Today was....

* Today's topic of conversation :.

1. "Sam you can't wear Rollerblades hiking darling...."

2. "Sorry sweetie, you can't wear Rollerblades in the bath either..."

3. "Harry I don't know the answer, sometimes it just is".

4. Harry - "Let me tell you a story mummy.....once upon a time....(he didn't come up for air for a very long time!!! I remember there was dragons and magic whistles. Priceless)

* Today's jobs:

1. Make a yummy dinner - Chicken breast stuffed with asparagus, brie and caramelised onion, served with wild rice, more asparagus and carrots. Mmmmm.....

2. Bake egg shells for chickens with the expert help of 3 year old child. I usually crush my egg shells in a plastic bag covered with a towel. The bag is pretty much done when I am finished with the rolling pin. If you have another method please share!

3. Remaining calm through Sam's tantrum. Boy that child is emotional. Stick to my guns, be caring but firm.

4. Attack and conquer the rather large pile of dishes in the sink - tick!

5. Remember how I said Sam wasn't all that interested in drawing. Well apparently he really likes drawing on the table and sheets in the camper! So job #5 was cleaning that up *sigh*

6. Updating my new radio station on Jango - thanks Mel I love it!!

*Family time today

Hiking out along the railway tracks to Beaver Falls. Spending extra time along the way for the boys to pick flowers and take in all the treasures to be found on the way - a scarecrow, a railway nail, sticks and rocks, whistling reeds, a skunk and some deer!

*Me time-

Drinking a glass of wine beside a fresh bouquet of wild flowers and updating my blog. Soon to soak in a warm bath after the kids get out. I would say a lovely day, wouldn't you?!

A camping kind of weekend

Oh what a weekend....full of sunshine and good times. There was a creek running beside the camp ground and it was beautiful. We unfortunately did not have time for fishing but there was so much else to do.

I didn't realise how much a part of my life sport was. To give you some back ground, growing up on a 310 acre farm with the closest neighbours kilometers away, sport started for me as a social thing and then became so much more. I spent the whole weekend at the softball grounds (or the grass hockey fields in the winter). Competitive sport was an outlet for my frustrations and a place I could be honest and true, even if I didn't fully understand it at the time. Being able to fully express myself in such a medium, truly was a positive influence in my life. Being back on the ball field this weekend really was a rush for me. The challenge, the excitement, the thrill, the exercise (something I have ashamedly been lacking of late!)....it was brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was also lovely to camp and hang out with the team as well, making the experience all the more pleasant. Our children all got along so well and nothing makes this momma prouder than seeing kids outside playing and having fun. From all of this emerged an ever present theme with Sam that really is impossible to ignore.....he is a sport fanatic. All weekend he carried around a glove, ball and bat....."play ball now mummy?" And if he wasn't doing that, he had a soccer ball and net at hand.

When we returned home Sam found Harry's old roller blades and begged to put them on. Within minutes with his pure determination he was off skating and ready to be a hockey guy.

I think I can.....

I think I can.....



A hockey guy I am said Sam-I-am!

Last night we had the pleasure of visiting our friends. Kevin was able to go for a mountain bike ride with Dave and Leah and I set off on a horse ride. Alex looked after the boys and a great time was had by all. One of the most pleasant parts was relaxing on their deck afterwards enjoying the beautiful summer night. Alex and the boys even had a unique way to spend their evening reading by torch light under the stars. Truly happy days.

Crafting and packing

Thursday we had another crafty day. Harry was working on a farewell card for his teacher as it was the last day of Kindergarten and Sam was cutting. My little darling has never been super interested in drawing but give that boy a pair of scissors or in this case, a cutter and he will sit for hours!! I gave him pieces of scrap paper from the recycling and he had a blast!! He noticed after a little while that he was making different shapes depending on the angle of the paper so it was even an educational experience. It allowed me to spend time with Harry and help him with his letters. I even got to sit and knit. Happy days.

We had another visitor in the back field last night, a friendly one this time. A lovely deer and some beautiful wild flowers .

We are leaving this morning to go camping in Salmo and to play in the ball tournament. I am really looking forward to the exercise, the sun and spending quality time with my family. Kevin purchased a fishing rod and we are hoping to teach the kids to fish in the nearby creek. My lovely husband bought me this cool stainless wine goblet especially for the trip. Thanks honey! Harry is always super excited about camping and made sure he had his favourite books and toys ready to go. He helped me carry the many things we needed out to the camper and the aroma of the blossoming lavender along the path made the activity that much sweeter.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. I will be back Monday with an update!

A quiet day at home....

After a truly exhausting weekend of work I spent this morning at home with the boys and what a joy it was. Crafting in the morning finishing off special pictures for Mamma June's birthday.

Harry is still going with his dinosaur theme and was using one of his many dinosaur books for inspiration. Sam is practicing his letters and enjoying the freedom of doodling. They both take a lot of pride in their special art books and really enjoy looking back through their pictures.

In the afternoon Harry went to play with his big cousin and Sam and I happily stayed home. I had many household chores to attack and Sam was visiting with his beloved chickens. There is something so comforting and gentle about his interactions with the birds. They certainly enjoy the buckets of scratch he brings for them too! I think he spent about an hour with them today, just talking and hanging out with them. Even though he can not communicate in words how he feels, his actions speak loud enough. I love that he enjoys them so much and he is developing such a beautiful, gentle side.

