The Original "Boo"

I discovered I was carrying our third child while brushing my teeth on our oldest child's third birthday.  I only ever gag like that when I am pregnant. Taking the test was a mere formality. I let Craig know and he quickly broke into his big grin.  I had already known immediately after the birth of our second that we were not done, there would be at least one more baby. Now our next adventure was on its way. 

 Connor was a delight right from the beginning. He did things his own way. He entered the world face up. He was the only one of our children born with fine blond hair an inch long. Immediately he was nicknamed "Boo". He was " Boo" before Monsters Inc. was produced and the name suited him perfectly. Meet the original "Boo".

Connor was our easiest baby, cooing himself to sleep at nap time, flexible enough to let me rock him to sleep when the older two were safely engaged in play. He slept 6-7 hours a night at a month old and nursed well. I remember thinking with surprise "Wow, babies can be really fun!"

Connor's gentle, observant nature was evident immediately. He didn't miss a thing. I often got comments from people on how beautiful a child he was. He broke into huge smiles when his big sister and brother entered the room and was very attached to Craig & I.  Whenever people would ask me to describe him, I would become speechless. I would end up saying "You really have to experience Connor to know him."  That is why there will be more pictures in this blog than in most!

Connor is a true introvert. Not a fan of crowds from the beginning, I didn't have much success leaving him in the nursery at church. He would sit quietly on my lap watching everything around him. Connor was especially content if his Dad was preaching. We had to rescue him from the stage many a Christmas Eve service, as he cried desperately to escape the crowd. We always gave it a go the following year and just as we anticipated, one year he made it through the production.  Once during swimming lessons, a fellow mom commented that he must really be afraid of water. I explained that Connor was very comfortable in the water having spent his summers at the lake since he was days old. It was, in fact, the unfamiliar classmates he was with that were causing his distress.  

Connor was comfortable entertaining himself from a young age and has an incredible imagination from which to draw. What I would give for a glimpse into that keen, creative, active mind. While he had a good vocabulary and I refused to allow his siblings talk for him, Connor was a boy of few words. I would come upon him playing quietly, whatever action he was creating, punctuated by quiet explosions and sounds. On holidays one summer, his Auntie discovered him. He was around the back of the tent trailer all by himself, explosions sounding from his little mouth. "Connor, what's going on?" "An alien war Auntie."  He gave her a look indicating that she shouldn't have to ask. I often wonder if his imagination is so vivid that he forgets that the rest of us can not actually see the worlds he creates. As his older siblings headed off to school and he was the only one at home with me, Connor began to talk. We realized he just wasn't inclined to compete to be heard. He just needed air time. Finally, I was included in his world.  Through his questions and comments, I was provided a window into his wonderful mind. One of his Grade Two teachers said fondly, "Connor will be working away, then his pencil will lift, his head will tilt, and there he goes, off into his own little world."  Thankfully his Primary teachers valued imagination and were patient with him, giving him time to rejuvenate in his quiet way.



Even though Connor is our introvert, he is the one who brings us together to play games. He loves games and one of my favorite phrases was "Mom, will you play with me?"  I would drop anything at those words! He can be sneaky and likes to pull one over on you! From early on another nick name for Connor was "Stealth Monkey".  Curiosity and an uncanny knack for quiet led to much trouble. If things were silent, I went running to find what mischief he was up to. We played Laser Tag with our extended family one time and even though Connor is the youngest, he was the most successful of the kids. He enjoys sneaking about to catch people unaware or the challenge of slipping past someone unnoticed! 

Connor has always had a strong moral compass. He loves God deeply and has a keen sense of logic around truth.  Watching Connor take the step of Baptism this year was one of our highlights! ( more on that in this link!) Connor has a deep commitment to kindness and respect for others also. To be called a good person by Connor meant he never heard you talk or act unkindly to someone or behind their back. He has a very high standard of evaluation and very few make the cut. I was shocked to get a call from a teacher when Connor was in grade three. He had been sent to the Principle for pushing a kid on the playground. Connor had noticed older kids pushing one of his classmates. He intervened the only way he could think of, to protect his friend, he got in the middle and pushed back. Once home he explained that if it happened again, his teacher wanted him to find a Supervisor. "What am I supposed to do? Let my friend keep getting hurt while I go get help?! He is smaller than everyone else!" Their solution didn't make sense or sit well with Connor's sense of loyalty or safety. 

Connor loved sports but greatly disliked the behavior competitive kids showed on the field, court or pitch. His love of the game is fed by joy in the playing of a sport and not just winning. He was always patient when others made mistakes and found it very hypocritical when other teammates couldn't be. I would ask him if anyone said something mean to him. "No Mom, I just don't like the way they talk to each other. It's not fun." His teachers often would comment on his incredible agility and confidence in sport. Even student teachers recognized the distinct difference in him on the field, talkative and confident and in the classroom quiet and not wanting any attention. He is athletically gifted and in line with his temperament, excels at individual sport. 

Connor is very clever but stopped thriving in the typical classroom by grade four. For him, school is too restrictive and confining in nature. Year after year his teachers would comment in frustration "He is so clever! I just cannot help him thrive academically." Until grade six. Ms. MacDonald, who herself is very like Connor,  helped to open the doors for him. To sit at a desk drains his thinking power. To be squished in a class with so many others, takes away his voice.  To not have creative exploration encouraged in the classroom setting, drains his Spirit dry. His is a unique mind that does not fit the limitations of our school system. We have prayed and prayed that his confidence would remain and tried to give him the opportunity to explore in ways that will encourage him to challenge himself. We have done a mix of Public School and on-line school to give him some diversity and have had great results. We keep looking for ways to feed his curiosity. My next plan is to buy an old used lawn mower for him and his brother to dismantle and learn about. If you see a cheap one in the paper, let me know ;)

Connor is our poser, whenever the camera comes out, he has a silly stance or smile. Crazy face pictures are his favorite! His humor comes out in these small ways. Connor was delighted when in a series of group pictures, he and a friend kept moving away one step at a time. As you flip through the pictures, the two of them slowly move out of the shot.


Connor has always loved helping out. If I was baking or working he would come and see if there was anything fun to do.  He has always been cooperative and enjoys getting his hands dirty. If Craig has a job requiring the use of tools, Connor is quick to go check out what is happening and help. He is an excellent craftsman and has an eye for design!


I have always played a diverse range of music for our kids. One year I discovered The Piano Guys video performance of "We Three Kings".  I couldn't wait to share it with them. Success! At Christmas dinner, Connor quietly piped up that he would like to play the cello.  Not wanting to overwhelm him, we gave him a month to think about it. Once it was clear he was really interested, we made an appointment to visit a teacher. The teacher recommended that before visiting him, we make a visit to the local Violin Shop to see and try out a cello. When the owner placed the bow in Connor's hand and he tentatively played, she noticed his gentle touch and agile fine motor skills and exclaimed "You have a beautiful touch! You are a natural!" She was right. We arrived to the Cellist and the meet and greet became a lesson. The music that has filled our home since brings joy to us all! How spoiled are we!!?

Connor, raising you has been a privilege. You are an incredible person! Kind, observant, intelligent, curious. You have a drive to do tasks well. Your cooperative nature will serve you well in situations where you work with others as will your respectful manner and communication style. You are full of so much potential and we are thrilled to get a front row seat to see you reach it! You are strong, courageous and brave, we love how you are willing to stick up for others and also value your keen logic and quick wit! We are thankful for your deep love for the Lord and his truth. Your foundation is strong and will set your path straight. We love you "Boo!"  We thank God for bringing you to us and the way you made our family complete!