FAMILY MEETING

We have had only 3 family meetings, 2 in February and 1 last week, but we plan to make this a family tradition every Saturday morning after puff pancakes and bacon.  It sort of goes like this (although I'm learning to have minimal expectations):

• We gather on our couch with our notebook and latte.  For now, I take notes, and either Jake or I act as leader.
• We begin the meeting with compliments to each family member.  "I love you because..." or "I'm grateful for you because..." and we all say thank you after we receive a compliment.
• In the week, I try to keep a list of issues or problems that arise to be discussed at the family meeting.  During the meeting, everyone is listened to, feelings are acknowledged (even the crazy ones) and we problem solve together.  If an agreement cannot be reached after a discussion we will table it until the next meeting.
• The meeting ends with a consensus of what we want to do as a family that day (in the Fall it is usually swimming).

Here is a sampling of the things that have been discussed so far:

• Sam likes Daddy's fast boat 
• Clara is having a hard time with her boots because they keep scratching her legs 
• Sam wants doors that open and close on his electric jeep

And just last week, Sam's compliment to his sister was "you know what is bugging me?...not Clara...a mosquito."

So there you go.  

Like I said my expectations are minimal but I think I will love this tradition. And next time, we will definitely hide the radio karaoke so Will doesn't play with it during the meeting.

DEAR TOOTH FAIRY

Dear Tooth Fairy,

I would like to know what you look like and where you put your teeth? 

And what's your name?

Love, Clara

Clara is impatiently waiting for her first wiggly tooth.  Personally, I'm not in a rush.  Although a missing tooth looks sweet, I think big adult teeth in a little 6 year old mouth can look not proportioned and kind of scary.

A few weeks ago Clara wrote a letter to the Tooth Fairy hoping to get some clarity. Fortunately she told me she was leaving it under her pillow so I was aware that I needed to come up with a good reply.  She seemed satisfied with her response, which was left beside her pillow, compete with gold glitter on pretty blue paper (the TF's favourite colour).

I also bought this Tooth Fairy kit awhile back in preparation for the big day.  I love letterpress! And I love paper products!

You can buy it here at the office of the Tooth Fairy.

I find September kind of confusing.  

I start preparing myself mid-August for the summer's end...for school, rushed mornings, crisp air, pears, mums, homemade soup, fallen leaves and evenings by a fire.  But then the warm sun decides to stay and by the time I walk back up the hill from Clara's school in the morning, the temperature spikes, I'm sweating and I'm wondering why I put on jeans, my hoodie and some fuzzy boots.  I really have no idea what to wear anymore?  Breezy summer dresses don't seem quite right this late in the month.  

But Fall will arrive eventually.  For now, we took advantage of the delicious sunny weather and went back to Pasley with the Bakers this weekend.

The kids even had popsicles at 10:45am

Will having a nap in the sleeping cabin.  I, myself had a 10 minute nap curled up beside him

And here he is, not happy at all about me waking him up (it was 4:30pm)

The view from my seat at 7:00pm (Ben with a marshmallow stick, Sam and Will fighting over a toy, Adelaide about to do a leap off the chair, Katie reading to Clara, husbands in kitchen doing dishes and drinking wine)

We will be back up to the cabin for Thanksgiving in October when it will definitely feel like Fall and I will be wearing my fuzzy boots.

For now, I will happily keep my flip flops by the door.

MEDIUM

When I ask Clara how her day at school was, she almost always replies "medium."  I guess it could be worse...it could be "terrible" or "lonely" or "boring."  Medium sounds hopeful, at least.

Today she had a Pro D day. It was nice for her and I to relax this morning without the pressure of getting out the door in time for school.  We had a fun day with Auntie Juli and her cousins at Granville Island.  The sun was warm, we played at the park, we went to the Kid's Only Market, we had chocolate milk and a croissant and then an ice cream, we fed the pigeons and the ducks, her and Sam hardly fought, we cuddled by the pond...

And when I asked her on the ride home, how her day was and she said it was "better than she ever imagined."  Now that sounds like a good day.

I LOVE HOLLY

I'm having a bit of a love affair with Holly Farrell's still-life paintings right now.  Apparently she taught herself and started painting when she was 29.  Hmm...maybe it's not too late for me to add learn to paint to my ever growing list of things to do.  

Go see more of her amazing work here.

GOODBYE SUMMER

Dear summer, you are my favourite season.  I will miss you.  I am so glad we got to spend our last full day together on Pasley (Fall starts tomorrow at 5:18pm).  We even went for a swim in the ocean.  

We will see you next year!

And here is Will up to no good today...

Got what he was climbing for:

Barefoot in the Sunshine print by FreyaArt

LOVE THIS WEDDING

I'm not sure why I'm obsessing on weddings lately.  I even bought the Martha Stewart Weddings Summer 2009 issue.  