On the subject of Sam, today he decided he was going to be Diego (from the television show 'Go Diego Go'- I rarely let the kids watch tv but they both love this show. It does teach a bit of Spanish and a love for animals so I guess it isn't all bad!!). Diego is an animal rescuer and there were many animals rescued here today. Whenever Harry and I addressed him as Sam, he would very calmly remind us that his name was Diego "Mummy, say excuse me Diego, remember?". I love that he is using his imagination more every day. Harry and Sam are such different children and it is interesting to see how the two of them have developed their imaginations. I am thrilled that even though they are so different and have such different ways of getting to the same place, that they get along so well. What an exciting Summer we have ahead. Harry finishes Kindergarten tomorrow! Look out Summer holidays, here we come!

Busy working weekend

Saturday morning I spent out of doors with the boys as I knew I would spend the rest of the weekend indoors serving people. I felt I needed to be grounded so what better place to head than the garden. I love the feeling of the warm sun on my back and the cool, damp soil under my feet . I love pulling each weed out, one by one. I love how Harry and Sam play on their own, then feel the need to come and help. "Wow look at the roots on this one Mummy". They would help for 15 minutes and then get back to their soccer/rugby game or play in the sand pit. Daddy made us a yummy picnic lunch of grilled cheese sandwhiches and fruit to share on the front lawn. Such a simple morning but such a lovely way to be together.

Sunday night I finished work early and spent the evening with Kevin's lovely family. Kevin spent the day golfing with his dad, brother and nephew. It still feels so funny to celebrate Father's Day in June (in Australia it is in September). We will do something special again for Kevin then when things are more settled for us.

Now I have a mountain of house work to attack before heading off to work again. I am going to put on my apron and get to it!

A season for fun

People are often asking me here, why I would want to move to BC from such a beautiful place as Australia. This question is usually followed by the statement, “Oh, you must be a skier!?” I have to say the reason that I am so attracted to this beautiful part of the world is the seasons. Coming from sunny, hot Queensland to four distinct seasons, each with their own special gift. Fall would have to be my favourite season. With all its dramatic colours. Winter does have a special place in my heart too and yes, I do love to ski. I also love the atmosphere winter brings. Social gatherings move indoors and have a certain warmth about them. There is a restful period with lots of sleeping and snuggles. Spring brings with it a sense of urgency. Getting that garden ready and watching all the new life pushing its way into the sunlight. Then in summer...oh the excitement it brings. The long days and the frenzy of activities trying to soak up as many rays as possible and fitting as many things in as possible. It always seems extra crazy at our house as I generally work the Summer at the local golf course, night shifts so that neither parent is away from the children for too long. We still believe that even though things are tight, our first commitment is the kids. We want to raise them so this is the best thing for us. I am also working behind the scenes for my friend Leah over at Hope For Wellness as her virtual assistant. It is so exciting to learn more about something I so strongly believe in. With all the afore mentioned craziness I apologise for my lack of posts of late. I like to sit at the computer at night when the kids have gone to bed, however that is when I am working now. So whenever I get a chance to sit here I will squeeze as much into each post as possible!
Earlier this week on my night off, Kevin's sister Melanie came for dinner with Princess Arwynn. I can not believe that she is almost 2 and hasn't ended up in the tub with my two yet, but all was rectified this night. She loves her big cousins and really enjoyed the experience as you can tell from her signature cheeky grin. Harry couldn't resist 'hamming' it up for the camera either! I love bath time.

After bath and dinner we headed out to the back deck to enjoy the warm evening. Arwynn thoroughly enjoyed playing with the boys on the see-saw and Sam had to show off his new surfing moves!!

Tonight we had ball practice as next weekend we are in the Salmo ball tournament. It is always a fun way for the families to get out and exercise. The kids have a blast running a muck and at the end showed us adults how it is done. Sam is sooooooooooo into sport and gets frustrated with his little 3 year old body that it can't keep up with the big kids. I tell you what, in a few years, those big kids had better watch out! And Harry who usually doesn't do team sport, was out there loving it. He even had a monster of a hit. I wonder if he will still want to start karate or change to ball. We will see!

And last but not least, Michelle over at her lovely blog Earthy Crafty Mommy has given me a Watermelon Award (thanks Michelle - it is so much fun getting to know you). I get to share a list of 6 things that make me happy, so here goes:

1. My family and friends - I mean really, where would I be without them!

2. Yoga - I have always been interested in yoga and on this last trip to Australia going to classes under Renee at Viroga was transformational. It was like she was directing each class specifically for me, all the things I had practiced over the years finally made sense and I started practicing at home (something I had been struggling to maintain). Now I practice almost every morning and LOVE it. Thanks Renee!!

3. Music - although I have never studied music I picked up the guitar in my early 20's and have 'mucked' around with it ever since. I love messing around with the boys and 'jamming' to our own tune.

4. Nature - I love being outside whether in the garden, hiking a mountain or on the back of a horse on a trail. I always feel more grounded and stable after being outdoors.

5. Crafting - again, not something that comes naturally to me but I started exploring after Harry was born. I have learnt to knit and crochet a bit, am excited about learning to sew and getting crafty with the kids.

6. I love life!!!! Corny I know but I really am enjoying the ride. I have always been so hard on myself, trying to improve myself and figure out where I am going in this world. The more I stay grounded and relax into who I am, the more I enjoy everything around me.

Well, that is it for me for a few days. I hope you are happy and well and enjoying your 'ride'!!!! Oh I almost forgot, I now get to nominate some people for the Watermelon award:

1. Janine

2. Martine

3. And anyone one else who would like to play along I would love to get to know you and what you are loving right now.

Happy days!