K Is For Kindergarten

Bella made it through her gradual entry week of Junior Kindergarten with flying colours! I think the real deal will be on Monday when she takes the school bus for the first time. I'm sure a few tears will be shed (mine, not hers sniff sniff).

S Is For School

The start of another school year has arrived -- the beginning of Kindergarten for Bella and Grade 2 for Luke. Isabella can't wait to go to big school but I can tell she is a wee bit nervous, and I think a little thankful, that she doesn't start until tomorrow. Luke, on the other hand, is super excited to get the ball rollin'!


It was mighty chilly this morning. I swear I could hear our teeth a chatterin' and our knees a knockin' as we walked along the sidewalk. I think Luke was too focused on the thrill of getting to school that he didn't care.

The bus rolled up and Luke and his friends boarded their big yellow ride. He gave me a huge two thumbs up when he and his friends found an empty seat at the very back of the bus. I think it made him feel like he wasn't the youngest kid on the bus anymore.

If you listen closely, you can hear him saying,
"enough with the camera already, mom!"

Sniff, my baby is growing up fast!

I can't wait to hear how his first day went. He's also excited to be in a Gr. 2/3 split so he can hang out learn with the "older kids". I wasn't too sure how I felt about the split when I found out about it, but now I'm thinking bonus! The Grade 3's have been speaking French for a whole year more so hopefully their skills will rub him the right way.

After dropping Lucas off at the bus, Bella and I headed over to the library to get some much needed books. I'm no longer counting the times Bella and I have read Sleeping Beauty or a Barbie book together but how many times we don't read them. I know repetition can be a great thing but if the books somehow play their own little game of hide n' seek, let's hope someone doesn't win in the seek part.


This stack of books should keep us busy for awhile!

Is today the start of a new school year in your house? How did it go?

Much Love Monday

It's Labour Day Monday! And, it's actually quiet in the house. S took the kids with another family to a park, so I've opened the windows to let the breeze in, plopped myself on the couch and I'm catching up on some emails and blogs.

Since it is Monday, I thought I'd add some much love!

These little dudes have been visiting all weekend. I guess they've found a spa vacation right in our own backyard.

We had our annual street party on Saturday.

My friend brought over these super cute pink lemonade cupcakes -- YUM!

Lucas and his friends had a candy stand at the street party with one of my favourite candies -- sour keys! I've been devouring these sugar delights all afternoon.

Speaking of leftovers from the street party, I used some veggies leftover from a veggie tray and some of the grilled chicken from the meat platter to make an oh how I missed thee stir fry. This used to be one of my favourite meals growing up at my parents house with white rice and doused (ok, maybe sprinkled) with soya sauce. I'm salivating over here. Is it dinner time yet?!

What was your favourite meal growing up that your parents used to make?

Hope you're enjoying your Monday!

Random Thoughts

watching ~ my children play with their friends.

procrastinating ~ mowing the lawn. I love mowing the lawn -- all part of my gardening enjoyment! But the lawn, and gardening, has been getting a bit neglected this summer. Hopefully once the kids are back in school I'll have some time for a little gardening TLC!

feeling ~ a little all over the place. I have a bazillion things on my mind with the start of school fast approaching!

wondering ~ how that little spider got on the inside of my window. The glories of lakeside living.

craving ~ chai tea. I think I'll make my way downstairs after this and add a nice warm drink to my me time.

missing ~ my brother and his family. I finally got to meet my nephew for the first time this month but sadly they had to make their way back home to Vancouver.

enjoying ~ reading about charities kids have created. Hannah Taylor who created Ladybug Foundation is very inspiring! I would love my kids to get involved like this. Hopefully one day!

Oh Alvine Kottar Ikea curtains, where art thou?

I finally found the perfect curtains for our master bedroom, or so I thought.

I got my happy dance on and was all ready to jump in the car and drive to Ikea with my start the car commercial excitement, the windows wide open and my woot woot holla'rin. I felt like that girl from the Ikea sales commercial:



then I find out...

IKEA HAS DISCONTINED THEM!

If anyone knows where I can find four Alvine Kottar curtain panels or if you have seen similar ones somewhere I'll dance and sing and shower you with joy. Um, ok, maybe my dancing and singing might take away from the joy part but I would be very grateful and thank you very much!

[Alvine Kottar curtains from Ikea]

I am...

still here.

A few of you have been wondering where I've been. My mom had knee replacement surgery last week so I've been pulled in a few different directions with helping her out and keeping on top of things here.

I've taken so many pictures, had so many thoughts and haven't been able to find a moment to write about any of them. Hopefully I'll have some time soon.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Much Love Monday {coffee to start the day}

I'm always looking for a new K-Cup flavour to try in my Keurig [a much loved Christmas gift from the fam]. Coconut is one of those little things that make me happy, so when I saw Island Coconut staring at me from the shelf I had to try it.


Yum!

I'll be adding that to my list of faves that include Green Mountain Rain Forest Nut, Gloria Jean's Butter Toffee, Timonthy's Cinnamon Roll, Pumpkin Spice and Midnight Magic, Kona Tully's Extra Bold and a few others.

What's your favourite K-Cup flavour?

I buy my K-Cups from Markol Distibrution in Pickering, ON [they have other locations too]. Great selection and great price!

Library Love

I love libraries!

All the information.

The wealth of knowledge waiting to be consumed.

This past week I've baked a cake with a hen, a cat and a rat. I drew pictures with a purple crayon. I've roamed through a few Japanese gardens. I picked blueberries with Sal and her mother. I think tonight I'll tour England with Madeline, but for now I'll be the Girl Lost In Translation.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Marble-riffic!

Bella and I stopped by the mailbox yesterday and received some very special mail. Connor's painting arrived! Bella was super excited and has been carrying it around with her everywhere we go.

Thank you, Connor!

You can visit Connor's website at Marble For MS.

first post about Marbles For MS here.

My First Guest Post!

Me with my beautiful kids

I was thrilled when Angela (from Gracie's Mum: A story of a Mum with MS) asked if I would be her first guest post. You can check it out today on her blog!