UPDATE

Well, I would like to say that I've been tremendously busy with important things, too important to do the Blog, but the truth is that I just haven't thought about it or have spent my time pushing Reilly on the swing or driving here, there and everywhere. Every day I'm faced with all the things I didn't get done yesterday (like Max's photo album which is now 3 years behind - I have all the pictures or Reilly's baby book - I haven't got one) PLUS all the new things to do. I try to catch up but just seem to keep falling farther and farther behind.
We had the kid's bathroom tiled and Mike is working on our's now. He really works pretty fast but it just adds more dust to the already covered rooms. Now I suppose it is time I learned to paint and get rid of all this yucky, flat "builder's beige" that we have been living with since we moved in. I just wish someone would pick out the colors for me.... I so can't make a decision.
I can't believe that all the stores have their Christmas stuff out and I haven't even begun to think of gifts for everyone. Add that to the list of things yet to do.
Anywho, I hope you enjoy this little update to the last few months here in Ontario. We are waiting for our first snow and just take each day at a time. Keep in touch.
Ann

Reilly's Funnastics

Reilly has been taking a "Funnastics" class at the Ontario Parks and Recreation Department. It is for 3 - 5 year olds - although most of the kids are 3ish - and works on large motor skills and fundamentals like taking turns and getting along without your parent there to supervise. I drop her off and then 1 1/2 hours later I pick her up. She's usually tired but loves the class. Quinlan took the class right after we moved here. Here are a few pictures from the parent visitation class on October 30th. Learning to sit quietly, take turns and listen to the teacher (Ms. Nancy) are the fundamentals of the class.

Skipping to the music is important too. Reilly was the only one with her shoes off and we've decided that next time she'll need to leave them on.


Working with Ms. Nancy on a backward roll. She has the forward roll and the jumping down pat.

Reilly taking her turn as the "goose". She didn't catch the boy who chose her but she enjoyed the running.

Halloween 2009

Here are my little angel, my bigger Superhero and my Disney storybook character. Reilly is wearing one of Quinlan's old dance costumes. Her wings were really blown around by the winds (which were really blowing out there) but she didn't lose them. This is Max's last time wearing the Buzz Lightyear costume and I think he is ok with that. I certainly got our money out of that one! Quinlan picked Ariel (the Little Mermaid). The wig was a struggle but really made the costume.
Their Daddy took them out to trick or treat and they met up with the neighbor kids too. It only took 45 minutes for them to do the entire tract and then they were home for me to go through their candy and pick out my favorites..... I mean, the ones they couldn't have. Our last treater came to the door at 7:20 so it was an early night. They are still enjoying their candy but I hope they tire of it soon and I can send it off to Daddy's work where I won't have to avoid it.

State Road School Halloween Parade Pictures

Quinlan's "real" birthday - calendar date 10/22

Quinlan got to celebrate again on her "real" birthday - 10/22/09. We had her favorite meal, spaghetti and more cake. She got a new High School Musical 3 doll, Sharpay, and a new High School Musical 3 shirt. Here are Max and Reilly posing after Quinlan opened her gifts. Singing "the" song of the day!

Another birthday?? Another cake and some cupcakes with little flowery, sugary things on them. This time you can really see how old she is.

Quinlan's Bowling Birthday Party

Open weekend days at the end of October were in short supply. We had to celebrate Quinlan's 7th birthday, with her friends, a week early. She chose to go to the bowling alley and invited all the kids from our end of the street and a few school friends from the neighborhood. Everyone had a great time, especially our birthday girl. From left: Ryan Wade, Ryan Springer, Megan Wade, Quinlan, Jessica Jacobs and Lilah Hann.

Aiden Marques, Jessica, Quinlan and Lilah

I made the cake but ran out of green frosting (at 1:00am, why do I wait until the very last minute to do these things?) and had to make more. I had a little trouble matching the greens, but it tasted good and matched the rest of the theme.

4th Grade Fun Run

Max and the rest of the district's 4th graders participated in the "4th Grade Fun Run" on September 25th. One of the local businesses (a running shoe and apparel store) sponsors the run at a local park. As you can see by the pictures it was a very chilly, cloudy day but the kids really were up for it. Each child had an electronic timing device attached to their ankle and was assigned a number. As soon as they crossed the finish line their time was recorded. Max did a great job running the 1 mile. I expected him to walk a lot of it but he didn't and finished in around 14 minutes. Way to go, Max.

Here is Max taking time out of his start to wave to me and Reilly.

I bundled Reilly up against the cold with a blanket I found in the back end of the Tahoe. But this was not the right stroller to be pushing through the grass after we had to park out in the "north 40". It was a bit of a hike to get to the Start/Finish line.

Here are Max and the rest of the State Road 4th graders listening to their gym teacher, Mr. Graf (far left, blue hoody) give them instructions. Obviously Max was doing some great listening..... NOT!

Last Day of Summer Vacation

Here are a few of the kids from our end of the street enjoying their last day of freedom before school starts. It was a beautiful day with no suggestion of the weather and hard work to come.from left front: Connelly Springer (red hat), Ryan Springer, Quinlan, Aiden Marques (tan hat), Ryan Marques, Ryan Wade (black hat) and Megan Wade.

First Day of School 2009 - 2010

Here they are..... ready for the new day and the new school year. Max's outfit wasn't my first choice for him, but he had his own ideas about what was appropriate and so I gave in and lived to fight about clothes another day. Quinlan was looking forward to being in school all day and enjoying her "specials" - music, art and gym, all things she didn't have in Kindergarten. It was Reilly who was in for the biggest change though. She kept asking me when it would be time to get "Day Day" off the bus and when it was time for lunch and Quinlan still wasn't home, she cried. I guess she doesn't totally enjoy being stuck at home with just me.

A Ride on the Hobie

Sailboats aren't really my "thing". I want a boat that I can stop immediately if I want to. But my reluctance didn't stop Max and Quinlan from talking Uncle Barney into taking them out on his Hobie Cat. They said it was a great ride but their cousin made them a little nervous with his on-board antics.

Quinlan's lost tooth

Quinlan's "grown up" teeth were growing in behind her baby teeth on the bottom. Finally, she got one that was wiggly. She worked it for a while until it was hanging on by a thread. Then I asked if I could see how wiggly it was and pulled it out when she wasn't paying attention. I know, not a nice mom but I got the job done with minimal blood and tears.

Cousins at the Lake

The Connor Cousins (Mina, Will and Andee) and their Mom and Dad came to the lake for the day. Unfortunately, it wasn't too sunny but we had fun and a boat ride. It was a fun day!