dart update

I have been super lax with my blog as of late and I need to get back into the swing of things. I have not even wrote about our weekend away at the B&B and time at my parents and of course, the kiddies. But first things first, let's get the dart standings updated or I won't hear the end of it!! hehe. We have taken picture proof of every game we have played but I would have to post 11 pics and I don't think anyone really wants to see that so this is where we stand....

Since last post, Johnathon has won 6 games and I have won 5 which brings us to 11 and 5 in favour of Johnathon. I have to admit, it got VERY ugly for a while there - Jman had won 4 nights in a row!! Our best battle was a score of 373 for Jman and 354 for moi. That was a true Hash battle! Okay...in fairness, I will post that pic.

TGIF!!

Ain't that the truth!!! What a busy, busy week. Life just seems so much busier these days now that I am back to work. Not that it wasn't before....but definitely less relaxed and certainly more hectic. Johnathon is up and heading out by 515…a good bye smooch and ugh, it’s time to get up! And then, I am getting my two sleeping boys up at 6 am (it's a shame, I know), getting them and myself ready for the day....feed Chrissy and let her out for a while (she is not liking these early hours much at all either)....pack up lunch and backpacks....load us up in the Explorer and off to daycare in time to get to work for 7 am. Poor Nicholas, on his JK days, he is just wiped by the end of his day at school which isn't until 345pm. I must say though, the boys have been truly amazing and don't fuss hardly at all when I'm gently waking them up so early (I'm touching wood now that I said that!!). Nicholas usually runs to our room, hides under the covers and rests for a few moments before brushing his teeth and getting dressed and always stops to give smooches and squeezes :0)Today is Nicholas' first day on the school bus. I called him at daycare before they would be walking over to the bus stop as I knew he wasn't crazy about the idea and I feel awful that I am not with him for the first time. So, he starts chatting away and telling me that he is having a very good day and then asked me...So, Mommy, how is your day going so far? So sweet...and then lots of I love you's and Mommy, I will be just fine on the bus.
*********************************************************************************

Well, I wrote the above earlier in the day hoping to post earlier but this whole work thing interfered…lol. My day is ending here and I’m happy to report that I worked an entire 4 whole days this week!

I spoke with Justyna earlier and she said she felt my pain for me when she took Nicholas to the bus stop and he was nervous and hesitant getting on the bus although he did say how ‘cool’ the bus is. The driver was very friendly and off he went. My brave boy :0) Johnathon and I are meeting at daycare and will walk over to be there when Nicholas gets off the bus….can’t wait!

I didn’t get a chance to write about Shane or the rest of the family….will write more on the weekend. But, we are all doing well. It’s Friday = Yay!!! Oh, and I’m not exactly in a rush to post our current dart standings.

warning....this is ugly!

I hate to say it....but my man has caught up and we are now tied at 5 games a piece....to be continued.

happy birthday syd

I would like to celebrate Sydney's 14th birthday!!! Wow-eee! FOURTEEN!!! I have been so blessed to have this then amazing, beautiful little girl and now, a beautiful and amazing young woman as part of my life and what a privilege to be her step-mom! It has been such a treat to watch Sydney grow...and I look forward to each and every year. Syd, you are a wonderful daughter, a loving and thoughtful friend, and a very special and loved big sister! We all love you very much!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART xo

nicholas is now an official jk'er

FIRST DAY POEM

Every one has a "first day"

When they feel sad and all alone.

It can be so scary

When you're out on your own.

Take my hankie, dry your tears.

You'll find lots of things to do

And you'll probaly make new friends.

I promise we'll be together

When the school day ends.

Here comes the teacher,

Blow your nose and be brave.

Come on now wipe your eyes,

This is no way to behave.

"Well, good morning Teacher.

We really must beg your pardon.

No, MOMMY doesn't always act this way.

But it's my first day of "KINDERGARTEN" !!!

On Monday, Nicholas officially began school....Junior Kindergarten! I don't think I have to say to those Moms that have had this experience in the past or even this same year, how very difficult it seems to be to let go. Even though you are so very excited for them and how they are going to thrive and become even more their own individuals, you just can't help but shed some tears and worry that they will be alright.

Johnathon, Shane and I were there to send our little munchkin off...and he went happily after some smooches and hugs although with some hesitation as to 'what to do'. He did his nervous foot shuffle off to the playground and watched the other little boys and girls. Then the bell went and they all lined up to begin their first day! Nicholas was towards the back of the line, holding hands with a couple other children and they walked in together. So adorable! Man, I am such a wimp...I am all choked up sitting here writing this.

Today, his second day, I was really no better at letting go. But I know how much he loved his first day....aside from his fear of toilet flushers (which he did hold going potty until late afternoon...ugh) and not really getting how to sit cross-legged (we have practiced and perfected that feat!). He made some new friends although we did have to have a conversation about that after he asked me if it was alright for him to be friends with girls! lol. Too precious. Apparently, Megan and Jessica weren't so keen on playing rocks with him at break.

After picking him up the first day, I had to tend to some business in the office so Nicholas asked to sit just outside the door in the club chairs there. I kept turning to check on him and there he is, chatting up one of the other teachers. I could hear him asking her "So, how was your day today?" and "Did you do anything interesting" ... hehehe... and the teacher was chatting away and looking to me with the biggest smile on her face. Charming little guy..

We purchased a new camcorder over the weekend but I am nowhere near any capability with it other than turning it on and doing a basic video. I did capture some video on his first day but uh, I'm still trying to get it on here so that will have to be added later. I love this little thing though....smaller than my hand!

laura 5, johnathon 2

the night before

I am about to head to bed now and my little JK'er to be is sound asleep with really not too many worries about starting school tomorrow except the 'flusher'. Yes, our little man has an issue with public washrooms...and we worry how he will handle it at school even though we have stressed to him how very the same the toilet flusher is the same as it is at home. He seems to dismiss us with that BUT we shall see.

I had a long talk with Debra tonight and it does comfort me with her stories of Madeleine starting JK a few years ago...thanks Deb. And even with that, I know tomorrow morning is going to be...ahhh...I don't know. An experience. An experience that I am excited about and soooo excited for Nicholas about but still...I think as Johnathon said to Sydney tonight....Laura will be a bawling mess. Yep. I probaly will be, just like every other Mommy but I will do everything I have to not show that to my munchkin.

Go forward my little man.....you are going to love all these new experiences....the learning, the new friends....all of it. Mommy looks forward to watching you grow and soar even more. I love you pumpkin.

laura 4, johnathon 1

Okay....we were out Friday night and had no game. Last night, we played two. And it was a victory for both. So, since I started this on here....it is Laura with 4 wins and Johnathon with 1....although with my 'skunk' last night (see right photo), doesn't that make 5 wins?? Hmm.

Oh, and I just had to take a shot of the dart on dart shot that I made! Funny when that happens...

meeting Mrs. Deyell

Off we went to school yesterday.....Nicholas quite excited to meet his new teacher, Mrs. Deyell and to see which classroom will be his. We thought he would meet some of the other children in SK but they were off yesterday. Backpack in tow, we were off. Nicholas told me on the way there that he was going to be such a good boy and use his manners all of the time.

Well, he was a good boy, a very good boy for the entire visit.....up until it was time to put the trains that he was playing with away. Now, our son has threw many a tantrum in his 4 years but none compared to this one..this was a full blown meltdown! We were mortified and though Mrs. Deyell was comforting and beyond tolerant, she must have been thinking....OMG!! and he's all mine!! hehehe....she MUST have been! I am certain the higher grades upstairs must have heard all of it...I'm sure the Principals heard him, oh probaly the households in the neighbourhood heard and most certainly, the next family waiting to see Mrs. Deyell heard. And I bet their child is a complete angel...lah tee dah!

So, my little JKer, without even starting his first day yet has already lost train privileges....

