A Mom's First - A Dad's First

Today there was a first . . . Emma and Kaleb had their Classroom Showcase tonight . . . and I was working. This hasn't ever happened before and when I told them that I wasn't able to go with them they were both mad at me, but . . . then they were ecstatic when they found out that their Dad was coming home early to take them to it!

Since we've moved to Ottawa Braden hasn't been able to do this, so he was excited to do it and I was glad for him, but sad for me . . . I've been there for every school thing and tonight I had to teach 6 4 year olds instead of having my kids show me their classrooms, meet their teachers, etc. I love teaching and it was a good night, but . . . well . . . I guess I know now how Braden has felt . . . and it sucks!

Oh, I would post pics, but there is a difference between Daddy and Mommy - Daddy doesn't take the camera with him everywhere - hehehe!

Mountain Orchards

On Sunday we spent the day as a family - first church and then straight to Mountain Orchards. The drive there is a beautiful one, beside the Rideau River most of the way. Once we got the there kids went crazy and couldn't figure out where they were going to go first. So, Mom and Dad decided for them . . . the Corn Maze! Last year the kids and I went out here and we failed the maze so we thought that with Daddy's help we could do it. So, we started out running (or at least the kids did)

Navia started getting a bit tired and we still weren't at the end and had no idea where the exit was . . . so . . . we did what we did last year - found the side of the maze and made our own way out - oops! So Daddy, next year you better figure this out because we are wanting to use the exit at least once!!!

After the maze we walked to the orchard and each child grabbed a bag to fill. Emma and Kaleb found a ladder and brought it to help us grab the apples they couldn't reach otherwise.

But, when the ladder was in use by someone, the other person could always use Daddy as a ladder - hehehe!

Navia loved finding the perfect apple with Daddy for her bag.

Once the bags were full to the top - almost overflowing - we went and sat down to eat a few and wait for the wagon ride back to the entrance. The kids couldn't wait to get back there because there was "hay - jumping" . . . they all said that it was nothing like at Grampa McGifford's, but at least here they could wreck all the bales - so Grampa . . . beware . . . next time down the kids just might be going a bit crazier on your bales!!!

Taking a break to eat a couple apples and sit down before we get on the wagon and go "hay jumping".

My little girl is getting all big on me!!!

And my boy . . . well . . . he's getting big too!!!

Attempting a family picture on the wagon . . . we're all there . . . if you look closely on the right you'll see Emma's forehead and eye (hehehe!)

And now to the hay-jumping!!!

After we got all the hay off the kids we headed back home to hang out and make apple crisp! Yep . . . it was another great day with the family!!!!

Just One Fish, but Lots of Fish Stories . . .

A couple weekends ago we went for another fishing trip - maybe the last of the summer - and the only one to catch anything was our little "fisher-boy". Braden wanted to go back to the spot where all the bass were swimming around, but today, well, no bass . . .

Navia wasn't as much into fishing as she was into her little mirror and comb kit from McDonald's - awww!

The only catch of the day - a tiny little fish!!!

Emma thought that maybe if she walked out into the middle of the river she could catch a big one . . . oh well . . . she had a blast and daddy even joined her out there for a bit!

Emma thought that maybe if she walked out into the middle of the river she could catch a big one . . . oh well . . . she had a blast and daddy even joined her out there for a bit!

Kaleb and Navia decided to quit fishing early and go play on the hill by the locks - so they spent time rolling down the hill, over and over again, while Emma and Daddy kept fishing and having a blast hanging out together.

The best of friends . . . just missing the 3rd Musketeer.

And then the day was over - the perfect ending of the perfect day!

Navia's First Day of Preschool

Yesterday Navia had her first day at her new preschool all by herself. Last week we went together to meet her teachers and a few of the kids. Yesterday half the class came and it was a drop-off class . . . Navia was so excited and ran into the class, dropped off her lunchkit and then ran back out to give me a big hug and a kiss. She ran back in and then suddenly was back out again to tell me, "Thanks for the lipstick Mom!" as she was rubbing her lips together (when she kisses me she gets my lipstick on her and loves it). So cute! She ran back in and then was out - again! She gave me one last hug and said that she loved me "So, so, so, so, so, so much in my heart". She ran back in and the teacher shut the door so that she wouldn't run back out again - and she didn't - finally!!! When I came to pick her up she was smiling and ran out to tell me that she had "so, so, so, so, so much fun!". Yep, my girl likes to make sure we truly understand her real feeling - hehehe!

So, next week Navia will be going to preschool on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays from 12:30 - 3:00pm! Yay! Our little girl is growing up and having fun doing it!

Oh . . . and a PS just for the certain someone who called me a "blogging-nazi" . . . ahem . . . I so am not that!!! Can I help it that I've been too busy to blog about our busy life and had to do, oh, FOUR in one day!

Almost There

I've had a couple request to see what the radio and coffee table/side tables that Braden bought this summer looks like in our place. They actually look good - and the radio is awesome! The living room is almost complete now - just needs a rug, art and a small bookshelf for the short wall. My guy did good! So . . . welcome to our front living room (just in case you haven't been here - ahem (oh, I guess that would be most of you... j.k.) - the living room is open to the formal dining room).

$1 Ikea Cupboard Door . . . and Words

I was looking for an idea to create coat hangers in the mudroom and came across an idea online - I can't remember where - and thought I'd give it a try. I was at Ikea and found a $1.00 cupboard door in the as is section.

Then, on my way home jumped into Rona and picked up some chalkboard paint . . . are you starting to figure it out yet???

