Our magical morning

We had a magical morning down at the beach, just a short bike ride away. It always seems to be quiet at this rocky little spot.

Kellen requested to come here. The monkey bar beach he calls it. There's a little grove of trees behind the monkey bars. I said to him, lets go on a hunt in the woods. He was right with me and his eyes lit up. "What do you think we'll find? Is this the woods with Fox and Franklin? Let's go hunt for treasure!"

Of course, this was after he abandoned his shoes.

And had gotten all wet. He stripped naked while I was looking the other way and refused to wear his wet clothes. Well, he tried to. He did wear his shirt and underwear while we played in the woods and I hung his pants to dry a little.

Lanelle explores in her own way at her own pace. Today, rocks were very interesting.

Kellen was so excited about his treasures that we took them home and displayed them for Dad. Rocks, bark, leaves, twigs...

While I was taking pictures of that excitement, I realized I had never taken pictures of Ian's table. Not that I wasn't excited about his project. I really love it, even more than I hoped to.

Week thoughts.

My week flew by at an amazing speed. I'm counting down the remaining carefree days of summer minus work. I'd like to say I've been enjoying every second, but its been hard to. Lanelle was sick this week - grouchy and fevered. So sleep was far from optimal and she's been very demanding. But, we carried on and Kellen did his swimming lessons every morning at the beach. He did real well and got his duck sticker. It was difficult for me, because he found it very cold and didn't want to stay in for the whole time. It went better when I finally resorted to bribing. We would get ice cream if he listened and stayed in the water. I hated doing it, but it worked so well. It's only bad if you do it ALL the time, right? (We only did it 2 days, just to clarify.)

Do you like Lanelle's dress? I'm very proud of it and had her wear it almost every day this week. I think my sewing machine is going to make a few projects, as I might get addicted. The little afternoon project was a bright spot for me and made my week feel successful and happy.

Until Friday anyhow. Friday was a "hmmmph" kind of day. I'm not sure if I woke up grouchy or if the kids did and then made me grouchy. Maybe, I realized that the week had flown by and I didn't get to do many things on my fun list. I couldn't seem to get anything done and didn't really have enough motivation to tackle life. Anybody out there understand? I just felt stuck in a rut I didn't want to be in.

I really wanted to feel motivated again. I was hopeful I would have an inspiring Saturday morning on a fun shopping adventure with Lanelle in the city, since Ian and Kellen were off to the hunting cabin. After picking up the necessary wedding gift (which we needed for this evening) and being tortured at Michael's by each other. I decided to shorten my fun shopping list, since it really wasn't fun for either of us. But, I still did hit Fabricland since I wanted to be able to make a couple more dresses this week.

And then I stumbled across this. An amazing deal on some beautiful curtains that match our living room/dining room perfectly. I'm sure I've dreamed about them, but never thought I'd find exactly what I wanted and especially at such an amazing price.

Good bye you ugly old red curtains. I'm feeling more inspired about the upcoming week and making my list of what I really want to do - with the kids and my own projects. I'm thinking its going to be a good week. I know I've shared some weak week thoughts here, I just find it interesting what little happenings make me feel like its a sunny, happy world. Little dresses, curtains, or whatever.

Now that I'm smiling again, its easier to remember more of the good things about this past week, which included, fun times with sister Kathy visiting for a day, good times reconnecting with friends at the beach that I've missed since being back at work, seeing the beautiful relationship between bride and father tonight that made me cry...just a few more of the sunny spots in my week.

Reminder to self: kids are pretty smart.

My kid does know what I'm trying to teach him. Lanelle was hitting Kellen, who was getting a little frustrated. I talked to him about how we have to teach her, because she doesn't understand she shouldn't hit. Kellen was right into that and very patient when he told her later, "please don't hit, that is not allowed." He mentioned it several times to me in the evening. "We have to teach Lanelle, right?" So, I asked him, "And, what do you think I have to teach you?" His eyes wander around the room, but I can tell he's thinking. I'm laughing inside, thinking he probably has no idea. I'm also thinking, "sharing!". I couldn't believe when he smiles slyly and says, "to share!" Obviously I'm getting through to him if he can come up with that, right?! I was surprised, but probably shouldn't be. Kids are pretty sharp, eh?

Love

I'm feeling a lot of love this Sunday afternoon. Love for my husband who took the kids to camp and gave me 32 hours all to myself. Love for inspiring friends and reconnection (thanks so much, Julia.) While it seems very strange to type - Also, love for myself, which I think is pretty good after spending so many hours in solitude. I loved being alone and all the things I got to do, even laundry, baking, weeding and all the quiet reflection. It has been fantastic and I'm so ready for this busy week. Only working 3 days, but long days into the evening. Not that I'm complaining, because then I'll be enjoying 2 more weeks of holidays. Anyhow, I'm getting sidetracked.

