New Fall Classes

Last week the girls both started new classes.

Penelope started swimming lessons at Southland Leisure Centre with her daddy.  Because it was Greg's last day at his downtown office, he was running late so I had to pick him up from the train station and head right to the pool.  Finley was devastated that the lessons were for Penelope and not herself. We sat in the waiting area and she watched looking so sad.  She got excited when she could see her daddy and Penelope.  

I thought yesterday would be better since Finley and I were staying home but when Finley saw that I was putting Penelope's bathing suit on, she ran to get hers and when I told her she wasn't going she got sad.  However, I promised she could have a treat and we could do puzzles and play hungry hungry hippos because P wasn't going to be home.  She was happy.  She picked apple slices for her treat and enjoyed her time without her sister!

Last Friday morning, Finley began her music class at South Fish Creek Recreation Centre. It is 5 minutes from our house which is fantastic but what isn't fantastic is that it is located in a facility that is undergoing expansion and houses the South YMCA, the Shawnessy Library and a high school so needless to say parking is almost impossible and because of the expansion and the farmer's market they have on Friday's you have to leave your house 40 minutes before the class to ensure you get a parking spot.  Today I drove around for 16 minutes in the parking lot before I got one.  So not cool.  Thankfully today was also the last day for the Farmer's Market so hopefully coming weeks are not so bad!

I didn't get any actual photos from the class but here are some going into the building:

Finley LOVES music class.  She met a new friend Gabby and the two of them are quite the characters.

Happy 8th Birthday Tan

 Today is Tanner's 8th birthday or as Finley calls him "Tan".  We hope you have a wonderful day Tanner!

Here are some photos from his recent  birthday party!

Pearl Jam

So Pearl Jam on Wednesday night was fantastic.  It was worth the 20 year wait to see them!  They played Jeremy for us in the encore which is a rarity - they never ever play it live!  And the very last song was Yellow Ledbetter which is my all time favorite Pearl Jam song.

If you ever get the chance to go, GO!!

I forgot my camera and just had my iphone and this was the best we got. But here are 2 somewhat good ones!

Sweet Ginger Photography!!

I was already having a pretty good Friday when I saw that our online gallery was ready!  We had family photos taken by the amazing Virginia from Sweet Ginger Photography for a the 5th time!  Yes she is that fantastic!

The online gallery is available until Friday, September 30th if you would like to check it out.  I would also love to know which ones are your favourites!

Here is the link and the password is florizone (it is case sensitive)

Thank you so much Virginia for again capturing such amazing photos of my sweet little family.

Washing Walls

A conversation I had with Finley yesterday:

Finley: Whatcha doin Mom
Me: Washing Walls
Finley: Why Mommy?
Me: Because you and your sister can't keep your grubby hands off of them
Finley: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH

She laughed all the way into the living room where Penelope was sitting. She spoke to her in their special language, Penelope laughed and spoke back and then they both were laughing their little bellies off on the floor.

I think they were concocting an evil plan for me to do even more cleaning....

Odds + Ends

I promise to get better at blogging, I really do.

Finley starts her music class on Friday.  We are looking forward to it.  I think she will really like it.  I will be taking her to the class and participating with her.  Penelope will come half the time and play in her stroller while the other half will be Greg's Friday off so she will hang with her daddy.

Penelope starts her first swimming lessons tomorrow.  We do ours through the City of Calgary because it's the cheapest around.  Finley can't take anymore lessons until she turns 3 and she is waitlisted for those that she can take.  Penelope will be taking the class with Daddy every Thursday at Southland Leisure Center.  I am pretty sure she will enjoy it much more that Finley did since she loves the water.

I was inspired by Greg's mom Gail's homemade cards so I decided to take up a hobby of doing just that.  I have completed 2 terrible ones (sorry Don + Tanner) and one that is just ok (Sorry Grandpa Don) and one that turned out pretty good (it's a surprise!).  I also decided that I needed a craft corner so to speak so for the last week, I have been busy re-doing our basement.  We are using the space much better and I have a cool crafting area for Finley + I.  I will post photos once I have finished it completely.  And I am happy to say that the inspiration for our basement came from a pin on Pinterest.  I couldn't do exactly what it showed but it's close enough!

We finally heard back from AHS' Preschool Speech Language Services Program and are waiting to hear back from them so Greg and I can take the How To Build Language With Pre-Schoolers class.  It will be 2 classes in the evening at South Calgary which is where we are also on the waitlist for Finley to see a speech pathologist.  Her speech has grown leaps and bounds since we spoke to our Doctor but there is still improvement to be had.  Everyday she surprises me with things she says.  She is one smart cookie and once she gets over the speech delay, she'll be an even smarter cookie!

I bought new bedding for the master bedroom since I absolutely hated the stuff we have had for the last couple years.  It makes our bedroom so much nicer!  I also want new bedroom lamps for the bedside tables.  I found ones that I liked at the HomeSense grand opening at Macleod + Heritage back in August and when I went back the next day to buy them, they were gone.  After looking at Winners and HomeSense all over Calgary + Okotoks, I found them in Balzac.  I brought them home and they were way too big.  I was devastated.  By accident I found a pair of super cute white lamps at Walmart (surprisingly enough) brought them home and they were too small.  It seems I can't win.  I have looked at Walmart, Zellers, Ikea, Jysk, NOOD, Urban Barn, HomeSense, Home Outfitters + Winners and no nice lamps.  I am seriously discouraged.

