So long, Summer

September!

I can't believe it's here.  This is my last weekend of 'maternity leave' before I head back to work on Tuesday.  Scary, and exciting!  This month will bring lots of new routines for us all to get used to.

Generally I post an end of month wrap up, but as I was going through my August photos I realized that I have already shared most of the highlights from this month here on the blog, such as our day at the Mennonite Heritage Museum and our week at the cabin.  You can see them here and here.

We don't have many plans this weekend...just a few evening get togethers with friends and family and some quality family time.  I hear Starbucks is releasing their fall drinks today too...maybe a pumpkin spice latte is just the thing I need to usher in this new season.

Have a great long weekend!

This is November?!

It's +20 C outside.  Flowers are still blooming and we can hang out in tee shirts and bare feet.  Someone pinch me!  Unbelievable, record breaking weather.  Love it!

Fall Bucket List

So we are already a few solid weeks into fall, but I wanted to put together a seasonal bucket list anyway.  A few of these things I/we have already done this season...it's been an excellent start!  After missing out on much of the summer (ahem, newborn baby), I feel that with Maris being three months old we can really get out and back into real life.  Here are my favourite things to do this fall:

• Take the kids out for walks on warm days so we can all feel the warm sunshine on our faces and walk through the crisp leaves on the ground.  Also...the smell of fall.
• Drink many hot, spiced teas and coffees.
• Craft sale season!
• Cheer my husband on in the MB Cyclocross races
• Hike + drive with the family to take in the pretty fall colours
• Decorate with pumpkins and carve one for Halloween
• Buy more Halloween treats, because, let's face it...I ate the first box.
• Socks and sweaters again!
• Cozy up in bed early with a good book
• Go to Vancouver with Maris to visit my sister and her family
• Get the hot tub ready to go and USE IT!  (not pregnant this fall/winter, yay!)
• Oh, and, clean up the yard to make it ready for winter
• Most importantly, be THANKFUL for every bit of love and kindness we've received this year

Image 1  //  Image 2

Slow Parenting

Yesterday was one of those beautiful, warm fall days.  We spent the majority of the day inside where I tended to the feeding and sleeping needs of my kids.  We would have missed out on this perfect day had Ari not asked to go on a hike after he woke up from his afternoon nap.  It was 5pm already, and I should have been starting supper, but I chose to listen to my kid instead.  It was a great idea and an opportunity to spend quality time together.  Our dinner plans were easily changed and we enjoyed every last drop of fall colour and warm sunshine.  We even stopped to pick out a pumpkin on the way home!

I've been reading a bit about the movement of 'slow parenting', and yesterday's experience felt like a true slow parenting moment.  Forgetting about what needs to get done and just being in the moment with your children.  Being present and allowing your children to explore the world at their own pace -- that's the ticket to happiness for all. 

Fall Bucket List

This week marks the official beginning of fall, although it already feels like the season is upon us with the leaves beginning to turn colour, socks finding their way onto my feet, and my sudden need to begin each day with a hot cup of tea.  Here are a few things I want to take the time for during this brief season:

• Put out pumpkins and carve them at Halloween
• Keep working on my knitting project
• Enjoy the hot tub on chilly evenings
• Drink pumpkin spiced lattes
• Go for walks with Ari after school
• Take in some of hubby's weekend bike races
• Clean up the gardens and rake the leaves to prepare for winter
• Try out some new recipes involving the slow cooker
• Have a bonfire
• Try to figure out a life/work balance groove
• Take a hike in the hills to enjoy the fall colour

This should be a great season!  Our days have been beautiful and warm...Ari and I spent our weekend at the park and the beach!  Photo taken by me.