Ok, I realize the backpack is ridiculous.  It was just to carry all of her school supplies.  We have downsized to a more respectable princess themed one (is that really better??) 

Day one went well, for the most part.  Until she discovered that she had to leave her school supplies at school.  That information was NOT well received.  Day two is on Friday and there will be ALL the kids that day.  Hopefully it goes well.  I think it will.

Madeleine's First Day of Kindergarten!


The night before: backpack is packed, snack and drink, school supplies labeled, and note the Good Luck Pom Pom created especially for Maddie by Emily.

Jason made sure to get the traditional front step "first day of school" shot this morning. I picked out the outfit, but Maddie did her own hair and make up.

Yesterday we had our first official elle markosky  shoot.  Maddie and I met Lisa down on Broadway around 10a.m. We spent a couple of hours around Maddie's new school (Ecole Victoria School) before taking a sugar/caffeine break at the Broadway Roastery.  (btw, the oreo bars - delish)

Then we went down to the park that's on Sask Cres, you know, the FANCY Sask Cres.  It's this lovely little garden with impatiens growing in the shade, three little pools with fountains, a bunch of hostas.  Maddie was quite irritated that it wasn't actually a park (i.e., did not have a slide, swings, and a climber).

We had such a fun day.  Lisa brought the kids over to our house for more pictures but by then Maddie was pretty much done.  But she had enough energy to play play play with her cousins!

Lisa - thank you for such a fun day.

Now, do you want a PEEK at the photos?  Lisa has put up a teaser on her website, check it out (click the link below)

elle markoskyphotography by lisa

So on our last trip to Pike Lake we did something pretty out of the ordinary for The Markoskys. We invited some friends along. Sounds normal. Sounds like what people would do, right? Maybe for some people. But these weren't just friends - these were New Friends. In fact, we pretty much skipped about seventeen steps in the Let's Make Friends process and went from "oh, hello, nice to meet you, I'm going to yell about wrecking signs now (that's another blog post)" to "want to spend the weekend together?"

Unorthodox, kind of spontaneous, definitely limited planning. I know what you're thinking, but don't worry - I'm still me!

And guess what - we had a good time. Well, The Markoskys did and I'm pretty sure our new friends did too. Or they faked it SUPER well. (we all have talents)



Here they are: our new lake neighbors, Lakai, Denver, Jared, and Mandy

Madeleine, you might as well get used to the expression on Lakai's face b/c I'm pretty sure you're going to see that a lot in your lifetime...

Um sir, what do you have in your hand?

Oh, I see, just a grasshopper. No biggie.

Quote heard over the weekend, Lakai showing Maddie a book:
"Do you want to learn about arachnids?"

Saturday was a bit too cool to swim, so we hit the links.

I heard this today, and there is so much truth in this message:

"don't ever devalue the work you do no matter how someone else makes you feel. if you know you can do a better job than someone else, then stand up and be heard and put yourself out there~even if it's a little outside your comfort zone. Because once a decision is made that cannot be changed, you may be doing the work and someone else will get the credit. Or you may be the one with the knowledge and answers but no one listens because you are not the one 'on top'."

 -anonymous (and once again, not getting the credit...)

Hello? 

1975 is calling and they want their phone back!

YAHOOO!! my phone arrived. Thank you to all my facebook friends in helping me with this decision. You know me, I rarely do anything "spur of the moment" so I thought about this for A Very Long Time. And I searched etsy, ebay, and then found oldphones.com and the rest is history. Literally history on my FREAKIN counter top. I am so excited I can hardly stand it.

I mean, just look at how great it is. And yes, kids, it works. Clear as can be.

I am smiling right now. Boy do I love second hand stuff.

Two exciting things happened tonight:

1. my red phone came in the mail (I have to pick it up tomorrow)
2. Randa had a baby girl:  Luca Virginia Christine (7lbs 15 oz)
3. Maddie went to sleep on the first try.

It's a good night.

Swimming with Daddy

Madge and I went shopping! Watch out!

I'm not a fan of shopping. What I mean is, I can really live without "browsing" through a clothing store. Sort of fills me with dread and makes my back hurt a bit. When I shop I want to Go Shopping. If I have a budget, and a list of items, and some time - then my friend, I am happy to shop. When this happens I'll buy just about everything and anything in sight. To borrow a phrase from my mom, most of the time I am so tight I squeak but when I'm Going Shopping, well then the hell with it. This seems to happen about twice a year (unless I get near Reitmans sale and then I'm just pretty vulnerable and I don't think that counts).

Maddie starts Kindergarten next week so we went on our first Mother Daughter Back to School Shopping Spree. (MDBSSS for short). We had such a good time. Maddie loved it and she was so good. She helped pick clothes out. She told me if she did (or did not) like the material. She commented when the she felt it "was a good price". Then when the cart was at an alarming full level we worked through it together to decide what should go back.

When we got home, Maddie announced she would try everything on and pose and I should take pictures. For. Freaking. Real. Now, who the hell am I to argue with THAT?

Below are the outfits she put on (and selected) and her own chosen poses. For the record, the last one is a nightie. And will (hopefully) not be worn to school.



She insisted Daddy pose with her for the first one.

She did her own hair for this pose.

people, I can't even make this stuff up.

If you say she looks like me in this one you are a) correct and b) not my friend anymore.

Our Pike Lake Weekend

Look out Mike Weir.

I took these. And Treena edited them.
(just giving credit where credit is due)

Take a seat. We will be right with you.

Our hail storm....

left a few dents in te subaru but doesn't seem to be too bad.

Erika is making a painting for me. Tonight she sent a progress photo and truly I gasped out loud when I saw it.  I am stunned. Excited. And so honored. I dont think I deserve something so amazing.  Wow.

 



Disclaimer:

Treena took these photos!   

For her birthday, Dan gave her Tickets to see Jenn (live in Warman!)   She arrived Friday afternoon and the fun began about 20 seconds later and didn't stop until she flew out sunday night.  Thank you Treena (and thank you Dan) - I had such an amazing weekend.



One of the things I love about Treena is she likes to do a lot of the stuff that I like to do (well, duh - isn't that true about most friendships?) What I mean is, she likes to do the stuff that no one else wants to do.  Like strolling down 20th St (GASP, the WEST SIDE??),  leisurely exploring second hand furniture stores, walking around neighborhoods looking at fancy houses, eating only bread, cheese, and apple and wine for lunch (twice)  We did all that and more this weekend. 

Treena, I had such a good time.  I miss you so much now that you are gone again.  I wish we lived closer.  I wish you were still down the street and Jason and I could pack up our poker chips and head over to the Fosterelli's for a night of laughs.  Those are good memories and I hold them dear to my heart.

It is my cousin's birthday today and so I think today is as good a day as any to say what I've been thinking for awhile:

Mila Kunis looks like my cousin!  Shelley, I'm talkin' about you....



Shel, I tried to steal a wedding picture but Facebook wouldn't let me.  Ya'll will just have to take my word for it.

j