Sunshine in September

I've been feeling guilty about the lack of photos on my previous blog posts so I have spent the last couple of hours adding photos.  If I add them first from now on, it should be a faster process.  That also means I have very little time left to write.  

I think the highlight of this month has definitely been the return to school.  Isaac is in his final year at this school (Grade 6), Kohen is in Grade 2 and Lily-Anna is in SK.  It is so nice to see them together with friends again.  They actually missed a week of school due to colds (Isaac didn't have one but due to Covid rules he understandably had to stay home.)    

Before heading back to school, Graham decided we would go to a hotel for a night.  We just went to St. Jacobs so we didn't have far to travel.  We were able to book a time in the pool in the evening and the following morning.  It was our first time in a hotel since pre-Covid.  We followed up the hotel with a visit to a park and the Wallenstein store for ice cream.  

We also spent one night in a tent outside Grandma and Grandpa Faulkner's home.  It was an adventure.  There was a loud and bright thunderstorm but Kohen and Lily-Anna slept right through it.  Thankfully Grandpa Ray made sure the tarp over the tent was tied down really well.  It was very nice to be able to wake up in the morning and go inside for breakfast and a hot shower.  

Learning from Grandpa in the garden

Our tent for a wet night

Annual First-Day-Of-School Letters

Graham and I went to Toronto for a doctor's appointment for me.  We were able to enjoy a delicious Thai lunch of Som Tum and Khao Soi.  We were not back in time to take Lily-Anna to her first piano lesson so big brother Isaac filled in and did a great job as he went through the Music for Young Children program with the same teacher.

Out for Thai food

Graham's favourite Thai salad

Lily-Anna's first day of Piano!

Cutting practice

I've started volunteering again in Lily-Anna's Sunday School class.  I've also signed up to join a Women's small group that starts in October.  I'm looking forward to that.

Graham has been back to work one day a week for the last couple of weeks.  He'll be there two days a week next week.  (Oops!  Graham pointed out that it sounds like he has not been working.  I meant that he has returned to his office at the university for the first time since before Covid.  He usually works from our basement.)  

One brief story:  Graham was putting Lily-Anna to bed one night.  As part of his prayer he asked God to, "Say hi to Josiah."  Lily-Anna asked, "Does God put Josiah to bed?"

One more briefer story: We were in a store with cards and Lily-Anna said she wanted to buy a card.  I asked her who the card was for and she answered, "For God."

It's time to get to bed.  My sweet husband did the kids' lunches so I don't have to get up early in the morning!!!  What a blessing!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

August Adventures

I am typing to the sound of a happy hamster in her wheel.  The kids are looking after Ginger for a few days while her owner is away.  It's lovely to see them excited to play with her, happy to crawl all over the floor after her.  I was a little hesitant to become friends with a rodent but she was too cute to resist.  

Somehow, August has come and gone.  Graham had the first two weeks off.  We enjoyed some day trips the first week including visiting family at their cottage, time with friends at a park, and a fun trip to Bingemans water park (a gift from a wonderful neighbour!)  

After a fun day at the water park

Bottom hair colour compared to top

Post-Haircut Braids

During the second week we rented a cottage in Oliphant (roughly equal distance between Sauble Beach and Wiarton but just a short walk from Lake Huron).  We had fun at a few different beaches and also visited Storybook Park in Owen Sound which we had never heard of.  Kohen went on every ride there and Isaac wouldn't stop going on the water slides.  I think Lily-Anna liked the splash pad the best as well as the playgrounds and the little houses with storybook characters.  Graham and I definitely appreciated all the shade.  I went on the little roller coaster with Kohen.  He sat beside me and told me he was going to be sick but then he ended up going on it three or four times.  One time was more than enough for me.  I don't mind the spinning rides and I used to enjoy large roller coasters but now I'm not so sure.  

The boys were delighted to be introduced to a beautiful starry sky.  We let them stay up late and then we lay down on the lawn and downloaded an app to show us the constellations.  It was wonderful to hear the awe in their voices as they looked up at the heavens.  Lily-Anna was a little sad to miss the show but I was able to use the app on my phone in her bedroom before bed and she could "see the stars" above even though it was light outside.  She was happy.  

We downloaded all of the Ramona audiobooks by Beverly Cleary from the library when we started our holiday.  We ended up listening to all of it - just shy of 19 hours, mainly while driving and at some meals.  I am a fan of audiobooks!

The following two weeks included swimming lessons for the boys at an outdoor pool.  Due to Covid, I need to be in the water with Kohen.  There weren't any openings for Lily-Anna but I was able to sign all the kids up for some fall lessons which means that both Graham and I will also be in the water.

