New front yard...

I can't be bothered to dig up a "before" photo of the front yard.  Picture all grass and a concrete step and front patio. The pictures don't really do it justice though as it took 2 guys about 50 hours to finish it.  They were at our house at 7:30 am every day for over a week.  Nice to get it done in the fall though where we don't have to worry about the heat and sun. 

The next home project will be the basement, although after all this landscaping that won't be for a while.  We need serious time to tackle the dump that is the basement anyway.

Bike riding...

As I mentioned before, Paige prefers to ride her bike to school.  I snapped these pictures on the way to school as I realized I had no photos of her bike riding and who knows how many days of bike riding we have left tihs year, although this week is nice and pleasant.

A night in Niagara on the Lake...

As part of my Birthday present, we left Paige and Rose behind with Grandma and Grandpa while we went to Niagara on the Lake for an overnight getaway.  It was basically the first time we had gone out together since Rose was born.  So it was a much needed escape!

We stayed right in the heart of it all at the Prince of Wales hotel. I think it was built in 1862?

As soon as we arrived we headed to the spa at the hotel for massages.  I snapped a camera pic of the sink in the changeroom...it depicted the Sleeping Beauty story around the edges.  

More pictures in the lobby:

The hotel from the outside.  The hotel offers afternoon tea every day with scones, sandwiches and all of that, but we didn't do that this trip.  It's on the agenda for next year. 

After our massages we headed to a pub for lunch, and then wandered and shopped around town for a bit.  We checked in mid afternoon and got ready for our dinner and scheduled wine tasting out at Peller Estates. The hotel had a complimentary shuttle to take us to the winery.  The wine tasting and tour was about 45 minutes.  We sampled a few wines right on a table in the vineyard while the sun was setting.  Amazing. 

We then had time to kill before our dinner reservations so we purchased a few wines in the shop and sampled a few more wines.  We tasted about 7 wines, but I really only had about 2 sips of each and dumped the rest out. 

At dinner we could either select the "a la carte" menu, or the "chef's table dinner series".  We chose the chef's special which was a 5 course meal.  Every course was a surprise and they told you what it was as it was set down in front of you.  We had an oyster with an ice wine grape to start (not part of the 5 courses).  this was followed by a smoked salmon and candied beet salad, cauliflower soup with goat cheese, lobster linguini, Ontario rib eye, and then a bluberry cake mousse thing for dessert.  Mike chose the menu with the wine pairings for each course.  I decided to forgo the wine pairings and sipped on 1 glass of white wine for the entire 3 hour meal.  It was chilly outside as the sun set and we were on the patio so my wine was cold, along with us.  I was too stubborn to go in as it was probably the last outdoor meal of the year. 

The next day we had tickets to "My Fair Lady" at the Shaw festival in the afternoon.  We decided to maximize our hotel room time, so we ordered a breakfast room service of coffee and pancakes, and watched a movie..."Bad Teacher".  So nice to relax in the morning like that! Afterwards we had to check out, so we wandered around town again and had a light lunch.  Some people we met on the way home from the winery told us about some silly complimentary photos they were doing at the theatre so we made sure to arrive with enough time. 

There was a table with silly hats and props, and they printed this photo out right away for us. 

The show was incredible.  We have really lucked out over the years in picking really phenomenal shows.  I want to make it a tradition to go back every year to see a show and spend a night there....that is if grandma and Grandpa are willing!  It was a bit easier with Rose being small for Maura to stay at our house (grandpa went home to sleep at night) while we were gone.  Eventually Paige and Rose can probably stay at their house.

So nice to just get away for a bit.  We really maximized our time with an activity (massages) right at the beginning of the trip, and then something right at the end (the show).  Next year we'll add an afternoon tea, as I was saying, and probably bring running shoes so we can go for a walk along the lake. 

Apple Orchard

A beautiful day at the Apple Orchard--Chudleigh's....

After looking at the animals for a while we hopped on a tractor pulled wagon and went out to the orchard to pick some apples....and eat a few.

We didn't notice and Rose ate this one from the top down, and probably the stem.

We brought home a huge bag of small Royal Gala apples and a pie.  Paige had a small apple in her lunch bag every day for 2 weeks.  Rose wasn't as excited about the apples at home, but ate 1 more full apple, from the bottom up that time.

School days....

The days Paige goes to school are so strange.  Rose and I walk her to school and either come home right away if we have plans, or continue on for a longer walk by the creek.  Rose definitely likes to have some time on her own, as much as I'm sure she misses her sister.  So far we have ran some errands, done some shopping, and hung out with Katharine and Joseph.

On Thursdays Rose and I go to Our Special Time, which is a class that I did with Paige from the ages of 1-3.  It feels so strange to be there as it wasn't that long ago I was there with Paige who was an older kid in the class, and now I'm there with one of the youngest in the class.  Paige was able to do all the crafts and sing the songs, etc.  Rose is just being exposed to all of the stuff.  It's so so cute.  She loved the parachute activity at the end of the class where the kids go for a ride--the way she sat so still with just the hint of a smile the entire time caused the Grandma next to me to laugh so hard she cried.  It's really fun to do this activity with just Rose and I, as we haven't really had any time like this before. 

