January Updates

I made a goal for myself last weekend to blog - and here I am getting to it one week late! I did accomplish my other two list items last weekend: exercise and vacuum. What a life! Oh well. I have to admit that these are my goals this weekend too (!!), though I could add much more to the list - we have had quite the weekend! We had a bake-a-thon yesterday, making chocolate chip cookies, lemon sugar cookies and cinnamon buns (which we had for breakfast this morning - with crepes!); as my mom would say, oink oink! (😋) And, after a walk in the woods on Friday afternoon we were inspired to take the kids back to Weldon Park's small tobogganing hill with their skis, and it was a major success. Hendrik and Alana did a great job and they had so much fun! Steve heard Alana say something like "I knew it would be fun but I didn't think it would be THIS much fun" - and the hill is teeny tiny! They're going to love hitting the slopes if and when they open up. It had me dreaming of a family ski vacation one day... sigh. The line of the day was Alana, on one of her last "runs" saying, "Look, and mom, we don't even need you anymore!" It was great. That is, I suppose, an accurate summary of learning. 

I feel like I should write about the catastrophe of our first click and collect order, at none other than the LCBO. For real! After Friday afternoon's walk we stopped to pick up our order, which took 45 minutes... how convenient! Seriously. There was some issue with payment not going through and so after a few trips in to see what the deal was (I waited in the car with the kids), several rounds of I Spy and 20 Questions and multiple where-are-we why-are-we-here queries, the I'm hungry and I'm colds started - and the car wouldn't start. The battery has been on the fritz for a while, but what timing! A nice employee from the store gave us a boost, and we made it home with our order (this makes the trip a success?). It seems like a very convenient thing to do (click and collect) and I think we will probably try again... hopefully everything is smooth and steady for round two. 

family hockey in the church parking lot across the street :)

The only social time H has had independent of the fam... park meet-up pre-stay at home order

Okay, and the teaching and learning from home - how's it going? It's going. I've been teaching full time four days a week for the last three weeks, and have one more week of this job before I start full time at a different school. Hendrik and Alana have, for the most part, been great about staying on top of their work and class meets etc., and are relatively good at working independently. Jordan was at his school for the first half of January, but is now home full time too... we're all home! All. The. Time. It's busy and there isn't much prep time, but there are some pros for sure. It's great spending more time with the kids (playing hockey in the driveway at recess, going for walks together on breaks), I like not having to pack lunches, and I can wear my slippers all day (and I don't have to teach through a mask and face shield!!!). I do have to field the regular demands and questions all day, and that's a drawback - but with both of us home, at least we can share some of that responsibility. It would be a lot for just one parent! Blah. The kids don't seem to mind it, but they miss their friends. 

Okay, I'd better get this posted ...  Hope everyone is doing well in this ongoing pandemic!

The last post of 2020!

What a paltry year of posting! Every time I do (actually) post something on here, I think - see! I did it! I can do it again sooner rather than later; I can find time. And I suppose that I could. But I don't. What a challenge it is to fit it all in and not feel overwhelmed (because really, there's no such thing as fitting it all in - things always get left out!). I'm hoping that I can get in a better routine in 2021 for things that are important to me - exercise especially. With time off for Christmas break ("time off" at home with three kids) we have found time to connect with some friends, connect more with family, and I have bundled up and been out running a few times. Hopefully these trends can continue!

Christmas dinnnnnnnner!

Steve made this ping pong table - another great thing to do chez nous

it snowed on Christmas Eve - so fun!

reading new books...

and reading more new books

Steve made me a blanket ladder for Christmas - I love it!

And I suppose the countdown to break has to be swapped soon for a countdown to back to school... and back to routines. There's good and bad that comes with this, I guess, but for now we'll enjoy tomorrow's countdown before the other one (back to reality - I need to do some work!). We don't have much planned for tomorrow yet, but both big kids want to stay up until midnight (does this mean I have to too?), so we'll have snacks and play games after an earlier version of NYE for Jordan's sake. We had a great Christmas, despite having to forego our annual trip to Bowmanville. The kids were happy to wake up in their own beds and open stockings and presents here at home. They were sad that they didn't get to see Grandma and Gramps or eat dinner at Aunt and Unc's house, but we did our best to replicate the meal. We didn't do a turkey (should have) but had ham instead - everyone eats it! There were all of the sides and the staple-most-delicious dessert too: sticky toffee pudding cake. We have leftovers waiting for me us in the freezer.... yum. 

cookies!

cookies cookies cookies

a pre-lockdown outdoor get-together... so good to see each other!

