There's NO WAY a better playmate exists. Anywhere. On this Earth.

Yesterday's "NORY REPORT" - compliments of NANNY KUMARI

A picture from the summer:  strolling around Queen St. on a sunny, sunny day.

1)  "No sleep!"
2)  "Too much happy joke!"
3)  "All the time like this (insert bulldog face)."

Haha.  That's our girl!!!!!!!!!

THE BULLDOG IS BACK!!!!!

Over the summer, Nory started to do this "BULLDOG" face.  Some of you were lucky enough to witness this trick before she phased it out.  Some of you weren't.  Well, GOOD NEWS!  It returned YESTERDAY and I have video footage.  So funny how it coincides with the return of the BULLDOGS basketball program at our school!

We're not supposed to have "favourites" BUT........

Today at school I met my two remaining classes. As part of the introduction process, we were drawing pictures to represent different things about ourselves.  I cheated and showed a slideshow of photographs instead.  This was one of them: 

When I asked the class what this picture might say about my personality, one boy responded:

"I think you're like.....a model.....and you do lots of model jumps in front of important buildings."

Call me unprofessional, but he's a FAVE for sure ;)

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!

This morning we arrived at school to find this little treat in our mailbox:

It was so thoughtful of our STELLAR administration team to do this and a great way to start another school year!  It really is the small things.....

Anyways, both Phil and I had a good first day of school.  Due to assemblies and advisory periods, I only got to meet 2 out of my 4 classes, but I look forward to meeting the other two groups tomorrow.  Phil hosted intramural sign-ups at recess and he's not home at the moment because he's doing this thing called BASKETBALL.  HA!  First day of school, first practice of the season.  Those boys just can't get enough.

As for the Kindergarten to Grade 5 students, there was an "orientation" day where students and parents were encouraged to come to school and meet their teachers.  On days like these, two things are made clear about the women in this country:

1)  They have AMAZING STYLE.  Like - Fashion Police would have a really hard time coming up with anything clever against them.

2)  They are BEAUTIFUL.  Seriously.  STUNNING.  

Okee....PLAYTIME CALLS!!!!!  Time for some Mommy-Nory time before Daddy gets home :)

Wishing those of you back home a very happy first day of school!!! 

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!