and she's three!

the birthday girl and her cake, finally! another Grandma B creation...

I can't believe we are FIVE days into September! We've had a few big days around here, the most notable of which was Alana's birthday earlier this week - our little girl is three years old! Looking back on earlier birthday blog posts, it's hard to believe we're already at the three year mark. She woke up asking for cake (of course she did), and asked for cake again for lunch and dinner, and was pleased as punch that she was having a party - just for her! Highlights were opening presents, playing pin the tail on the doggy, getting to eat icing off of a few pieces of a beautiful pink doggy birthday cake (her request, made by Grandma B), and having some of her favourite people in our back yard to celebrate with her (Grandma and Gramps were there, along with Aunt and Unc, Liz, Sandra, Sofia and her two girls Adriana and Chrysoula, Paul and Ahan and Bipasha, Maeve, Kari and Paul, and the rest of her immediate family). Steve did a great job on the BBQ feeding the crowd, and though rain threatened, those that were able to take the heat and humidity stayed outside for food and activities. Top presents include a doggy game that we haven't figured out yet - but there are six little plush doggies and she loves them!, a battery-powered bubble blower, a vintage Fisher Price purse (she was using the lipstick as a screwdriver this morning to fix handrails upstairs), little George (a cat stuffy), a Magna Doodle, and books (both kids are loving Tools Rule! and I'm especially into Black Cat White Cat). It was an amazing day, and here are her answers to the annual round of birthday questions:

What's your favourite animal? Emu and ostrich (I was sure she'd say doggy)
Favourite colour? Pink
Favourite food? Quesadillas (surprise!)
Who's your best friend? "these guys," she said, referring to little George and Chrissy dog (a plush doggy from Chrysoula and her sister).
Who's your best friend - person? "You!" (mommy)
What's your favourite place to go? The YMCA.
What's your favourite book? My Favorite Run

with her new vintage FP purse + contents

Her latest thing is giving me hugs ... all the time. In the car she'll ask for an "arm huggy" and at dinner she face plants into my lap to give me a hug - even in the middle of the night she wakes up and wants to give me a hug. I love it. I love it a bit less in the middle of the night, but it's still adorable.

And another latest thing that is starting on Tuesday is PRESCHOOL! The littlest one is also going to school, just down the street from Hendrik's elementary school. Hendrik and I also start school on Tuesday, so it will be one busy day; I'm hoping it'll be relatively stress-free, calm, and without incident. We've been talking about school with Hendrik for quite a while (we're even doing the sleeps countdown), and he seems excited to go back (though whether or not he realizes what going back to school is or means, we're not sure). We've had a few get togethers with some kids from his class, so at least there will be a few familiar faces. I have a list of things to get to, so should run... Happy September!

Greek Update #2

We are home! It was a trek, and we've been super busy since our arrival back in London - but I need to finish the Greek update posts, both to share with readers and so that we can remember the details of our trip. We had such an incredible time, and we can't wait for the next vacation which (luckily!) is happening in a month or so (Palm Springs here we come!). After that trip it might just be another five years before we escape again... We'll see! Here, Greek update #2:

Day 4 (Monday)
With very few days (and hours) in Patras during business hours, I knew I had to get up somewhat early - and early means 10:30 in this case, having gone to bed just before the sun came up (4:00? 5:00?) - to get some shopping in. I cruised the crowded pedestrian streets and made a few purchases (for the kids and for myself), and then met up with Steve; we made for Rio, a small beachy town just outside of Patras, for a swim and a coffee with a friend from the team Steve played on last year. After a refreshing dip in crystal clear waters, we met the Litwiniuks and Nik for an "early" dinner - which still turned out to be late, but it was all good; we went to a small town on the other side of Patras for yet another feast - the table was covered with plates and dished of food and drink, and though we left the table feeling pretty full, most of us saved room for dessert. Earlier in the day Steve and I stopped to buy sokolatopita (chocolate pie/chocolate cake), baklava, and portokalopita (orange cake/orange pie) to share with everyone. Back to the hotel we went where the adults (most of us) dove into dessert. We made it to bed by 3:00, which is one of the earliest nights of the entire trip; according to Steve, we were just trying to stave off jet lag. One thing I forgot to mention - the candles that we put in the car on Sunday night after the ceremony totally melted and warped in the car; it was too hot hot hot for them, and they left a few marks. Delivered after dinner to Constantina's mom's house, they were a sorry sight!

