A Parkinson Family Tradition.

On August 12th, Nory had her very first half birthday (a.k.a. she turned 6 months old)!  Not many people choose to celebrate these birthday's, but it's something we've decided to do in our family. It's a special occasion marked by a half cake and a happy day.  Of course, Nory wasn't old enough to enjoy the cake herself, but she was there for the singing and candles and happiness that came along with it.  It really wasn't a selfish endeavour.  Hear me out!

It's true that I love to bake.  Making and decorating cakes and cupcakes is one of my favourite activities.  I've got boards on Pinterest dedicated to these desserts, as well as apps on my iPhone with ideas and recipes.

It's also true that I love to look for things to celebrate.  In the past, I've created World Peace Day cookies, purchased "WELCOME BACK HOCKEY" cakes, eaten APPLE PIE on Pi Day, and thrown a princess party for the Royal Wedding.   I'll sit in the dark for Earth Hour, wait anxiously to hear what the groundhog did, and circle every "hump day" on the calendar at work.  I could tell you when Grandparents Day is off the top of my head and I'm fully prepared for a "MISSING CANADA" party should the need arise.  As for the holidays that everyone knows about?  I'm the most enthusiastic participant you can think of.  To this day I distribute Valentine's Day cards and I would celebrate Christmas year-round if it were considered appropriate (instead, I start in October). 

You get the picture.  "CELEBRATE EVERYTHING" seems to be a life motto of mine.  Some may say it's silly, but obviously I think it's genius.  I believe in having something to look forward to and I believe in appreciating the little things.  If these two things are true, bad days are survivable and happiness is an everyday experience.  THIS is something I want my daughter to learn. And that her Mama is one of the funnest people ever ;)   

So in this family of ours.  This sweet, little, three-person unit we've got going on.  We're going to celebrate everything.  Including half birthdays.  Including Phil's 30th birthday next Thursday. 

HAPPY FIRST HALF BIRTHDAY (blog belated) to the newest love of our lives!  You're just starting to see how fun this place really is!  We love you! 

Not the nicest day.

Well....there were some good moments.  Discovering Timmy's now serves breakfast sandwiches.  Finding bargains on work clothes at the mall.  A playdate with Auntie Gem, Auntie Heather and....Uncle (?) Loomi.  Pick-up basketball for Phil.  Homemade pizza for dinner.  Sharon, Lois, and Bram's Greatest Hits album.  Working A/C and power.  Yep, these are all mighty fine parts to our day.

Then there were the parts where Nory was super uncomfortable, in pain, and crying (I'll spare you the details).  Just know that it was NOT NICE and we required some recruits.  Luckily, we have the best neighbours in the world and Nory is fast asleep and feeling (we think!) better.  (THANK YOU, HUSSAIN'S!!!!!!!!!!  XOXO)

Bath time is always a cheer-er-upper!  And now that she has these numbered cups, bath time is officially CLOUD NINE!  (You should have seen her carrying around pink cup #2 today!  It was a real hit!)

Phewff.  Another tough "parent" day under our belts.  Some more tips to add to the toolbox.  And a greater appreciation for parents who deal with kids who have serious illnesses - YOU STRONG PEOPLE, YOU!

Dear coloured paper, scissors, glue, and staples......

We've had a BALL the last couple of days!!!

(As for you, Sir Sticky Tack, we need a break.  Sometimes, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!)

I think my classroom is all ready to go.  I am getting a new desk put in my room over the weekend (WOOT!), but once that is reorganized, all that's left is paperwork and......THE KIDDO'S!!!  I am so excited to meet my students.  Last year's yearbook has already been photocopied for name-learning purposes :)

Things you should know:

1)  If you leave Hershey Kisses in your cupboard over the summer - in a desert - they go moldy and gross.  Talk about a real cravings buster.

2)  Nory came to school for the first time today.  Phil and I deserve a "best parents ever" ribbon for stopping child abduction from happening in several instances ;)

A visit to the Kindergarten department!  Nory was a welcome guest following the cockroaches and mice found in Gem's classroom!

