Welcome Back: Year 2 Commences

To welcome the scads of new Canadians to the scene, Keri organized a night out at B@1 in London. It was a hoot, though I must admit I really did miss my old Canadian friends :( I need to get over this, don't I?

So we're back at school, figuring out what we're going to teach to the masses and how we're most effectively going to get that done. It feels good to be working again, truthfully: that month of non-productivity, though entirely enjoyable, is a coma hard to come back from. But we're back. Early morning runs, books, desks, and kids, kids and more kids. I was coming back after this Saturday night and counted three on my way home. Ew. Don't these children have homes to go to?

I'm going into the city for some sight-seeing today, then I'm meeting Erik for drinks in Covent Garden...oh, because we all have the day off for a bank holiday. Pretty great way to ease back into it, I'd say.

Hope your weekend was smashing!

The Carnival

It has been quite the busy week back here in Dartford. I arrived back in the UK on Monday morning at 11 and thanks to my best friend and others, I was moved into my new house by 2 pm. The new place is divine: it has an efficient kitchen with no slugs in it, a pristine garden with adult furniture, and two (count them: TWO) bathrooms. I got a dresser delivered after much negotiation and, quite frankly, flirtation, that fits perfectly into my bedroom, giving me much-needed tabletop space for all the necessities. I'll be sure to take some pictures over the next few days. I can't quite get the internet working, so I'm confined to blogging at school, but it works. Have I mentioned the massive tv in my living room? Nope...but now you know.

I'm back at school now, meeting the newest Canadians, trying to replace (completely fruitless, ridiculous endeavour) my old friends (I'm really going to miss you girls this weekend), and getting my classroom and lesson planning sorted out. Life is pretty good.

I found this picture of the girls and just about lost it. I miss them soooo much...it's hard to imagine I have to wait until Christmas to see them again :) Yeah, I think I'm a sucker and I think I'm going back to Canada over the holidays. Could you go a whole year without these faces?




Sigh.

I'm off now. I love being a teacher when the work day ends at 3:27 pm. Have a great weekend!

Showers

Sandra hosted a shower for her daughter, Aisling at my dad's house on Sunday. Her other two daughters made all the food and put together quite a beautiful display of drinks, gifts, and tents. It was gorgeous.

Moving, Engagements, and House Warming

We had a move on Friday: shifted my things from Shalaina's garage to Jackie and my dad's houses. All in all, boxes of my goods are packed into SIX (count 'em SIX) houses. My friends and family are amazing.

Check out Joelle's new living room...

On Saturday night, we headed out to Shalaina and Ian's engagement party at the Rousseaux House in Ancaster. It was lovely and my friend looked beautiful...

Then we had a few drinks back at Alicia and Dave's...

Nalgene Bottles

In response to Erin's poignant question, yes, I did get a new Nalgene bottle. I've washed it too since I've bought it (we won't mention how many times). I'm fairly certain I left the old one in France on my way back to England at Christmas time, but I can't be entirely sure.

Somehow though, I've come back to the Nalgene. This time though, I've opted for the BPA-free variety ;)

Delays...

Sorry it's been so long.

Enjoy!

Jamie's Images

Jamie took some absolutely fabulous pictures of the girls while at the ROM...well, and of the ROM, now that I think of it. She used her mom's camera (Laura and Jesse have the same one). Should I maybe consider it instead of the Canon Rebel? So much to consider.

I digress...


Here we are. All us gals gathered around all those kids, freaking out about the atrocious sound the subway made as it came into High Park Station. Who knew the city was so loud?



I might look like an absolute nerd in this picture, but honestly, can you feel the joy? Because I was feeling the joy, let me tell you.

The girls in black and white at the ROM...

This is my favourite picture taken of the twins to date. Ellie looks like she could see right through you, and Addy is so delicate and precious and...couldn't you just bite those little cheeks? I should stop this.

I think this is the most realistic picture of the twins. It's weird...I see pictures of them and think to myself, "Self, that doesn't accurately capture what I see when I look at the bebes. Hmm...why is that?"

This picture, however, is a pretty awesome, right-on (yup, "awesome, right-on) shot of how they really look when they're hangin' out, lovin' life.

Take Us out to the ROM!

Carolyn came over for a visit the other day with Amelia, as I've already told you. Amelia is super cute and really beautiful: she's tall and slight and joyful. She's slight and blonde just like her momma...it was so lovely to see her again (I'm not sure that I mean Amelia or Carolyn...both I guess). Since the ROM is free on Wednesdays after 3:30 pm, we took full advantage and headed downtown. It was awesome. Since this was a relatively calm experience, we took both kids. Since I had one strapped to me, I took full liberties in wearing tights. Gotta love carrying babies ;)

All three girls took their very first subway ride (!) and didn't seem to mind a bit. They were calm when the screeching trains came in and reacted well to the diverse collection of human life on the trains. Such lovely children.

This First Subway Ride brought to you by Birkenstock.

Laura and I joke all the time that when we go somewhere together with the kids, we look like Life Partners. Looks like Jamie's in on the Partnership, too. It's all part of the communal life, baby.

The other day, I found myself on Laura and Jesse's king sized bed with them and the twins: all five of us, pajama-ed up. When Laura went to grab the phone, Jesse looked at me, realized it was a tad bit odd to be lounging on one's bed with one's wife's best friend and children, and quickly abandoned the king-sized-bed ship. I, however, remained on the massive structure. Laura and I are sure that commune life is for us.

Life Partners, what can we say?

Pretty awesome day with some pretty awesome females.

I'm really going to miss this little life here. Must I keep saying it?

My First Godchild

This, folks, is my cousin, Tracey's son, Matthew.



I'm equally blessed to also be Matthew's Godmother. Quite a set of teeth on this little one, non?



Tracey is the daughter of my Nonna's sister, Zia Pierina (Aunt Pat, in English). From what my father and I can recall, Nonna and Nonno are Tracey's godparents. Tracey was only a little tyke when my parents were married in 1975: she was their flowergirl. Tracey was my confirmation sponsor. And the relationship has grown in this next generation...



He's a real doll and so is his charming, older sister, Joelle. This is the first time I've seen them in about two years, so much has changed, but they remain adorable and just lovely to be around.

Matthew turned to Tracey and whispered, "Can you ask my mother if she brought her bathin' suit?"

"GODmother!" exclaimed Tracey.

Poor lady ;)



Here he is..the little muffin.

Goodness, blessings abound, don't they? I'm one lucky woman.