on the ferry over to Zakynthos

at Gerakas and Daphni beaches

Shipwreck beach and Blue Caves

Shipwreck, Agios Nikolaos, and Daphni Beach

Day 5 (Tuesday)
I found time on Tuesday morning to meet up with not one but two of my favourite friends from our time in Patras, and I wish we'd been able to see each other more in our 10 days there. I met Elly through our friends at the bakery across the street from where we lived last year, and it was so good to see her! We met towards the end of our time there but really connected - and it made me wish that somehow I'd met her sooner, maybe even the first time we lived in Greece! We went for coffee and she had her daughter Dimitra with her, and there were so many things to talk about! The hour flew by quickly and we both had to get going. I headed back to the hotel where I met up with Nantia, a friend I met at a yoga class at Body House Club, the gym I went to religiously (once upon a time I had time to work out). It's too bad there are so few blogs from our first year there - 2004-2005 was the first season I started blogging (from Patras!) which is a loooong time ago! Anyways, we picked up right where we left off, and we could have spent hours talking and laughing and joking, it was so so so so great. We hung out quite a bit last year, and the kids would have (I think) recognized her as well. Anyways, she didn't have a ton of time (work!), and Steve and I were on a schedule; we left by 1:00 to catch the 2:30 ferry from Killini to Zakynthos for a three day vacation at this ah-mazing hotel. The ferry ride was smooth but the loading and unloading process was total chaos; no lines, no safety gates, and no apparent order. But despite the fact that cars AND trucks either have to back on or turn around (on board) and squeeze themselves into small spaces prior to departure, there were no accidents and we were both very impressed by the fancy interiors (they put BC Ferries to shame). We felt like we were in a lounge, not a ferry. It cost us a total of 44 euros to get to the island (8 euros p/p and 28 euros for the car), and it was smooth sailing. With a bit of trouble we found our beautiful hotel and were blown away by the newly renovated rooms and premises. If you go to Zakynthos, stay here! The owner was such a nice guy (of course) and recommended his favourite beaches and restaurants. We didn't linger at the small hotel but made for Gerakas beach and then Daphni beach where we saw a baby loggerhead turtle crawl out of its nest and head for the sea. Many of the island's beaches are protected nesting areas of the turtles, and close at sunset. Areas are roped off so that nests and babes don't get inadvertently squished by tourists - and there were lots of people on-island with us: Greeks, Italians, French - but we didn't come across any other North Americans. It was a great day five!

baby loggerhead!

Day 6 (Wednesday)
This turned out to be the most touristy day of all - we took a boat tour to see the Blue Caves and the famous Shipwreck Beach, and we had to get an early start. We were up by 7:30 and on the road by 8:00, getting lost just a few times on our way north to Agios Nikolaos where we were to catch a boat. We had to wait a while before our departure, but finally got going on a wavy sea and joined a few other boatloads of people at what is apparently the most photographed beach in the world. It did seem like the most photographed beach in the world just while we were there; people were posing, selfie sticks were everywhere, and the people and cameras and posing was more of a spectacle than the beach - but it was really neat to see. Back at the Blue Caves we swam in some of the clearest ocean water I've ever seen. The whole trip took between two and three hours, and back at the port we planned to tour the north end of the island before cutting through the mountains on our way back to the hotel in Argassi. A highlight of the trip was a return to the Blue Caves from the shore; there are no pictures of this amazing stop (everything was bound to get wet, so we left all devices in the car), but it was one of our favourite places. There was a swimming platform and a diving plank at the bottom of LOTS of stairs, and we stayed for quite some time - swimming, getting too hot in the sun, and swimming again. Steve bought a snorkel and a mask and ventured into some caves, and we spotted fish and people fishing with spear things and of course there were boats and people coming and going. We toured the north end of the island, spying on the Shipwreck Beach from up above, and bought some village wine and oregano on the long way back to the hotel. After some snacks on the patio (hearties!), we decided on an Italian dinner and actually went to bed EARLY. It was early even for Canadian standards, before 10:00. 'Twas another memorable day!

