High marks are definitely NOT the most important thing – effort and commitment and consistency are, but it’s a nice bonus that it’s paying off for you, and I hope you’re proud of yourself too.

Holden – Last night was your Grade 8 graduation, and despite the bittersweet emotions it brought up, mostly I was just so thrilled to see you smiling and happy and embracing the moment. Seeing you before the ceremony with your large group of friends (a truly awesome cohort of boys, many of whom you’ve been friends with for the past 10 years) warmed my heart. All of the parents agreed that this group is so special – polite, respectful, kind, considerate of each other – and we’re so happy we got to give you the gift of a limo before grad to really commemorate this momentous occasion. And we’re super thankful that you all agreed to the hour-long photoshoot beforehand! I worried about you when you started school, knowing you’d always be the youngest in your class… but I never should have bothered. We’re so happy with the young man you are growing into, and I can’t wait see what high school holds for you.

 

Congratulations to all of you on a successful year – I’m so proud of each of you, and so excited to see what’s next. Enjoy your summer vacation – you’ve earned it!

Love,

Mum

Lexi - Happy 15th Birthday!

Dear Lexi,

Fifteen! How has a decade and a half of loving you flashed by in the blink of an eye? I can remember all your tiny newborn goodness so easily (and I do mean tiny! You were small, but mighty and that’s never really changed). I am so beyond proud of the person you are, the woman you are growing into, and the kid that I just absolutely love hanging out with.

I said this in your card (and it’s something that your Zaidie has said to me frequently over the years)… I love you, of course. You’re pretty easy to love, first of all, and you’re my kid, so duh. But I also actually really *like* you. I like your opinionated personality, your unique taste, your eclectic music mix, your foodie aspirations, your stubbornness, your cleverness, your perfectionism, your sense of humour, your tenderness for the cats (and all animals). I like hanging out with you and watching house shows or laughing over something the cats have done. I like sitting on your bed and listening to you talk about your day or driving you around like a chauffer (did I mention stubborn?) while I discover new, interesting songs you’ve added to your playlist.

I am so proud of how you’ve adjusted to high school this year, because I know transitions and new situations are not always easy for you (and your marks are fantastic), but mostly I’m just so thrilled to watch you continue to develop into your own awesome person.

Keep being you and keep shining bright – we always knew you were a star, and every day, every week, every year, you continue to prove us right.

Love,

Mum

Mercedes - Happy 17th Birthday!

Dear Mercedes,

Happy 17^th Birthday! On a cold Friday the 13^th much like today, you made your dramatic entrance into this world, and truthfully the (delightful) drama hasn’t stopped since! It makes me feel incredibly old to be the mother of a 17-year-old, but you also keep me perpetually young at heart. Nothing fills my cup more than driving in the car with you, windows down, singing along to loud music, cracking jokes, laughing together, sharing gossip. I know that everyone LOVES their kids. And I do, I love you so incredibly much. But I also actually really LIKE you. Hanging out, laughing, shopping, going to concerts, snuggling and watching tv or crying at sad movies while sharing chocolate… it’s really some of the best moments of my life.

They say that teenagers pull away a bit as they get older – soon enough you’ll be moving out, off to spread your wings at university as a young adult and figure out your place in this world. And I do feel it a bit – especially now that you have your ultimate freedom in the form of a driver’s licence. You don’t need me as much, you have an active social life, we don’t have as many opportunities to hang out… and I’m ok with it, because I know it’s the way it’s supposed to be, and I absolutely love seeing your independence flourish. But I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t make a little sad that I don’t get to see your beautiful face as often. So please, life your live, enjoy having probably the most perfect adolescence in history – but also, don’t forget your dear old mom. Don’t forget about our concert adventures and movie dates and Taylor Swift and our summer drives – even if you don’t *need* me to drive you around anymore, I still *need* you, kiddo.

I can’t wait to see what this next year holds for you – your last year of ‘kid’ and your launching pad to university and beyond. I just know it’s going to be awesome, just like you.

Love,

Mum