And in the afternoons when Paige is still at school and Rose is sleeping is my busiest time! I am working so hard to finish my blog book, work on this blog, organize my closet, organize and purge the basement, and prepare dinners, that the time flies by and all of a sudden I'm waking up Rose to go get Paige--yep, I have to wake her up every time.  Poor thing.  So yes, this time is much needed.  A lot of stuff needed to be done around here.  One day the basement will be organzized and renovated, baby scrapbooks will be completed, and everything will be in its place, and then what will I do?? 

First day and week...

The weather on Paige's first day of school was the kind that you would want as a child--freezing cold where your new fall clothes would be appropriate.  I remember boiling in my first day of school clothes year after year.  But yes, it was very very cold out and Paige needed to wear her size 2 fall coat, mitts and boots for good measure.  By the end of the day she didn't need any of it to walk home, and I brought along her shoes.  But boy that morning was cold.  She wore her short sleeved sweater dress and grey tights.  I had to prep her about going to the bathroom with a dress and the unfortunate circumstance which happens to some girls in which their dress gets stuck in their undies. 

Mike went to work at his usual late-ish time so we could all walk together. 

Paige's backpack is too heavy for her to carry all the way to school with her water bottle and 2 icepacks in it. 

We wanted to get a picture in front of the school.  She really really wanted to show off her mitts. 

Her class filing into the school. The girl with the wheely backpack behind her is her friend at school now.  I don't know what's with these other kids...we were super cold, as I have said, and they don't seem phased at all!

So that's the routine every day.  Walk to school, drop her off behind that gate you see in the background where she lines up with her class in the fenced in area, and then wait till she goes in the school.  There are 4 kindergarten classes at a time so it was a bit of confusion and nerves for her on the first day, but now she is fine to head through the gates and line up with her class.  So far I have been staying and waiting until she walks into the school, but technically I could leave  as soon as she goes through the gates as it is supervised.  I don't mind waiting while the weather is nice, but Rose does get fed up after a few minutes of sitting in her stroller. 

It's really hard to talk to Paige about school as she doesn't really want to tell me about it.  She is a bit embarrased to tell me what she did with her friends and what they did during the day.  I think that she just isn't quite used to the whole thing yet.  So far she has told me that there are different centers set up in the classroom--reading, playdough, kitchen, etc.  Also she has ridden in a car thing at reccess.  There is a highschool student with a guide dog that comes to help in the room every day...I was totally confused as to why Paige kept saying there was a "working dog" in her class when I didn't see any disabled or blind kids in her class, but then a note was sent home about it all.  She thinks this is neat.  So far she's done pretty well on her lunch.  I try not to give her too many treat-like options so that she still eats her fruit, but it's really a trial and error to see how much food she'll eat. 

And no accidents yet! Knock on wood! I'm amazed! She's going at school everyday no problem.  Phew!

Apparently on Tuesdays they have music, on Thursdays they have library and gym, and Fridays they have drama in addition to their regular day. 

I see her teacher every day when the class walks out of the school.  So far her comments have been that Paige is doing well, she has become a real chatterbox compared to the first week, and one day she was very tired...also that day she didn't finish her lunch which makes me wonder if she just had no energy...she ate her grapes the instant I opened them up before even getting on her bike to leave the school.  Oh yes, Paige rides her bike to school and we lock it up outside.  She's really reckless though and doesn't understand the rules of the sidewalk and actually had a head-on collision with another kid.  Today we were all set to walk in the rain with her new umbrella and it stopped raining.  She then wanted to go home to get her new bike and was upset when I said we couldn't. 

There is an open house this Wednesday night, so we may go see her classroom and get her to show us around--maybe that will prompt her to fill us in a bit more on what she does at school.  

To Paige on her First Day of Kindergarten

You probably won't remember this day when you've grown up, but I'm sure I'll never forget it. The day I take your hand and lead you to school for the first full day. It's the beginning of your formal education. We've tried to prepare you for it...to take your turn, listen to the teacher, to play nicely and share, and to be kind and respectful of others--leaving the reading and writing for the classroom.

School is where you'll learn what it means to be your own person. One that is not so heavily guided by Mommy and Daddy. You'll have a lot of decisions to make throughout the day all on your own. You will decide who seems like a good friend, who you want to play with at recess, and what captures your interest in the classroom. Your parents won't be there prompting you to make the right choices--you'll hopefully make them on your own.

I'm sure you may be in your classroom feeling nervous and unsure of what is to come.  Probably nervous to raise your hand or ask to go to the bathroom. We have all been there. But school is a wonderful place where you will learn about the world around you. Right now you think that Mommy and Daddy know everything, but soon you will begin to realize that is not the case. And you will soon learn things that Mommy and Daddy have forgotten long ago. Hopefully you will remind us of some of these things.

