Why It all Began II

How my life has changed since my first post so many years ago.

And now it is about to change again...

This may be where my blogging road ends.

Not sure.

 

 

Why it all began.

I've been thinking lately why I started this blog.

It was an online journal for me. A chance to express and share my loves, my family.

 

 

 

Happy Father's Day!

A week of fun is coming our way!

We are just back form one trip and ready to dive into a crazy week of Father Day Celebrations and special suppers, school and field trips, raising butterflies, waiting for special mail deliveries, Birthday's, soccer games, marking (for Mommy), gardening and prepping for our next big lake adventure coming up not soon enough!

 I just couldn't resist sharing this sweet snapshot of my boys.

Little Brother was not in a photo mood.

 Daddy finally joined our rubber boot club.  His request for Father's Day. (he wanted to be like us!)

I am a huge Hunter boot fan.  We as a family spend a ton of time outdoors and even more with our northern getaway now.

When Big Brother was two we went through three pairs of rubber boots in three months, each pair sprung a leak.  I was frustrated. So I researched.  Now his boots are passed down to Little Brother.  Really great boots.

I have a few pairs myself, I'd be lost without them.  I wear them four seasons thanks to the warm wool/fleece Hunter socks! 

Welcome to the boot club Daddy!

Top Ten Reasons Why You are a #1 Daddy

(by Big Brother Age 6)

1.  You go to work everyday and work hard. 

2.  You play with us in the basement.

3.  You take me swimming.

4.  You are good at building Lego with me.

5. You take care of me sometimes.

6.  You know how to BBQ chicken legs (my FAVORITE!)

7.  You are good at getting wood for campfires.

8.  You are good at canoeing us to the park.

9.  You let us visit with Pa.

10.  You took us all to Disney World.

 

xox Your Family

 

 

all about family

Ages since my last post.

Our family trip was amazing.

It was all about family.

We did so many things other than Disney.  Totally off the beaten path stuff that reminds me of our first trips to Bermuda, Thailand, Carmel, San Francisco, Waterton and Val Marie.  The before kids kinda adventure that my soul needed.  I love the magic of Disney but I need the magic of random Mexican restaurants and road stops that promise "World's Best" strawberry shortcake, orange groves with giant lemons and beaches with piles of shells and creatures to discover.

Our little family is blossoming and together we all learn a little more about ourselves, each other and the world around us everyday.  I am so happy for each day.

Blogging is taking a backseat to these boys right now. 

It's all about family.
I just had to add this article link.  Never done this. The are numbers I need to focus on but number 10 I love and it feels good to read it. People who know me ask if I sleep, being lazy is one thing I am not!  Good things come to those who work for it (see photo above for proof!).
http://www.the-open-mind.com/ten-choices-you-will-regret-in-10-years/#3wd6bu6WH358jCh4.99

baby...moon!

 It was time to celebrate!

 A special book that used to be Mums!

 Sweet friends.

Sweet sisters!

 So lucky to have friend like these gals!

 Oh, how this picture melts my heart! My boys LOVE babies!  They crashed the party just to practice their baby holding techniques!  Soon it will be our new baby they get to hold! 

I think (Ok, I know!) my baby loving husband even won an award from those new Mama's who just loved him on the baby ward!

 The star of the show!

From baby shower to baby-moon!

We are off for ten glorious days of sun and fun.

Reboot, re-energize, re-love, re-live, re-connect, re-luckytobesohappy!



quick spelling game

 Supper was running late.

The ideas for fun are always fresh!

Big Brother has been reading up a storm and I thought it was time to do a little formal spelling too.

He journals after lunch each day but I focus on writing for enjoyment and let him use his own spellings mostly.  I thought formal spelling would be more into the Fall once he begins grade one but I am embracing his beautiful spongy mind and encouraging more. 

Shaving cream was  great opportunity for fun and spelling.

He has already told me he can't wait to spell more words on the table!

  (we did the ake word family because he LOVES snakes)

Ra Ra Raspberry!

 

The organic raspberries from my Aunty and Uncles farm are usually to great to freeze but it was a bumper crop last year and I did sneak a few bags in to jam and into the freezer before my family ate them up.

