mid-June update

Again, I've left this way too long! The blogging. It's been on my list for at least a week - and I really thought I was going to get to it last week buuuuuuut I didn't. The days are so so full and the kids don't fall asleep until way too late most nights because we're out and about and busy all day (which for some inexplicable reason does NOT help them fall sleep any earlier). So anyways! Here it is. First - happy father's day to the fathers!!! I am so thankful for my dad and all that he did and continues to do for our family (I think about you all the time Dad), incredibly thankful for my husband's father for all he continues to do for his/our family and of course to Steve - !! None of this I can only blog once a month business would be possible without him. He's such a great father to our kids - and we all love him like crazy. I could go on, of course, but I won't.

Another thing we loved like crazy? Our solo trip to Palm Springs last weekend - !! On account of our 10th wedding anniversary coming up (and my birthday this week), we decided to jump the family ship for a few days and enjoy some sun and free time and friend time and afternoon margaritas and NO COOKING. Steve golfed and I hung out with Shanti and another Heather and we swam and explored a bit and just chilled... it was incredible. We arrived in Toronto late Sunday night and I made for London while Steve's dad picked him up to rendez-vous with the kids for a Monday afternoon drive home. It really was great to see them after work, and now it's like we were never gone! We spent lots of time outside today - a trip to Heeman's for strawberries, afternoon baseball at the park, and then basketball in the driveway after dinner. I was on my way to Costco this afternoon when I spotted a decent looking basketball hoop lying curb-side ("How close to the curb exactly?" Steve wanted to know), so I whipped a u-turn, parked in a friend's driveway and proceeded to awkwardly roll the heavy thing a few blocks home. What a hit! The kids fought over basketballs for at least 20 minutes before the two younger ones decided on back yard trampoline volleyball with mom. (This involves kids on the trampoline vs adult on the ground - we have much more ground to cover. The best part about trampoline volleyball is Hendrik and Alana's handshake - I think it's on film somewhere and it shows them getting along and having fun together... the best!)

Other big news - we are moving! We bought a house a block away from ours and sold this one while we were in Palm Springs. This home that we're moving into in mid-August is twice the size of ours, and the lot is twice as big too. It's old (built in 1904), has a huge wraparound porch, high ceilings, and original finishes (like the dishwasher - there isn't one!). I have been so emotional about selling and moving, mostly because of our neighbours - I don't want to leave them! Sandra and Bruce and Liz are as close to in-town family as we have, and we love them and the kids love them. When I explain this to people they confirm that we are only moving a block away and really, that's the saving grace. We're still so close! Phew. And we'll have a pool so hopefully they'll want to come over. A pool! I have so much more to write about this (how we got this house - it never would have happened if it had hit the market), how I really feel about the pool, what is on our to-do list, and much more. However, it's getting late and I need to get ready for a busy Monday SO... hopefully I'll get to it before the middle of July. Happy summer everyone, it's almost here!