from greece! (days 1 - 3)

We are in Greece! I'm writing from the top deck (top shelf!) of our incredible (and small - 7 rooms only) hotel in Argassis, Zakynthos where we are vacaying post-wedding for three days. The weather is amazing; there are way too many beaches to visit and the water is warm - warm warm in some places and cooler (but still lovely for swimming) in others, with different shades of blue and turquoise waters everywhere. Where to start? I've been writing brief outlines of each day in my planner so that we can remember what we did and when, so I might let the days guide me. Here, days one through three:

Day 1 (Friday)

Our departure from Toronto was uneventful - the kids didn't fuss or seem disappointed that we were leaving, and Steve and I found ourselves checked in and wandering the airport totally uprepared for a 12 hour journey of plane, train, bus and car: no snacks, no magazines, no movies. We did download the Air Canada Rouge app (minutes before we left the house) and ended up watching a few flicks on the plane - A Theory of Everything and A League of Their Own (which I hadn't watched in years - what a GREAT movie, and so aligned with my thoughts and intentions these days [women and girls in sport]). The flight was long (9+ hours) and we slept more on the train after we arrived. The train ends in a small town halfway between Athens and Patras (near our final destination of Kavasila), and from there we took the bus to Patras - upon which we met a very grumpy bus man who got very angry with me for eating onboard for which all the passengers around us got very angry with him for being so rude to me. Nik and Constantina met us at the bus stop in Patras, we had a coffee (of course) and took off for the village right away. There were wedding jobs to do and preparations for the two-nights-before-the-wedding party (happening that night at Nik's parent's place in the village) to be made; it was great to see the Mixalopoulos family - it was like we never left! We got a chance to steal Nik away from the jobs jobs jobs to hit the beach (Kourouta) for a swim and a cerveza before checking into a little room in the village next door (Andravida). We made our way back to the village for 9:00ish and met up wit several other Canadian wedding guests including the Litwiniuks (Steve's sister Erin's in-laws) and several Greek family members we'd met over the years. There was a TON of food, lots to drink - no surprises there - and dancing dancing dancing; we went to bed close to 1:30, well before the party ended after 5:00. Even though we arrived in Patra with just half the day ahead of us, we managed to make the most of it!

Day 2 (Saturday)

We had one of the longest sleeps in recent memory - near 11 and a half hours! I woke up and was shocked that it was 12:30 - but know now that time lost in the morning is made up for late at night - we weren't going to make it to bed before 3:00am for a few days. After a coffee and toast (a pressed ham and cheese sandwich) we picked Nik up (we've hijacked his car) and headed for Castro beach, where the sand is buttery and the water is downright clear and warm (/amazing). We swam and lounged and ate souvlaki (still full from the previos night's feast) and then visited the Litwiniuks at their hotel nearby. Our late afternoon routine was much like the day before: we dropped Nik off in the village and went to our hotel to shower before returning to the house to eat and drink. The greeks sang along to Nik's guitar, and there was some dancing before we took the party to the beach bars of Kourouta. We were home at 4:00 for the last village sleep - Day 3 took us to Patras and then south again, for a wedding ceremony on a hill looking over the south shores of Patras.

Day 3 (Sunday)

