A few years ago if you had asked me what would be the biggest expense we would face as a family, other than buying a house, I would probably have said car or vacations. I would have thought about “big-ticket” items.
I would have been wrong… it’s turned out to be food!
1) The sun shone – we’ve had too many grey days lately.
2) I had “Happy Birthday” sung to me 5 times before 8 am – one was a call from my parents, the other four were my six-year-old.
3) I reconnected with friends on Facebook and got some great birthday wishes – thanks everyone! Love you.
4) I had a fantastic day at work – everyone was in a great mood (I think it’s the sun!)
5) I didn’t make dinner – we ordered in Thai from the amazing restaurant around the corner.
6) My kids gave me a wonderful card – they had worked on it in their rooms to keep it a secret.
7) BDN (beautifully dressed neighbour) and family knocked on my door – hubby played guitar while they serenaded me on the porch. It was wonderful!
8) My family gave me an iPad mini and keyboard – they are fantastically supportive of my writing!
9) My sister called and played a hilarious recorded message from my brother-in-law – she married a great guy. We have a double-date on Friday!
10) My best friend called from Waterloo – she made me laugh until my belly hurt!
11) I snuck into the kids’ rooms and gave them extra kisses – they both had their animals snug in the crooks of their elbows. So cute when they’re asleep!
It was a good day.
This picture we took for the boys…
This one we took for you…
Are you able to read the side of the boat? Allow me to zoom in for you. Continue reading
Got back last night from a fantastic time in Italy. Continue reading
One day last summer, I was chatting with my neighbour over the fence. Her husband and son were going to the cottage and she was staying home to spend the evening with a very good girlfriend.
“How nice! What do you guys have planned?” I was so excited for her.
She was also very excited, “We’re going to grab dinner and then do a bit of shopping.”
…crickets chirped…
“You’re going shopping?” I tried to make this sound pleasant, but I couldn’t pull it off. Even with that big grin plastered on my face. “You have a night home alone and you are going shopping?” My distaste was palpable.
I honestly do not remember the rest of the conversation because my brain went into a protective mode and all talk of malls and sales were blocked from my hippocampus. Continue reading
I had planned to write a lighthearted post about how we ate tonight’s dinner out on the deck for the first time since last summer. It would have been funny because I was also going to tell you about how one of the neighbour boys just sat on the backyard swing and watched us eat because he had yet to be called in for his dinner.
I was also planning to quote my husband’s funny admonishment to him about how he had to keep quiet if he was going to stay in the yard because it would be like us coming in to his dining room and watching him eat… ha ha ha.
Instead I’m going to write about this.
5-year-old accidentally kills sister with gun he got as gift – The Globe and Mail Continue reading
I may grumble about my crazy little boys but I have loved having a seven and five year-old. The major change over the year has been their huge leap in independence. It’s the little things that make the big difference. Our eldest now gets himself ready for school and will prepare toast or cereal for himself and his brother. Meanwhile, the young’n has become self-sufficient in the bathroom and can finally buckle his own seatbelt. Ahhh… small but mighty miracles.
As they both have birthdays approaching, I thought I should take a moment to reflect on these ages before they are gone. This is what I know for sure. Continue reading
My parents are a big part of our daily life. Mom and I work in the same area of the hospital and, because we share the ups and downs that come with patient care, it’s her ear I turn to for advice and comfort. Dad is retired and has become our emergency go-to-guy. A kid is sick, one of them needs a ride to hockey, I’m going to be caught late at work – we can always count on my dad to be there. It really is a beautiful thing. Continue reading
Posted in Family
Tagged Australasia, Bacon, Baltic Sea, Beijing, China, grandparents, kids, pig, Russia, travel, YouTube
Escaping Elegance 