It could be the amazing (and anxiety causing) wedding and photography blogs I have been reading or it could be that I simply adore my husband and would like to plan and relive our wedding day but with a "we are in our 30's now" aesthetic.  Since there is no chance Jake will ever renew our vows, I will focus instead on:

• planning a really great party at our house
• getting my art supplies out and do something creative
• counting down the days (34) to our 3 nights away without kids
• not worrying about leaving the kids for 3 nights, never mind who we are leaving them with?!
• experiencing another wedding vicariously through Lisa & Mark

And then, of course, there is our 10th Anniversary in June.

I love this video.  This wedding looks so fun.  I particularly love the mom in the purple hat.

Love this wedding...and this one too!

CAR OF HORRORS

If you have been following my blog you may recall our "basement of horrors."  And as of yesterday, after Sam projectile vomited his oatmeal, scrambled eggs, smoothie, tuna sandwich, and pepperoni stick all over my car (and I mean ALL over), we also now call the mini van the "car of horrors."  

3 out of 5 of us have had the flu this week.  I thought it was 4 of us, but it turns out Clara just feigned a sore tummy so she could stay home today with the mommy.  

THINK PINK

I know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and not September, but I'm just starting a little early.  

The kids and I also recently went to a "Pink Party" which Clara was very excited about and also very confused about after explaining there were going to be no loot bags or singing "Happy Birthday."  But it was a good opportunity to talk about breast cancer with my daughter (the boys lost interest after the first 3 words) and a good reminder to be thankful for the gift of everyday life.

Thank you again girls for inviting us.  It was an amazing afternoon!

WILL'S FIRSTS

Over the weekend, Will had his first bleeding nose and tooth through lip as well as his first puke (and second, third, fourth, fifth, etc.).

And, he also learned to say "Owee."

ON THE ROAD (LITERALLY)

The beginning of our weekend started off with an evening visit from Geoff and Sara and some races on the road in front of our house.  

Since we have been home from Pasley I have spent a lot of time on the road, mostly to make sure the kids don't get run over by any cars.  

Time on road=Neglected house

But I suppose you could alternatively say:

Time tidying house=Neglected kids

For now, I choose the road.

There were some running races as well...

Photo finish (Sam claims he won)

I also have to include somewhere in this post, what an amazing Saturday I had with my husband.  It involved 11+ hours of childcare (thanks sis and Piper), shopping and lunch downtown, drinks and appies in a beautiful sunny backyard and then an outdoor concert in our very own neighbourhood, featuring Sarah McLachlan, Neil Young and Sheryl Crow...11 rows from the stage I might add.  It simply doesn't get any better!

A SCHOOL UPDATE

Today was Clara's 7th day at school.  It seems to be going well.  Although this morning she crawled into bed with us at 6:00am and forced out some coughs and blew her nose with lots of dramatics.  This is code for I'm not feeling well enough for school and I would like to stay home please.  

However, after a cuddle and some mini wheats downstairs, she was ready to start the day.  I have mostly heard about her friends.  She has 4 new best friends now.  One of them is from Vagina, Saskatchewan, one laughs lots but her mom just had a baby and she can't go to her house for a play date...ever, one is really funny but she almost lost her today at lunch (?) and the 4th friend's name starts with the letter J or G. 

In my desperation to at least see what is going on in her classroom, the boys and I climb up the play structure outside and spy through the window after we drop her off.  The teacher hasn't busted me yet, but Clara blows me lots of kisses, which I return, then we put each other's kisses into our pockets.

My view from the top of the slide (Clara's classroom is at the bottom)

Sam also had his first day yesterday, and by all accounts, he loves it.  He is particularly smitten with the 2 bunnies, Cornelius and Nibbles, with whom he gets to play hide and seek with in the classroom.  Apparently they don't like to eat onions or pickles either.  

Thankfully his teacher writes a summary of each day on a whiteboard outside his class, otherwise I'm sure I would have no clue what is happening in there.

Here he is, first day of preschool, heading out the door for our walk down the hill

Will spots his lunch kit (he is obsessed) and comes in for the grab

Sam grabbed it back and crying and screaming ensued  Note to self: must get lunch kit for Will tomorrow

LIONS BAY FRIENDS

My Lions Bay friends are the friends I met when I was 3 when my family moved to the Village of Lions Bay, just 20 minutes north of where we live now.

They are the friends I grew up with.  Who I went to elementary school with...made mud pies in our backyard, lip synched to the mini pops, built forts in the forest, skipped down the hill to spend .75 cents at the general store, walked the logs at the beach, danced with our batons and even practiced kissing with.

Eventually, we did our growing up and left the Village to move "into town." Although I suppose I was 25 and about to get married when I did officially move away.

Fortunately, we still get to see each other. Thanks to weddings, baby showers, Facebook and the fact that our parents are also still good friends, we get together at least a few times a year. 

Today, I am grateful for these friends.

Last week, a few of us got together for coffee and quiche and a lovely visit.

My friend Christa's little guy, who I only met once before: