This afternoon marks Noah’s 1st day of Kindergarten. He was SOOOO excited to get out the door, especially because we were all going to walk him to the school together.

He was BORN to wear a backpack!!!

One last sweet look for Mommy before we go. I love this boy so much.

By the tree in our front yard with his big brothers Joshua and Brigs.

Joshy and Brigs were so GREAT about making Noah’s 1st day a BIG DEAL. They were super proud of him, and they goofed around on the walk to the school.

Isn’t this the BEST shot ever?!! HAHAHAHA

Look how proud he looks to be with his older brothers.

Then little sister Lola joined in the “Noah Celebration”

Brigs wanted to take Noah to the classroom because he had the same Kindergarten teacher. Brigs was showing Noah the ropes about where to hang his backpack. It was darling to see him care so much. This is the point I started to tear up.

My not-so-little Noah with his teacher.

And to end the story. I’m at home now, Lola is napping and I’m still teary about Noah growing so much. But I’m so super happy and excited for all he will learn this year. He jumped right in and started showing his puzzle solving skills. He’s ready!!!

For the past while Lola has been quite content to call me “Haaaa!!” whenever she wanted to be picked up. I have laughed at this so hard, but hearing her clearly call Nate DADA has made me a little jealous for her to realize I’d like a name.
In big time news, I have now earned the privilege and she sweetly or desperately calls me “Mum Mum”. I absolutely LOVE it, but let’s face it Lola could do no wrong with me. At least not yet.

“Mum Mum” out

Once upon a time, two sisters were dressed the same for a little photograph. Since that time my sister Courtnee and I have hung onto this dress in the hopes that one day there would be a girl in the family to continue the tradition and wear the little yellow bib dress.

Lola you made a dream come true for both Auntie Nee and Mommy. We love you punkin! You’re so pretty in your vintage dress. XOXO Mommy (or “HAAAA” as you like to call me)

ALL of my boys will be off to school in two weeks and Fall is creeping up. I’m irritated, I will miss their cute little faces and their loud voices during the day. I have loved this summer and want it to stretch on much longer. Trying to eek out the last few days of warmth and heat before the leaves start changing color and the snow finds it way to my front yard. Snow. The thought of it makes me angry, I’m so not ready for anything white and cold. I love the color and warmth of summer and early fall.

There’s still so many things I wanted to do with my kids this summer. I’m making a new updated list today and seeing what more I can sneek in before the bell rings. Noah will be starting Kindergarten this year, I know he’s so excited to go to school because he asks me daily if he can go. Joshy and Brigs aren’t quite as eager as Noah, Josh is turning into quite the little social man though and I know he’ll get back into the rythym of it in no time. We have been sending the boys to Sylvan this summer, and I can’t think of a better thing that we’ve done for them than to help them keep learning throughout these few months off.

Lola is 8 months going on 18! I swear has no clue that she’s a baby. She is the poster child for the word DETERMINED, and fully believes she can do whatever her big brothers are doing. I can see the wheels turning and her mind trying to figure it all out – how they stand and walk and run and talk. I’m sitting at the computer popping Gerber Graduates Yogurt Melts into her mouth. We both are addicted to them since I discovered them while at Target this summer. YUMMY!! Why don’t we have them in Canada yet? Arrgh! Why don’t we have Target for that matter. I love Target!

Brigs is turning 8 years old on Saturday! I can’t believe he can possibly be 8. If there’s one of my children that would want to stay home with me forever it’s my Brigs. He is such a homebody, and truly loves to be home with Mom. I am working on his party for this weekend, my sister and her kids are going to come down for the party along with my parents as we have my Uncles birthday on the same day and will head off to that in the afternoon. It’s going to be a huge day full of lots of cake and people. I pray for the energy to get through the entire day.

