Some things I don't want to forget.....
The way Elly says "thlum" instead of "thumb" and "paul" for "small". "Dese mittens are too paul for my thlumb, mama!"
Sitting at the library and watching the big brothers walk away from me as they hold Elly's hands, taking her to the water fountain on their own. Their gentleness and protectiveness made my heart grow about three sizes.
Listening to William sobbing his heart out after Mark finished the made-up-on-the-fly knight's story he had been telling the boys every night for a month. He just didn't want the adventures of Sir Frederick and the Dark Knight to end apparently. He's been promised a sequel though.
Owen's random hug, kiss or I Love You, Mummy attacks. Nothing beats a quick fierce hug from a small boy.
They might drive me crazy on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. I might want to pull my hair out at my daughter's screeching or my sons' wrestling matches. But goshdarnnit! I love these three kids!
Friday, January 25, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy New Year 2013!
We said goodbye to 2012 last night and welcomed 2013 in a rather casual, laid back style: a dinner party with friends at the cottage. I think it was a great start to the new year - just hanging out with friends, taking our time eating a simple, but delicious steak dinner, all the kids happily playing downstairs until we somehow managed to corral them into bed without too much fuss. And despite all our yawning, the adults held it together until midnight, at which time we toasted the new year with water! You know you're an adult when...But we'd simply had enough to drink, were ready for bed and didn't want to waste a bottle of champagne. We woke up to a gorgeous, sunny day, and no one was moaning about hangovers. Definitely the right way for us to greet the year ahead.
Of course, you can't get to New Year's Eve without feeling a little contemplative about the year you're leaving behind. We talked a bit about personal highlights of 2012, and it got me thinking. Without a doubt, running the Niagara Falls Half Marathon with my mum, my brother, my sister-in-law/BFF Karen, my step-sister Sophie and my dear friend Elaine the day after my mum's 60th birthday was the highlight of my year. If I ever need to focus on a happy memory, I will more than likely picture running along the Niagara Parkway on a beautiful, sunny, crisp October morning, watching my mother put her heart and soul (and sweat) into fulfilling a dream. After 10km, every single kilometre she completed was the furthest she had ever run in her life, and was therefore an incredible victory. Seeing Sophie (who we'd told to run ahead and do her own race, she'd trained so hard!) coming back for us towards the last four km, so she could finish the race with us still brings a smile to my face. And crossing the line all together? Just perfect.
Staying with the running theme, I've been very lucky to have two fantastic running partners this year. In Toronto, my friend Lisa keeps me motivated and gets me out the door, even on days when I really just feel like hiding out. She and I just seem to have the perfect running chemistry which makes the crappy days feel doable and the really great days feel like Olympic medals are waiting for us at the end. We live near Lake Ontario and have had some beautiful runs along the water, but I think we've got one particular route along a forested ravine that feeds our souls and recharges our batteries. I'm really looking forward to getting back to Toronto and starting our running routine again.
My other running partner is my sister-in-law Karen. She lives in Ottawa, so we don't get to run together all that often, but when we do its just plain fun. We've been friends since we were nine, and making each other laugh for that long too. And when I say laugh, I mean the whole snorting through your nose, choking back the tears, bent double with your hands on your knees kind of laughing. So imagine the two of us running along doing that. Its hard to stick to your pace when you're laughing that hard. But the other thing I love about running with Karen is that she's just the most encouraging person in the world. We'll be going along in the blazing sun or be swarmed by deer flies, or chugging up some stupid hill at the very end of our run at the cottage and she'll just be cheering me on the whole way - "We can do it! We're doing SO AWESOME! Almost there! Good for us! We ROCK!" and instead of wanting to push her into the bushes like I would with anyone else, I actually do feel motivated and I DO make it up that hill, dagnammit! She's the best. My favourite run with her this year, apart from the half marathon, was our 18km training run up at the cottage on the Thanksgiving weekend. It was another sunny, cold day and we had a fantastic run. And now, every time we drive to the cottage, we go along the same route and I think of the two of us running along in the sunshine, chatting and laughing (and occasionally complaining too) and I think "Wow! We ran a long freakin' way!" and it makes me think of how awesome we are and how much we rock.
