1st Day of Preschool

As I write this post, I am still getting teary eyed thinking about this morning. It was Arabella's 1st day of preschool and she couldn't have been more excited. She was awake in her bed when I went to get her around 7 this morning and when I asked her to get up since she had her first day of school today, she had a huge smile on her face. It was so adorable. We had breakfast and watched part of Martha Speaks before getting dressed for the big day! She couldn't wait to put on her new outfit (which I had ironed yesterday and was hanging up ready to be put on...I know what you are thinking about me picking up an iron and yes, I do know how to use one, however, I think the last time I plugged one in was in 2006 when I was still a paralegal at Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge....but this was a special occasion and we took a lot of pictures!!)

Before heading off on our walk to school, I had to take a few pictures of Arabella on the porch. She looked so cute and was so excited. She couldn't wait to put on her backpack and new shoes. I just wish that Jay had been in town to see her off on her first day. She talked the whole walk to school and when we got there, we were a few minutes early, so she played hop-scotch and met a few of her new friends/classmates on the playground.




Before long it was time to go into her class.
She was very excited to find the hook with her name and hang up her backpack and sweater.

And after a quick hug and kiss goodbye, she was off into her classroom.

It all went so quick and she did so great - no tears at all. I guess we did a good job preparing her for this day because she was stronger than me. Before we left, her teachers gave us a little care package which was so thoughtful of them to do.


It helped to get some reassurance that we are doing the right thing by sending her to school and to know we have such caring teachers teaching our Little Bean. Today was one of those days that I had to put on my brave face for her so she wouldn't be scared. It was so very hard for me to do. And I cried the whole walk home and then some. It is so difficult sometimes to watch her grow up and become such an amazing little girl. I am not sure how my mom did it when I was growing up. But I do know that the smile on her face and the big hug that I got when I went to pick her up was the best sight in the world. She had so much fun and talked non-stop about what she did on our walk home. I loved hearing about her morning and I know that I will look forward to our walks to and from school three days a week. I am so very proud of you Arabella and I am so happy that you had so much fun today. You can't wait to go back tomorrow!

Autumn's Arrival

It really felt like Autumn to me this morning. The temperature was 18 (roughly 60) and it was a skinny jeans and cardigan kind of morning. Arabella and I decided to head to Chapter's to return a duplicate book that we had and when we were there, we decided to pop over to Starbucks. With the rainy, damp and chilly weather this weekend, I was ready for something to warm me up...and Arabella was ready for a pink cake pop! She was very excited...

(she is doing her "CHEEEEEESSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEE" smile in this picture!)
And I was just as exited to see the sign for the Autumn drinks...

All I can say, is that the non-fat, no-whip Pumpkin Spice Latte hit the spot - YUM!

And in keeping with my Autumnal mood, I picked up Martha Stewart's Halloween special publication. There are so many fun things that I want to try from it!

And finally, when we did have some halfway decent weather last weekend, Arabella and I worked on our green thumbs and planted 2 beautiful Mum plants in the planters on the front porch. Thanks for helping Little Bean, they look so pretty!

Happy Labour Day!

Today is Labour Day here in Canada. Much like in the States, our weekends are filled with end of Summer rituals - BBQ's, pool time and being outside. Unfortunatley, our weather here today was rainy and gloomy so we tried to make the best of it. Arabella got creative with some painting and did a great job. She loves to paint so it was fun for her.


After spending much of the morning cooped up inside, Arabella needed to burn off some energy! She didn't let the light rain stop her. She giggled as she ran up and down the driveway while Jay and I took turns chasing her!


She also had fun making tracks with her wet footprints inside the garage. I just love her cute little footprints!

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Labour Day and the extra day off!
(And as I was getting ready to post...I noticed that I spelled Labor the Canadian way...Labour...guess living here is starting to wear off on me...although, I haven't started to say "Eh?")

Busy Weekend

This Labor Day Weekend was very busy!! On Friday, we had to say goodbye to Auntie Lori as she had to go back home. We had so much fun with her and we miss her already. Thanks for spending 2 great weeks with us and we can't wait to see you again soon. Thank you for taking over as soon as you got here when Jay and I went to the emergency room and while I was wiped out with bronchitis and Jay had to work...I don't know what we would have done with out you. You are the best!


We were also lucky to be able to spend time with our Jersey Girls this past weekend. Christa, Joe and Sofia were in town for a quick visit. We had a lot of fun with them even though our time spent together was brief. We enjoyed breakfast out one morning and Arabella had fun with Sofia. They colored together, it was so sweet.