I remember making some of my best friends early in my school years. Remember where Mommy and Daddy met--in grade 3! What's even more amazing then then this early meeting is your Great Grandma Ruby and Great Grandpa Joe meeting in Kindergarten! Kindergarten was the beginning of their journey to becoming adults, as it was for your Grandparents, your parents, and now you. Your world is before you.

This day is bittersweet as you head off to a new chapter of your life. I knew from when you were still a baby that this day would be hard. Some of my thoughts are of sadness as I'll miss you the days you are at school, and will no longer have you to myself for 7 days a week , but some are thoughts of joy as I know what lies ahead for you, and can see how big you've grown.

I think of how much the world has changed since I was in kindergarten...there were no computers, CD's, DVD's, on Demand television, internet, cellphones, iPads, iPhones, digital cameras....I can only imagine what you will discover which I have never learned about.

So together we head off to the school where a wonderful world awaits for you. You'll do great Paige!

Love, Mommy

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
--Louis Armstrong

Ready for school...

Paige has begun the "gradual entry" process to Kindergarten.  I haven't taken any photos of her at her school, nor have I put her in a "back to school" outfit as I am waiting for her first full day.  So far she has been to the school for an hour with us, went for one hour on her own today, and will be going on Thursday for a morning, and then Friday for the full day.  It seems to be taking forever for her to start school, but it is also beneficial to ease her into it. 

At the end of August we were mailed a letter with her start dates, her teacher's name (Mrs. Lang), and a list of supplies which we could donate (craft items, outdoor toys, supplies, etc.).  We picked up a few crafty things, a big ball and a box of kleenex.  She also needed indoor shoes, and of course, a backpack. 

We got a backpack at "Hot Topic" in the mall...not a preschoolers store, but we saw the backpack in the window display.  A black dinosaur bag...her 2 favourite things--dinosaurs and the colour black.  And I picked up her indoor shoes at the Nike factory store. 

So last Thursday, the whole family went to the school for an hour where we met the teacher and a few kids from her class, and played a scavenger hunt game to get to know the school (find the library, gym, her cubby, etc,) and pick up some school information and forms.  I signed up to be the playdough volunteer for September.  Paige was basically mute and wouldn't talk to her teacher, but did smile at her a lot and had a good time.  Good enough that she was looking forward to going back anyway.

So in preparation for her visit today I packed her backpack with her indoor shoes and bag of spare clothes, and the playdough that Paige and I had made on the weekend for her class. 


Her visit was at 2:00, right in the middle of Rose's nap, so Mike stayed home while I walked Paige to school.  On the way there she said, "You know how I said I didn't want to go to school? That was because I thought it was like gymnastics camp, and gymnastics camp was no fun".  Well alright then...the $37 a day gymnastics camp was maybe not a hit, but at least I am relieved that she's not worried about school anymore.  As a side note, at least the gymnastics camp taught her (after a few accidents) that she has to tell the teacher when she has to go to the bathroom. 

Anyway, we got to the school and waited with the other kids and parents at the side door.  Three Kindergarten teachers came out and lined up the kids from their class.  Today's visit was with the same few kids that she met at the last visit, minus the girls that were there the first time, so Paige was the only girl.  I waved goodbye to her and off she went!

I did feel a little sad as I saw her walk in the school with her gigantic backpack.  She was so brave and grown up, but so small at the same time.  I walked home quickly and did a bit of blogging on the computer, and then had to turn around and go pick her up.  When she saw me she yelled "mommy!".  Mrs. Lang reminded her that she had to follow the class and wait in the kindergarten area, where they were dismissed one by one to their parents.  I saw Paige talking to her teacher a bit and she ran off to give her a hug goodbye at the end.  I'd say it was a success! She told me that she wasn't shy of her teacher anymore.  Apparently she played with a pretend kitchen, a pretend phone, and drew some pictures.  I think there was a bit of circle time too and maybe a tour of the classroom. 

I think she's looking forward to her next day there.  And today when we heard the bells ringing at her school I was telling her that it was first break, second break, etc.  She is the most excited about these breaks and eating her lunch there.  Who knows how much she'll actually eat there.

So, it has all begun!

More dress up....

This time it was about 5 layers of Paige's pyjamas each...

Trip to the zoo...

We wanted to go on a big family outing before Paige started school and dancing.  We did the same thing as last September and went to the Brantford zoo. Click on the link to see last years photos.  Paige looks the same with shorter hair, and Rose slept a lot of the trip last time!

This year we had a blast as well.  The goats were feisty and agressive as usual, and the zoo was just the right temperature and size to have a pleasant day.  There are no lunch places there so we brought a picnic lunch again.  Unlike the year before, however, the zoo was "peanut free" and they no longer sell peanuts to feed to the bears and monkeys (I think this may be a good thing for their diets...).

 I think this picture of Rose is hilarious...

 Daddy and Rose played with this while Paige and I waited in the ultra long pony ride line up.

We stayed till about 2.  Rose fell asleep in the car on the way home and then continued to sleep in her crib at home for a long time.  Fresh air and lots of walking were good for everyone.