Catching up

So we all survived the big girl's birthday party that was held on September 12th. There were 9 girls who came to the party and 8 of them slept over! The girls swam, swam, and swam - the day was amazing and thank goodness for that pool!!!! We then made tie-dye t-shirts, decorated loot bags, made a glass tile pendant, had pogos and hot dogs for dinner, had cake, opened presents, busted open the Hannah Montana pineata, (BIG BREATH!), then had a bonfire. Emily was great and had the girls run around in a scavenger hunt in an effort to tire them out. That didn't work out so well as the last of the girls crashed at about midnight! I was beyond tired! The girls going on and on until midnight didn't help!!!! But, like I said, everyone had fun and no one lost an eye, so life is good! Erin is already planning next year - I will need to read this to remind me that I doubt I want to be this brave again!!!!! I'm sure I'll change my mind when it rolls around, but right now doing something a little tamer sounds better!!!

School has been going wonderfully for Miss Erin. She loves it!!! And the bus too! Although, I think it's a toss up as to who loves the bus more - Erin or ME!!!!

Gord went up north last Thursday to Douglas' fishing camp and is actually on his way back home. The moose lost (boohoo!). Erin is happy he's coming back though! She really misses him, and so do I of course!

This past weekend was originally going to be pretty busy, but previously scheduled things got cancelled and you know, it was just perfect! I think both Erin and I needed a 'down' weekend. Erin and I went out for breakfast - a late breakfast! - on Saturday morning, then just puttered around outside for a bit then relaxed and watched movies for the rest of the day. I will admit though, that I am getting a little tired of Hannah Montana The Movie. Erin is not. We watched it ALOT this past weekend! Sunday we slept in again, did a bit of tidying up, then headed to the market. We had a great day at the market and Aunt Rita and Emily came along to visit and pick out some jewelry from our table! We came home and had dinner then went to bed early. Monday was back to school for Erin and I was scheduled to be in arbitration for the day.

We also were fortunate to get a call from Sparky telling us that Sparks was starting up this week and in fact moved nights and location. So Monday after school we had a quick visit with Richinda and the girls, then headed off to the first Sparks evening of the year! Erin was really excited to see the girls she knew from last year and was excited to see some new friends join! I went for a walk to Main Street with Kacey and Michelle's respective moms for a coffee and a good chat. It was a nice evening, so the walk felt great!

So here we are on Tuesday. We had a pretty quiet evening. Some dinner and yet another showing of Hannah Montana. Sigh......

Erin is now crashed on the couch and I'm sure she'll be a bear in the morning. I let her stay up too late to finish watching the movie. I guess I win the bad mum award tonight!

Enjoy the pics!

Birthday Dinner and ANOTHER Cake!

The first day of school was a roaring success! In fact, the first week of school is now in the books and Erin simply loves being in Grade 1 AND loves riding the bus! I love that the bus comes out here now!

So, after school on Tuesday, Grampa and I met Erin as she got off the bus. She was full of excitement after a great day! She also loves having Emma, Erika, and Amy ride the bus with her! That makes the trip the best!! We all took Erin out for dinner at the Goose that evening. Erin was very excited to see that her teacher came to have dinner at the same restaurant! Too funny! We came home and lit the candles on cake #2 - a yummy black forest cake Grampa and I picked out earlier in the day. It didn't take long for all of the excitement from the weekend and the day took it's toll on Erin and soon she was out like a light!

I have moved my hours of work up by 30 minutes so I can meet the bus, so I was out the door just before 6am. It's a good thing I am a morning person! Well, most days! Gord and Grampa put Erin on the bus, then Grampa headed home after a fun visit. Next time we see Grampa it will be in Florida!! Yeah!!! I was dreaming of Florida for most of the summer because the weather has been so crappy, but the last couple of weeks have been spectacular so I have tucked away the excitement just a little bit!

The rest of the week went like clockwork. I have decided that I like working 2 days a week. Maybe I'll have to come up with something like that when I am laid off!!!!!! Yeah, right!!!!

Today I was off so I put Erin on the bus and met her when she came home. I can hardly believe she has been in Grade 1 for a week already! She is definitely happy to be back to school. In fact, she is playing school with her 'stuffies' right now!

So, this weekend will be busy again. Tomorrow we are picking up Emily, cake #3, then having a bunch of girls over for a sleepover birthday party! We will be tie-dying t-shirts, decorating fabric loot bags, making a glass tile necklace, swimming, having a bonfire, and watching a movie! How much fun does that sound? I'll bet you wish you were with us tomorrow!!! Hahahahaha!!!

Sunday, the kids will head home in the morning, giving me a few minutes to clean up. Richinda has kindly offered to have Erin over for the day on Sunday while Emily and I head to the market. Dee is away, so Emily has offered to keep me company on Sunday. After the market, we will whisk ourselves back home, drop off stuff, pick up Erin, then head to Emily's to help her dad - aka Uncle Andrew - celebrate his 'nifty, nifty looks who's 50' birthday! Uncle Douglas is left to celebrate his way up north, but I'm sure we will do something for both of them when he comes down in November.

Then the new week will be starting again. Another fun week of school and riding the bus! Oh to be 6 years old!

First Day of School - On the bus!!!

Six

Happy Birthday to my sweetheart! Six years has gone by in the blink of an eye!

We have had a busy but fun week! Erin spent a day with Emma and Erika (always fun in her book!) and we even managed to get ourselves invited over for dinner with Richinda and the girls that night as well (always fun in my book!). Thursday was Erin's last day at the daycare. She took it very well. I was a bit sad, after all, Erin has been going to that daycare for over 3 years now! It felt like another milestone for her moving closer toward independence. Friday was spent picking up things for her family birthday party and back-to-school shopping. Man, I was beyond exhausted at the end of that day! Erin went over to Kacey's for a sleepover that night and by all accounts, the girls had a rip-roaring time, as they always do!!! Gord and I got a chance to go out for dinner - a nice evening on the patio at the Goose to enjoy the amazing weather we have been getting..... FINALLY!!!! Saturday I spent with Dee at her place having a garage sale. I was able to unload a small percentage of Erin's toys she no longer uses in addition to some 'junk' we no longer use! Sunday was market day, and an excellent one at that! Gord brought Aunt Elaine home to spend the night, so we had a nice dinner and a swim before falling asleep the night before the big family birthday party! Monday was the holiday, and we had Emily, who was babysitting in town until very late Sunday night, come over after babysitting to crash, then help us get ready for the party. Grampa came Monday afternoon and everyone was here to help Erin celebrate, family style! The day was amazing! Great fun, swimming, food, and wonderful very generous gifts that Erin is very thankful for! Thanks to everyone for making the day so special for Erin!!

So, here we are. September 8th. Erin's Birthday! And she is 6 today. She also starts back to school today and is taking the bus for the first time. I am happily, no where near as emotional as I expected to be when she got on the bus. She was so happy, and smiling and confident getting on the bus, it just made me beam!!! My big girl!!!