Hello Fall

It's officially Fall and although it isn't my favourite season, I do enjoy the rich, beautiful colours that the season brings. I got the kids dressed up yesterday and went outside for some Fall Fun photos. Brendan actually let me take his photo!!!! Loved it.

Here are a few of my fave shots:

Okay...more than a few.... :)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Cheeks!

Sweet Olivia,

5 years ago today, I was sitting on the sofa with Daddy and Grandma while B-man was upstairs sleeping. We were watching the season premiere of Survivor. Daddy took one last belly shot of us and in less than 24 hours, I was a proud Mama to the most beautiful baby girl I have ever, ever laid my eyes upon... EVER....

You were perfect then and you are still perfect to me now. I know it's a bit of a cliche now but, time sure does fly. I think about all you've done in 5 short years of life and I'm totally blown away.

You are stubborn, dramatic and easily upset. You are silly, giggly, smart, a huge practical joker and you've got a HUGE heart. You are a girly girl but can be just as rough and tough as the boys if you have to be. I am just so proud of you.....I will always be proud of you.

So, as I sit here on the eve of your 5th birthday, always remember this. You will forever be my favourite girl in the whole wide world. You will forever be my baby girl. You will forever hold a special place in my heart and put a smile on my face with just the mere thought of you. I just love you so much Olivia Ann.

I hope you have the best birthday yet!

And do me a favour ok? Slow down just a teeny, tiny bit.

I love you,my girl. Always & Forever.


Love,
Mama
xoxo

Tiny Dancer...

FINALLY!!

Back in May, Olivia came to me and started asking if she could take a dance class. I thought it was like a lot of things kids her age say. They ask for it, you tell them you'll think about it and they move on without ever remembering to mention it again. Boy, was I wrong.

Livi asked me TONS of times to take a dance class. I knew she was serious about it so I looked into it and discovered that dance was wrapping up for the year and she wouldn't be able to start until September. How do you spell devastation?? O-L-I-V-I-A!!!!

I'm not sure who was happier yesterday that she was starting ballet---her or me! Finally! Her time had come to take dance classes. Let me be the first to tell you that she is beyond CUTE in her little pink tutu. She was so excited to go and had so much fun in her first class with her instructor, Miss Jenna. She also has a little friend (Sabrina) from school/soccer in her group. Loads of fun!! I enjoyed watching her yesterday. She was so into it--watching the teacher intently, trying so hard to do the positions, giggling, beaming...so happy! I'm glad she loves it. :)

Here is a photo of her that I took before we left yesterday (wasn't sure of the rules for taking pics at class. I will try and bring my camera once the class is more settled) :

And one of B-man because heck...he's pretty cute too! (and never lets me take his pic---look at those eyes!!!)

Crop Weekend @ SSZ!!

Be sure to check out Scrap Shotz this weekend! We're having an online crop that is going to ROCK! Lots of great prizes offered up by Sandy (the owner) and a GRAND PRIZE to boot! :)

See you there!

Back to School!

Yup! It's that time of year again!! This year, however, was bittersweet. I am the Mommy to a Grade 1! Not just any Grade 1 either. Mommy to the most-excited-ever-to-be-in-a-grade Grade 1!!! It's a HUGE deal! It's a different playyard now! It's riding the bus with the big kids and maybe even getting to sit in the back. It's getting THREE recesses! It's getting to eat lunch at school. Heck, it's even about eating your apple whole like a big boy and not needing it cut up. Because let's face it, he's in Grade 1 now!

As you can read from above, Brendan was beyond himself yesterday morning. The only other time I've seen him this excited is Christmas morning. As always, he was thoroughly thinking things through. Like where he'd hang his bag and how he'd find his desk. I think the highlight may have been choosing what he wanted for lunch and both snacks. Heck, I knew he was excited when he let ME choose his shirt. I never ever get to pick out his clothes.

So off to the bus at Catherine's (daycare) we went to make sure that was all organized. He hopped on and we met him at school. There were signs up marking "1", "2", etc and so the 3 of us went over and found out who is teacher is. He's in a 1/2 split class and he's got lots of friends from last year and a few news ones. It took no time to find some buddies and start making armpit fart noises. Ahhh! To be a boy!

Olivia is in afternoons this year and her excitement was to see her little friend Michael Anthony. I swear, she's obsessed. The 2 of them love hanging out with each other. I'm happy that she's got close friends at such a young age. Go Liv! Go MA! Olivia also got off to school perfectly and had a perma-grin on her face.

I just love those 2......just love them....simple as that....

Last night we had two very happy yet very exhausted kids to deal with. The new routine will take some time but they'll get the hang of it. Hopefully soon because even Mommy & Daddy are exhausted!

Here are a couple of First day of school pics:

Brendan - Grade 1:

Olivia - Senior Kindergarten:

Gotta love em!

Sept Reveal @ SSZ!

I absolutely always love Sandy's kits at Scrap Shotz, but I have to say that September's kit is my FAVE to date! I just love the bold, fun colours!! I could do 100 layouts with this stuff by Daisy D. :)

Here are my CT layouts for September:

That's it for now! Back to school for 2 very excited kiddos tomorrow and back to work for Joe and I after a long weekend (yuck!). I'll be back soon with some back to school photos. :)