Randomness about There and Back

I went to Halifax, Cape Breton, PEI.  I saw beautiful reds in the leaves and in the earth.  I heard the ocean, felt the wind, got wet in the rain.  Enjoyed the best mommy-vacation possible for now (Neve the nurser came too) .  No complaints though - 1 is easier than 3!  Plus wonderful Auntie Andrea to help with the 1!

Leaves on Lover's Lane at Green Gables

Farm on Cape Breton

a misty view of a Cape Breton village

Cape Breton view again :)  On our way to Celtic Colours!

first view of PEI from ferry

PEI

Halifax

I did miss the hugs and kisses from the big kids.  I didn't miss the fussing, whinning, the requests, the bedtime busyness, the mealtime chaos.  Neve travelled like a pro and I truly felt relaxed, rested, and peaceful.

We ate good food. Lots of good food.  Like the scallops at jane's on the common or the seafood chowder at The Red Shoe Pub. 

Andrea at the Red Shoe Pub

Undoubtedly the best meal was at Cape d'Or.  The freshest lobster ever.  We were given a rock to help us eat it :)  Such a fun experience.  I may be back to the mountains of boring laundry now, but I smiled while throwing in the jeans drizzled with the lobster juice!

If I could have changed the weather just one time on the trip, it would have been while we were at Cape d'Or.  The wind was CRAZY the night we arrived.  I found the windows rattling from the wind off the ocean relaxing and fun in the cozy guest house, until I wanted to fall asleep.  Then it seemed to get louder.  I hoped and prayed for nice weather to grace us the next morning for some exploring, but it was rainy, rainy.  I got to snap a few pictures in the misty, drizzly morning before the real hard rain came.  Though disappointed as we headed off, I could only choose joy, because really what could be better?  I was being driven along the coast in Nova Scotia, enjoying beautiful scenery (knitting some, of course) and Neve continued her usual good-in-the-car sleep in the backseat.
 
Today I wish I could find some of the peaceful quiet I experienced on the trip.  Oh, my.  Sick kids.  Fussy kids.  A bored kid.  Baby needs.  So easy to get frustrated again.  I can't seem to achieve much.  Definately not any coherant thoughts here.  I have sat down here at least 30 times, only to be called away within minutes.  Sometimes only seconds.  Its a little harder to chose joy now.  Especially with the crazy sleep disruption and deprivation.  I thought I would quickly make a copy of the pictures to send to Andrea and blog.  Then, move onto the other 30 things I would like to have done.  One beginning goal for the day and still not accomplished as we near the end of the afternoon.
 
But really, today I have 3 beautiful children, a comfortable house to raise them in (minus the dirt and mess, oh, I shouldn't even mention it though, because that's ruining the point), and a husband who gets off work at a decent time, and who comes home and helps with the craziness.  I should see joy and thankfulness for so many things. Everything.  Simple things.  A washer and dryer to deal with mountains of laundry with ease.  The best cheese sandwiches ever (mmm, fenugreek gouda from Nova Scotia) and yummy tomato and avocado salad.  The choice I made that day on Cape d'Or I can make right now, to look past what I wish were different and choose to see the good. Oh, I am trying.
 
And, it always helps to remember the little bits of goodness that I find everywhere (if I'm looking!)

Cuteness on the ferry to PEI

beautiful b&b - Victoria, PEI

giggling at trying to enjoy sunset on super windy evening

sheep on Cape Breton farm where I bought my wool blanket *happiness* 

tour of Belfast Mills on PEI - yes, I love wool *grin*

picking wild raspberries

picnic at a Cavendish beach

happiness in the newly finished puple sweater

and more happy sweetness

learning history at Pier 21

acorn love! oh, the uses I have in mind for these treasures
like hats on felt animals, mmm, yes fun!

What a disorganized whirlwind recap that was.  Just a glimpse into some of the joys of the trip.  Which I will recall as needed, in the chaotic moments around here, which will only increase - did I mention we officially have a new crawler in the house?!

Life is Fun.

Kids have such a great sense of fun.  Everything can be fun. Simple things are hilarious.  Apple eyes bring great giggles.

I'm going to take my cue from kids.  I'm going to keep the fun and excitement huge in this adventure I'll rush into this week.  It feels like its rushing up on me and I found myself feeling stressed.  Packing, planning, where will the big kids be, how to get Ian organized, will Neve travel well? Phooey, why should I allow this to be spoiled. I won't.

I am so excited for a dream of mine to come true.  Tuesday night I'll head into the city to begin the journey to Halifax, and Cape Breton, and PEI!  Eeee, that is so crazy that its really happening.  And so here I am, committing to squashing any worry I have and enjoying every moment of it with a childlike sense of fun and wonder.

Latest adventure...

Take a look at my many photos and guess where we were?  Super fun to make the kids feel like they were a part of the hunting trip with Dad and Grandpa.  They also had so much fun with Grandma Mary.  Reserve may not have a playground, but the railway tracks work just as well :)  First thing when we woke up, the kids wanted to go collect "treasures" (rocks and steel) and what an adventurer Grandma was for them.  She also taught them about what happens when you leave pennies on the track.

Kellen decided we should go back in the evening and have a rock collecting contest.  Funny, he wanted to win the most rocks collected, but he said his little neck hurt carrying his heavy bag of rocks and Mom had to carry them most of the way.  He learned about some of his rocks from Grandpa and Grandma, we'll see if he remembers anything about the types of rock next time.

He also remembered the big ant hill that he'd found when we were here in June and wanted to go torture the ants some more.  We found the ant hill pretty much empty, except for a couple we called guard ants.  We left wondering what happens to the ants for the winter, do they inhabit the same hill again, or will they make a new one.  Anyone know??

One morning I actually got up to see the early rising hunters off.  We did not know that the picture would document a day to remember, as they did get their moose.  A cow and a calf.  Ian said the twin calf came out of the bush too.  Ahh, I am not a hunter, because I think my heart broke thinking of the poor little twin calf all confused without his mom and brother.  Bill may have posed with a cane for his picture, but I don't think he was thinking about needing it as they pulled the animals out of the bush.  Sounded like quite the "fun!"  (maybe Ian and Bill will write in their story here...?)

The kids remember our last trip home and the great park along the way, so even though Neve was sleeping peacefully their pleas filled with such desire convinced me to stop and have some fun.  Such a beautiful evening.  Glad we made more fun memories here.  (Kellen made a birthday cake with candles, in case you can't tell ;)