We got a few skates in before lockdown 

Jordan is almost skating on his own, hurray!

And I never posted about Hendrik's birthday! He had an outdoor party with some friends which was amazing since kids weren't / aren't getting together much at all outside of school time. The boys (and Steve) met at the park (Doidge) where they ran around and played some games before coming back here for some backyard pizza and cupcakes (and trampoline and presents). He had a great time and it was so nice to see him with a group of friends... yay! We're doing virtual school for the first week back (January 4-8) which should be interesting given the fact that I'm supposed to be doing some synchronous teaching while the kids learn synchronously and asynchronously from 9-3:30. Ha! We'll see... Okay, here are some photos - see you in 2021!! 

backyard party!

one month late!

I never posted after Halloween! Here are some photos - the kids had the best time. I'm so glad that we went out (despite COVID) - it was one of the more memorable Halloweens for several reasons: we walked around as a family, and despite some groans from Hendrik, we had a great time together! The creativity in candy delivery was incredible, and fun too. There were candy chutes, decorated candy shoots (our neighbours around the corner fashioned a dragon with the candy spewing out of its mouth), candy trees and lines, tables, claws and grabbers and lacrosse sticks - all delivering candy! We were also not out for as long as we usually are, so the kids weren't as candy obsessed (I don't think - bonus) and we were home before it was outrageously late.

And, as usual, time is flying. I only have three weeks left in my job (I'm covering a mat leave) so am on the hunt for something new to start in January (fingers crossed). Alana has been doing soccer and loving it, and Hendrik's ball hockey wrapped up a few weeks ago. We have him signed up for an indoor league that starts soon, and this year (finally!) we decided to go for it and sign the big kids up for skiing. (We need to find something for Jordan!) I think the lessons filled up pretty quickly, but were able to snag a few spots - used equipment too - before the mad mad rush. And the weather has been amazing! It has been so nice to feel like we've had an extended fall, even though there have been a few snows. We're having most of the front porch replaced, and it looks amazing! Most of the floor is new, several pillars have new bases, and some spindles and railings have been replaced (thanks to Steve's dad for turning!). ALSO... it's Hendrik's birthday today, so I'd better get going and bake a cake. It's almost time to open presents too! Exciting. We have a 10-year old! I'll have to look back on his birthday posts, and find some photos of Steve and I when we were his age...

October update

 

From the look of the leaves on the trees, this photo was taken closer to my last post - the green has given way to shades of yellow, orange and red, and thanks to the storm that just passed through, the ground outside our house is wet and colourful. We've reluctantly accepted that summer is over and fall is here, though like spring, this season is usually a short one. Last weekend I swapped all of the summer clothes for winter ones, and did the requisite size checks of boots (and, yesterday, skates). I should also check jackets and snow pants, but I'm pretty sure I had a few "too big" sizes stocked up, and with all of the snowsuits from the two big kids, one must fit Jordan (right? I hope!). 

We've been trying to get out to do a walk in the woods every weekend, and even though the kids whine and complain about going, they LOVE it when we're there. Jordan is a walking (running) machine, and barrels ahead of everything up and down the little hills at Warbler Woods (above). We've had a pretty good Saturday routine which has consisted of ball hockey (Hendrik is playing and a teammate/friend of his has a younger sister that Alana is friends with - they run around in the grass, with Jordan too), library visits (and hauls), and sometimes a trip to the thrift store. I hope we can fit it all in tomorrow - there is enough on the list around here too! Work has been good, and I'm still (somehow) managing to do most of my work at work - yay. The kids are doing well at school too, and seem happy with their friends and teachers and work - yay again! Steve has been busy around here with painting (the porch) and doing outdoor jobs like closing the pool. He spends his afternoons with Jordan, so depending on the weather they do jobs around the house, head out to the park, or do crafts. :) 

