Family walk

My DH had taken the initiative several years ago to start what he calls "family walk" most nights after supper.  What a great idea!  So for several years this has gone on, with varied success, and it has evolved in to a daddy walk while mommy showers or has a quiet minute. Sometimes mommy takes everyone out for a walk if daddy can't make it home.

I am sure we will have many pics of the kids on this walk, with various family and neighbourhood friends or guests joining in, as the tradition has also grown to include the multiple children who happen to be outside playing when we leave.

Here are a few fun shots from this week.

Star Wars mania...

It was a huge surprise and a highlight of the weekend that the Star Wars characters 

came to the Greenbelt church BBQ night.

Ian actually tackled this guy and tried to beat him up.

Easy evenings at the park

Relaxing out on the court is such a normal part of our daily routine that 

I sometimes forget how important the simple time being nearby, 

listening to kids play, and nodding or chatting with neighbours can be.

This swing set is filled with my amazing children everyday.  

Jerbo is mastering the launching kick dismount.

Dotty can completely get her own swing moving without a single push

and she is even able to stand and swing like a monkey without fear.

And Mister, well, still needing lots of pushes but I have ramped up the

educational factor as we count swings and learn songs.

We had a special treat visiting some neighbours tonight which

started and ended with some water hose fun.

Ian was star of this show for sure.

Alone...first time in way too long

Many thanks to some kind friends who just happen to love

my kids and enjoy their company in small doses.

I was given the chance to have almost 2 hours of solitude.

Not a moment wasted though, as I ran directly to the garden 

to spend some time weeding and tying up the tomato plants.

It's my first time trying to use dowels and ties instead of 

cages for my tomatoes.  Or along side of cages, 

since I do still have some being used.

I am hoping the effort and cost isn't wasted.

I am getting lots of nods of approval

from fellow gardeners who long ago abandoned the

weak cages my tomato plants usually have to manage in.

The zucchini are thriving and I am sure we will

have plenty of yummy breads to eat soon.  Not many other

zucchini recipes really delight me like a loaf of zucchini bread.

The onions are doing well, and I hope soon we will also be seeing

the red onions in nearby.  That might take another childless day to make happen.

This is one of 6 rows of beans.  Yes, 6.  But they are by far my

favourite seasonal veg for a quick snack at the garden.

Corn is on the rise.  Nothing glorious but by far the best I have ever attempted.

I am really enjoying the garden this year.

It's been a long time building up knowledge and 

my children's tolerance for the task.  But it seems I have 

made some right choices and have learned better how to manage

the weeds and work.  

The almost best part was being able to come home and 

have a shower before... BEFORE... I had to go get the kids.  

I may have had a sitter before, but showering in 

complete privacy during the day is unheard of.  

Writing my TO DO list at the end of the day doesn't quite count.

I sometimes think if I list out all I've done in one busy day, it will give me some sense of additional accomplishment.  As though if someone read the list and were impressed or shocked or amazed it would have made the doing more significant.  Except, there isn't much impressive about my to do list or my completed list.  I just work really hard at the hundreds of little and big things that come my way all day long. 

It can feel pretty hectic

But I am getting much better at paring down to the really important stuff.

I found these 2 printable to do lists that I think I like and might try.

I also found this summer fun list of things to do in 2012.  

I'm a little late but I think all the ideas still fit so maybe this one will go on the fridge as well.

I'll make it a goal to do one thing per day instead of just the work things on

My other TO DO lists.

Wanna join me, us? In doing any of the things on the list?

Just comment below and consider it a plan.

I'll be coming back to this park soon.

Before the storm hit I decided to get the kids out for some sunshine with friends.  It was an easy decision of who, Dotty and Jerbo have been enjoying the Kwapisz kids so much lately we knew who to call first.  Sadly, their mom wasn't feeling well, but it gave me a chance to let her have a break and find a new park.  Which, I LOVE!  

This little angel was flying.

Mister was being his busy self and keeping me on my toes.

These 2 buddies have grown up a lot and don't 

need much supervision from me.  Maybe some advice on 

when and if going to the bathroom at the park is a good idea, 

But for the most part they were on their own.

This mini garbage truck was caught in the sand when we arrived.

Once the Big men in the back dragged it out

our Little men came in for a closer look.  

There was a shady trail off the main park which followed a creek

which is the first place the kids want to run to when we come back.

Car story

After an eye opening and stressful car accident we were 

unsure of how to proceed with the car repair.  

This damage and the various estimates for repair

left us thinking we had no choice but to replace the entire bumper.

but to our amazement and great appreciation my Uncle Kent

was able to make a simple repair that has more than satisfied 

our esthetic needs and has kept us away from a costly and 

unnecessary replacement. 

Thank you Uncle Kent and Aunty Lynn for your visit, 

your love and your help.  

Weekend fun with Lynn and Kent

We are enjoying having aunty Lynn and uncle Kent here visiting this weekend.  Dotty and mister have been all cuddles and late nights.  

 

 

Kent spoiled the kids with timbits and treats.  

Clearly he's not worried about the sugar rush.

 

Jerbo had fun at a birthday party and loves his cool mixel.

And so we begin...

And so I have finally, with much encouragement and excitement, decided to start a family blog. Hopes of enjoying, recording and retaining more of the short days of having my kids here at home with me.

I am not putting any pressure on myself to how often or how interesting it will be, but I'm sure I will love seeing the smiles on my kids and having more frequent pictures of the school work, time with friends, baking and activities we do together.