My Neighborhood

March photo a day Day 3 My neighborhood

Before I post my picture, I was thinking about 'my neighborhood' and wanted to include my thoughts here. We moved a year and half ago. I luved my neighborhood. I luved the quiet street, my neighbors, and the kids my kids played with. We had a little block , just a quick 10 minute walk, right outside the front door. It was amazing to just get the kids out quick, when things were harry, or my brain was fuzzy, or the dog needed a walk...you get the idea. I had a very good friend who's house I could see from my front door. I knew almost everyone, and would stop to talk to them. We looked at houses on the street as they came up, and we talked to someone who had planned to move about buying their house. We had worked out a verbal agreement, and I dreamed of raising my kids on that street....

And that fell through. It was spring weather, snow on the ground, but it was warm and there were puddles. The air was still nippy. (I think it was 2 years ago this time of year!)  I had bundled up the daycare kids and walked Angelina to school. We were walking home and she pulled up beside me in her van. She told me she was very sorry, but because of financial things on their end, they couldn't move. I was crushed. It was the biggest house on the street, and I had luved it. It had a nice yard, and we could have raised our growing family there. No other house on the street was big enough. I knew that. And we were quickly out-growing our small semi with wee Klara on the way.

I cried.

Goran and I began talking of house hunting (I really hate house hunting) and booked some appointments with the Realtor. We looked for awhile before we found one big enough, with a quiet neighborhood, and the bonus of a huge huge yard. It needed more work then I liked, but Goran promised we would work hard and make it a house we luved.

It didn't feel like home. Not for along time. You know when your out grocery shopping, and its late, and all you want to do is go home? I use to picture the old house. Driving around the corner, pulling into my street, and into the driveway beside my little semi. We worked hard to make that semi beautiful. It was. I brought 2 children into the world there.

But this home, this neighborhood is starting to feel like home. The neighbors were a little hard to warm up too, but they are. Slowly. They smile and wave, and stop to chat a minute as we walk by. I feel comforted to see the lights across the street when I know they are home. I feel safe somehow. And the house is becoming one I luv. We have and are working hard. Its paying off.

I think it might have to do with the seasons, and having been here for a spring already, I know what to expect, and I have all these great memories of last spring to associate with. The kids riding bikes around the block, (Grace learning to ride a 2 wheeler) the beautiful bush in the backyard, and my clothes line going up!

So now, when its late, and I'm out grocery shopping, I picture pulling into this street. My new neighborhood, which is feeling more and more like home.

i snapped this with my iphone while I was out for 2nights walk!!

Fruit

Day 2 marchphotoaday - Fruit

March Photo a Day

Here we go! March photo-a-day, inspired by,  made by and linked with Fat Mum Slim. Follow the link and find the rules and join the fun! I'm so excited for this!!

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March 1st. Prompt 'up'

Happy Leap Day!!

I home school for lots of reasons! I enjoy ALL the perks of it. No lunches to pack, teacher meet and greets, no pizza days lunch money to dig in the bottom of me purse for, and cold late afternoons pick ups to rush out the door for, freezing, standing with a bunch of other parents trying to make small talk with. Nope, not me!! These are the perks.

Except when I want to. There is this one little girl, that me and me wee ones luv. We are happy to rush out the door, drive an hour, and rush around the corner, through the cat walk, and across the school yard for. Someone my kids wait eagerly at the door to see. Someone they greet with smiles and hugs.

rushing

freezing

O the joy! It makes me smile, and so happy to choose to stand out there with frozen fingers and wet socks. The joy and the smiles make it so so so worth it!

And they play. I listened to made-up of games of Harry Potter, Hermonie, and Jack and Annie mixed together.

And my weeist one and I sit close by, snacking on those chips, and she is going to get the very last one!

big bag, small girl, i luv u so!

And my best friend comes home, and we talk, and throw our heads back and laugh. The topic gets serious, and our voices becoming urgent and strong. Its so important make the other see the point we have to explain.

Salmon, rice,  carrots, coconut pie, strawberries and the many children disappear off the table as the sky gets dark, and stars twinkle and its time for us to go home.

Thank you my friend! For the chance to pick up your precious daughter. For the chance to have supper with you. For chance to listen to the new words your sweet boy says. ( I heard them!) For the chance for all our 6  kids play together. For the chance to talk, to share, to listen, to clean up, and leave a wee bit to late! Have a great night, and yes, thank you for a wonderful Leap Year Day!


What did u do with your extra day?

