summer train of thought

Tea with friends. Fires on the beach. Many kms clocked. Jumping in the ocean. Cold prickles all over my arms. Sand everywhere. People who know you best. Changes are hard. Accepting changes can be harder. Ask yourself the tough questions. Summer is fleeting. Grieving what was once. Crying is ok. Back to school shoes. Beginning to plan ahead. Sleep interrupted. Goals and dreams. Overwhelmed and unsure. Tired AF. Envy. Water your own grass. Should we go away? Be intentional. Slow the fuck down. Don't feel pressured. Mint tea from the garden. Chives stored away for the winter. I want slow and simple. My priorities won't change.

=

today

Today I took note of the birds calling. I listened to their songs. It was so clear.
Today I enjoyed my back yard. I gave thanks for this beautiful piece of land that is ours. This special spot that is an extension of our home.
Today I allowed Wesley to feed Ryder. It was a mess, but it was so sweet to watch him work through his self directed task.
Today I poured myself into cooking for a friend who needs love and nourishment. It is the only thing I could think to do.
Today I allowed myself to share in Wesley's joy, as he climbed the play structure over and over again, and went down the slide. So proud of himself. So determined to do it himself.
Today I cuddled my dog. His hot stinky breath on my skin. I still love him.
Today we sat down to eat together, and it was nice. We had an abundance of food at our table. We are blessed.
This evening we went for an after dinner walk around the block. It felt good to move.
This evening I watched the moon from my bedroom window.
Good night.
I give thanks for every moment I was gifted today.

pausing

There are those moments in the day that feel like a blur. We rush from one moment to the next, acting out many of our daily routines on auto pilot. Breakfast, pack lunches, find hats and mitts, off we go.
It goes on, day in, day out like this.
Then there are the moments that stop time. A rare slowing down, where we have the time to talk, laugh, just be. These moments, they are the ones worth living for. We just need the ability to search them out, and then,to savour them.
Today Katia and I sat by the Christmas tree, enjoying the moments just before dinner was ready. I asked her to stay still and grabbed my camera. The light was beautiful and I knew this would be a lovely black and white.
There are the other moments too. A quick text from my husband. You are a Super Mom he says. He doesn't know it, but those words made my day. Acknowledgment. Support. Generous. I am beyond thankful for him and those words. They helped me to carry on with my day.
It's so easy to move through the day, one foot in front of the other, just getting through it. And you know, somedays are just like that. Some days are hard and all we can do is keep breathing.
But when I am in a position to stop and savour, when I am able to find that grace, I do it, because I know that it is a gift. It is what this whole living thing is about.
xox

lately

ladies and gentlemen, the cat ears have returned 

A little bit of this and that.
Only a week away till we get ourselves on the road towards Anchorage. From Anchorage we'll be flying down to Seattle, then San Diego and then finally Maui. It will be a long trip, but we are all excited for it. This trip couldn't be coming at a better time. We woke up to -40 degrees today and I was instantly cheered up with the thought of Maui. Yipee!
Last Friday night we had our traditional homemade pizza and a family movie. But this time we did things a little bit differently.  We ate our pizza while watching the movie, picnic style. Such a simple idea, but we all enjoyed it, and I know it made the event feel more special for the kids. All week long I hear, "when is family movie night mama?". I love how this little tradition has become something that the kids look forward to. To note: this is the one night a week where TV is allowed after dinner. Usually it's off limits in the week.
Over the weekend we celebrated Winslow's birthday. Like most men, Winslow doesn't like a big deal made of his birthday, but that doesn't stop me from at least making a bit of a fuss over him. Eggs Benny for breakfast, decorations went up, a favourite meal for dinner and a big birthday cake (yes there is a gun and handcuffs on the cake- at Noah's request). One of the most adorable things from this year's birthday was the care and love that Noah put into Winslow's card and birthday present. Noah "made" (okay, I made it mostly), Winslow a flashlight. It was all his idea and he painted the cardboard tube himself. On the card, Noah drew Daddy and him holding hands. It was really adorable.
And finally, a few photos of the kids playing around. As some of you may or may not know, I collect vintage Fisher Price toys. I love the classic toys, the ones that offer open ended play and that don't have all kinds of gizmos that make noise and light up. Over the years, I have collected different sets, and have had friends be on the look out for me when they go thrifting. My doll house was picked up by my friend Margaret. It was in great condition and had all the furniture and people. I love it! My friend Sarah remembered that her mom had the old vintage garage stored away somewhere. Sarah's mother kindly pulled it out and sent it all the way to the Yukon for me. It was such a lovely gift! As you can see, my kids love these toys. I don't pull them out all the time, so when we do bring them out, the kids think of them as special.
Hope you are having a lovely week! I'm excited to celebrate Valentine's Day with the family. I have plans to set up the table the night before with little tin mailboxes that I picked up a few weeks ago. We'll have a few treats and cards for the kids.
xoxo