3)  Designing bulletin boards is the best.  Too bad "bulletin board maker" isn't a legitimate career choice.

4) Maneesh just delivered seasons 3, 4 and 5 of Friday Night Lights, along with some treats from India.  How I love these people who form our community abroad. 

5)  Baby Amirah's Dad dropped off a walker and a "jumperoo" we let Amirah borrow over the summertime.  I can't wait for Nory to use them!!!

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR TEA.

*  Nory is a jet-setting CHAMP.  She was an incredible flyer once again and she's done far better than I have in the jet lag department.  The first night she fell asleep at 2:30.  The second night she fell asleep at midnight.  The third night she was asleep by 9!  The fourth night she was asleep by....12 (okay, so we had a little bit of a hiccup).  But the last two nights she's been asleep by 7:30!  AMAZING!  Then there's me.....up until 3 a.m. last night......(yes, it HAS been SIX DAYS)...

*  How adorable is Baby North?  I really do think there is something special about the nickname "NORY" (this is the correct way of spelling it, btw).

*  The VMA incident.  Ewww.  Ewwwww.  Ewwwww.  Where did that sweet little "Hannah Montana" go?  The unfortunate thing is that she is someone's daughter.  And if OUR daughter did THAT.............AY AY AY!

*  Do you know the talk show called "THE TALK" (clever, right?).  Well, I LOVE IT.  Much better than The View if you ask me.  Anyways, this morning I found it on our tv here!!!  That, and I also noticed an advertisement for "Arabs Got Talent".  Our social schedule is about to take a real serious beating.  Ha!

*  Nory had a check-up with the pediatrician the other day.  She is ALMOST in the 50th percentile for weight (16.7 lbs) and height (66 cm), and 75th percentile for head circumference (44 cm).  He was once again impressed by her strength and was shocked when the nurses told him about how she was up on all fours in the waiting room.  The Proud P.E. Teacher Father was happy to hear how "advanced" she was. Girlie also went for vaccinations on Sunday.  The Infant Tylenol we imported from Canada was a real lifesaver. 

*  My top braces are on!  If you didn't think I looked 15 before, you will definitely think I look that way now.  Phil says he feels like he's dating a teenager.  Nory probably feels we are more like sisters ;)  Anyways, the teeth are sore and I might as well dine at the "Baby Bullet Cafe".

*  Shani came to clean the house on the weekend and she was here for SIX WHOLE HOURS.  You should have seen the dirt she scrubbed off the floors, windows, shelves, etc.  It was disgusting!  The thing that scares me is the "Nory licking the kitchen floor incident" that occurred the previous day.  I don't even want to think about what ended up in her mouth.  That being said, my hubby's new favourite motto is:  SHE HAS TO DEVELOP AN IMMUNE SYSTEM SOMEHOW!  I suppose he's right.  (p.s.  Shani is also here right now.  We're spoiled to the max.)

*  Nory tried zucchini this week and seemed to really like it!  I blended up some peas tonight, which she will try for the first time tomorrow!

*  Today was our first day back to school.  It was filled with meetings of all sorts, but tomorrow is a complete CLASSROOM day and I can't wait to set things up! 

*  Have you heard about THIS?! 

I think that's all for now.  Phil and I are ready for another episode of ANTM (Guys & Girls!) and I REALLY, REALLY should try to get to bed sometime.  Oh, jet lag.  Is there anyone who does it as terribly as I do?!!!!

Gabby Douglas MEET Nory Douglas!

She does something new and exciting everyday. Today, it was GYMNASTICS. Check out this leg move she did on repeat all evening long:

You can tell she really perfected it in the last shot.  PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT, Y'ALL!!!

Sometimes a person thinks of you (and lets you know about it!) in the very moment you need them to....

I love you Mama C!  Thanks for having a "long distance tea party" with me tonight.  I really, deep-down-to-the-core MISS YOU.


