Truthful Tuesdays

See this hole.  We found it yesterday.  We have no idea how it got there.  After talking with Sam he came up with a very imaginative story as to how it got there, but alas, nothing that seemed to be possible.

We spent some time trying to figure it out.  We looked around the house for things that Sam may have gotten into and made the mark.  It is was an episode of CSI here.  In the end we figured that it matched the shape and size of a golf ball.  We are not too sure how he had the strength to make a hole in the door.   We guessed that it was shot with a hockey stick.  (Yes, my toddler can shoot that hard and that high)

It wasn't until after all this was figure out that we all turned to each other and realized that it would have made a load noise that none of us heard or saw it.  Meaning we may have not been around.  How did we miss that.  What where we doing and where were we?

Truthfully, I sometimes escape to the studio, the backyard, my room, or the shower to gain back a moment of sanity.  I sneak off so that no one notices, knowing that they are playing and the house is safe.  I am not watching 100% of the time.

Does this make me a neglectful parent or just normal?

Weekend Moments

It was a rainy weekend (again!) and so there was lots of indoor time.  But here are a few of the things that we did this weekend despite the weather.  

A Girl and her Wheel, made it through the rain at the Saturday Market.

The Sylvi Coat for a very dear friend was finally finished.  Instead of bobbles I used buttons. Notes and more pictures can be found here on my Ravelry page. 

Sam and I went strawberry picking before the rain started! 

Production and orders from the Market.  

What did you do with your weekend? 

{this moment}

A Sewing treat for ME

For quite sometime I had been 'stocking' Fresh Squeezed Fabrics.  I was on their shop all the time looking at fabric imagining what they would look like on me.  What would I make with them?  Then thinking the bigger picture of could I actually sew something that I could wear?  I was sewing for the kids, but what was different, they are smaller and love everything, regardless of whether it fits or not.

Finally during a sale I took the plunge and ordered enough fabric to make this wrap skirt as well as a summer tunic style top.  Above is the results of the skirt.  I LOVE IT!!  It was super easy to sew, the instructions where well written and I even taught myself something new.

Next is the tunic top and I almost have all the fabric cut out.  Now I just need a few hours in my sewing/office/studio/storage room.   

Endings and Beginnings

Last Friday was Sam's Preschool Graduation Ceremony and yes this Mama cried!   It was a short but special ceremony that marked the end of the kids time at Grace Church Daycare and embraced the beginning of a new step in the kids lives.  In September Sam will be going to Junior Kindergarden at the Public School or what we refer to as 'Big School'.
I remember choosing Grace when Sam was just a year old.  I had been to many different centers, home care and everything in between and never felt like I has comfortable leaving Sam, until I walked through the doors at Grace.  I knew instantly that it was the place for our family.  It felt like one large family and we were embraced the moment we got there.  We have made some great friendships with staff and other families and I am a little sad to see Sam leave.  (Lily is still on a waiting list to get a spot)

The ceremony was beautiful with a slide show of the kids with moments of their time at the center.  I forgot just how little Sam used to be.  I cried as I watched my little guy at he sat proudly at the front of the room and marched up get this 'diploma'.  He had this super huge smile on his face the whole time.
I just feel like he grew before my eyes and I missed it.  That one moment it was just he and I in the middle of the night nursing in the dim lights of the house and the next he is this amazing little boy.

Truthful Tuesdays

In an effort to be more authentic and look at not just what I want to be but WHO I am at this moment I have decided to share a few things or rather admit them out loud.  I hope that this will allow me to look at them for a  moment and then let them go.  

This is our bed.  It is never made.  It always looks like this.  While it is a Mama made quilt that I made when we got married as a gift to ourselves, people rarely see it as it is under a pile of covers.  Usually there are toys and clothes covering the bed as well.  I have never been one to make my bed in the morning and I probably never will.

Happy Father's Day

To see the kids light up with excitement when you come through the door is one of the best parts of my day.  You hold my hand and we walk this path of life together with the children on either side of us.   Thank you for sharing this amazing journey with me.  

{this moment}

Two very dear friends of ours are getting married tomorrow.   It is amazing that we live in a country that allows and better yet recognizes their commitment.  

Tomorrow night is also my first night away from Lily.  She is having a sleep over at Nana's while we are having a night out to celebrate with family and friends.  I am going to try and remember to breathe and know that she is a confident, strong girl and will have a great time with her big brother.  

Summer Zoo Fun

What else is there to say really?  We love the Toronto Zoo and visit often.  Everyone loves it and it is perfect for the kids and their age.  

Time

This past weekend was one of relaxation and time.  Time for a Mama to be by herself and put energy back into the emotional bank after a few weeks of caring for sick ones.  Time for little babes to play with a Dad who works during the week.  Time for indoor play as it rained all weekend.  Time for a visit from Grandpa (Poca) and Gigi.  Time for watching the kids embrace and love them.  Time for every moment that came our way.