This picture cracks me up. Zen/meditating Batman. Don't ask. 

photo worthy moments

While I may have no control over the things that happen outside my home, lately I have been counting my blessings and have felt content to hunker down with my little family, safe inside our home.

Winter is here, whether we have had solstice or not. The days have been warming up to -10 and when the sun is at it's highest, I try to get outside for a walk with the children. It makes me so happy to watch them play in the snow and to take it in. I enjoyed watching Katia lay down in the snow and stare up at the sky, and loved seeing Noah roll around in the snow. Such a simple thing, but this is what childhood memories are made of.

After a lovely walk or play in the snow, we often come in for a cup of hot chocolate to warm ourselves up. This week I brought out two new special mugs that I splurged on for the kids. Definitely a photo worthy moment.

Other moments that were photo worthy, art time. I love the transition the winter brings to our daily rhythm. The arts and crafts have begun in our home, and I know it's going to be something that I turn to often when looking for an activity for the kids. With the giving season just around the corner, I always like to have a craft or two up my sleeve that I or the kids can make and give. Also, lately I've spent a bit of time at my sewing machine, working away on little gifts to give at Christmas and for birthdays.

Some happy little things from the past few days ... receiving a letter from a far away friend- such a sweet little surprise in the mail :) , getting a start on my Christmas baking, and listening to this station on Songza. I'm not sure if I have officially entered "old mama" status, but this music I find is so relaxing and just the right amount of Christmas for me. Gentle, not obnoxious, and perfect while sipping a cup of tea.
That is all for now.
Hope you are well dear friends.
xox 

 Noah painted, while I sewed. Katia was asleep. I enjoyed our crafty time just him and I

around here lately

Around here (Ottawa) lately there have been ...
hot hot days, lots of staying indoors due to extreme heat, movies in the afternoon (Rise of the Guardians), ice cream, iced tea and iced coffee (home made), playing in the back yard, playing in water to keep us cool, trips to the pool, trips to nature centers to look for frogs and turtles, mornings at the museum, playing with our baby cousin Ariyana, cuddles with Meeka the dog.
The weeks have gone by quickly here. This Saturday Winslow will join us here in Ottawa (eeeeek, can't wait!) and then we will have 3 more weeks here together as a family. I am really looking forward to having him here so that we can do a bit more around town. It's been a bit challenging at times to take the kids out on multiple adventures in a day. There's two of them and one of me. Throw in some extreme heat, a temper tantrum or two and you've got a recipe for disaster. We've been sticking to one morning outing a day and then a quiet afternoon at home, and you know, it's been nice.
Also, I just have to say this. Is there anything more sweet than seeing cousins play together? This is what memories are made of. It makes my heart so so so happy that Noah and Katia have had this time with their cousins on both sides of the family. Such a blessing!
Hope everyone is having a lovely summer!
xox

move ova' sistah...I'm driving this car!