2012 was also the year that I really got into yoga. I'm so fortunate to have Deitre Courchesne as a neighbour and a dear friend. She comes to my house three times a week to teach me and two friends (and now my husband too!) yoga and I don't quite know how I managed without her before. When Deitre comes over, I just immediately feel happy. She's one of those people who makes me feel better instantly. She's calming and soothing, but she's also funny and fascinating. She has the best stories ever. And I get to hang out with her every week! Yoga, like running, is much appreciated "me time" that allows me to calm down whilst strengthening and stretching my muscles. I'm so glad I started and I love what its doing to my body. I feel like I have a lot more to learn, but it never feels like a chore, so I look forward to each new lesson with Deitre. Plus its the perfect excuse to fuel my obsession with lululemon gear.
As for the kids, this past year has been a mixed bag, but I'm only focusing on highlights today. The moaning and groaning about schooling and homework and all my usual parenting anxieties can wait for another post!
We've had some really great successes. I've been thrilled at how far the boys have come with their swimming lessons and seeing them playing in the water at the cottage this summer was fantastic, what I'd always hoped it would be for them. Elly also takes lessons and I'm relieved that she's enjoying them and looking forward to going. When we first started lessons with her, it wasn't a huge hit. So to see her wanting to duck her head under, or open her eyes and kick her legs like mad is great. I hope she follows in her brothers' footsteps and becomes a little fishy in the water too.
Training wheels came off the boys' bikes this spring, which was a huge deal. They really took to bike riding and apart from a few nasty falls when they weren't watching where they were going, we had a lot of fun. That ravine run I mentioned earlier? Its actually the route the kids and I took to get home from school on their bikes about once a week. I'd drop their bikes off at school in the morning, then when it came time to pick them up, Elly would go into the bike seat behind me, we'd race up to school and then take our time riding home with the guys, stopping for a snack next to a picturesque waterfall. I think it was always the highlight of their week. Maybe mine too.
Mark and I realised the boys were definitely growing up when they decided a few weeks ago that they could follow the instructions that came with all their lego and build things on their own. Before this momentous decision, it was always up to Mark to make exactly what was on the box, and then Will and Owen would take it apart and build other things of their own design (which we also thought was great, of course). Its lead to a pretty great Christmas, actually, with the boys spending more time in quiet building sessions. That is, until we hear a frustrated scream because something isn't fitting properly or a particular piece can't be found!
As for Elly, well, her highlights for 2012 are pretty typical of a two year old, but the one that makes me happiest right now is that in the fall she decided it was time to potty train herself and did just that. She woke up one morning, announced she wanted to pee on the toilet and then went to get her underwear. We haven't really looked back since! Of course, there's the occasional accident, but overall, I'm mighty impressed with her. SO much easier than trying to potty train twin boys, let me tell you! The thought that we are on our way to being a diaper-free home is very exciting. Once she's out of pullups for naps and nighttime, I will be a very happy mama. Because after nearly seven years of diapers, I won't miss them one little bit. And neither will our bank account!
And I don't want to jinx it, but, well, the sleeping thing is coming along nicely too. I'm quite anxious as I type this. Because I seem to recall blogging jubilantly about a certain Mademoiselle sleeping through the night and then it turned around and bit me in the butt. Because it stopped. And got worse. We went from sleeping through the night to a whole summer and fall of most decidedly NOT sleeping through the night. However...recently, there have been signs that perhaps I will once again join the world of the living, the realm of the rested, non sleep-deprived souls who can actually hold a conversation. So I really hope I'm not tempting fate here by saying this. But my optimism just can't hold me back and I have to think positively - I will sleep for long stretches of the night again! I won't have to get out of my cosy warm bed and stomp into Elly's room to fix her blanket which was just fine there's nothing wrong with your blanket just go back to sleep for goodness sake!
And this is my favorite video of 2012. I've watched it a million times and I never get tired of it (if for some reason, you can't get it to work, email me and I'll send it to you. Its worth it.)
