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!

Three Cheers for the ROYAL BABY!

And about their first public appearance following George's arrival....

1)  They are the CUTEST.
2)  Doesn't she make you fall head-over-heels for polka dots? 

Brought to you by a HOMEOWNER near you....(this is a matter of perspective and only applies to certain readers)

It's FOR REAL! Despite my last minute, crazy person ideas about being denied a key on Wednesday, we are officially moved in to our new house! Well, 50% of us is - my 50%. Phil's 50% is scheduled to arrive on August 4th (thanks Uncle Steeps and Dad P!).

Move in day was a breeze.  (And you're lucky the author of this blog is one heck of an optimist!).  Haha.  No really, it was fun.  For 50% of us, it really was fun.  Hmmm....make that 33% of us with the addition of our sweet little, teething-please-oh-please-go-away Eleanor.  Yes, 33% of us found move in day to be rather.....EXCELLENT!  Sure beats zero percent.  It's even better than 32 percent.  Yes, I'll take it.

Phil says we're never moving again and the good news is we LOVE OUR HOUSE!  We've been spending the last few days unpacking, purging, organizing and deep-breathing our way to a cozy little abode.  Phil seems to be a big fan of my childhood items, including the following mountain of beanie babies, to which he commented, "ALL OF THOSE are YOURS?!"  Mmmm hmmm....I've been known to impress even the least impressionable people with my vast collection of bean-filled buddies.

We've also enjoyed some Tassimo coffees on the back deck, listening to ten songs - the same ten songs - all day long on Canadian radio, going for walks around the "village", and sitting in my 100% gender-specific, pink/blue University chairs.  (As much fun as it is, we can't re-live our University days forever and furniture shopping has been placed on the agenda).

Tonight, Nory and I came over to Nana and Grandpa's for a sleepover.  Phil is having a boys night at the house and I needed to get some work done on my course.  Nory wasn't the happiest camper today, but 90% of me believes tomorrow will be SUPER DUPER. 

On a final note, here's a WORLD'S GREATEST THANK YOU to my family for helping us move (etc., etc.)!!!  We are so lucky to have such big-muscled all-stars in the neighbourhood ;)  WE LOVE YOU! xoxo 

HEY YOU! Remember Us?!

Nory and Coco - hanging out in the early morning :)

The traveling trio is back in our SOON-TO-BE-CANADIAN-HOMETOWN!  We arrived in Lakefield on Sunday afternoon and my excuses for NOT blogging earlier than this moment include:  my online course, bank/lawyer appointments, the "we're parents now" thing, and family time.  All legitimate reasons, ya?

We had a great time in Thunder Bay visiting with all of Phil's family and friends.  Staying at Grandma's house is TOPS.  Some reasons I love her:

1)  She called airport security looking for us when we were late showing up on her doorstep.

2)  She has a drawer in her kitchen with random sticks that she uses to throw at the big birds who are bullying the little birds at the bird feeders.

3)  After asking if she had been following The Bachelorette, she replied, "I wouldn't miss it for the world!"  She's also up for any and all television programs and acts genuinely interested in the characters.  Example:  BIG BROTHER. 

4)  She thinks nothing of my kaftan (Kuwaiti "house dress" / MOO-MOO).  

5)  We expressed an equal interest in the birth of the royal baby and rushed to the living room every morning to get a news update. 

6)  Everything just tastes better at her house. 

Oh Grandma.  All five feet of her bursts with AMAZING.

We move into our new house....our FIRST HOUSE....TOMORROW!  That makes today New House EVE.  HOOR-AH!  We have another bank appointment this morning, a visit with my friend Jennie this afternoon, and then organizing/packing/school-ing this evening.  The rest of the week includes moving (obvs), a visit with cousin Megan, Graeme's return from Europe, Dana's departure to the Philippines (BIG BOO), a Tim McGraw concert with my gal Sara (spontaneous and awesome-ly so), and unpacking!!!  BUSY, BUSY.  Or you could call me the worst summer-blogger ever.  Sigh.

Yippee-ya-hoo for the Royal Baby!  In my spare seconds, I will be refreshing People.com on my phone......

Thunder Bay Bound

We're heading to the airport in an hour to fly up north.  WOO HOO.  I mean....WOO HOO!!!!!  No, I have actually come to enjoy the place.  A little bit.  Grandma's house in particular.  It's the most wonderful little hotel on Earth.  I think being married to her baby "P.J." has something to do with it ;)

Our plans for the week:

*  playdate with Aaron, Anika and Abigail!
*  a visit with Phil's friend Peter :)
*  Grandma's 85th birthday party
*  Nana's memorial
*  great grandbaby photoshoot (Grandma now has three!)
*  time at camp
*  and, OF COURSE, time with all of Phil's family!!!!

