The Faulkners: August Adventures

I don't want to admit that August is almost officially over. I like summer. I enjoy the change of pace and the shorter to-do lists. That being said, it will be good to get back into the September routines. The kids will be happy to see their friends at school each day. Isaac is excited to start grade 7 in a new school.

I'm looking back at my camera roll to remember what happened this month. The first photos are of the kids on the stairs looking down to the bottom where they have put a mattress, couch cushions, pillows, and blankets. From time to time they decide to jump down the stairs to this soft landing. They like to make slow-mo videos of their jumps.

On August 3 we said goodbye to Isaac for ten days. He flew on the same plane as his grandparents out to British Columbia where he spent time with his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He had an amazing time. Some highlights were spending hours in the pool, bouldering, laser tag, two birthdays, reading comics, and delicious food including homemade pasta, yummy Thai, and bingsu.

Saying goodbye to Isaac

At the airport ready for an adventure

Graham has been sick since around July 21. He is still taking Tylenol and Advil for pain but he just switched from stronger pain meds late last week. After an initial virus that caused various symptoms, he eventually ended up being diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. Thankfully his face is almost back to normal and he can close his left eye again.

Graham is on his one week of summer vacation this week (he also had a couple of days off when he went camping with Lily-Anna). I would never choose to have my holidays the last week before school but given that Graham's probationary period ended in mid-July for his new job, this is just how it worked out. God knew exactly what we needed and I am so thankful. Any other week since his probation ended would have meant that Graham was sick and unable to do things. His previous pain medication made him very tired. So, thanks be to God for His perfect provision.

Lily-Anna is Grandpa's helper in the garden

I was in the van with the kids, driving to pick up Graham from the office one day when I heard scared screaming coming from two children. I kept driving and told the kids I needed more information. Kohen quickly told me to pull over at the approaching gas station. There I discovered that a very large dragonfly had flown into the window and was hanging on on the back of the passenger seat. The kids got out of the van and I opened the rear hatch door to find something to help me get the dragonfly out. He flew away and we carried on. When I got out of the van in the parking lot of Graham's office, I discovered I had driven the rest of the way with the back hatch fully raised. Thankfully, the small wooden rocking chair or various other items didn't fall out.

We have recently discovered a board/card game that we enjoy playing together (we haven't tried to teach Lily-Anna as she seems a little young). It's called 7 Wonders and the rest of us are enjoying it. It's so wonderful to be able to take out games from the library.

We have so much to be thankful for! We heard through our kids' wonderful music teacher that someone was wanting to donate an apartment-sized piano. We ended up getting it delivered to our home. There are not a lot of options about where a piano can fit in our home so we decided we would have one baseboard heater removed from our living room to make a little extra room. Thankfully the electrician who showed up knew better and told us he couldn't remove it as the room would be too cold. It sort of seems obvious in retrospect. It took me a little more work to move things around but the piano ended up in a better spot.

I signed Kohen up for a daycamp which was meant to focus on life in the early 1900s. Isaac loved the camp when he attended and so did my niece. Lily-Anna can't wait to go. Each child is given a costume on the first day to wear each day. When Isaac went I made homemade bread all week (in the breadmaker) and packed everything in wax paper and he drank out of a glass jar, all of which was packed in a picnic basket. I think I even had him wear shoes that weren't running shoes. I'm sure Kohen had a little more fun than he let on but he was not the happiest camper. After the first day, I let him take his backpack and gave up on the homemade bread and wax paper and he was not about to drink from a glass jar. He did catch two fish on a stick, using dough as bait. Isaac went when he was younger so maybe that was part of it as I couldn't send Kohen earlier due to Covid. I suspect if Kohen went to a camp with a friend, that would make a difference. That may be my plan next year. It will also be a camp where he doesn't have to dress up.

We renewed our Toronto Island tradition this year. It's been three years since we've been there due to Covid. Our friends were able to go too (I think this is at least the third time our friends have been there at the same time). The ten of us were all in the Bumper Cars ride together and we shared a pizza supper. We had a lovely day.

It's time to head to bed. I want to enjoy these last few days before school to the max.

I found these bear costumes in my parents' basement. I remember them from when I was a child. I hadn't remembered that my parents actually made them around the time or before I was born for their church's VBS. Mom sewed and Dad made the heads out of papermache. Most of the paws have disappeared.