This was the first day we woke up to an alarm and things to do; the first order of business was to pick up the groom's suitcase and then do a Litwiniuk luggage run. Marianne, Larry, Todd, Ashton and Holly followed us up to what was once our home town, and we checked into a lovey hotel right in the centre of the city. With everything shut down (Sunday), Steve and I had to wander a bit before we found a lunch place - and we had our first (of many) pita/gyro. With another late late night looming, we scheduled an afternoon nap before our 6:30 rendez-vous with the Lits; they followed us just south of the city to a small chapel perched atop a hill - the view was incredible. Nik was there when we arrived (he was part of a convoy of cars that we stopped to follow for most of the way) and he mingled and chatted with guests until horns signalled the impending arrival of the bride. Constantina look beautiful - I loved her dress... and her relatives did something that must be traditional - singing and walking together to pass her to her future husband. The two of them went into the hot-as-an-oven and tiny-as-a-bun chapel to do their wedding thing (there was chanting and there were prayers and fans going like crazy to keep them cool), and they emerged to a barrage of rice thrown in their faces and stuck in their hair and clothing - married! We stayed to help with a bit of clean up and put two of the biggest candles we'd ever seen in the car and then stopped at a bouzoukia place that looked like a greek Vegas venue before heading to the reception. Neestled among olive trees in a large garden with lights hanging from trees and the open, starry sky above, we ate and ate and ate; there was more food than two or three Canadian weddings combined, and with the exception of one set of North American music (mostly oldies - that only four of us danced to while the Greeks watched), Greek music and dancing reigned supreme. We joined in here and there and by 4:00 we were ready (I was ready) to call it a night. It was an ah-mazing day!

More to come soon - here, a few pics! 

(Blogging on the balcony, wedding wedding and wedding!)

in short, with video!

It's safe to say that in the summer, blogging is not high on my to-do list - wait, let me rephrase; in the summer blogging is not high on the crossed off checked off done and done list of activities. Coaching, yes; kid stuff, yes; anything outdoors, yes; I've been all over the place and in the gym too much and in the city without kids too much to set aside time to write. We've had an awesome week in London, even though I was in Toronto for most of it. Steve sent me pictures on a daily basis of the kids at a blueberry farm (/amusement park - there were bouncy pillows, flying foxes, pedal cars, animals and more) or the kids at Storybook Gardens or hitting balls at the driving range after a round of mini-golf. I was half expecting the two of them to ask me to stay away upon my return last night! I was in Toronto coaching with a great crew of women, and got to enjoy the Toronto restaurant scene with some good friends after our daily coaching duties wrapped up. Whilst away I registered for school and amassed a decent list of things to do before school starts BUT... we leave for Greece in less than a week! And you better believe I am NOT taking anything that requires work or responsibility on our voyage - and that includes children. Steve and I are traveling solo, and it will be so so weird to not think of diapers or snacks - and no whininess? YAY! I will miss the kids quite a bit - having spent two weeks away from them in the last month, missing them is what's most on my mind. (I'll get over it.) We are heading to a ParapanAm sitting volleyball game tomorrow and then up to the cottage to meet up with the Brinkman-Tukker clan, and we are ALL looking forward to some good, quality time together before we take off. I'd better get packing - we're trying to get things done before the last minute, so as to not forget anything. Should I put the kids in the car now?

Q summer

These last two days have been quintessential summer: sunshine and warm weather and freezies and redfeathered faces beading with sweat and smiles; tanned kids flying high on long, chain-linked playground swings, bathing suits and splash pads, sun and long days - from morning to night full of outdoor activity and play. If I even start thinking about "too hot" the memories of winter freeze them out and away... I love the summer! We're back in London and it is so good to be home (we have a backyard - with grass and a trampoline and a mini pool and sports equipment galore!). I had a great time in BC, but missed the kids like crazy; I'd love to be involved in the program again, but might have to bring along a few mini- (and one maxi-) volleyballers. Speaking of mini-volleyballers, I set up a net in the back yard - salvaged from the university and carted home (on a bike), somehow stuffed between my backpack and hoodie (as if a sword) - and Hendrik is ready to play! He's also into tennis in the basement, with two mini-sticks nets beside each other as the net; and he smokes the ball - he has us dodging fastballs down there. Alana is busy following Hendrik's lead, and these long days spent outdoors have the kids ready for bed (or napping in the afternoon and not ready for bed) come evening, though there are nights when they are up way later than they should be (tonight). I have one more coaching gig (in Toronto) and then Steve and I are off to Greece for 10 days to celebrate a wedding and enjoy some time alone (yay!). This weekend we are staycationing: going camping in our backyard (I think), hitting the beach, and staying low-key (I hope). Long live summer!

some important people...

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Hello all! Here's an update from beautiful Whistler, BC, where I'm coaching and breathing volleyball with this year's edition of the Women's Youth National Volleyball team. With 40 athletes, 8 coaches, amazing accommodations (Whistler Athlete Centre - come and stay here!), and a whole lot of expertise, everyone has their hands full... but it's amazing. Between the ages of 15 and 17, these girls are our future senior national team athletes, and they have amazing careers in sport ahead of them - and it sure does bring me right back to my time as an athlete. And from from beginning to end, there are only a handful of people who really made me who I am, and I don't think I'd have had the experiences and opportunities I did or become the person I am without them. Here are some introductions and photos  (I've seen most of them - or will see most of them! - on this trip) - this trip is taking me on a walk down memory lane!

My Parents
Is this not the most obvious number one influence in my life? It is. My parents have always so supportive of everything I did, and gave me so many opportunities to be active. As a kid I did karate, synchronized swimming, swimming lessons, skating lessons, and tennis lessons; I was a brownie and a girl guide, and learned about teamwork and friendship. I played volleyball and basketball and club volleyball and on regional and provincial teams, and summers were full of sports camps and amazing vacations away from the gym. In the winter we went skiing and in the summer we camped and hiked and I joined the book club at the library, and somewhere somehow in there I grew a competitive edge that is still (really) as sharp as it's ever been. They've talked me through tough decisions and have always been there, rock solid. They are my #1.

Coaches  (Above: Shaun McGuinness and John McGowan)
There are two or three coaches who are and have been the next biggest influence in my life and career. Would I be where I am today without coaches? No. Would I have met Steve and have this amazing little posse of people with me in my life? No. These people taught me (and I learned!) the value of hard work, commitment and perseverance; they taught me to really believe in myself, to go after my dreams, and to put more time in in the gym. And they spent hours and hours and hours of their free time with me and my teammates helping us and/or helping me get better and stronger and more adept at my sport. If it weren't for these people, I wouldn't be where I am today.

every one of these ladies i met through sport - love them all!

teammmmmmates!

teammates!

Teammates
I have the best group of friends in the world, and I've met most of them (all of them?) through sport. I met my very best friend ever ever ever in grade 9 on a club volleyball team, and I've met people from all over the world through sport; my strongest, most supportive network of friends are former teammates. Having been through the ups and downs of learning and team dynamics, of successful and unsuccessful tryouts, of positive and negative experiences with coaches, systems, and teammates, and through maximum effort of the heart body mind spirit in the gym and on the court, we speak the same language. We supported each other then and we support each other now, and these connections and lifelines will last forever.

Yay for sport and for all of those that support young (and old!) dreamers along the way - and a huge thank you to those that continue to support and inspire!

Back in BC!

Being back in BC feels like being back at home - though I'm missing a few key ingredients (named Steve and Hendrik and Alana). I flew in on Tuesday afternoon and am coaching at the Olympic Oval in Richmond until Sunday; the I head up to Whistler with 40 of the best 16 and 17 year olds in the country to train and have fun and play a few red and white matches. I'm really looking forward to getting to the hands-on coaching aspect of the job as we've spent most of our time so far in the identification phase, watching athletes compete in the NTCC tournament. I am also really looking forward to the drive up there - through West Van and Squamish. It sure was strange arriving here and not heading straight home through Stanley Park and over the Lions Gate bridge with my dad behind the wheel, but I'll get to see my parents in Whistler (and I can't wait!). It's been great seeing coaches and friends here in Richmond, and I've caught up with lots of volleyball friends (and met new ones) - but I'll fill you in on that later. My body is still on Ontario time and after a 12 hour plus day in the gym, I am tired! Bed. Soon. More to come blogside soon!!

briefly...

