Three Random Things:

1) Tonight there was a fire at the building beside us.  It was quite something to watch (as you can tell by the many onlookers at street level).  I hope the people who were evacuated are okay!
  

2)  One might look at the arrangement of items in the wardrobe below and be ecstatic.  Everything is neatly folded and organized into nice little piles.  But here's the thing: the size/type categories that I had put so much time into in the past have now been discarded by the space-saving groupings that Kumari put so much time into today.  I think I'm going to have to let this one go considering our darling Nanny was simply trying to be proactive and amazing.  There's no option but to LOVE her!

3)  Our first day with students is TOMORROW!  I almost had a heart attack this afternoon, as the new desk I was supposed to receive on the weekend was not delivered until 1:30 today.  Because of this, I missed a health insurance meeting that seemed increasingly important as my heart almost pounded out of my chest.  What can I say?  I'm an on-time kinda person and a disorganized classroom the AFTERNOON before kiddo's is a real stress inducer.  Anyways, the desk eventually came with the heroic help of my deputy principal and my classroom is all ready for day one.  Speaking of which, here's a nice "first day of school eve" article to read.

HAPPY NEW SCHOOL YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!

This household is a giggling, happy one.

 Today marks Girlie's FIRST PIGTAILS!!!

There's Something About SEPTEMBER 1st.....

For most people, this crazy need to "get into shape, STAT!" happens pre-swimsuit season.  Then there's us.  And every other teacher at our school (or so it seems).  We go on a health hiatus all summer long and then return at the end of August to discover some working out needs to take place.  I've spoken to more motivated dieters/exercisers than you could imagine in the past few days - people drinking protein shakes, starting the dreadful "INSANITY" or "P90X" programs, joining the gym, purchasing workout equipment, revamping the grocery list, etc.  No wonder why I forced myself onto the treadmill at 5:30 this morning!  It's an epidemic!  But a good one.  I think. 

Phil was also on the treadmill/in the weight room today.  And then there was this little chicken:

Planking like a BOSS.  She knows what's up!!!!

Cheers to WELL-BEING!  And September!  And ANOTHER school year!

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