XOXO

This "HOME AWAY FROM HOME" has OFFICIALLY become one!

BIG NEWS, FOLKS!  Tim Horton's opened yesterday and we attended the opening!!!!  The lead-up was intense - strobe lights, loud music (there was a DJ!), and lots of expensive cameras.  Here is a short clip from the moment they opened.....

(Please note the hockey net that is pulled out near the end of the clip, which was shortly accompanied by some hockey sticks!)

Then the first Timmy's beverages were served to really important people behind the counter.  Listen to the song that was played for this extra special moment......(Emily and I couldn't stop laughing)

I'm so happy we braved the crowds, traffic, and broke our general "NO MALL-GOING EXCEPT FOR FRIDAY MORNINGS" rule to be apart of this grande event.  That being said, we weren't willing to wait in line for hours to have a cup of coffee on a Saturday evening.  And so, we returned this morning with some fellow Canadians (plus the one we adopted, Steve) to enjoy a little bit of Timmy's heaven in the Middle East.  The coffee was SUPER and my "date and nut muffin" was delicious!  You'll be surprised to learn that our Timmy's serves Mac & Cheese (can't wait to try it), although they have not started the breakfast menu as of yet.  You'll be not-so-surprised to learn that a really wonderful couple walked up to us and said "what part of Canada are you from?!" with the utmost excitement. 

Ah.  Just what the homesick doctor ordered.  TIM HORTONS!!!!!!!  I love you. 

And that's the HONEST-TO-GOODNESS truth.....

Kumari stopped by to play with Nory for an hour last night.  They haven't seen each other for two whole months and their reunion was the absolute sweetest. Nory remembered her wonderful nanny and the two of them giggled in her nursery and played with all of her new things.

Well, that happened until Nory got tired and started to fuss.  Then "psycho first-time mama" kicked into gear and I wanted to run into the room and snatch my baby.  After reading what follows you may or may not consider the "psycho" aspect to be an understatement....

Instead of snatching my baby like a crazy person, I awkwardly pretended that random things (like hair clips) needed to be put away in my room immediately.....like a crazy person.  Yep, I creepily did consecutive walk-bys to check-in on Kumari's soothing techniques - criticizing ever single move she made.  Horrible, right?  It gets worse.  When I couldn't take it anymore (because I really was trying to play it cool and tell myself that it would be alright), I closed the door to the kitchen, sat on the stool and started to cry.  In that moment, I had basically decided to quit my job, fire the nanny, and stay with Nory 24/7.  Then the door opened.  And it wasn't Phil.  And Nory can't walk or turn door handles yet.

Yep, it was HER.  Kumari.

Then I wanted to run into my own room and hide under a pillow.  I FELT AWFUL!!!!!  I tried to explain myself in the most ESL-friendly words possible.......which became difficult and misunderstood and so I gave The World's Best Nanny a big hug and smile to convey the "it's not you, it's me" idea.  I think she got it.  I think.  I hope....

Anyways, Kumari begins work with us tomorrow and - although I may have cried while cuddling Nory to bed - I have got to TOUGHEN UP!  I'm going back to work.  School starts Tuesday.  Nory and I will be apart for most of the day.  It's a daily fact brought to me by my good pal "Reality".  Blah.

We'll call tomorrow training day.  Wish me luck in this mama episode. 

GOODBYE CANADA!!!!!

Our Sheraton stay was superb.  Nory had a solid sleep in the crib they provided and our king-size bed did the trick, too!  All of us took advantage of the swimming pool (yes, ME TOO!) and we played toys and indulged in our favourite daytime television programs throughout the day (e.g. Property Brothers, Love It or List It, Property Virgins, The Talk, etc.).  It was exactly what the travel doctor ordered for the long journey ahead.  