We've had a few wonderful days here in Bowmanville with Auntie Erin and Lennon and Grandma and Gramps - the whole crew is almost here! Erin went to pick up Fred, and come tonight the Brinkman clan will be complete. The kids may be the most Bowmanville-loving citizens you'll ever find, and we've been out and about around town already: berry picking and play at Watson's Farm, splash padding and playgrounding down by the lake, and lots of treats and good times here at the house. They're ready to go outside as soon as breakfast is over and are back out after dinner - it is great being able to spend so much time outside. I sure am going to miss them on my upcoming 12-day trip to BC, but the opportunity to coach the best 16 year-olds in the country isn't something I could pass up. I'll join a small crew of coaches from across the country to select and train the youth national team (volleyball) out of the upcoming NTCC tournament in Richmond BC - and from there we'll head up to Whistler where the group will train and play red and white matches. I'll get to see my parents while I'm out there - and any other friends that feel like driving out to Richmond or up to Whistler! I would love to find time for the kids to come out and for all of us to get over to Thetis for a few weeks, but hopefully we can plan a big trip out west next summer.

cousins!

berry picking at watson's farm

summer!

from canada day - teepee peek out!

That's all I've got for tonight - after a long bike ride, a run, and another full day with kids, I'm ready to relax!

summer!

So far on this warm and sunny Sunday, I have accomplished two of my three goals for the day - thought up on the spot this morning: I have vacuumed and I have returned a pile of library books... but that is not all! I also bought a tennis racket at a garage sale (though one tennis racket doesn't do anyone much good, but for $5 it's a start), took the kids swimming, went to Costco and did laundry. My last goal of the day is to go running, but it's a hot 26 degrees out so I may just wait until the sun starts setting.

I've read a few books this week, and stayed up way too late doing so. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian (good, and a quick read!) and The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (another good one, though not a quick read) monopolized my evenings and compromised any early morning activities - i.e. the never before done before breakfast workouts that  may be the secret to getting runs and workouts in. I AM GOING TO GO for a run this evening though - I must! Other things on the agenda for the day include making a raspberry cake and maybe even sewing some curtains. Kapow! We'll see.

Steve and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary (and 14 years together!) last night by battling a few mosquitos on our deck whilst enjoying a caipirinha, thanks to Shanti's booze run straight from Belo Horizonte Brazil via Palm Springs to London Ontario. And we celebrated Canada Day at a park here in town where the kids clambered on military vehicles and boats and ate ice cream and waved little paper flags around. We managed to get a bit of a rest in before we headed to a friend's house for a BBQ - after which we were all tuckered out from the non-stop events of the day. And with summer vacation in full swing, we've also made the trip out to Port Stanley (the kids LOVED the beach), visited a strawberry farm, and enjoyed more than a few bike rides and local park visits. We're heading to Storybook Gardens tomorrow, and want to make it down to a park in St. Thomas before we visit Steve's family in Bowmanville for a mini-vacation. We are loving this warm summer weather and having a back yard with grass, a kiddie pool and a trampoline means that even when there isn't much to do... there is. Yay for summer!

Thetis Island, 2009

chairs and chips, in the pool

summer bounty!

Canada Day cuddles - I LOVE it when they're nice to each other!

ice cream makes any day a good one!

Port Stanley 

visit!

This was the best London weekend ever! My sisters Karin and Claire were here this weekend with adorable Erik along as well, and we had such a great time together; how amazing it would be to all live in the same city (or town or province or locale)?! They've set up shop in Denver, so it's a bit of a major trip, and we're so glad they made the trek up here to see us, our new place, and get the cousins together. Erik wasn't keen on leaving this afternoon and we weren't either - but hopefully we can plan a visit to Colorado in the near future. This means that we need to start making plans! There are just so many places to visit; we would love to be out west on Thetis and visit family in Calgary and check out all things dinosaur in Alberta - le planning phase must begin (and our summers will be booked for the next 5 years).

Alana and Erik were two peas in a pod - we are all wishing they lived around the corner!

sibs!

cousins :)

Unfortunately it rained all weekend, and the horrible weather kept our options somewhat limited. That being said, we did get in good afternoon at Gibbons Park on Friday - and then it was mostly indoor time at the YMCA and our place, but a trip to the Goodwill bookstore (where we scored some stellar finds) and Winners (we were desperate for new glasses) and Farm Boy (ingredients for tortilla soup and quesadillas, prepped by Karin and Claire) and Bulk Barn (candy!) had us out and about.

