Summer Bucket List

Here we are, end of July and I'm sharing my summer bucket list.  Gives me just over a month to accomplish everything. 

1. Catch up on movies on a rainy day.  The Butler, Saving Mr. Banks, and Frozen are all on the PVR Playlist.  

2. Finish my deck makeover and eat meals outside.  

3. Take the kids for a bike ride on the paved trails along our Waterfront.  

4. Fly a kite.  

5.  Also catch up on a back log of books I want to read.  Goal: Read at least two by end of August. 

6. Go to our local water park. (This is actually one of the things Emma has specifically requested this summer). 

7. Go camping.  

8. Have bonfires and eat s'mores...lots of s'mores.  In fact, try new s'more recipes.   

9. Check out a local beach we haven't been to before. 

10. Hike a local trail.  

11.  Pick berries of all kinds and make jam.  

12.  Get my kayak in the water.  

13.  Visit local watering holes such as the Shanty House and Brew Pub by the boys at Whitewater Brewing (I suppose that is not a very kid friendly activity).

14.  Go geo-caching.

15.  Plan a mother-daughter getaway, just locally, but spend some one-on-one time with Emma.

Luckily I've already checked a few of these off the list (more on those later).  But some seem unachievable...like the deck makeover.  That has been a work in progress since June and it's a tedious task that has been impeded by time and weather.

Hoping August brings more sun, less rain, and lots of time for making memories and writing our story.  

~Elizabeth

Happy 2nd Birthday Dustin!

So Dustin turned 2...in May.  I'm so ridiculously behind in writing posts.

For Dustin's birthday I vowed not to do an elaborate party because only a month before we hosted our first annual Easter Egg Hunt. But I needed to do something and because Dustin is so into backhoes and other heavy equipment that was the theme.

I made the invitations myself (borrowed a verse from Pinterest). Lift, Haul, Move, Dig.  Our birthday boy is getting big. 

Snacks served in a dump truck.

His adorable t-shirt I had made at a local screen printing place.

There were no shortage of gifts related to machinery.

My sorry attempt at icing a cake. 

Smiles with Daddy.

And no party is complete without treat bags (even one for the birthday boy!).  I did sand buckets with summer related items (A water toy, ice pop, glow stick, and candy.)

It's hard to believe Dustin is 2.  He is talking so much and keeps us laughing all the time. He loves being outside and I can't get him out of his rubber boots.  It's gonna be a fun summer with those two.

~Elizabeth 

New Easter Tradition

I love traditions especially the ones that occur around holidays. So this Easter I started a new tradition for my Ontario family and friends...The Graham Family Easter Egg Hunt, based on the Easter Egg Hunt held each year in Nova Scotia by my mom's family.   

Eggs were scattered around 12 "stations".   Mostly filled with Easter treats but I had a few non-junk food items such as erasers, pencils, and some festive drinking cups. 

The minion eggs I made...these were my fave!

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The kids all received name tags for their baskets.

I can't throw a party without decorations.

We had a potluck supper with yummy festive desserts.  Was a great way to end the day. I loved this new tradition and have already got all the eggs sorted and bagged ready for filling again next year!

~Elizabeth

Embracing Winter...Yeah I'm Done With That

Up until last week I could say I really embraced Winter this year.

I joined a women's snowshoe group and discovered area trails and parks I didn't even know existed and spent time with amazing ladies while doing so.

We enjoyed many fantastic outdoor activities with family and friends.

Emma going dog sledding!

Celebrated with the community at our local winter carnival, which I was a member of the planning committee.

 

 

As a family we celebrated the Olympics and cheered on our Canadian Athletes.  Emma and I cheered when the ladies hockey team won Gold (listening to the game on the radio in a Tim Horton's parking lot) and watched the men's hockey Gold medal game early Sunday morning enjoying a breakfast at home.

Olympic cookies I made for Emma's class.

Emma and I enjoyed a fantastic day in Ottawa, taking in Disney on Ice.

We watched curling game after curling game.

There was snowmen and sliding.

And the snowshoes really got a work out this winter.

Even Dustin tried snowshoeing!

And don't get me wrong-sometimes the natural beauty of winter is just stunning. 

 

But this is what we woke up to this morning.

 

Needless to say my enthusiasm for winter is vanishing pretty quickly.  And to top it off, last week, yet again, the whole house came down with another cold, Dustin's developing into an pneumonia.  I'm so sick of everyone being sick.