We spent the beginning of this week down in Montana at Echo Lake, at Bryan and Janet’s amazing cabin. Each summer they host a grand event for all the office staff and their families to enjoy. It’s SUCH a treat to be able to go out there. We all had such a wonderful time eating, laughing, playing in the water, eating…oh did I mention eating? There was so much good food it was sick. LOL!! Joshy knee boarded for the very first time and was AWESOME!!!!!!! Nate and I are so proud of him we could burst. Dylan broke out his mad skillz on the wake board as well. I’m longing to be back on the lake, the views are so incredible with the mountains all around. Mmmmmm

Well have I downloaded enough random information for the day? Hee Hee. Love to all of my readers – AKA “Mom” XOXO Daria

Lola turned 8 months old today and I can’t believe how quickly she is growing and changing. Our little chubbins loves the attention of people, and will flirt and tilt her head to the side in a coy manner whenever someone talks to her. She loves her Daddy and last week on vacation she came out with some very clear sounds of “Hi Dada!!” – not bad for 7 months old I would say. GRIN I’m now furiously interjecting the word “mama” into conversation with her, hoping that she’ll decide I’m good enough to chat with too. For right now when she wants my attention she yells “Haaaa!” – if she still calls me “haaa” when she’s 16 I’ll be so ticked.

Lola has decided that crawling isn’t where its at, she sees everyone else walking and figures she can surely do the same. She’s already pulling herself up into a standing position, and then moving her feet a bit trying to shuffle along. Not to leave an important skill behind, she is currently toying with crawling as well but NOT on her knees (that’s so beneath her) she likes to push up so her legs are extended and “crawl” on all fours like a horse. HAHA!!

Our whole family is perfectly enchanted by this darling little girl, we just love her to pieces. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday of my life for sending Lola to me, I can’t imagine my world without my baby girl. To celebrate her 8 month milestone I bought her this cute as can be little Tankini – she looks so summery and precious in it. Great way to show off her new standing moves.

PS – she loves to bounce and dance. Put on “Fire Burning” by Sean Kingston for a good giggle

Last night I took my very first foray into the mystical new world of homemade jam making! I’ve put off this experience for far too long, believing in my core that it would be utterly far too time consuming. It was surprisingly easy to do, and I found myself enjoying the task so much. I felt like a “real” homemaker!!

Since my Mom and MIL are both out of town, I relied on “old faithful” to walk me through the steps to jam making success…ie: YouTube. Thanks so much to legourmettv for your awesome and easy to follow directions on making strawberry jam. And thanks to my Mommy for being home last night when I needed advice about how to prepare the jars.

I must say that I am quite impressed with myself, it’s a beautiful feeling to see all of those gorgeous jars of jam full and lined up along my kitchen island. I am giggling so much tonight as more and more people have heard that jam has been made, it’s like the Lottery, every one comes out of the woodwork and wants jam!! HAHAHAHA!! No worries, I’m happy to share and excited to hear what my dear friends and neighbours think. I just dropped off a few jars to my next door neighbours tonight and the delight on their faces was priceless. Yummy!! Have a SWEET summer everyone – Daria

Sorry I don’t have pictures to share, my camera is being repaired so I don’t have shots of my jam project. Trust me though, I’m awesome!

Baby girl is now inching her way to 7 months old. I can’t believe how quickly she is growing and changing! Now she can sit up on her own, and even pull herself into a sitting position if she’s on the bed. She wants whatever we are holding in our hands, and wants to put everything in her mouth. She LOVES…I repeat LOVES food. Oh and our genius child has also been able to drink from a cup for the past month- SUPER STAR!!

Lola has a hilarious voice, she’s currently trying on all kinds of new sounds. Her most popular sound of the moment is her Darth Vader chunky throat sound. It’s hilarious (especially when compared to her cousin Holly’s sweet as sugar sounds). Haha our baby is just funny!

Current nicknames from the peanut gallery for Lola include:
Lolee
Lolee Loo
Chunk
Oink
Lola Bola
and Lola Magnolia

The next time you are bored waiting for a doctor to see you, think of Lola. The girl may be a CHUNK, but she has abs of steel and she’s willing to break out an ab workout just about anywhere too!

The water is COLD!! We’re working on a heater, but in the meantime we are most happy to have wetsuits. It was so hot today the boys couldn’t wait to jump into the pool and Nate was hot on their heels. (isn’t he dreamy??!!)

PS – Brigs had his haircut last night and they sprayed it red for fun, that’s why he’s got the red color. I don’t want anyone thinking he had a head injury!! LOL!