Sailing

Despite the call for thunderstorms and loads of rain, this weekend turned out to be quite lovely -- stinking hot... but lovely!

We headed to Falcon... our sailboat on Friday night for a lovely dinner onboard with a walk to the ice cream store after. We had a quick trip to the Farmer's market for Lu's favourite home made doughnuts on Saturday morning and a play at the playground. Back to the boat to watch the unsettled sky and decide whether it was safe to head out for a sail.

Sunday was Father's Day! After presents and a quick breakfast onboard.. .we took Lu and a friend to the beach to make sand castles, play tag and frolic in the slightly bone-chilling water. We made it back to Falcon by 10:30 -- just in time to tidy up before grandpa arrived... and out we set for a picture-perfect sail on Sunday. What a great way to spend Father's Day!

Grandpa arrived in his blue TR-7, but found the slow drive over was hot, sticky and a bit uncomfortable. So as much fun as convertibles look... I prefer my air conditioning.. esp. after a day like Sunday!

The lake was choppy and the wind was strong... so we were buffeted about ... but Lu is quickly learning her sea legs and she quite enjoyed the heel of the boat, the chop of the waves and the fast pace of a usually leisurely sail. I believe the best Father's Day present for the husband was the look of joy and confidence on Lu's face as we navigated the rough and slightly unpredictable lake.

She's Four!

Lu just turned four! I can barely believe it. They say time goes by so quickly when you have children. This statement is so true - you witness each day as your child grows and learns and matures and changes right before your eyes. It is truly amazing.

And four is an incredible age. This is the age when your child first starts to act more like a 'person' and not so much like the whiny, challenging, tantrum-y, tired, cranky, baffling toddler you're used to. For some reason when they hit the age of four they kind of turn into these mini comedians. They can be so funny that they leave you slapping your knees in wonder and awe and you ponder where they heck they came up with that. These amazing little life observers. So wise at this young age. And so cuddly. And so, well, agreeable. They just start to become a little more agreeable each day... and sometimes it's a shock as you brace yourself for the usual foot stomping rebellion only to be met by an angelic "ok mommy." And you think to yourself.. yeah.. ok mommy.. it IS ok!

Four. She is four. I struggled in the past with being a new mom. I struggled with finding me. I struggled re-establishing my business. I did it, though. I persevered, I faltered....often. But because of you I picked myself up more times than I wish to count and dusted myself off and started again. I cried. I was frustrated. And in the end I knew it would be ok... it would be ok mommy.

Here we are. You are four and wonderful and beautiful and smart and amazing and I have found myself again, just slightly ragged around the edges but I'm back.

Happy Birthday Lu! You have made me a stronger person.

A Proud Mom of One

I am proud to be the mother of one.

I have one, beautiful, smart, funny, compassionate daughter and I wouldn't trade this experience for the world! Oh sure.. there were times when I have second guessed myself. There were times when I wondered if two would make things better. There have been times when I've been shamed by mothers of many that I am doing a grave disservice to my daughter for not providing her with siblings.

Sure it's a tough choice but it is a personal choice and one that I feel was chosen as it best suits myself, my daughter and my husband. It's our little family of three and we can pretty well do what we want, when we want and how we want. I have heard the endless concerns from larger families that our daughter must be bored, she must be lonely, she must be spoiled, she must be odd. And I scratch my head in wonder as to what gives others the right to be so bold, so cruel and so opinionated?

It hurts sometimes, but I can assure you my daughter is not lonely, nor is she bored, spoiled and she certainly is not odd. But because we have one, I can give my daughter the attention she deserves, the attention she needs and she knows that she is loved unequivocally. I have grand dreams for her - to grow up as a skilled and proud athlete and a kind and caring citizen of the earth and maybe, just maybe she will become a doctor... but alas these are my dreams for her. She must find her own way in the world and whatever path she chooses... I will love her all the same and support her and be there for her when she needs me.

And sure I know large families where the children all love each other and support each other. But I also know families that don't speak to one another... that haven't seen each other for years or been in contact for decades. I don't think there is a perfect size of family. It is based on your experience and your own personal choices. It should not be open for discussion or debate or wonder. This is the path I have chosen; perhaps chosen for medical reasons, perhaps chosen for financial reasons or perhaps just chosen because this is what we want. But it is our choice.. it is our family and we love our family of three.

Adventures of Earth Week

Another year, another earth week. I never go out of my way to do anything "earth-friendly" during this much-hyped day and week. I usually do these anyway, without much thought or motivation -- I just do it. I always have and always will.