And then on Friday, we joined Christa, Sofia & Carrie for a shopping date at Fairview after dropping Auntie Lori at the train station. Arabella was excited to see Sofia again and loved helping to push her stroller. She is getting so big and was so gentle and helpful with Sofia...wonder if she was hinting that she would like a little baby brother or sister...

Before leaving the mall, Christa and I hit the SAQ to pick up a few bottles of wine for the D&B at Carrie's house on Friday evening. I was shocked to see that they carried a few Coppola wines and even more shocked to see the price per bottle...$25.75 a bottle...what the heck!

We always have a great time and it was extra special since Christa was in town and she was able to join us. For the D&B, I decided to have another "Martha Moment" and made mini pretzels filled with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate...so easy and so yummy! Just the right amount of sweet and salty!


On Saturday, we headed to Mike & June's Annual Labour Day Corn Roast party! The weather held out for us and we had a great time. Arabella had a blast playing in the pool and with some new friends and even when it was way past her bedtime, she was still good to go..thanks for being such a good little partier, Arabella! One of the traditions at June & Mike's party is that everyone, and I mean, EVERYONE, goes in the pool! It doesn't matter if you are fully clothed or not, you go in. Jay warned me as he went to their Canada Day party while Arabella and I were in Boston and he told me to bring a change of clothes...did I listen, nope! So needless to say, as much as I screamed to be put down, in the pool I went - FULLY CLOTHED and in a white t-shirt no less! Arabella loved it and was happy I was in the pool. However, I didn't stay in long for a few reason - new tattoo and weighed down by my clothes, but I did laugh about it afterwards!

Yup, that is me...picked up before I knew it and I was in the pool!

One of the things that we were asked to bring was the ice luge made famous at Mike & Dori's 4th of July parties. Our Canadian friends had no idea what we were talking about and were skeptical at first, but once we showed them how it was done, they couldn't get enough of it! We have been put on notice, that for each party, we are requested to bring the ice luge instead of a salad or dessert! We had so much fun and can't wait for next year's party! Thanks June and Mike for hosting this great event! Everything was excellent - the food, the people and the location!! You guys sure do know how to throw a party!

Jay hard at work carving the ice luge!

At long last, June finally experienced the ice luge while I poured!

Arabella and her new friend, Marina.

Helping Dad

Last week, Jay and Arabella took advantage of the cooler weather and decided to wash the car. They had fun and Arabella is getting to be a pro at it!

Getting Ready For Preschool

Last week, I had my first parent/teacher conference for Arabella as she is starting preschool this week. Since her school is close to our house, I decided to walk since it was such a perfect evening. I remember thinking that how is it that 3 years have already flown by and that she is old enough to be starting preschool. It is taking me by surprise and she seems to be taking going to school better than me. At the meeting, we were told what to do and what not to do, what they needed for school, how to dress them and that everything should be labeled...it was a lot of information and was a tad bit overwhelming to me since I am an emotional basket case about this! Before we left for the evening, the teachers read the parents a story called The Kissing Hand. It is a very touching story about a young raccoon who is going off to school for the first time and he and he mother start a tradition for when he is feeling sad and misses her. It brought tears to my eyes and now I need to come up with something to do with Arabella. If you don't know the story, you should and I will be getting a copy of it for our house.

The next day, Arabella was scheduled for a 15 minute, 1-on-1, meet and greet with her teachers. She was very excited to go to school and meet them. At first she was a little shy, but warmed up quickly. At this point, she turned right to me and said "You can go now, Mommy"...I couldn't help it and I started crying, I had to leave the classroom. I didn't think it would be that easy for her. I guess I/we had done a good job raising her to be confident and secure and have prepared her for this day. When we got home from her meet and greet, she had mail waiting for her from Grammie. She was very excited to open it! It was a surprise for her and it was a great book about starting preschool, called The Night Before Preschool. We read it immediately and she loved it. I think it helped her prepare for school even more.



Thanks Grammie for surprising us and for helping US to prepare for the big day! Stay tuned on how we make out on the big day this week!

Sleeping Beauty and the Superstar Princesses

One day last week, I went to check on Arabella while she was napping and I saw this...

I thought it was so sweet and when she woke up, she told me that she put Ted there to keep him warm. She sure does love Ted and they are inseparable.

And then she and Auntie Lori played dress up. When they came to show me their outfits, they told me they were the "Superstar Princesses"! Arabella has been having so much fun dressing up and she loved doing it with Auntie.