Last week, Kohen had a special Daddy-date to go and see The Paw Patrol Movie.  This was his first time going to a theatre to watch a movie.  I then had a Mommy-date with Isaac and we saw the new Space Jam movie.  Lily-Anna is not ready for a movie theatre but she was excited to watch some Paw Patrol episodes and stay up later on a Mommy-date at Grandma and Grandpa's home along with popcorn and treats that we picked out earlier in the day.  

We have some new shoes so the kids are almost ready for school.  Kohen just needs a haircut.  Isaac is very excited to get back to school to play soccer with his friends.  Kohen and Lily-Anna are also looking forward to it.  I'm praying they will both make good friends.  

I like how Lily-Anna talks about unwrapping gifts:  "Let's wrap out the presents."

It's time to post this but it's also time to head to bed, sadly without any pictures.  For some reason this computer does not make it easy to add photos but I will add them ... but not tonight.  We are heading to a splashpad with friends tomorrow so I need some sleep.

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 31:2

Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Joyful July

It's been a good and relaxing month.  The kids enjoyed a week of online VBS; a couple of pool outings; a socially distanced picnic and hike with friends; lots of popsicles, Lego, and library books; and much less screen time than during the school year (actually, the kids might not list that last item as a highlight but I sure do!).  We've also had some overnight visits with fully vaccinated grandparents and Graham and I were fully vaccinated on July 11th.  A number of teeth have also been lost - thankfully from the 10-year-old and 7-year-old.

After returning home from the library

Online VBS

The highlight was our surprise trip to Raybeth, which is Graham's parents' former property that they sold a couple of years ago to friends.  The family built a lovely home on the property.  They went camping and the Faulkners were invited to stay.  We were there for two nights and had such a lovely time.  We arrived and there was a full candy dispenser awaiting us.  There was also a trampoline, a slingshot, a raft and tractor inner tube for the pond, hammocks, a window over our bed to see the stars, s'mores on the fire, good books to read, and a keyboard that the kids loved to play.  I think those were the important items according to the kids.  The adults were also very happy to have indoor plumbing and hot showers!

We have been back at our church building the last two weeks and it is nice to be back.  The kids are able to go to their classes.  Sundays are running more smoothly.  We look forward to being there tomorrow.

I just saw a skunk outside my front window on our lawn for the first  time.  I hope it's not a regular visitor as I have been known to arrive home late from the grocery store.

I just remembered something that I want to get in writing.  Isaac and Kohen agreed that their long rat tails would become very short for the start of school in September.  I didn't even need to persuade them but in case they happen to forget, I'll be able to show them this.

Isaac received his results from his Level 4 piano exam that he did at the end of June.  It was an online exam and he did very well.  He's working on his Level 5 now.  Lily-Anna is looking forward to starting in September.  It will be a little busy with three kids in piano but I am so thankful that they are able to take lessons.

I've also been having fun in the kitchen including making flat breads and shawarma, chicken satay, Vietnamese Rice Rolls, and a Rice and Bean Bowl with Corn and Avocado Crema which surprisingly everyone liked, a rare feat in this house for a new menu item.  Isaac, Kohen and Lily-Anna also followed a recipe to make delicious Monkey Bread.

We celebrated the anniversary of Josiah's passing with our first restaurant trip in a long time.  We went out for breakfast.  We later visited his grave with flowers.  

I also played RISK for the first and second time this month.  At first I thought it was quite the motherly sacrifice as I was ready to be finished by the time we had finally set up the board and discussed the rules.  However, I'm afraid it grew on me quickly and I didn't mind playing again.  Actually, we also picked up the game Backgammon this month and Isaac and I have both really enjoyed playing it.

Speaking of sacrifices, I have taught my children that it they see a pomegranate in the house, it means that I love them.  They know I always love them but the pomegranate is the physical example because I would never choose to buy and wack out those seeds if it were not for my children.  

Lily-Anna and I were talking about Adam and Eve and Lily-Anna said, "Eve would have had to do a lot of work with her baby because they didn't have baby toys back then."  She also asked, "If they hadn't sinned, would we not sin now?"  

Lily-Anna likes to tell us that it is the birthday of one of her stuffed animals or her imaginary friend/brother Jimmy.  A few times we've had cake to help celebrate and she will even wrap up "presents".  The other day she wanted Jimmy to open the presents before she had her bath so she said, "First can we wrap out the presents?"

Gifts for Jimmy

It's definitely passed my bedtime so I'll say goodnight and hope to add photos later.  

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Jeremiah 9:23-24

This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom

    or the strong boast of their strength

    or the rich boast of their riches,

but let the one who boasts boast about this:

    that they have the understanding to know me,

that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,

    justice and righteousness on earth,

    for in these I delight,”

declares the Lord.