Lu and I walked in the woods and marveled at the wonder of the arrival of spring; from the tiny, green buds on the trees to the honking geese overhead and the colourful varieties of flowers making their way through the newly warmed earth.

We gardened and raked and cleaned and organized. We lay on the grass and watched the clouds roll past us. We silently crept through the fields and down by the creek to spy on the animal families with the hope of catching a glimpse of any brand new arrivals. We inhaled the sweet, fragrant smells from apple blossoms and squished newly formed tent caterpillars between our gloved fingers. We ran as fast as we could and laughed out loud. We bundled ourselves against the strong yet chilly winds and stretched toward the warmth of the sun. We looked for faeries and pixies and other mystical creatures. We studied the difference between pine needles and cedar leaves. We happily said goodbye to the lady bugs who had called our window sills home. We ate our first popsicle. We dug in the earth and made sand castles in the sand.

And as per usual we planted 50 or so tree seedlings on the back hill, just as we have been doing for years. We found neat little homes for their far reaching roots, supplied the first watering and wished them much luck for decades and decades of successful growth!

And as usual we walked the road and peered into ditches; we pulled out Tim Horton's coffee cups, beer cans and whiskey bottles and a variety of garbage discarded from passing vehicles.

"Why is there garbage on the side of the road," asked Lu... Good question I thought.. why do people throw garbage out their windows? Is it convenience. Is it ignorance? Is it habit? Whatever the reason it still happens. It still happens after all the awareness, after all the pleading and after all the Earth Day celebrations - the garbage still piles up at the side of the road.

First Hair Cut

Well.. finally had to do it. Lu had to have her first hair cut. I was kind of hoping to let it grow just a teeny bit more... but brushing her hair of late was like sticking your arm into a viper pit. Not fun.

So here she is in all her blonde, curly glory... I was so traumatized! In the end, we all survived. And for now, brushing her hair is slightly less painful, slightly less vocal and just a little bit quicker.

Happy Easter = Chocolate Overload

I really meant well. I didn't want to buy a lot of chocolate for Lu on Easter... and well that lasted for all of 2 minutes by the time I entered a certain box store and was overwhelmed by loads of brightly coloured foil, expertly packaged cream eggs and oh so sweet, oh so delicious Lindor Easter egg parcels.

What was I to do? I grabbed as many goodies as my arms could hold and dashed to the check out before my PMS-laden psyche overruled whatever sense of responsible snacking I could justify for a few small, measly even, chocolate treats. Indulgently I scarfed down a silky smooth Cadbury caramel egg before reaching the car. I, of course, was able to justify that indulgence because we had gone skiing on Saturday. Ok... a bit of a stretch... but it is all I could think of while dashing to the car in the hopes no one would see me or recognize me inhaling a large, chocolate and sickly sweet caramel-injected confection. It was all done before I reached the car; not one amber coloured morsel left on my fingers to savour, not a speck of sinfully sweet chocolate to melt on my tongue - all I had to show for it was a fistful of foil and a guilty conscience.

But the good thing is ... I didn't buy ALL chocolate goodies.... I did make it to a Craft store and purchased a few small items for Lu. And I did all this because I love the thrill of a good scavenger hunt. I have already mapped out, in my mind, where the Easter Bunny is hiding the goodies on the property. I have the Easter Bunny hiding items inside the barn, under a few trees, at the entrance to the forest, beside our wood pile, up a few trees close to the house and perhaps a few other spots I haven't thought of yet. So in the end it will all work out. And most importantly, I will monitor what and when and how much of the sugar Lu will ingest at one sitting. I also have some great craft ideas to finish both before and during this weekend festivity.

Happy Easter!

Skiing in Vermont

We're back... we're sore... we're exhausted but most importantly we are very happy. We all achieved our own personal bests on the hill at Smuggler's Notch -- a really wonderful and family friendly resort... so much to do in too little time.

We tried to take advantage of all the offerings as best we could: ski lessons for The Husband and I... ski camp every day for Lu... Funzone, swimming, snowshoeing, Top of the Notch candlelight dinner, snow-tubing, restaurants.. but I really should have had a massage... next time for sure.

Lu learned so much and we are oh so proud of her. She rocked the Cookie race and got to meet (and hug) her hero Mogul Mouse.

Definitely going back next year.

Lots of work to catch up on... and lots of memories to cherish.