avegail - our nanny

Once Avegail got here I forgot to update my nanny status! I picked her up in Edmonton on September 9th. I think she's happy here and is settled in. She doesn't complain anyway!! However, she does think it is cold, already!! The kids love her because she plays and plays and plays with them. I love her because she keeps up on my laundry (washed, folded and put away) and I always have a tidy kitchen. YEAH!!! Haven't taken many pictures - but here they are having hot chocolate after yesterdays walk.

autumn

Autumn - even though it is chilly it is a beautiful time of year. We enjoyed our morning walk ... and photo shoot. Seems like other people can always get PERFECT shots of their kids - all sitting nice, looking at the camera, eyes open and smiling. Doesn't work for me. Might have to invest in a photo shop program so I can FIX them up!!!! I tried experimenting with some accent colors ... but that didn't work so well either!!

block party

Saturday evening the neighbors got together for a potluck. There are quite a few kids our street and they all had fun in one neighbor's bounce zone which they set up right on the street!

rub-a-dub-dub

All the kids like mom's jet tub and they had lots of fun with the bubbles ... the tough part was getting them out!

samara's first day of kindergarten

The first day of kindergarten has come and gone!! All persons involved survived! I almost started to cry when Keithan started bawling his eyes out when the bus drove away ... I think more because he wanted to go on the bus too than the thought of Samara going to school!!! But, it still seemed sad! Samara had a surprise when she got to school - a different teacher and a different classroom than she was prepared for! At the last minute they hired another French Immersion teacher ... and she was one of 15 who got a new teacher! Still a bit traumatic when she wants something to be upset about. However, the new teacher is also young and seems just as nice to me!! Then, when she was supposed to get off the bus on the way home ... she almost didn't! Her bus stop is about 5 houses down - and she wasn't paying attention! I was walking toward the bus to meet her ... but started running when the bus driver shut the door!!! It all ended well. The next day she got off one stop earlier ... but at least it was on the right street!!!!

rhett

Last Saturday Phil took Samara and Keithan to the farm and Rhett stayed with mom. Janelle and Brenna came up and we had a wonderful one-child-each day!!! I felt so free!!! We went to Boston Pizza, rearranged the basement, went to the park and had lots of FUN - even though it poured on us during our photo shoot!!

waterpark fun

These pictures are from Grandpa and Grandma and their time with the kids at the waterpark.

trip to the city

Last weekend was lots of fun - even though I was busy for Friday and Saturday at a conference. The kids went to the waterpark with grandpa and grandma and were able to entertain themselves in the mall for the most part. Managed to squeeze in some shopping time ... and supper at East Side Marios with Michelle and the kids.