Browsing Category

Our Family

In Adventures/ Clear Day Farm/ Country Life/ Life/ Our Family

Storm Day Take 2

Well, here we go again.  Storm Day Take 2.  Blogs, coffee, snuggles.  Bad roads.  Postponing the Shelter Tour we had planned?!?!  I guess so… 🙁   School’s been cancelled again so I’ll be playing referee again, too.  There has been wrestling matches on the couch.  Coffee has been consumed.  I think everyone has actually eaten breakfast, too.  Hannah got dressed today…..unlike yesterday…..  Pyjama days are okay once in a while but not two days in a row. I didn’t cook or make anything exciting….I used up all my ‘snow day enthusiasm’ for that yesterday.

Hannah

The girls went out to play in the snow and since they like to have me close by, I headed to the Studio.  They needed to burn off some energy, it came to them having wrestling matches on the couch….which ended badly, of course.  I did have to play referee…when Lena fell on Hannah’s snow fort and crushed it.  Hannah was broken hearted.  So she went to her ‘garage’ snow fort and that was the end of it.  They coasted in the back yard.  I love hearing their laughter and chatter as they sled outside my window.

I had a few things to work on while in the studio….of which I did none.  I played with paint instead.  And had so much fun!!  I’ll share my projects in the next day or two.  (Usually stuff appears on Instagram, if you’d like to follow along!!)  My nails are dirty from the antique wax and I have dried paint on my hands, which makes my heart happy.  I completed a few projects and carried on with others.  Lena and I are working on a project together for her bedroom, so it’s fun to work together on that.

Lena

We also finally have enough snow for a snowshoe!!  We’ve been working on getting our trails in shape for snowshoe season and they really are prime!  Mom and Dad came over and we headed out back for a trek.  Loads of little bunny tracks in the snow, plus some deer, as well.  The girls are really getting into being in the woods.  Michael is so good for teaching them neat things while they are out wandering around and Lena has taken every bit of it in.

I’m amazed in the difference a year makes in Lena’a ability to snowshoe.  She can run past people through the deeper snow and take little scenic routes….all without complaining!!  Hannah got about half way and started on about tired legs…so we have a few years left to go for her….

Snowshoe

I know life will return to normal tomorrow.  The kids will go their separate ways for the day and my work is piling up.  But its days like this that are such treasures. Days where there’s no rush to leave, where the schedule is flexible and everyone is kicking around.  So, far now, I’ll take every snow day and max that sucker out!

To be continued,

Lori

In Our Family

My Lena

Beautiful GirlHard to believe but yesterday we celebrated this girl turning 8.  Wow, where does the time go!?!  The little bundle that came into our lives and turned me into a mother so growing up and turning into such a sweet, mature girl.   She sees the world in such interesting and amazing ways.  She never tires of the ‘What If’ game, her soul needs to know.  She is helpful, creative and an avid reader.   She is so much like me and yet so much like her daddy.  My favourite thing?  Her cute button nose…no, wait, her long, beautiful hair, no, not that either, it’s her sensitive soul, or maybe her love of her family….I couldn’t pick just one – she’s just all around special, the apple of my eye and the beat of my heart.

Turning 8Lena Lou, my love for you knows no bounds.

To be continued,

Lori

 

 

2 In Adventures/ Country Life/ Our Family

Fall Sunday Drive

Today I decided it would be a good day to escape the house { and avoid a task that is looming } and deliver a pillow to a friend of mine in Tatamagouche.  Now, I love any excuse to take a drive to Tatamagouche, that little town will always have a soft spot in my heart!  I lived there for two years while I was a nanny to a little guy….who is now long into the university years!   The weather was great for a drive and the girls needed to be active and distracted.  The lack of sleep from Friday night was catching up to us all.  We decided to do a little geocaching along the way.  We found a few, didn’t find a few, too.  There were tears, wipe outs, laughter, treats and fun.  There may also be a nasty bruise, poor Hannah found a trimmed stick with the back of her thigh.  I may also have a bruise on my elbow…one must use caution while bending over and trying to not let the camera bang you on the back of the head….my elbow saved my head on that one.

Fall Sunday Drive (2)Fall Sunday Drive (3)Fall Sunday Drive (4)Fall Sunday Drive (5)Fall Sunday Drive (6)Fall Sunday Drive (8)Fall Sunday Drive (9)Fall Sunday Drive (10)Fall Sunday Drive

Fall Sunday Drive (11)Fall Sunday Drive (7)

The treasures we find are not all tucked away in a camo duct taped box.  It is in being outdoors, where things like bird’s nests are tucked under railcars or on the tip toppy most branch.  It is learning how to follow a GPS, how to be respectful of other people’s places, and how to work together as a team.  It is learning not to give up, it is learning to think outside the box. It is seeing our area through fresh eyes. It is learning that trades are permanent, and we don’t go back if you aren’t happy with what you traded.  And trades can range in worth.  Dollar Store kazoo?  Heart rock?  Same value? Not to this momma!!

Thank you to whoever dreamed up geocaching for the life lessons it is teaching my children!  They think we are just out there having fun…

To be continued,

Lori

In Life/ Our Family

Party Party Party

We are in the midst of celebrating birthdays like crazy here.  It is the month-long celebration.  We start with Hannah, then it’s my turn and then we celebrate Lena.  Today marked the funnest part – the joint party with friends!

Clay Cafe (3)Clay CafeWe headed over to Truro, to the Clay Cafe.  Now, we’ve been to the Clay Cafe before and I love it there.  They can pick what they want to paint and it’s so fun!  And then about a week later, you pick up your completed piece which looks fantastic with the shiny glaze and pretty colours.  It feels to me like you can’t go wrong.  You are guaranteed to have a fabulous ‘something’ when it’s all done.  We painted mugs last year for Christmas gifts, and bunnies another time and a car and a cupcake plate the first time and each time we go – they turn out amazingly well.  And, I mean, what grandparent isn’t going to love a hand painted mug from their grandchild??  It doesn’t matter if the lines aren’t straight or if the paint wasn’t done with enough coats when you are a kid and get this handmade item back!  It’s awesome!

Clay Cafe (4)

So, back to the party, we invited some friends and family to come and paint with us.  Some have been before, others haven’t been.  But a big chalk board greeted the birthday girls, along with a great hostess and they picked their items and settled in to paint.  It takes some a long time to paint and some…not so much time.  The older kids take their time and add some great detail, while the younger kids work at their level and still knock it out of the park!

Clay Cafe (7)

Clay Cafe (5)

Of course, with any party comes presents.  And cupcakes.  And coffee for the grown ups.  Yeah for coffee!  {I had Winter Carnival flavour and it was perfect for the day! We had celebrated my birthday as well as my friend, Amy – whose birthday was the day after mine – on Friday night so everyone was pretty tired today… }  We handed in our pale, painted treasures and knew they’d be transformed the next time we saw them.  And then we packed up and left it all behind.  It’s a fun way to do a party – you don’t have to clean the house, they clean up after you and then the kids get something meaningful and special instead of a treat bag filled with candy or toys that will fall by the wayside.

Clay Cafe (6)

Clay Cafe (8)

I would highly recommend a party at the Clay Cafe.  The kids had fun, the adults painted a few treasures for Christmas gifts, and there were only tears once.  No running around, no screaming, just kids being creative!  Definitely my kind of party!

To be continued,

Lori