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!

some July!

Who can believe it's the middle of JULY already!? Sheesh. We've had such an incredible summer weather-wise; hot days, warm nights, long days by the pool... it's been amazing. We spent the hottest week of the summer (so far) at the cottage, where Grandma and Gramps had the cooling system down pat; window-unit AC on in the morning with blinds and curtains shut all day, and windows and fans on in the evening when the temperature started to drop. Steve slept out in the tent trailer with Hendrik, and it was cooler in the night (thought sometimes a bit loud thanks to the neighbours - but it was fine!). I think the hottest day read 37.5 C (99.5 F), but that doesn't take into account the humidity. It was HOT! We did our best to stay cool (pffffffff) with lots of time in the river and lake, cold afternoon beverages, and a balance of time spent indoors and out. Jordan was beyond excited to make the trip, and some highlights for him include fishing (he caught many a fish), skinny dipping (he proudly and loudly proclaimed "I'm skinny dipping!!!!" as he barrelled down the dock and off into the water), playing cards - War, with Grandma (Jordan rules), and lots of swimming. I imagine that highlights for Hendrik included the box of vintage Archie comics I brought up (thanks Marketplace), a trip to our favourite river island - and swimming there, and "doing nothing." (He forgot his backpack at home, so missed his eye cover, water bottle and a stack of books, but did not forget his new nerf gun.) Alana also was big into the fishing, loved swimming at the sand bar (they all did), and spent a lot of time making rainbow loom bracelets - everyone was decked out!

during the Crowe Cup awards ceremony - 3rd place (me and H) and champs! (A and Steve)

On our way home we stopped in Toronto to take in the Van Gogh immersive show, and it was impressive! Loud, but very beautiful. We wore masks, kept to our circles (illuminated on the floor) and stayed for almost 2 rounds of the show. It was a warm day, but the kids begrudgingly accompanied us to the CN tower. It was fairly empty in and around the plaza there, but with the tower closed and the aquarium open to mask-wearers only, I suppose it made sense. After the kids touched the tower, we grabbed some Italian ice cream treats from Longo's and had a curbside snack before hitting the road again. We've spent the last week or so staying close to home, spending lots of time in the pool! We met with an architect and with our contractor again, and it looks like - out of necessity - we're going to tackle a front porch reno first. Hopefully we'll be able to get the ball rolling on other jobs soon too; though Alana and Jordan have been great about sharing the largest of bedrooms, they would definitely prefer their own room (I think). 

I have more to write about but if I don't post this now who knows when it will happen! More cottage pics coming soon...

this afternoon, poolside

at the splashpad post blueberry pick... such a great cool down!

blueberry picking!

LOVE this photo. Alana and I went for a trail ride a few weeks ago and she loved it!

J with his new big boy bed. It was a bit of a saga figuring it all but he's out of the Ikea toddler bed... finally!