I think many of us would agree we are ready for Spring.  But as always, during the transition between seasons, I find myself reflecting on the long months that have just passed.  Making me grateful for the time we had with family and friends.  Being thankful that my children are happy and healthy, aside from the constant colds.  With Spring comes renewal and more blessings and we look forward to embracing and celebrating that season too!

~Elizabeth

Happy 1 Year "Raising Two and Everything Else I Do"

My blog turns one year old today!  This week I went back and re-read all my posts.  What a fun way to remember a year of events, thoughts and memories.  I think my favorites were A Brook, Some Rubber Boots and Childhood Memories, Maple Syrup Season, Strawberry Picking, and A Letter to My Daughter. 

Last year in February, March and April I had significantly more posts than I had the remainder of the year.  I, of course, was on maternity leave.  It makes a big difference.

But my lack of posts makes me think why I even do this.  So I was pleased to read one of my earlier posts which reminded me why-this blog is a creative outlet, a way to share my experiences with family and friends, and possibly connect with people or share an idea that might be helpful to others.  And also entertain you-I assume if you are reading this you are a regular follower - and if you've been reading along all year-I must be entertaining you.

So I think I'll keep writing if you'll keep on reading.  I'm not going to get hung up on posting schedules.  I'm not going to get frustrated if I don't get all my Christmas posts done (if you'll recall I said I would write all my Christmas posts in January because I didn't get them done in December-never happened). When I have something I think is worthwhile sharing, I`ll try and write.

This winter has been so busy but in a good way.  I've really embraced winter this year and am trying to get out and enjoy it and maybe, just maybe, I'll get to write a blog about that very soon.

 
Thanks for a year of comments, support, and love.

~Elizabeth

The Weather Outside Is Frightful

As I sit here and write this we're getting yet another snowstorm so the weather outside really is frightful.  As I stated in my New Year's greeting, I'm dedicating my next few posts to prolonging the Christmas spirit.  

Outside decorations fall within my responsibilities.  I hope Dean realizes how lucky he is that he doesn't have to stand there and curse and swear while he unravels strings of lights.  I do the outside decorating because I enjoy it.  So here is a glimpse of what I put together this year.   

Last time you saw this bike it was part of a post I did on Spring arriving...oh those days seem so far away!  So to incorporate the bike into my Christmas decorations I just hang a pair of skates from the handle with a bow and some greenery and put a spotlight on it. I can see this decoration from my kitchen window so really enjoy it.  I scored a grapevine reindeer with white lights during the Boxing Day sales, so I plan on placing that near the bike next year. 

This mailbox is at the corner of our house. This was the last mailbox that Dean's grandpa made and our good friend Shelley painted a deer scene on one side and Malagash, NS on the other side.  The mailbox has so much sentimental value it only makes sense to showcase it in my decorations.

 

The three snowmen I made a few years ago-need to add a 4th for Dustin!  Maybe I'll make that a project this year!  And now my favorite...welcome to our home.

 

 

I love a festive front door for any season, Christmas is no exception.  It's amazing how beautiful some old metal buckets, a sled, some skates and a pair of old skis can look like with a few white lights and some greenery and red bows. 

The inside Christmas decorations are mostly down but the outside decorations will likely remain up for a little while yet-until the weather outside is a little less frightful.

~Elizabeth

Happy New Year!

As you'll know from my Merry Christmas post I ran out of time to send Christmas greetings as well as a lot of other things.  I have many blog posts written in my head that all relate to my favorite time of year - Christmas!  But alas, not one of them have been written and posted. 

So as I sit here and cut up this year's Christmas cards into next year's gift tags (cause yes I do that), and drink the last of my Christmas cider in front of the tree, I realize I don't want this feeling to end.  I'm dreading taking down the decorations-I find everything so depressing those first few days after all the lights and decorations are put away.  So I've decided to try and make this feeling last a little longer.  My next few blog posts (and at my current rate that could be into April) are going to be dedicated to everything Christmas-all the stuff I wanted to share leading up to this amazing time of year. 

As we usher in 2014, I want to thank my readers for following along.  If I've entertained you even a little bit than I have succeeded.  (Any Anne of Green Gables fans out there?  You might recognize that line.  I just finished my Anne marathon which I watch every Christmas).

A special shout out to my best friend and sister Beckie who has delightfully started 2014 with a blog! So proud of her!  Check her out at Be Happy! 

 

Wishing everyone many blessings in 2014! 

~Elizabeth