September - school and life updates

from Run the Runway - so fun!

Oh hi! It's almost OCTOBER already (whaaaat) and everyone is settling in to the new routine (hurray). Week one was a shock to the system, but everyone managed (it was extremely overwhelming for me); week two was better and I made a mental shift to chill out a bit with all of my readings, assignment, home/kids stuff and volleyball commitments (which are extremely minimal right now). And now that we're nearing the end of the month I think it's safe to say that everyone is fairly settled with the back to school thing. Both Alana and Hendrik like their teachers (and so do we), and Jordan is happy at home with Dad. I'm at school four days a week so get to spend Fridays with the little (which I love!). That Monday to Thursday thing involves going to NINE different classes; some are two hours and some are three hours, but all of them have lots of reading required and assignments galore. When do I get work and reading done? I still don't really know. I have an assignment due tomorrow (not finished), a quiz on Thursday (haven't studied for it - yet) and a coaching presentation to prepare for a small coaching conference Western Women's Volleyball is putting on this weekend. Oh, and Friday is a P.D. Day and Steve is out of town this weekend. Bah! It's all good though. Steve is heading to Brandon with the McMaster men's team this weekend, so I'm sure he'll enjoy some volleyball immersion - and on the prairies too! There is much more I could write about, but if I don't post this now it may never reach my readers. (Are there still people visiting? I know it's sparse postings these days!) I hope that life is treating everyone well...

classic first day of school photo

oh hi!

from this past weekend at the cottage... it was a beautiful long weekend for us up at the Crowe

two front teeth GONE!

runners in the sunners

august update

Can you believe it? The summer is coming to an end... boo! We closed the last week off with a fabulous trip to the Pinery, one of Southern Ontario's popular provincial parks. We lucked out with a great site last year and Steve was able to snag it again - but this time Grandma and Gramps joined us! Steve, Hendrik and Jordan slept in the tent, and I slept with Alana on one side of Bob and Marg's tent trailer, and it worked pretty well except for the last night; Jordan woke up crying for Mommy, and I spent a few hours in a camp chair in the tent before sneaking him back into his crib only to be woken half an hour or so later for the day. We ate really well (camp dinners were tacos with all the fixings, BBQ'd chicken thighs with beans, broccoli and corn, burgers, and pasta) and it sure did help that much of the work was done beforehand be it cooking or chopping. If only all meals could be so easy! Desserts were also fabulous (of course) and everyone enjoyed s'mores and Alana's pre-birthday celebration cupcakes. She turns six tomorrow, so we did a mini bday celebration on Thursday. We spent most mornings and afternoons at the beach where we were handed a good mix of water conditions; it was calm for the first few days, super wavy the third (which Hendrik and Alana LOVED), and calm again on the fourth (Jordan was scared away by the big waves). We came home with a few rocks, not too much sand, and only a minor poison ivy blister on Jordan's leg. It was a great week!

And now... now it's back to reality big time. I fit in a quick grocery shop this morning and passed on the $2 cupcakes at Superstore to come home and make my own with Alana... but despite the extra grease they all stuck to the pan. The universe is telling me to simplify! Oh well. I didn't listen and went out and bought cupcake paper liner things and made another batch - which made me think of the Fancy Nancy cupcake story (her dog eats them and after an exhausting day she listens to her parents and goes straight to bed). Anyways! With school for me and the kids starting Tuesday things are going to get crazy busy. Speaking of books, I absolutely devoured The Orenda this week... I was totally captivated, and think it was one of the best books I've ever read. It gives lots of food for thought, and I finished it with tears in my eyes at midnight last night. It's not the lightest or easiest of reads, but I loved it.

I know I have more to write about (I'm hoping to get out west in early October to visit my mom and dad and sister, the house hunt - no updates, had a great visit with a friend from uni last weekend, ummm I don't know what else) but this is it. I need some sleep!

so goooooood to see this ZAG for life... love!