We're checked in at the airport now.  Lucky for us, they opened the counter at 6:30 (for our 11 p.m. flight!) and we were bypassed through the security check due to the baby in tow.  HUZZAH!  Terminal three is BOPPIN', but we have a new rule that declares using our VISA card for immediate lounge access.  I really don't understand why others don't do the same.  For $35, you are placed in a clean and quiet place - with free wifi and unlimited food and beverages.  There are newspapers from every country you can think of, a tv with actual channels (you know, with shows you care about), magazines for all interests, and ya.....back to the unlimited beverages.  That stuff adds up where the "normal people" hang out.  Too bad it took us having a child to figure out we save more by acquiring lounge privileges.  That's my travel tip of the day.  LOUNGE IT UP! 

The pre-game has been kind.  Here's to hoping Nory's second overseas flight goes off without a hitch.  HA!  The realist in me (yep, you never thought I had one of those) tells me that there ought to be a couple of glitches en route.  Flexibility is key.  Please oh please send me the patience required to be bendable ;)

Okee dokee.  Time to take advantage of this place.  And get Nory to sleep a couple of hours before we board.

Wish us luck!
XOXO 

BLING, BLING!

You're looking at an almost-successful-necklace-robbery executed by a certain E.D. Parkinson Scissorhands. 

If it wasn't my responsibility to keep her nails trim (and if she wasn't so darn charming), I might even be a little upset about the plethora of chicken scratches that currently decorate my chest.  But the thing is that it IS my responsibility to cut those claws.  And she IS as sweet as pie.  And so......I'll take this assault as just another great memory for my "I AM A MOM!" book.  (Yeah, yeah - the nails are on tomorrow's agenda)!

TEN DAYS LATER......

When I haven't blogged in a long while, I always return to a major mental block that stops all words from reaching my fingertips.  Not really sure why - there's so much I could say and so much I want to share.  Alas, the words are STUCK.  There's cement in my noggin and it seems to be the uncrackable kind that won't even let the odd few letters slip out.

Let's just begin with what I know in this moment:

We've been saying goodbyes lately.  I hate them.  They never get easier and I dread every single one.  Today was my toughest.  It was sucky times ten.  Or a hundred.  I cried.  Lots.

We're now at the Sheraton hotel until our flight tomorrow evening.  I love the Sheraton.  The sweet sleeper bed is nothing short of a dream and the staff are always a true delight. 

Polka dots are DEFINITELY my new favourite print.

Phil and Nory had a nice swim this afternoon and now Nory has gone to bed and Phillip is downstairs with our good pal Dain.  I'm cozy in bed - watching E.T. (Entertainment Tonight, not that old movie) - and catching up on the interweb.  I love the interweb.  In fact, going back to Kuwait does have that silver lining of IN-HOUSE INTERWEB that I've missed so terribly this summer.  Information on demand!  It's a real treat.

Other things I'm looking forward to in Kuwait:  seeing our Kuwait family, reuniting with Shani and Kumari, getting back into the classroom (this is no joke), the warmest hug you could possibly receive (given to me by the blasting heat that characterizes the entire country), and checking out the Tim Horton's that was expected to open this month (conveniently located at the Aves, just around the bend from Build-A-Bear).  I'm eager to set up some playdates for Nory and I'm hoping to enroll her in the infant program at a nearby gym (as long as they switch the "Bugs" program to the weekend, we're set!).  I also can't wait to see how people react to Nory!  She's grown and changed so much since June!

Somebody else really enjoys the sweet sleeper bed....

That little Nory Darling.  She has really stolen our hearts.  At the start of the summer, I was secretly scared that we wouldn't survive without Kumari.  Now I'm secretly scared that I won't be able to return to work.  It's silly.  Kumari is great.  But Nory is different now and the two of them will have to figure out a new groove.  Inshallah, the transition is smooth and the reunion is a happy, happy one.

Alright - I will end this post now.  I suppose the cement has cracked a smidgen.  Ha!  I'll do my best to catch you up on summer stuff in the next couple of weeks!  I've missed y'all!