I think there are a few more highlights I'd love to write about, like my obsession with Pinterest and how much fun I've had being creative thanks to some of the inspiring content I've found there; or the awesome holiday we had up at the cottage with our friends Gillian and Jonathan and their two children (but all of my photos are on the computer at home and I can't do the two weeks we spent together justice without including the photos of the three boys playing together or the video of wee Andrea and Elly in the water together, so it will have to wait); or the beautiful baby boys my friends has this year - Mikey, Henry, Benjamin, Jad, you boys are lucky to have such incredible mothers and I'm so glad I'm friends with them (mostly because it means I get to come over and cuddle you guys!), and the babies that are to come! I should definitely write a whole post about my incredibly patient and hardworking husband who's had a pretty good year himself, and I most definitely should write about all my friends, who I love dearly and who keep me sane. BUT I won't. Because its already almost midnight and if I keep writing I'll never finish this and I won't post it and thats not a very good way to start the new year, now is it?
So on that note, I will bid you good night and a very Happy New Year. I hope 2013 is going to give me plenty of blog fodder to regale you with.
Of course, you can't get to New Year's Eve without feeling a little contemplative about the year you're leaving behind. We talked a bit about personal highlights of 2012, and it got me thinking. Without a doubt, running the Niagara Falls Half Marathon with my mum, my brother, my sister-in-law/BFF Karen, my step-sister Sophie and my dear friend Elaine the day after my mum's 60th birthday was the highlight of my year. If I ever need to focus on a happy memory, I will more than likely picture running along the Niagara Parkway on a beautiful, sunny, crisp October morning, watching my mother put her heart and soul (and sweat) into fulfilling a dream. After 10km, every single kilometre she completed was the furthest she had ever run in her life, and was therefore an incredible victory. Seeing Sophie (who we'd told to run ahead and do her own race, she'd trained so hard!) coming back for us towards the last four km, so she could finish the race with us still brings a smile to my face. And crossing the line all together? Just perfect.
Staying with the running theme, I've been very lucky to have two fantastic running partners this year. In Toronto, my friend Lisa keeps me motivated and gets me out the door, even on days when I really just feel like hiding out. She and I just seem to have the perfect running chemistry which makes the crappy days feel doable and the really great days feel like Olympic medals are waiting for us at the end. We live near Lake Ontario and have had some beautiful runs along the water, but I think we've got one particular route along a forested ravine that feeds our souls and recharges our batteries. I'm really looking forward to getting back to Toronto and starting our running routine again.
My other running partner is my sister-in-law Karen. She lives in Ottawa, so we don't get to run together all that often, but when we do its just plain fun. We've been friends since we were nine, and making each other laugh for that long too. And when I say laugh, I mean the whole snorting through your nose, choking back the tears, bent double with your hands on your knees kind of laughing. So imagine the two of us running along doing that. Its hard to stick to your pace when you're laughing that hard. But the other thing I love about running with Karen is that she's just the most encouraging person in the world. We'll be going along in the blazing sun or be swarmed by deer flies, or chugging up some stupid hill at the very end of our run at the cottage and she'll just be cheering me on the whole way - "We can do it! We're doing SO AWESOME! Almost there! Good for us! We ROCK!" and instead of wanting to push her into the bushes like I would with anyone else, I actually do feel motivated and I DO make it up that hill, dagnammit! She's the best. My favourite run with her this year, apart from the half marathon, was our 18km training run up at the cottage on the Thanksgiving weekend. It was another sunny, cold day and we had a fantastic run. And now, every time we drive to the cottage, we go along the same route and I think of the two of us running along in the sunshine, chatting and laughing (and occasionally complaining too) and I think "Wow! We ran a long freakin' way!" and it makes me think of how awesome we are and how much we rock.
The best part about running up at the cottage is being able to jump in the lake when you're finished. Here's Karen in fine form after one of our summer runs.
2012 was also the year that I really got into yoga. I'm so fortunate to have Deitre Courchesne as a neighbour and a dear friend. She comes to my house three times a week to teach me and two friends (and now my husband too!) yoga and I don't quite know how I managed without her before. When Deitre comes over, I just immediately feel happy. She's one of those people who makes me feel better instantly. She's calming and soothing, but she's also funny and fascinating. She has the best stories ever. And I get to hang out with her every week! Yoga, like running, is much appreciated "me time" that allows me to calm down whilst strengthening and stretching my muscles. I'm so glad I started and I love what its doing to my body. I feel like I have a lot more to learn, but it never feels like a chore, so I look forward to each new lesson with Deitre. Plus its the perfect excuse to fuel my obsession with lululemon gear.
As for the kids, this past year has been a mixed bag, but I'm only focusing on highlights today. The moaning and groaning about schooling and homework and all my usual parenting anxieties can wait for another post!