I also loved the people I got to meet at Creation Vacation this week. It was a wonderful group of people. When the kids are older, I would love to do the whole week. But, I loved the day I had, and Sheena was awesome! She made me want to take up writing.

These are 2 recent pictures that give me lots of love feelings. It was such a great moment watching these kids have so much fun playing up on the hill. It was gorgeous!

Now that I'm feeling so very refreshed, I can hardly wait for family to get home to love on them! I am so thankful for those who bring love into my life. I hope you can feel overwhelmed by love in your life today!

We're Off

I'm blogging at work, that's a first. I'm short on time and I'm in vacation mode. Vacation starts at 4:30 today and in a mad rush we will be leaving for BC shortly after that, trying to get to Calgary at a decent time tonight. I really wanted to be organized. It's not happening. I tried packing with the flashlight in my hand last night. What are the chances that the power would go out right after I got the kids to bed!?!? I gave up and went to bed after packing one and a half bags. I'm more rested than I thought I would be today, so maybe that will help more with a quick getaway anyhow. Send prayers for us, for safe and HAPPY travels!!

Plum Down

Lanelle walked up behind me while I was making supper tonight. I heard a "thunk" and then "uh-oh". The "uh-ohs" kept being repeated so I began to pay attention to her. She was pointing to the open air duct until the cupboards. Once Ian had to dig out Lightning McQueen from down there with a coat hanger and sticky tape. We should have covered it up. Since Lanelle came from Ian's direction, I asked him if he'd noticed what she had in her hand. We weren't sure. Then he pointed out that there had been a raid on the plums that were still on the floor in the grocery bag. We counted, yep, we were missing one. Replaying the thunk over in my mind, I realized it probably was indeed the missing plum. We ignored the issue for a while. I wondered how long it would take to shrivel up to nothing. Would it stink?

Ian couldn't live with the plum down there, so it became a late night project. I was wishing for suspended ceiling tonight while my wrist was cramping and my elbow was yelling at me as I tried to fold my arm around an impossible corner while fishing for a plum with a coat hanger. I would have ripped the duct apart, but not our basement ceiling. Not for a missing plum. Ian was trying not to yell as he was giving direction peering into the duct that he opened up in the storage room. The whole thing struck me as very funny after awhile and I couldn't stop giggling which didn't help. Eventually, just before I gave up, I managed to retrieve it. We also found a monster truck that neither of us recognized. I think it had been there for a long time.

Ian is currently searching for material in the garage to cover the hole. Just thought I'd share my giggle with you.

Missing

I think I've been missing being here, at my computer before I go to bed, to think just a bit. I was missing the kids today while I was at work. I've been thankful that hasn't been an overwhelming feeling that robs me of enjoying the days at work. But maybe since I'm getting very anxious for the holidays to begin as I dream about how much fun we are going to have. 4 days left.

I was missing Grandma Bell lately. I decided to take up knitting again. I thought it would be fun while we drive out to BC and back over the long weekend to have something to feel productive about. I saw the most beautiful knitted dress that I wanted to make for Lanelle. I was surprised that the skill I once had didn't come back as quickly as I thought it would. So while watching some knitting on youtube, playing with the yarn in my hand and feeling very awkward with the knitting needles, I kept having flashbacks to Grandmas kitchen where she taught me knitting with a few friends in 4-H. It was really nice to have so many warm memories. I only briefly thought about going back to crocheting, but didn't want to disappoint Grandma. I think I'll be able to knit some hats on the trip but don't know that the dress will be done without some serious practice.

One a very different note, Lanelle made me laugh tonight even though I shouldn't have. Kellen and I were trying to play trains and she kept darting into our game (very sneakily) and grabbing an engine or car as she took off at top speed down the hall. Kellen would wail and take off chasing her again. She'd act very nonchalant as he ripped it out of her hand and tell her no. She'd saunter back to her toys for a moment before darting in again to frustrate him. Like you probably are thinking, I thought she was just wanting to play with us. So I tried to involve her in pushing the train around, but she honestly had no interest in that. Once she had her hand on a car she was gone, anticipating the chase the would ensue. What kept seeming so funny to me was that it wasn't her done in her usual squealing, smiling way. She was very serious about it and seemed to enjoy torturing her brother in some somber, dark way. She was so content with herself and not concerned at all about Kellen's reactions. So, yeah, I shouldn't have been laughing, but it was so strange.

With that little story I best get myself to bed. I just didn't want to forget that one.