We are now attempting to be organized and make some plans for the next few weeks here in London before we take a mini-trip to Bowmanville and beyond. The sunny-day-list includes: mini-golfing, visiting Storybook Gardens, going for bike rides, visiting new parks, visiting a farm or stable, going berry picking, flying Hendrik's new super duper turbo airplane launcher, and playing baseball. The indoor activity list is: visit the children's museum, go to the YMCA, go to the library... and that's about all we came up with.

I have three books upstairs and another on hold at the library, so I'd better get reading. Oh! And I have a paper to finish. Hopefully I can get to that this week and hand it in - but in all likelihood, it won't be the end of it, as I could keep working on my project (and my website) and possibly take it to another conference. For now - I'll see if I can get to the zillion other things on my list...

artiste!

LOVE this family shot :)

our other artiste

Hendrik and Erik talking dinosaurs (I think)

More photos to come...

bullet-post...

they like each other! today on a walk in Fanshawe Park Conservation Area  

Today, I love my kids the most when they are sleeping - which is right now. There were more than a few meltdowns today, so I am ready for some no-kid time; five hours of sleep (my fault - I went out last night) and kids up and ready to go go go (go go go go) at 7:00 am and the aforementioned meltdowns mean that I am one tired/drained maman. What's been going on this week? Bullets:

• I turned 37! Crazy. I have said this more than a few times in the last two weeks, but I still feel like a 16 year old volleyball player at heart. Maybe 18 - but not 37! I had an awesome day full of good food, my amazing family and some friends.
• I went out last night - and I was kind of shocked to see so many people my age and older at the bar; drinking, dancing, crowds, late nights and early mornings - how do people do it? Getting together with my friends was amazing, but the early morning and long day was less so - this isn't something I think I could do on a regular basis. 
• We set up the trampoline! The kids LOVE IT -  and Steve and I have become referees. We laid down the law pretty clearly on day one (yesterday), and so far so good. We had a similar sized tramp when I was little (it might be six feet in diameter - Canadian Tire special), and then graduated to the standard big big size. As kids we were out there all the time, and I have two questions: how did people have trampolines without the safety netting - how was this allowed?! Secondly, do parents get trampolines for their children so they will sleep at night? We are going on two record early bedtimes here, and it might just have something to do with all of the jumping...
• My best friend's sister and good friend Alexis came down from Toronto to visit for a few days last week and it was so so good to have her here. We ate lots (and lots) of good food (on my birthday we had baklava and cupcakes and fancy cakes - there was NO shortage of sugar!). Alexis visited us when we lived in Tenerife and we reminded each other of leche leches, a delicious coffee drink with sweetened condensed milk, espresso and regular milk - so we had that too. YUM! Yay for good friends and good food.

making bougatsa

• I've been thinking about finding a dress for upcoming summer weddings, and lo and behold I found one... IN MY CLOSET. I bought it at The Bay a few years ago for $30 - it was ridiculously marked down - and have maybe worn it once. Hurray! New-ish dress, no shopping required.

On the horizon:

• My sisters come on Thursday for a few days and I can't wait to see them! I also can't wait to show them our neighbourhood, have the kids meet each other again, and to do some fun summer activities (of which there are no shortage here - love it!). 
• This is the last week of school for Hendrik, so we have a small to-do list to get ready for goodbyes. We also have to start some planning for the next few weeks - day trips, camping (maybe), berry picking, festivals; like I said, we have options!
• I am getting back to business with my schoolwork tomorrow, and hope to be close to finishing my course by the time my sisters get here. (If not, I need to need to need to get back to evening work time.) In any case, I need to work away and get it done - and then I can hand the summer over to family and coaching!
• Cleaning. Tidying. Purging toys. Sewing! Reading. Working out. Signing up for a race. Sleeping. 

That's all folks - Happy Solstice!