We've had some really great successes. I've been thrilled at how far the boys have come with their swimming lessons and seeing them playing in the water at the cottage this summer was fantastic, what I'd always hoped it would be for them. Elly also takes lessons and I'm relieved that she's enjoying them and looking forward to going. When we first started lessons with her, it wasn't a huge hit. So to see her wanting to duck her head under, or open her eyes and kick her legs like mad is great. I hope she follows in her brothers' footsteps and becomes a little fishy in the water too.
Training wheels came off the boys' bikes this spring, which was a huge deal. They really took to bike riding and apart from a few nasty falls when they weren't watching where they were going, we had a lot of fun. That ravine run I mentioned earlier? Its actually the route the kids and I took to get home from school on their bikes about once a week. I'd drop their bikes off at school in the morning, then when it came time to pick them up, Elly would go into the bike seat behind me, we'd race up to school and then take our time riding home with the guys, stopping for a snack next to a picturesque waterfall. I think it was always the highlight of their week. Maybe mine too.
Mark and I realised the boys were definitely growing up when they decided a few weeks ago that they could follow the instructions that came with all their lego and build things on their own. Before this momentous decision, it was always up to Mark to make exactly what was on the box, and then Will and Owen would take it apart and build other things of their own design (which we also thought was great, of course). Its lead to a pretty great Christmas, actually, with the boys spending more time in quiet building sessions. That is, until we hear a frustrated scream because something isn't fitting properly or a particular piece can't be found!
I love this photo of them. I think they're looking at a book or Will's camera. Doesn't matter. Its just so very them.
As for Elly, well, her highlights for 2012 are pretty typical of a two year old, but the one that makes me happiest right now is that in the fall she decided it was time to potty train herself and did just that. She woke up one morning, announced she wanted to pee on the toilet and then went to get her underwear. We haven't really looked back since! Of course, there's the occasional accident, but overall, I'm mighty impressed with her. SO much easier than trying to potty train twin boys, let me tell you! The thought that we are on our way to being a diaper-free home is very exciting. Once she's out of pullups for naps and nighttime, I will be a very happy mama. Because after nearly seven years of diapers, I won't miss them one little bit. And neither will our bank account!
And I don't want to jinx it, but, well, the sleeping thing is coming along nicely too. I'm quite anxious as I type this. Because I seem to recall blogging jubilantly about a certain Mademoiselle sleeping through the night and then it turned around and bit me in the butt. Because it stopped. And got worse. We went from sleeping through the night to a whole summer and fall of most decidedly NOT sleeping through the night. However...recently, there have been signs that perhaps I will once again join the world of the living, the realm of the rested, non sleep-deprived souls who can actually hold a conversation. So I really hope I'm not tempting fate here by saying this. But my optimism just can't hold me back and I have to think positively - I will sleep for long stretches of the night again! I won't have to get out of my cosy warm bed and stomp into Elly's room to fix her blanket which was just fine there's nothing wrong with your blanket just go back to sleep for goodness sake!
And this is my favorite video of 2012. I've watched it a million times and I never get tired of it (if for some reason, you can't get it to work, email me and I'll send it to you. Its worth it.)
I think there are a few more highlights I'd love to write about, like my obsession with Pinterest and how much fun I've had being creative thanks to some of the inspiring content I've found there; or the awesome holiday we had up at the cottage with our friends Gillian and Jonathan and their two children (but all of my photos are on the computer at home and I can't do the two weeks we spent together justice without including the photos of the three boys playing together or the video of wee Andrea and Elly in the water together, so it will have to wait); or the beautiful baby boys my friends has this year - Mikey, Henry, Benjamin, Jad, you boys are lucky to have such incredible mothers and I'm so glad I'm friends with them (mostly because it means I get to come over and cuddle you guys!), and the babies that are to come! I should definitely write a whole post about my incredibly patient and hardworking husband who's had a pretty good year himself, and I most definitely should write about all my friends, who I love dearly and who keep me sane. BUT I won't. Because its already almost midnight and if I keep writing I'll never finish this and I won't post it and thats not a very good way to start the new year, now is it?
So on that note, I will bid you good night and a very Happy New Year. I hope 2013 is going to give me plenty of blog fodder to regale you with.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)