We were sad to not make it to Bowmanville for Thanksgiving this year, but celebrated with not one but two big dinners here at home. We did a turkey on Sunday and a ham on Monday which meant that most people got to eat something they liked. Everyone loved the ham, and I love all of the leftovers! We did our best to walk off the turkey on Monday afternoon (below) and will hopefully make it out again this weekend before it really starts to cool off. I keep thinking about doing another 15-minute post - I did this a few times years ago, where I take a photo every 15 minutes all day long, to highlight what life is like - but need to commit to it! I think for now I'll hope to get some exercise in instead, as that's been a challenge with the cooler weather and full daytime schedule. With at least one kid waking me up in the night several times a week (annoy), I can't do early mornings (it's not just their fault - I love having some time to myself with Steve after they've gone to bed, and sometimes stay up later than I should). I better get this posted before it gets too late... happy October readers!!

morning oatmeal and his octopus stuffy

Short and sweet on a Thursday

excited for school! (H does a good job pretending - not a fan of photos!)

Since I blog so infrequently, I could probably start every post with the same "I can't believe it's already almost fill in the blank!" We're in week two of a new routine, and everyone is doing well. The kids seem to like their teachers and have been able to settle in nicely to earlier mornings and full days at school, and still have energy when the bell rings and after dinner. To be honest, we're enjoying the routine too - and not missing the rushing around and fitting everything in that comes with all of the extracurriculars. Hendrik is doing ball hockey (outdoors) but there aren't many other outside options for sports, so the younger siblings are without after school and weekend activities. They are spending lots of time in the pool - it's still open! - though that's on the ropes. Fall is here and cooler weather is coming... waaaahhhh! And my job! The job is going well, and even though there's still lots for me to figure out, I'm feeling comfortable and happy with how things are going. Fitting it all in is still a challenge, so I'll keep this short. Enjoy the photos!

August overview

There are so many things to write about! Have I started every post this way? Possibly. I'll just cut to the chase while I can (the kids are occupied) and start with the most fabulous day we had yesterday. Well, actually, I won't. About a month ago, we spent a night in a very rustic log cabin on a massive property called Otter River Farms. I think I'd searched for unusual accommodations or something and found this place; there are five or six bare bones cabins (no plumbing, no electricity) and a few campsites, and guests have the run (ish) of the property. We went fishing in a small pond, swam at the fishing hole, and battled bugs around the campfire - all before turning in in the one-room abode. I only booked one night because I was afraid the sleeping situation would be atrocious, but it was fine! And that's thanks to the several hours we spent at the beach. Longer story short, since the kids had so much fun in the surf at Port Burwell, Steve found a wave tracker app and we went back for more yesterday morning... and then were chased away by hurricane warnings and torrential rain. Ha! It was so much fun - the beach and surfing part. The kids slept well after the first body surfing session, and then slept well again last night.

We are enjoying our last days of summer vacation as a family - I have to (/get to) go to work on Tuesday! I found myself a temporary job teaching French at a school in the south end, and, well, I'm back and forth between excited and ... hm... nervous? I'm not sure what it is BUT - I like to be prepared and right now there is SO much up in the air that I might not be as prepared as I'd like to be. However! School has been pushed back one week, so with students starting on the 14th and teachers starting on the 1st, there might be enough time to feel somewhat prepared (I'm hoping). 

We spent another week at the cottage (the week before last) and it was the best week of the summer for me. On multiple occasions the kids played together - and solved their own problems - for hours. This never happens! It was glorious. We were in good company, had great food, and enjoyed a rare day trip to a gem of a spot called Callaghan's Rapids (pics below). 

We are having our front porch replaced, and to cut down on costs Steve is doing some of the work. He will spend many an hour up in the attic where wood is piled up in the painted or to-be-painted pile. We found a contractor that we really like and with his help are trying to figure out the best way to tackle the many things that need to done around here. We'd love to start with the top floor, but the dilapidated porch took priority. Some masonry work needs to be done too, but we are still hoping to get the ball rolling with the master suit upstairs. Jordan and Alana are still sharing a very large bedroom, but we want them to have their own spaces - and sooner rather than later. All in good time I suppose! The housing market here is just crazy right now, and while we're confident that we're making a great investment in our home, the list is somewhat intimidating. One step at a time! I hear Dory: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."

(Marlin looks how I often feel...)

I'll leave it at that. Until next time!