Little Brother and I passed by Starbucks and my eye caught a quick glimpse of a raspberry loaf.  Three hours later it was on my counter!

My Mr. had it in his lunch today and raved about it later when he got home from work.

 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, softened
• 1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1-1/2 cups 1-1/2cups(375 mL) (375 mL) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp (10 mL) grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
• 1/2 cup  (125 mL) buttermilk
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) lemon juice
• 2 cups (500 mL) frozen raspberries, thawed and drained

Preparation

In bowl, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy; beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Whisk together flour, lemon zest, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, making 3 additions of flour mixture and 2 of buttermilk. Stir in lemon juice.

Spread one-third of the batter in parchment paper–lined 8- x 4-inch (1.5 L) loaf pan. Arrange half of the raspberries over top. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining batter.

Bake in 350ºF (180ºC) oven until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack; let cool completely.

I like to slice up pieces and wrap individually for lunches, sharing and on the go.  Not a slice went to waste!

glow

 

The first picture makes me laugh. 

I was attempting to get quick picture of a new cook book I picked up at Costco that has a few good ideas for the baby shower I am co hosting.  The lighting on our hardwoods is great, way better than our black granite so I more often than not take advantage of the great light and photograph tons on the floor.

Something photo bombed my photo!

It was that sweet little baby we have yet to meet!

I'm still in my regular clothing but the zippers on my Lulu hoodies are getting snug :)  Time to up size the hoodies!

I feel super great and Dr. says baby is BIG!  Makes me feel like I'm doing a good job as a Mom already!

 

 

Have you read this book?

There are a few recipes that look yummy and we can't wait to try.

The photography is good too.

So much fun to cook with great tools, I have a super great set of pots.  Go titanium go!

Off to try a new recipe!

mini banana muffins with my mini muffin

He goes to school in the mornings.

We usually have piano practice or lesson and either bake or do an art project in the afternoons.

It is perfect.

He will go to school all day next year.  Eeeek.

My life at home is wonderful.  Working online is perfect, I can mark papers without doing my hair!

It is a great balance for me.

I will look forward to opportunities to work outside the home one day but why my boys are young I am thrilled to be able to spend so much time with them!

Warmer days are coming and more outside time means slightly less baking which is good for this Mom!

Spring is a great time to live in the glory of nature and all the new life it brings.

 

first day of spring art

 Set up was easy.  We actually had all we needed in the studio. Love that place. 

 Each artist chose his colours

 and shape

 and we began!

 (little brother was a quick study, he had Cheerios that needed to be ate! He puts down his brush so sweetly when he is done.)

The shapes will be removed.

A great project for combined skill levels!

The end result is a great way to talk about colour, shades, pattern, blending, line, space and depth.

Or you can just hang up the canvases and enjoy art made by your awesome kids and the great time you had!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

 
 
He woke up to a trail of gold!

Green milk!

And everybody wearing green!

His excitement has kept me smiling all morning.

It will be fun to see what tricks that sneaky leprechaun will be up to for the rest of the day! 

Today I feel so lucky for just being a Mom and having my boys to love.

We watched 12 Years a Slave over the weekend at the cabin.  I can't but help to hug my boys a little closer when I think of the pain of them being torn from me like the Mom character in the show.  It makes me think of how lucky/blessed/gifted I am to be able to be a Mom everyday.

 

 

a fresh breath of air

The weather and gloom were just too much for me this year. 

I needed a new, fresh breath of air and I didn't even realize how much I needed it until today! 
Little Brother and I dressed up in our rain boots and headed out for some fun.

I knew it would probably end with wet pants and water spilling out of our rubber boots but I got even more out of our afternoon of play than I expected.

As he splashed I splashed. We laughed.  We really laughed. I stopped caring about how dirty and the water splashing us was and started being thankful for being able to splash with this sweet little guy. 

He reminded me that you don't need anything but a good attitude to have fun. Real fun. Not fake fun. 

He reminded me that all he needs is love and attention, honest love and honest attention. 

He reminded me that the will not be two forever and someday he won't want to splash in a puddle and I will probably miss that.

He reminded me why I should leave the cell phone in my purse.

He reminded me of what true happiness is.

He reminded me it is not the destination, it is the journey.

A fresh breath of air. Just what I needed!