Hoping your MONDAY was a FUNDAY.
XOXO


P.S.  All tears aside, our Monday was okay.  It's impossible NOT to appreciate three of Nory's firsts:  first hotel, first real swimming pool, and first bikini!!!!

Just Like a Kid in a CANDY STORE!

(When you've gone too long without your own interweb connection and you randomly discover that your new house picks up a spontaneous public wifi signal and today's the first day you can actually browse the net without being concerned about online course work.....)

MY COURSE IS FINISHED!!!!!!!!!  I am officially a Kindergarten to Grade 12 certified teacher!  WOOT!!! 

The Sweetest DARTH VADER Around.

Everybody knows what a cold is.  Yep, it's one of the easiest things to diagnose, as we've all had one and we're quite familiar with the symptoms.

Or so I thought.

Throw an exhausted mama and papa and an up-every-thirty-minutes, coughing and unable to breath baby into the mix and things just don't seem so clear at 2 a.m.  It causes you to do things like run upstairs (in a major panic) to tell your own mom that you think your baby must be having an allergic reaction to the sunscreen she wore that day for the very first time.  Or an allergic reaction to the 5 hours of beach time that caused invisible pieces of sand and creepy insects to take up residence in her lungs.  You're crying, asking your husband if you should call 911 and trying everything in the book to make your baby relax, breath, and stop coughing to the point of vomiting (ya that happened, too).  Awesome.  I'm pretty sure that "LACK OF SLEEP" and "IMAGINATION" are BFF's.  Yes, little sleep does wonders for the imagination. (I was advised NOT to dial 911, ha!).

So after four more up and down hours with Nory, she "woke up" (if you can call it that) with some glossy eyes, a running nose, and a big struggle to get air in and out.  It's like a little Darth Vader hatched.  Not cute.

So, Nory has a cold.  Her very first one.  She may fool our daytime visitors into thinking she's A-OKAY, but come to our house for a no-sleep-over and you'll get the picture.  Phil and I are on little (this is an understatement) sleep.  We've been using nasal spray to help clear her passageways but she has quite the "prevent mom and dad from getting that thing close to either nostril" reflex.  If only our wee one had a "blow the nose" reflex.  Oh well.

In the middle of the night, when you go into her bedroom and find her whimpering, squirmy and trying like mad to breath, she almost makes you feel bad for that mean old D.V.  Ha!  Yes, little sleep does wonders for the imagination.

Please send Nory some GET WELL SOON vibes!  Plane travel is near ;) 

My anticipation for JANUARY 2014 can be summed up in two words.....

JUAN PABLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I suppose I should also say "The Olympics".....)

Haha.  I'm going to see if Emily wants to make "I LOVE JUAN PABLO" t-shirts for our first official craft project of the 2013-2014 school year....

GEM?  

Flying Back TWO WEEKS TODAY.

Plus two hours, to be exact.  Yep, we'll be sky-high on our way back "home" to Kuwait.  WOWZERS.  Makes me wonder how you people with four weeks of holidays/year (or less!) manage.

I think we're ready.  I think.  We miss our routine.  Our apartment.  Our friends.  Dare I say...OUR STUDENTS?!  Ha.  Really.  We're a couple that appreciates structure and perhaps that's why we seem so stressed out in the summertime.  Inshallah, this homeowner thing works out in our favour and you'll find us with our heels up on the back deck next year.  Wait - who am I kidding?  Nory will be walking.  Running, maybe.  Which means we will be too.

Oh life!

We wake up bright and early tomorrow morning (a.k.a. the usual) to drive back to Lakefield.  Our SLEEP COUNTRY MATTRESS is supposed to be delivered and we're hoping to have the BEST SLEEP of the SUMMER (or ever) tomorrow night.  Eeeeeeee!!!!

Two more days of the online course.  One massive assignment left.  Let's DO THIS!

Chaos.