As my Dad so often likes to point out when his perfect grandchild is misbehaving.....it's all on Johnathon's side where that comes from! LOL. Shawn and I were perfect children, don't you know ;0)

dart update

Not that I have a competitive nature or anything ;0).....but I thought it would be kind of fun to post daily Johnathons and my nightly dart game results. I have been meaning to for some time now but a few nights ago, I finally brought down the camera after one (of many...lol) victories! Since then, not to brag....no, not me.....I have won two more matches. HA! (see pics).

Most nights, after putting the boys to bed, we head down for our dart match. We both consider ourselves equal to the other and we most always have a battle to the end game. Fun.

Hey baby....I was pretty easy on you with this post ;0) hehehe...
Let the games begin!!

riverview park and zoo

As most of you know, I am on vacation this week and am not really due back until next Thursday!! Ha! And hey, I can see your eyes rolling!! lol.

Anyhow, it has been an exceptional week with the weather. The other day, Cheryl and I packed up the boys and headed to the zoo in Peterborough which is absolutely free! And it has a great splash pad and park area. And yes, all free! When do you hear that any more these days? The boys had a blast and it was nice for Mommy and Cheryl too. We will definitely go back...would have this weekend but the Orono Fair is in town. We'll be there!

thanks for pointing it out nicholas

So, I'm laughing right now.....my son has just pointed out to me something that has been 'weighing' on me for about 5 weeks now. My departure from my exercise routine. We found a lost dvd of Bob the Builder that the library has been calling for....yay, it is found. I asked Nicholas where he found it and he said it was right here Mommy, on the couch (Johnathon cleaned up under the sofas yesterday), along with your exercise dvd that you haven't used in a while. Yes, it has been a while Nicholas. He then asked when am I going to use it again so I am now determined to get a fresh start with working out. Stop beating myself up for my lack of motivation and get on with it! Today is a new day!

my baby boy is off to school...!!

Today is September 1st....September already! Shane turned 13 mos old yesterday and our Nicholas is 4. 4 and September = Junior Kindergarten!! Yep, our little munchkin, the Nicholas (as he refers to himself) will be off to JK later this week.

Last week, we were able to take him to the school and show him around. We were all quite impressed. The staff were extremely helpful and kind. They totally loved on our boys. All the other grades will have kiddies starting back to school tomorrow but with JK, the children are introduced gradually. Nicholas will go in either this coming Thursday or Friday for 100 mins of classroom time and Mommy and Daddy spend time with the teacher as well. And then, next week, Nicholas will begin his every other day JK schedule. OMG...my little boy is starting school!!!

Nicholas tells us he is nervous about it all but we can also see just how excited he also seems....I know in my heart that by the end of the first day, he will have no desire to come home! This child is so ready for school...so ready. He continually amazes us each and every day the knowledge that this child holds. Friends and family are always impressed with his super conversational skills and information that he will offer...you want to know anything about Space? Nicholas is your man! Am I bragging?? YEP, you bet I am. He's a smartie-pants, that one and I think destined to be the teachers pet....hehehee!

We were also comforted yesterday watching Nicholas immediately make friends with a little boy, Wesley, at the playground. After visiting the school, (we had not done this last year because we had every intention of moving by now which, by the way, is still going to happen....we are just not in any hurry) we finally found out where the public outdoor pool is and a great playground that has a splash pad, playset and also a wading pool for the wee ones. Boy, do I wish we knew about this place a few months ago.

We walked over with the boys yesterday and once there, Nicholas spotted the little boy playing by himself so he went over and they started playing; they really seemed to so easily take to each other. They were chatting and playing and running after each other (my boy who thinks he is quicker than quick....uh, not so much...lol)....and then, of course, they were astronauts and the big playgym was their spaceship. LOL...it was so cute listening to their active imaginations. As Johnathon and I were talking about it last night, it really hit me that our little boy is entering a new part of his life and learning to form relationships and have some independence outside of home. Ahhh...my heart swells and there are tears now as I write this. I have to admit, I think this will be most tough on Mommy....boohoo.

In the meantime, as the countdown is on, we will continue to read his 'first day of school' and 'kindergarten' books and answer all of his questions about going to school the best that we are able.