Taped and painted the cupboard . . .

And ta-da (I know the picture is crooked - I couldn't switch it so you'll just have to tilt your head - oops). One chalk board coat hanger. I love it!

Oh, and Kaleb got out of bed the other night because he "just HAD to tell Daddy something" and then he gave this to Braden . . .

There is no number of material things that can ever take the place of the feeling you get when your son shows you this . . .

Daddy Caught A Fish!!!

On Saturday, while I spent the day painting the bookshelves, trim and doors in the basement, Braden went fishing with the kids. It was the perfect time . . . I was able to paint without interruption and Daddy and the kids got to spend the day together - just hanging. I thought I'd get Brade to tell about it in his words as I really wasn't there . . .

"It was a beautiful day, turned out to be 25 degrees, the kids were ready to go, and there was no one at our special spot; all that in one day - it was my day to catch a fish. When we got there, it was like the day was blessed by none other than God - i knew that was true when we looked into the water and right there were 10 big bass just looking at us. They were huge, over 1-1.5 feet long, I've never seen fish like them in my storied career of fishing. 3 feet under the water they just sat there and looked at us, almost like they were calling us. All day they called us. They just called us. So, turns out God blessed the day, just not me with the fish - but the kids were stellar, lots of fun, we laughed and caught lots of little guys, and the old Bosnian dude who stripped to his spandex boxers beside us to fish was even cool. We gave all our fish to him - lots of fun. You just can't beat hanging out with the kids, other than hanging out with the kids & mom."

Braden came home excited that he FINALLY caught his first fish of the season (and yes, we know that the season is coming to a close)! Actually, he came home saying that he caught FIVE fish and Emma laughed and said it was more like two, and if you look closely you'll see that both these pictures are of the same fish . . . hmmmm . . . so . . . now the question . . . how many fish did Braden really catch - hehehe! We love you Daddy!

Honey-Do List - One More Checkmark!!!

Braden and I have been wanting to have some built-in bookshelves in the corner of my studio in the basement and, just in time for first class tonight, they are almost completely finished!!! All they need to do is have the 2 doors on the bottom 2 shelves on either side - the middle will be open as it contains my rhythm instrument baskets. You can't see all the details, but didn't he do a great job!!! Yep - I'm keeping him forever and ever!!! I still need to find the perfect art piece for the middle, lighted area, but soon . . .

The wall as a whole - the art works with my studio as the saying is great ("How great would life be if we lived a little of it everyday" and also it is an airplane - and Amy drives an airplane you know . . . Amy the Anteater : ) The door goes into the furnace room where I have all my MYC storage (which is A LOT!) and the dots are what I have each child sit on - keeps them stuck in one place - yep - brilliant idea!!!

Kaleb saw the new studio and right away went to the keyboard and started playing. My mom sewed the keyboard on the wall (has grommets for hanging) my first year of teaching and it is invaluable as a teaching aid and also game when I take it onto the floor for the kids to jump on. The board at the end is my homework board - where I post the class homework and write any messages I need to let the parents know about.

This picture is taken from the door to the basement bathroom (although right now it just is a door to a construction mess - soon . . . )

My homework board - I found it at HomeSense and LOVE it!!! No longer is it the little white magnetic board, but a great piece. It's also nice to have a ledge on it to set the 6 pens for my parents to write their homework and I can keep my business cards on it!

I don't know if you saw in my shelves my little drawers. I purchased them my first year of teaching and use them all the time - but - I had painted each drawer a different color and I really didn't like it anymore. So . . . MODGE PODGE - it's my friend!!! Now look at the original before look and the new, improved look!!! I'm happy!!!

Before

After - It's all black and white - bad lighting inside my shelves at might - oops

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for the kids - and it was full of firsts for each child.

* The kids rode their bike, by themselves, to school!

* This is Kaleb's first day of full day school as JK/SK were only half-days!

This means staying for lunch and 2 snacks and having 3 recesses - yep - that boy is HAPPY!

* Navia and I had our first day, just us two girls!

* Emma's classroom isn't in the school, but a portable - first time ever!

Kaleb helping Emma with her backpack before they head out.

The "traditional" beginning of the year photo - my baby is in Grade Three!!!

(Just a little reminder what Emma looked like on her first day of Grade Two last year)

Another "traditional" picture - my other baby is in Grade One!!!

(Just a reminder what my boy looked like on his first day of SK last year)

Off they go down our street

Turning from the street onto the bike path - the school is at the other end of the park

Kaleb standing in line to go into Ms. Browne's Grade One class

Emma with her friends before heading to the portable.

After dropping the kids off Navia "convinced" Daddy to go buy a coffee for him and a slurpee for her - hmmm - I really don't think it took that much convincing!!!

After the kids were dropped off we dropped Daddy off at work and then did a little bit of shopping, but there was a small (okay - LARGE) problem . . . Daddy had given her a LARGE slurpee!!! In other words, every 10 - 15 minutes we were having to find the bathroom . . . and when we were at the mall we didn't make it in time and ended up with our girl-shopping trip ending way too early due to wet pants - ug!

When the kids came home from school they were both really excited - especially Kaleb - he couldn't stop grinning saying "my French teacher is really, really nice and even when someone is bad she keeps on smiling!" - so cute!

Navia meets her teacher tomorrow afternoon as she'll be going to the local Cooperative Nursery School, which meets just down the road in the upstairs of the grocery store. She'll be going afternoons on Mon/Wed/Fri. So, beware - more pictures will be coming soon!!!