I'm a little nervous for the two-part Porter flight.  Nory was great on our long haul flight to Canada, but I have a feeling she'll be buckled up for most of our two short flights this afternoon.  Take off, landing, take off, landing.....with only a little air time in between.  And this darling girl of ours hates to be buckled.  Hence, my worries. 

Anyways, just like the last one we're prepared for the worst, but acting so calm and collected on the surface for Nory's sake! 

The best hotel on Earth is a wireless-free zone (or is that all of Thunder Bay? BAHA), so you may not hear from me until we return on the 21st. 

ENJOY YOUR WEEK, Y'ALL!
XO

Narrating the CAMERA ROLL.....

*** Please note: This is the FIFTH time I've tried to do this post!!! For some reason, either my computer or the interweb (or my brain!) has not wanted to cooperate.  BUT - we leave for Thunder Bay in the morning and if you thought I've been a bad blogger this week, wait until next!  HA!  Enjoy this one, will ya?!  

Cuddles with Grandpa!  Grandpa has three magic words he uses to make Nory smile.  Works like a charm, every single time.  I'm not sure I can release his secret at this time ;)

Last week, Dad and I bonded over construction materials.  We drove really far to pick up long pieces of wood.  Then we went headed to Home Depot for some skinny but big pieces of wood (but stopped at Chapters en route!).  And then we went to Tim Horton's - the place we BOTH understand :)  I had a great morning, Dad! XO

Check out this "lobster claw" gift from Grandma and Grumps!!!  This little seat can fit into the diaper bag and come with us to restaurants!  Wait until IHOP Kuwait sees this!!!

Another view of the claw.  It's just SO CLEVER.  Look at Nory's little toes dangling there!

Remember how I told you her tooth started to come through?  Well - the next day we went to the mall and happened upon a store called ONE TOOTH!  HAHA!  Since then, however, the tooth has submerged into the gums and is nowhere to be seen.....this hide and seek game isn't the most fun.

Patches gets a second stamp in his PAWSPORT!  He has officially been to Ontario.  SUPERB!

Okay - I'm not sure anyone else will see the humour in this.  But this see-through, plastic tupperware container here?  It's Uncle Stephen's "purse".  Ya, it's a bin.  But really, it's a purse.  I told him he better cover it with stickers to make his important belongings a little more discreet.  Guess what?  HE DID!!!!  Good work, Stephen!

BREAKING NEWS!  Nory and Oscar are part of a secret club with Grumps called the 501 Club.  We have no idea what the 501 Club is or does, but it seems to hold regular meetings of high importance.  Grumps is the PREZ and enjoys making all club-related decisions ;)

Grandma and Grumps babysat the other morning while Phil and I did some shopping (thanks guys!!!).  We came home to find our little cutie sleeping soundly in Grandma's arms.  Grumps says we owe them more time with Nory because she slept most of the time!

Meet Elroy - Nory's elephant floatie toy :)  She LOVES this thing, as you can tell.  What a wonderful FIVE MONTH BIRTHDAY present from Grandma and Grumps!!!

SMORE night!  Nory enjoyed our late afternoon campfire but didn't really appreciate not being able to eat these sweet treats herself.  Poor gal.  Soon enough, my girl!

SPA GIRL!  Time for some more WARM TUBBIN'!  Haha, this housecoat is PRICELESS! 

WHERE'S THAT BABY?!

While getting ready to go out this morning....

Lindsay:  (disappointed) Kate hasn't had her baby yet. 

Phil:  Kate who?

Lindsay:  Kate Middleton!!!

Phil:  (laughs) You're on a first name basis with royalty?

Lindsay:  (acts surprised) You're NOT on a first name basis with royalty?!

If this sweet-as-pie, little lady goes "missing".......

BABY-NAPPERS.  You know.  Like kid-nappers, but for babies.  Anyways, my instincts tell me that this may be an issue for us.  Actually, the potential criminals have said this to my face (smooth, eh?).  They've even tried to validate this illegal act with lovey-dovey remarks about how they can't function without her - OUR (ahem!) daughter.  Here's what I want the world to know:

#1 - She's learned how to scream.

#2 -  In case our little Nory Darling ends up MIA, as in she doesn't end up on our flight to Thunder Bay and/or she doesn't make it on our flight back to Toronto and/or she doesn't end up on our flight to Kuwait...........and her parents are absolutely too distraught to cope with life.......please inform the police to begin their questioning with the following suspects:

*  Grandpa
*  Nana
*  Grumps
*  Grandma

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
Proud Papa and Smitten Mama (and as much as she loves her grandparents, I'm pretty sure Nory's on OUR side at age five months!)

You haven't gone swimming unless you've gone swimming with this gal!

And here are the many faces of said GAL....

(and HUNNY, I think we need a "warm tub" for the new house)....