It was interesting to watch the kids with my Dad and Stepmom during their visit.  Sam loves Gigi, she is animated, playful and energetic.  She fills the room with her energy and Sam loves this.  She runs and plays and listens to every word he says.  He yells with delight that Gigi is here and will not leave her side.

Lily is a kindred soul so too is my Dad.  She is shy at first and eases her way into the room and is drawn to my Dad.  He sits quietly and talks to her and waits for her to come to him.  She is comforted by his calmness and once outside he pushes her in the swing until she wants down, I am sure he would have stood there all day if she had asked.  They smile at one another as if they share a secret no one else in the room knows about. It is as though they are perfectly pair with each of the kids.  Giving each of them what they want, need, and feel comfortable with.

   I see my daughter and I see myself.   Maybe that is all part of being a Daddy's Girl. 

{this moment}

#62 - Make a Rag Rug (The Beginning)

Here is the start of my rag rug.  It is the use of my first pile of fabric.  I am going to continue to add more and more and I find them in any place I can find.  Search the closets of family members, garage sales, thrift shops, and people passing on what they think will work.  I am going to try and the colours you see in the photo, but I am going to be open to what ever fabric comes my way.  I am not too sure of its final location as of yet, but I am sure that in a few months when it is completed, the right place will be there for it.

Here is the to beginning of a vary large project!!

Family Time

This weekend found us at the farm for a weekend of family time.  Saturday was the Mt. Albert Sports Day festival and Paul and Auntie Julia ran in the 5km race.  Paul had been somewhat training for this run.  He had a goal of running it in under 30 minutes.  However, the heat wave we had the last few weeks put a little kink in his training plans and he was not able to train in the way he wanted.  He was a little unsure of the run but came home having run it in 32 minutes.  While this was not the target it was 4 minutes faster than his last race so triumph!  Auntie Julia came in 3rd place.  YEAH!

The rest of the weekend was lots of family time and fun.  Lily who has been battling the chickenpox this past week was still under the weather and still very feverish.  While some may be upset by this it worked out perfect for this Mama as I was able to have Nana and other family members to help.  I got to rest during the day after being up all night as well as there was many arms willing to hold a babe who wanted to snuggle giving my arms a break.

She did perk up a bit to go for a ride!

{this moment}

Simple Moments

This week has found me up to my eyeballs in oatmeal baths, calamine lotion, and remedies for chickenpox.  I am starting to get a moment to breathe and know that my little ones will be stronger as a result of all of this.  I try and look at the growth that will take place afterwards, I can already see the change in Sam.  Illness has a way to pushing us forward.  

These past few weeks have challenged me physically and emotionally, so I try and remind myself to look at the simple moments around me.   Here are some of the simple moments guiding me through:

Outside my window we are finally getting the rain that is greatly needed by all.  

I am thinking of all the product that I should be doing for orders, shows, and my creative self. 

I am thankful for the extra days that Sam was able to use at Pre-School this week so that I could focus on Lily and her healing. 

From the kitchen the endless possibilities await me, what shall I cook tonight?

I am wearing the new kerchief that I made this morning.  

I am creating a coat of love and support for my greatest friend before her little man arrives in a few days.  

I am going to BREATHE

I am reading every recipe in Apples for Jam. 

I am hoping to hear that a space has opened up for me at One of a Kind in Toronto. 

I am hearing the buses go by

Around the house the smell of fresh rain blows in the windows

One of my favorite things Green River Coffee.  

A few plans for the rest of the week: Help Lily heal, Get ready for the market, cook, clean and Knit, Knit, Knit!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing

(soon she will be smiling again)

#42 - Find a Recipe Book I Love

During my blog reading I had read about Apples for Jam.  Many other Mom's are cooking from it and singing it's praises.  I figured that with this many people using it as their go too book for great family food, that it was something that I needed to check out.

I struggled with purchasing it at first as the CAD price is $45.00 and I was unsure if I was going to like it or not.  I had borrowed, and purchased many a recipe book only to find a few recipes that could possibly fit into our life.  I wanted something that had good whole foods, easy to follow instructions, meals that would be quick to make and that the kids would want to eat.

After receiving a book gift card for my birthday I decided to take the plunge and get the book.  I have been loving it ever since it arrived.  The moment I took it out of the box I was in cooking love!  The recipes are easy and simple, may of them having less that 10 ingredients in total.  We have been cooking and cooking.   I knew I was in love the moment my picky food husband gobbled down a meal that had many things that he doesn't care to eat and declared it amazing!

This book had brought about a new relationship with cooking and food for me.  I was getting into a space where I hating cooking.  I was making food with little purpose or meaning and therefore everything was tasting terrible.  Food preparation time was stressful and it created a meltdown by someone in the household each and every night.  Now I am excited about what to cook out of the book each night.

The book is arranged by colour and so we are currently working out way through red.  With Rhurbarb and strawberries coming into season, and the staple of tomatoes at our house red is our color of the moment (it is also Sam's favourite color of the moment)  With summer veggies right around the corner I can imagine our new color to be Green.  I am so excited to cook my way through the rainbow!