I haven't sat down to blog in a few days and I'm not sure why I decided that NOW - with 5 little kiddo's running around Nan's house and cupcakes in the oven - it would be a good idea.  Nonetheless, a glass of white was poured (mid-post), I've relocated to more "peaceful" rooms twice, and I'm determined to power out some words in the next couple of minutes.  (This says nothing about the reality of hitting the "publish" button at any time today).  Welcome to our summer.  CHAOS.

Somebody asked me yesterday whether we've had any time to just RELAX this summer.  My answer?  Hmmmm.....NO (with a smile).  I smiled not because it was an awesome reality, but because the non-stop-ness is a signature of any Parkinson summer in Canada.  We are constantly here, there and everywhere.....taking little time to just hang out and refresh for the next school year.  There are always plans to make and always plans to execute.  There are always the plans you look forward to and the plans you (I CONFESS!) try your hardest to weasel your way out of with zero luck.  Ahhh.  It really would be nice to just have an agenda of NOTHING, but at the same time, we understand that being away for ten months of the year is a legitimate reason for the chaos that characterizes our summer.  We want to see all of you.  We really, truly do!  But ten months worth of visits is almost too much to condense into two months of Canada.  Is it wrong that I love you all so much but have the biggest desire to kidnap my own family, grab a family-size jar of peanut butter, a couple of spoons....and hide in a three-person-only hole forever?  Because I do.

Right now we are at my Nan and Pop's house, visiting with my Mom, Tayls, and some really adorable (and busy!) little ones.  Seeing all of the kids together is lots of fun and we are looking forward to "Survivor: Wasaga Beach" tomorrow afternoon!  Fingers crossed that the weather holds out and the "producers" go easy on us ;)

As for TONIGHT - it is the BACHELORETTE FINALE!!!  Part one was last week and - MY OH MY - did your hearts break while watching it too?  I really think there is no worse feeling than having your heart flat-out smashed into pieces.  Ugh.  The thought of it is ache-inducing enough.  And I'm not just talking about a sad Miss Desiree.  Think about the two guys that remain!  I wonder what will come of this dating adventure.  Four hours from now, the story will start to unfold!  HOOR-AH! 

Alrighty, the more "peaceful" room has suddenly become the loudest room in the house.....SIP, SIP. 

Later gators!
XOXO

Who needs a ROOSTER?

This girlie has a cock-a-doodle-doo of different sorts!  And it's equally, if not MORE, effective.  Mmmm hmmm....sleeping-in is a far-fetched idea in this house ;) 

TRUCK, YEAH!!!

Facebook messages that begin something like "so I know it's late notice....and you'll probably say no but...." are really exciting ones to receive.  My most recent one involved an invite to a Tim McGraw concert to which I responded "DUHHHHH I'm coming!!!"  (Okay, okay....I checked things over with my main man first).

Anyways, Sara and I enjoyed a beautiful soiree at the Molson Amphitheatre with two of her teaching friends and our good pal Tim.  We had grass seats (so no seats), but that made things seem all the more field-party-like and we were able to re-live our high school days while belting out tunes like "where the green grass grows" and "something like that".  The latter one there, ohhh it's a beauty.  When that song plays, all I can think of is "SUMMER!!!" and I hope and pray for a Country 105 dance A-S-A-P.  Speaking of BBQ stains on white t-shirts, check out this concert go-er we spotted and snagged for a picture:

Before this post concludes, I have a little conversation to share and remember forever.  We were driving down the 401 (en route to our musical evening) and it went something like this:

Lindsay:  Okay, entertainment topic #2 - Cory Monteith.

Sara:  Ugh, I don't even want to talk about it.

Lindsay:  Do you watch Glee?

Sara:  No....but that's because I feel very uncomfortable when I watch people sing.

Lindsay:  (bursts into unspeakable laughter)  SARA!  We are on our way to a concert!!!

What a great night.  Thanks Sara for the invite!  Similar Facebook messages are welcome anytime.  I'm wild.  Remember?  Ha!