At the skateboard park.....

Now that school is back in session, the parks and playgrounds are OURS again :)  

We have been making the most of this and have been meeting up with friends at the skateboard park!  It has become a regular event!  

We take bikes, scooters, skateboards etc and the children can have a blast there - we also take blankets and chairs, and lots of games and crafts for those who don't want to be so active!!  And of course we take snacks to share :)  

The kids LOVE it and want to go back as soon as we leave :)  Laurence even joined us for the first session last week :)  

Bracelet and jewelry making:

A VERY intense game of 'Spot It'.  This was hilarious:

Another beading session:

Yes, there is a child in that blanker lol:

Trish brought the BEST gift for each of us - chocolate :)

This is how women react to chocolatey gifts:

Our Monday....

This morning we did our faces/ portraits for the 29 Faces in September challenge.

I spent much of the morning organizing field trips.  

Then at 1pm Abigail had to be at her new French class!!  She was very excited and ended up having a fabulous time - she can't wait for next weeks class :)

While Abby was in class, Sam and I filled the truck up with gas, washed it and then headed to Timmy's where we had a meeting with the childrens homeschool facilitator.  

That went well, and the education plans were all signed for the year.  Our facilitator is so helpful and supportive - she gave me several good ideas for field trips to add to my list too :)  

After the meeting we had just under an hour left before collecting Abigail.  As it was pouring with rain we didn't follow through with our original plans, and instead headed to Goodwill.  The kids love it there so much :)  Sam found a brand new, still sealed marshmallow gun!!  He also found a big bag of toy soldiers :)  

I found a pretty glass pumpkin - but it wasn't until I got it home to wash it, that I realized it's a tealight holder :)  So lovely :)  

It is 8c outside today - so different from yesterdays 27c!!!  Wow!  

Abigail is now reading in the bath, Sam is shooting marshmallows all over the house, Susannah is watching Fame, and Laurence is at work.  

I have some work to get done....

One happy boy :)

This is Laurence with 'Vanessa' :)  Yes, he finally bought a car and I think he got an AMAZING deal!  He LOVES her :)  A Ford Taurus 1999.  Immaculate condition inside and out.  

He can now get himself to and from work - to and from soccer or volleyball and to and from school :)  His busing for the year was $350 so we decided to cancel that and put the money towards his car instead.  

It has changed our lives already - he even picked his best friends up from school and drove them home on Friday - that kind of makes me sad as they have all grown up soooo fast :(  It is going to be so strange to not be picking him up from his friends house any more - and yesterday he came home at like 10am - very weird having him show up without me picking him up :)

He is a very mature and responsible driver though and I am very proud!  He bought the car on Wednesday and on Thursday we got the insurance and registration etc done - and then we headed over to collect the car :)  I've added him to my AMA too so he is all set JUST in case anything happens :)  

Sherwood Park Appetite...

After Kaleidofest, we headed in to Sherwood Park, stopped off at the library for a few things, and then walked over to the old high school grounds for this years 'Sherwood park Appetite' food festival.  

It is exactly like A Taste of Edmonton, but is a smaller version as it is so new.  It started last year.

There was a kids activity area, lots of local restaurants and a stage for singers, comedians etc etc.

A few other local businesses had tables there promoting themselves.  

Abigail tried the fish and chips from Oscars pub - as I have raved about their chips lol - she really liked them!  I had the Halibut bites which were really yummy!  Susannah had green onion cakes but wasn't keen.  We all had Italian Soda's from Second Cup :)

We ran in to several friends there - and Sam was thrilled to see his friends J and A.  It was so funny watching the three of them chatting and sharing candy floss - and then they went into the bouncy boxing ring and got to punch each other with giant boxing gloves!

So funny :)  

The duelling pianos from Overtime performed around 5pm and we stayed for a few of their songs - I love seeing them on Friday nights!  It was great for Susannah to finally get to see them :)  

After that it was definitely time to head home - where we curled up on my bed and watched a Zac Efron movie about a horse :)  

Such a great fun-packed day :)  

Kaleido Arts Fest!!

After Now Radio, we headed north to 118th Ave to take in the Kaleido Family Arts festival!  The whole Avenue was closed off and filled with artists and entertainers.  There was a stage for dancers and singers etc too.  We went in to a bakery and got some lunch and then sat and watched the performers for a while - and then strolled through the festival!

Abigail had a go at hula-hooping - she is fabulous at it and can keep it going for AGES!!

Sam had a go pedalling a bike that helped power a music system :)  

Two giant flies on stilts tried to suck Sam up :)  

It was crazy fun!!

Now Radio :)

On Saturday morning we went to the Now Radio studios in Edmonton for their 'End of Summer' party!

They do this every year now and it's so much fun for the kids!  

Everything is free - lots of fun activities, popcorn, snocones and cotton candy...balloons, music, bouncy castles etc - and the radio hosts are always there to meet - and tours of the station.

While Abigail was in line for a balloon animal, we watched this magician - he did all kinds of tricks and also had a pet racoon puppet that he made come to life :)

A fun start to the day :)  

Sunday Evening snapshots....

...including my day 9 face for the '29 Faces in September' challenge :)

29 Faces in September...

I am continuing to work on the 29 Faces in September challenge :) Abby and Sam are both joining in too :) Here are some of mine from the last few days :)

A new school year has begun.  Susannah and Laurence are getting used to their change of timetables. new teachers etc etc....Sam, Abby and I are getting used to the quiet at the house.

Tomorrow we are meeting up with friends at the skateboard park - bikes, scooters, skateboards etc and also games/ toys for those who want to do something different - and some adult BMX'ers are coming to show us their skills I believe!  

Apart from that we have to go and book several classes and also head to the library.  

Have to go to the Registry with Laurence too, to get his car stuff sorted - and then head in to Edmonton to pick his car up!  

Busy busy busy :)  

A very tired looking Sammy - up early yesterday to drive Laurence to school - even though I was in sweats and had wet hair from the shower, they persuaded me to take them to McD's for breakfast to celebrate first day of school/ NOT back to school:

Abby playing with her hair after her shower:

Day 4 of 29 faces in September:

My beautiful Rosie....