We are going to see Pearl Jam tonight.  I am so excited!  I have loved Pearl Jam since I was 12 years old and got their record Ten on cassette for my birthday.  For some reason or another, it has never worked for me to see them live.  Greg has seen them like 6 times already but even he is excited for tonight.  Cameron Crowe just debuted his PJ20 Documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival and I can't wait to see it.  They also have a book that just came out marking this event.  I am not going to lie, when I heard about the 20th anniversary of Pearl Jam, I felt old.  Very old.

I have been on a cleaning spree the last few weeks.  I am trying to re-organize and de-clutter and decrapify before winter sets in.  I went through all my Easter, Christmas, Halloween + Valentine's decorations and transferred them from paper boxes to rubbermaid boxes which works much better in our storage room.  I also have sold and gave way or thrown out tonnes of stuff that I really didn't have a purpose for and were generally just taking up space.  I felt so much better after doing so.  I only have a few more areas to do and then I am home free!!!

I am also trying to create a cleaning schedule that I can stick to so I don't end up neglecting stuff and doing SO MUCH in a 2 day period completely wearing me out and making me grouchy.  Does anybody have one that they stick to??  Let me know, because I need all the help I can get!

Almost 2 weeks ago, we  had professional photos taken by Sweet Ginger Photography.  She posted a sneak peek on her blog and an additional photo on her Facebook page.  She did an absolutely amazing job - I cannot wait to see the rest.  Her work continually blows me away.  If you live in Calgary, you should definitely check her out - you won't be disappointed!

When we were at The Disney Store we saw costumes for Minnie + Jessie - two of Finley's favorite creatures.  Minnie's was like $50 and the whole Jessie ensemble was close to $100 which I absolutely refuse to spend.  So I checked on eBay where the costumes were just as expensive.  Not holding much hope, I went to kijiji and there were 0 Jessie Costumes but a few Minnie ones.  One of the Minnie costumes was the Disney Store one without the shoes and they lived in Evergreen - Bonus and it was only $20 so I bought it. She loves it.  Good thing she gets to wear it lots!!

I think that's all for now.  Hopefully I will more to blog about in the future

Finley Meets Minnie

On Saturday morning I read a tweet from Family Fun Calgary about Minnie Mouse being at Southcentre Mall.  After some investigating, I found out that Minnie + Pluto would be at the mall from 12-4 for the Grand Re-Opening of the Disney Store.  It has moved to a new location next door to Lululemon.

We got to the mall around 11 and went right to the line up.  I once went to see Dora at Lawson Height's Mall with Madison and we were there before the mall even opened and waited for hours so she could meet Dora.  I still have the photo downstairs! So I expected a similar situation for Minnie.

We were close to the front of line and only waited about an hour to see Minnie.  Finley was really excited about meeting her and was thrilled when she walked by us.  However, she was a little taken back when it was her turn to meet her.  I was surprised because Finley was the kid who cried when she had to leave Santa or the Easter Bunny so I figured this would be the same.  But after thinking about it, I figured it was because she is rarely exposed to Santa or the Easter Bunny and doesn't even know what either really are.  She watches Mickey's Clubhouse every.single.day. She sings, she dances, she talks to the TV and is always learning something.  So she knows who Minnie is and where Minnie usually is and I think it was a little hard for her comprehend the whole situation.  It did, however, make me excited for Disney in 2013 though.  Can't wait....less than 2 years to go.....

Here are some photos from our afternoon with Minnie....

When she first caught a glimpse of Minnie.....it was priceless.....

Penelope chewing away.  She was also intrigued once she saw Minnie and I swear her eyes never left the mouse.

This is what Finley is also being for Halloween.  The exact outfit minus the yellow shoes because we don't have yellow shoes and the Disney store charges a fortune for them.  The costume is identical to the Disney store one but was found on Kijiji for less than half the real cost.  Finley loves her costume!

Still watching Minnie...

FInally it was Finley's turn.  I actually had to nudge Finley towards Minnie  because she was so overwhelmed!

 Penelope wanted in but refused to let go of Greg.  I think she was a little scared!

And a few more with Finley and Minnie.  It sucks that her headband was all messed up but the pictures are fabulous none the less!

Here is Finley's hug with Minnie.  Not sure how it ended up down here, it should've been up further but oh well.

As we were leaving, we got a 20% off coupon for the Disney Store when I finally found a Jessie from Toy Story t-shirt for Finley.  She will be happy on her birthday when she sees it.  She LOVES Jessie as much as she loves Minnie!

Sleeping Beauties

Last night before I went to bed, I checked on the kids as I always do and this is what I found when I checked Finley's room:

Her Flower Girl Bear all bundled up for bed on her dresser

Minnie bundled up for bed also on her dresser

And Finley sprawled out on her floor.

