connecting

Welcome December! The most magical, beautiful, cozy and kind month there is! December is here, and I am welcoming it with open arms.
I have so many lovely ideas swirling through my head. Gifts to make. Cards to write. Menus to plan. Memories to make with my family.... and I'm really wanting to make this season a meaningful and present one. This year I am focusing on making many of my gifts. A step towards the way I have always felt Christmas giving should be. I'm inspired and can't wait to show my creations!
A few weeks ago, I was in a slump. I'm not exactly sure what brought it on, but I just couldn't feel in the mood for the season. I had conflicting feelings about it all, and truthfully, I felt disconnected from the usual joy I feel around this time of year.
Thankfully, after talking about it with my good friend, I started to find my groove again. I think it was important for me to stop and pause, and take stock of what this season means to me personally, and then to my family.
What I want and what my family (children I should say) are sometimes two different things.
I certainly enjoy the magic, excitement and energy that my children get from the season,  but I also want moments of calm too.
I want to find moments of peace. I want to find moments of reflection. Moments of quiet. Moments of stillness. I think it is important that I find these moments for myself to enjoy during this season too.
Things like: walks in the woods, enjoying a hot and decadent drink, lighting candles, writing cards to friends, crafting and making, preparing warming foods that nourish us. I am reminding myself that what I love best about December and Christmas is slowing it down, and enjoying time with my family, and that is what I am reminding myself to focus on.

...

Life in November brought us Remembrance Day, a birthday (and a party) for Katia, a visit from Nana, busy days of having afterschool kids in the house, our first snow,  a turkey dinner with Nana, some photo sessions, the beginning of Christmas crafting.

I shall leave off with some pictures from the last few weeks.

xox

May we all find moments to take in deep crisp air breaths, and find the quiet that we need.

connecting moments will save us

We are into our second week of school and I am already starting to ask myself, how do we simplify?
Already, it feels busy. Already, I am trying to catch my breath. Already, I am collapsing at the end of the day, exhausted.
With two in school, our mornings have become quite the song and dance around here.
A 7:15 am school bus, means we are up and at it, at 6 am. The mornings are busy, and I am still struggling with that early alarm clock, but so far, we have made it to the bus stop on time each day!
I haven't picked up my camera in quite some time. That's usually a sure sign that life is busy, and I am in the thick of it. It's also I sign of where my attention is. While this past summer, I made the effort to bring out my camera and document our days, now I am aware that I am needed on the front lines more, and that I physically and mentally must be all hands on deck. But... that doesn't mean I don't snap an Iphone pic from time to time, because, who can resist that convenience?
This Fall, also sees the addition of an afterschool care program, here at our home. When trying to come up with some creative ways to bring in extra income to our household, I decided that I would offer some afterschool care to a small group of children. To us, it is a great way for our children to socialize with their friends, and for me to afford to be able to stay home. It's going to be busy around here, but I am excited and full of gratitude that this opportunity presented itself to us.
And so here we are. Already, two weeks into September, and we have hit the ground running.
In the next week, we add Beavers and Sparks to our weekly routine, as well as our afterschool care, storytime at the library and more! It's busy, but I am also doing my best to find connecting moments with each of my children. Whether it is a walk around the neighbourhood, a back scratch at bedtime, a walk to pick blackberries, or a simple hug in the middle of a busy day... these moments are so important to us all, and I am very aware of that.
Leaving off with pictures of our first day at school.
xox