H's first baseball card :) adorable!

happy birthday!

in the trampoline box outside

conversation 2015 +

I have just spent the last four days totally immersed in the topic of women and sport in Canada, and it's been amazing. Mostly. There are some serious humdrum doldrum statistics on girls and physical activity, women in coaching, women in positions of leadership and decision-making and more, but this conference (The 2015 Conversation on Women in Sport) was so innovative - at least to me! - in it's structure and format that every delegate left with at least one thing that he or she has promised to take action on.

Day one (or night one I suppose) began with a big welcome and speeches from Hayley Wickenheiser, and Chantal Petticlerc, both of which were riveting and inspirational. Day two was presentation day, and after a brief meeting with our group we were ready to go; my 8 minute portion of the presentation on Girls' participation in sport went well, though I'd make a few changes now with that 20/20 hindsight thing that I have going on. I moved over to the women in coaching stream in the afternoon, and that's where I stayed for the remainder of the conference. Thursday saw some brainstorming and problem solving, and on Friday delegates made commitments to make change happen! Hurray. My two resolutions are to 1) join a board and 2) write a plan to get more elite athletes into coaching.

I met some fabulous people from all over the country and was lucky enough to collaborate with some real experts in the field - and I'm teaming up with women from other sports (rowing, beach volleyball) to get some mini projects off the ground (I hope). We were reminded a few times by Marion Lay of Margaret Mead's words: "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has." Yes!

And now I'm on my way home - mega yes! I'm so excited to see the kids, and I have to say that train travel is really quite lovely. It's been a planes, trains and automobiles kind of journey from Quebec City to Toronto to London. As we (airplane passengers) were shuttled off on a Porter bus from the airport to the city centre, streams of naked riders rolled on by, prompting laughter and photos aplenty; apparently the World Naked Bike Ride ("put the fun between your legs" and "more ass less gas" are among the slogans of choice - !!!) is an annual thing, and there just might be an event in your city... you'll just have to (or not!) wait another year to partake.

On a completely different note, there was a Canadian Sport Film festival last weekend in Toronto that had some interesting films - one of which is about a master's basketball tourney held annually somewhere south of the border. Wouldn't it be fun to play forever? I hope I can and I hope I do.



To cap things off here I just want to say a big thanks to Steve for supporting me in going to this amazing conference, and to my mom and dad for giving me the ideas  - of equity for girls in sport, of the equal abilities and the need for equal opportunities for girls in anything and everything they may choose to do - by living them.

donuts!

So, this past Friday was National Donut Day (read about it - it's interesting!), and I didn't even eat a donut. Not one! Okay, so Canada may not have the official donut day permanently etched into it's list of national holidays, but in my world this is one special event not to be missed. Any way I can make up for it? I think so - but I haven't heard of a genuine, real-deal donut shop here in Forest City, so I might just have to open up my donut cookbook and make some of my own. It's been a while since I've had a good donut - think there are any winners in Quebec City? I am on my way there on Tuesday to attend the 2015 Conversation on Women in Sport conference, and though I'll miss the kids (and Steve) it should be a good trip. Hopefully I'll manage to get some schoolwork done while I'm there, and if I could fit in a bit of shopping, find a donut shop, get a few workouts in and meet some new people, I will be happy! 

Alana  Professor Inkling

We've had a great weekend so far with Steve's mom and dad here visiting - the kids love having them here. And of course we do too - good company, help with the kids, sharing great meals... it's all good! We had a few friends over last night for fajitas and volleyball (watching); World League was on, and everyone had fun eating dinner in front of the TV. I fit in a bike ride with a friend this morning (it was aaaawesome), got together with some library friends last night (also awesome) and feel like going to be in the next hour (it's 7:59). I know - with how well I stick to the "going to bed early" resolve - that it won't happen, but at least there's nothing planned for tonight. With Marg here, I might pull out my new sewing machine (early birthday present) - to get a pro's take on things. 

today, picking maple keys out of the gutter

I was going to list all of the tabs I have open, but there are way too many, and the couch calls. Hope everyone is enjoying June!

Steve and former teammate Chris Wolfenden - reunited in Strathroy. It was great seeing him - we miss our friends from volleyball, who are now all over the place...