Days Like These

O I luv days like this. Everyone gets time to do their things, we get things done, and I get a few other things knocked off the list. I get to talk with them, hear there thoughts, and take it all at the pace that works. That might be a fast one for kids with lots of energy, or a slower one for small ones. Depends on who and when.

It been a day of this.

i luv to listen to my self taught reader reading to her brother

And this.

I watch her tiny fingers grasp the crayon and color vivaciously. 

Smiling so proud. "Mama?" she questions, looking up at my face. My heart melts.

I have been settled, moving slow, enjoying the time. No rushing, or shushing. Letting the baby fall asleep at the breast and slipping her into bed for an early nap. A mix matched lunch, sitting at the new counter with them all, listening to the sillies, and giggles.

As they scooted off to play, I got a few minutes to do a few of my things!! I got to organize some of my kitchen cupboards. I have 5 bins of stuff to be replaced in the kitchen. I'm honestly dreading it, but looking forward to it at the same time. Maybe Friday......

I also got to this ever messy school book cupboard.

Such a feeling of satisfaction every time I clean it up.

Lets see how long it lasts!!

One Day at a Time

That's how it goes around here. Slow and steady. Moving through the day, turning to weeks, living, watching as they grow, right before my eyes.

Some times things break up those days. Walks, visits with friends or a trip to the library.

Some times things break up those weeks. Mini vacations, weekly ballet lessons, a trip to Nana and Paka's or a day spent with a friend.

Today was one of those days spent with a friend. Not just any friend. A friend, that time and misunderstandings had drifted apart. It was a day filled with a wee bit of excitement the minute I woke up. Knowing that soon the misunderstandings and time would wash away under the bridge and we would be end to end on the couch, talking and chatting, tea in hand.  I packed up all the kids, clean face's, home made pizza to go, and a small gift to give. (You never show up empty handed you know!)

Butterflies twirled in my tummy as I buckled up my seat belt and started the van.

It had been a year since we were last there.

"Is this her house?" Grace asked as I pulled in.

Really? In a year she forgot?

Hugs and smiles at the door. Oh, it was good! She understood that kids needed to settle in, and needed me close. We chatted near by and once they were settled made tea, and heated pizza's and chatted some more.

We shared light thoughts and grew more and more comfortable as the sun moved threw the house. Subjects  got deeper, and the bond grew stronger.

Plans for a visit soon were made and me and wee ones headed home. A smile on my face knowing the bridge of friendship never really went away. We just needed to get the water flowing again.

Once we got home is was quiet simple time together. Everyone unwinding, relaxing, and settling in.

O we figured out the problem, timing is perfect now, and E-I-E-I-O is played often throughout the day...

she's got a cold, and a thing for Kleenex's...

after a quick walk in the O so  cold - a cup of cocoa!

Now my wee ones are tucking in bed. The house is quiet, and I feel it washing over me. "It" you ask? Exhaustion of anticipation for this day, and satisfaction - no, elation, knowing that friendship is there.

So I join my wee ones in going to bed, happily looking forward to quietness tomorrow.

One last picture to share....I'm not sure how it fits in, I was trying to think of some clever thing about fingers prints of friendship never leaver the heart or something...but my brain is tired, and I just want to share :)

I need to clean my window, but hate wiping those wee prints away. I know the day will come where there will be no more prints....as one day at a time they are growing up.

Stupid Scale

AHHHHHH!!! I just need to vent for a minute, and then I will be done, and should be done for the day, and will blog a nice post later.

So people, lots of people tell me things like, "Wow, all that exercise, you shouldn't need to worry to much about points/food/calories!"

HA!

I luv food. I eat food when I'm stressed/happy/sad/angry_________(insert emotion here). Chocolate being my choice, but when I'm stressed anything will do (accept healthy stuff).

So that being said, last week I was up .8lb, and this week I was down .2lb. Running twice, and the exercise, I was mad. Mad at the scale, mad at me, mad at everyone. Just mad. I still am.

Weighing in once a week? I tried not to, but it was too hard last week. And the weigh in everyday keeps me accountable. So that didn't work last week.

*sigh*

I'm so mad I skipped my workout this morning. :( I know that wont help, but I have lots to do....not a great way to start the week, I know.

But my angry has got me reconfirming the things I know. Its got me recommitting and making a game plan in my head. Continue the exercise, and count count count.

It works well when I have the time in the morning to plan my meals in advance for the day. I'm committing to do that everyday.

I am down 7lb in total since, January 2. I'm down 1.8lb since January 30. Its something. Slow steps, enough to get me mad and pick things up? I hope so!!

I'm really hoping this looks different in a month!

I will blog again later today. I have somethings (not about weight) I need to record!

What are you reconfirming/recommitting to today??