THe blankets that Bear + Minnie were using were pillowcases.  This girl is just too cute.

Pre School

Many people have asked me why Finley is not starting pre school this fall since she will be 3 at the end of October and is eligible to enter.

Well, my friends, there are a number of reasons that we chose to delay her entering pre-school:

1) Both Greg and I felt that she was not ready to go yet.  Although she has improved leaps and bounds with her speech development, she is still not ready to be on her own.  I can understand her pretty well, but others still cannot and I don't want her to think that she is any less than those she would be around.

2) Many teachers have said that it is better for kids to be the oldest rather than the youngest.  Both Greg and I have siblings who have late birthdays.  2 went to school as 4 year olds and struggled throughout their education career.  1 was held back and was always ahead of the game.  That made our decision very easy right there.


Finley has playdates each week, music classes, swimming lessons, dance classes, giggle toes so she is constantly around other kids so she does get the exposure with kids her age that she needs.

Also, the South Fish Creek Recreation Association has 8 week pre school programs that occur once a week that help get kids ready for regular pre-school.  Finley is in 2 of these programs starting in January.  From January to April, she will be going to school once a week without me or her daddy. I think this will be very good for her.

Come September 2012, she will start her first of two preschool years followed by kindergarten in the fall of 2014.  So basically, though Finley and Penelope are nearly 2 years apart in age, they will only be 1 year apart in school.

Both Greg and I strongly believe that this is the right course of action for Finley and that she will benefit strongly from us doing this.

My Best Friend's Wedding

This past weekend, we headed back to the buzzing metropolitan of Shellbrook for my best friend's wedding.  If you've been to Shellbrook you are clearly aware that I was kidding.  If you haven't been, there are more people in my neighborhood then in the town in Shellbrook.  Regardless, it was a fantastic weekend!!  We were so happy to be part of Bobby + Kristen's special day!  Here are some of my favorite photos, to see more head on over to facebook....

Penelope waiting with my mom and Greg for the wedding to start.  It was held outdoors at the Honeywood Lily Nursery.

Walking down the aisle.  Hit an unexpected hole and the guests laughed.  Thankfully by me hitting this, others were warned so they didn't make the same mistake.  Also proof that I do smile.  Look at the tanlines - they were awful!!  Thankfully the entire wedding party suffered from the same thing.

  Junior Groomsman Zach and Flower Girl Finley - so cute!

ANother one....love it!

 
Kristen with her daddy - who got my vote for best dressed man at the wedding (sorry wedding party guys)

Finally getting it done!!!!!

 Finley's dates for the wedding.  She's a busy girl!

The bride!

Finley and her pal Charlie

Penelope looking oh so cute in her new party dress.  Hoping it fits at Christmas and Easter.  It was big and I just LOVE it.

My favorite shot of the whole day.  Both Greg and I have both said that our favorite part of our wedding was the first dance.  It is literally the only time the entire day that you are actually alone with one another - even if others are watching.  Nobody to interrupt you or hug you or whatever else goes on at a wedding.  Perhaps that is why this is my favorite.  Plus Kristen's smile and laughter is priceless in it.

A fantastic shot to end the night.  I told Zach that Kristy hated dead animals like this so he went and threw it in her face.  It was funny.  Murray was quite the highlight at the party.  Murray is the name of the deer.

So yes it was a fantastic event.  More than fantastic.  I cannot express how happy for both Bobby + Kristen.  Everything went perfectly and was beautiful in every way.  We are all so happy that we were able to be part of this and cannot wait to see their journey continue.

All the best Bobby + Kristen!!  We love you very much!!

Non Consumption Challenge

Has been push backed and will start tomorrow instead of today.

When we went to drop Aaron off at Greg's dad's place, we were invited in for a labor day bbq meat fest so we didn't actually get back to our house last night until after 8pm.  Why does this matter you ask? Well we have no groceries in our house so Greg couldn't take his lunch, he will have to buy it instead.  I am going to get groceries this morning and we will begin tmw!!

Back To Normal

With the conclusion of the September Long Weekend, I can safely say that summer is officially over.  Not weather wise, I hope but in terms of travelling and camping and such, it is done.

Needless to say, we have had a very busy summer.  I honestly don't remember the last time we had a weekend to do nothing and in fact we only have one of those until the weekend after Thanksgiving.  Crazy isn't it?  But with camping, vacation, birthdays, weddings and all that we have had nothing to spare.

I enjoyed all of our time away and thought that being apart of my best friend's wedding was the most perfect way to end a pretty good summer.

But now it is time to get back to the grindstone, get back to normal.  I thrive on routine and it has been awhile since we've had one.

I look forward to getting back on the cleaning schedule, the sleep schedule, regularly updating my blog with more meaninful posts and updating both my picasa and facebook photos .  I haven't done picasa since the end of April and Facebook photos since mid July so I am pretty far behind.  Those are both on my to-do list in the coming days.  However, my first priority will be posting photos of my bff's wedding this past weekend.  I am hoping those will be up tomorrow or Thursday.

I am looking forward to play dates, coffee dates, music class, swimming lessons and perhaps a dance class in there as well.