Look what I found!! Again!

I can barely believe this!

On a 'recent' trip to pick up some friends from the airport,  Shawn and I discovered that their plane had been delayed.  So, we opted to drive somewhere nearby to avoid outrageous airport parking fees.  I followed him, thinking we were headed to Micky D's... but we turned a bit earlier and discovered....

Krispy Kreme!!!  

WooHoo!!!

Now, I must confess that although Shawn knew it was there, I had somehow missed that bit of info.  So, I was very excited to see some familiar, sugar-loaded, nice-n-tasty donuts!  Yay!!  And, I didn't have just one!  I had two!!  I'm makin' up for lost time, ya know??  ;-)

On the way out I saw this bit of fun...

isn't it cute!

So, what started out as a trip to the airport for some friends (which we did find with a welcome home sign and all) included an added surprise!  :-) 

3... 2... 1... GO!

...for a ride on the Giant Swing...

A couple months ago (yes, I know, I'm that far behind... but this is worth sharing), the kids and I went to a nearby camp with a group we're involved in.  Our purpose was to help out and connect with some folks in the community, but luckily we got to have some fun too!

Here's a couple shots of the kids getting ready and going for a swing.  (it's like a zip-line for those in the states, but with stationary poles instead of a line to 'zip')

 D all suited up... safety first.

WooHoo!!

B's ready for a go.

.

Starting to get pulled up.

 And she's off!!

Look, she's flying!

Lined up by the rope waiting to pull up someone.

(actually, this is what D and B did most of the day, 

their swings came near the end of the group)

I had a turn too, but the kids opted not to take pics of me.  They had the camera and thought it best to take a video.  Don't know what will happen with that yet.  ;-)

Caught in the Act...

Well, actually, before the act.

This is Bren and one of her friends before a 'recent'  drumming performance. 

 

I tried to take some pics inside during their drumming (which was absolutely fabulous!), but it was too dark and I was too far away.  It was a great performance.  She's loved her experience drumming this year.   

I'm thankful for all the opportunities she's had at school, and outside school, this year.  She found some new interests and had some wonderful experiences.  :-)

Never thought I would!

I know how I am as a mom.  Well, at least I think I know that.  I have been a pretty strict mom... bedtimes are non-negotiable. So are tv limits... what's allowed to watch and when.  Dinner is only what's offered, there's not a selection.   There's a line and it's not allowed to be crossed.  

There are certain things I would say that I would never allow to happen.  I'm not talking about the "big" issues, just things I wouldn't see as copacetic! (being okay)

Well, I am about to cross that line.

I am about to allow something (eek! I even masterminded it)  that even just a couple years ago, I never imagined I would.  

Tonight, I am taking my daughter to the a first showing of a movie.  Doesn't sound too bad like that, does it?  Now consider it's a midnight showing AND it's on a school night!!  What am I thinking?? 

But, this is not just any movie, a movie based on books she has read multiple times, books that pushed her into preferring long, thick stories and becoming a great reader.  Stories she's adored and re-enacted with friends during her younger years. Stories that show the value of friendship, determination, and creativity just to name a few. Yes, we'll be going to see Harry Potter 7.  And we're both so very excited!

Sometimes, rules are made to be broken.  Sometimes, it's more about seizing the moment and experiencing life (even silly, little things like movies), than about watching the 'line'.  'Cuz ya just never know when the moment will come again. ;-)

Well, that's what I'm telling myself today.
;-)

(and for those of you worried about D, he's off having fun on a school trip, we're not leaving him out)
(and yes, Shawn is in on it, but I was only telling my story)

Anyone like a Cuppa?

Recently, we invited some friends over for dinner.  They couldn't come by for dinner, so these friends said they'd stop by earlier for tea.

Like any calm, reasonable adult I thought, "WHAT??  What am I suppose to do with that??" 

Americans don't do "afternoon tea" (or morning or evening tea for that matter)! We don't even know there's a difference between afternoon and evening tea.  Needless to say, I was feeling a little lost...

Thankfully, I managed to pull myself together.  Even more thankfully, the friends stopping by were gracious. Very gracious.  We had tea.  And, if I didn't do it properly, they never mentioned it.  We enjoyed our tea with a lovely cake they brought along, chatted, and had a great time together.  But I felt way out of my element.

This makes me think that oftentimes it's more the effort we make, than actually doing something "just right". 

Or at least that's what I'm telling myself. ;-)

Wordless Wednesday - D

Look what I found!!

 Can you see it?

Some bagpipes and MIK!

(that'd be men in kilts!)

A Scottish Fair right near us.  WooHoo!
(it was a cold and windy day)

.

One of the fun moments was watching some 'strong men' competitions.  Although we missed the caber toss and haggis hurl, we did see a couple events.  (sadly, they're the ones I don't know the names of)

 

 A pipe band off marching to perform.

(That's Mt. Kembla in the background)

Some of the competitors watching their events.

Aren't those kilts wonderful! I think it's quite fun..

  A closer pic of some of the pipers.  Lovely sight!  This was the end of the event with a massed bands performance.  It was a delightful Saturday, not quite MI RenFest, but best Scottish fix I've had in a while!                    ~~~~~                                       Gotta love the hubby who made sure I got there. :-)  I'm a lucky gal.

Milestone Moment

In life there are some moments that you know are markers of change.  While change is inevitable, (or so they say) some change just hits me a bit more while other change is slow and sneaky.   The same is true with my kids.

Throughout their lives, there have been moments where immediately things were different.... when they became mobile, started communicating, went to school... are a few obvious ones.  They're good moments in that they show wonderful progress and growing independence.  But, to me, these changes also include a bit of sadness 'cuz they mark the end of a 'era'. 

Yesterday, one such changed happened....
The whole family went out to an event in Wollongong, Viva la Gong.  It was a fun day with music and performers, food, merchandise stalls (including several fair trade one), and kids activities.  Good fun! 

After spending some time together listening to the music, visiting w/ some friends we bumped into, we decided to wander in different directions.  I had Brenna.  We went through the children's area and she found a craft that interested her.  This is a familiar, comfortable event. 

Then, the moment came...  after a lifetime of waiting in lines for face painting, she wanted a henna tattoo.  I know, it's not shocking, or really unexpected, but it does shout inside my head, "Where has my baby gone!?!" 

Some changes, I'm just not ready for...  ;-) 
But take a look, the artwork is GREAT!

just last year...

.

.

yesterday...

Different art, same smile

(Disclaimer: the daughter just came in and said, "I still like face paint."  So, maybe it's not such a big change after all.)

(and here's hoping that there'll be some more blogs in the near future... sorry, folks)

Wordless Wednesday - Official Duties

That Didn't Work

Well, my attempt to re-enter regular blogging wasn't as successful as I'd hoped.  I only got one post in last month.  Not very impressive.  (don't know if anyone noticed... well, except my mom...)

So, I'm trying again.  There's something to trying again, right.  Or as Thomas Edison said, "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."  So, I'll try to keep posting regularly, if only for my mom. ;-)
 
In case anyone out there was wondering, I haven't been avoiding my readers. (that's you, Mom) Sometimes, I just didn't have much to say.   Occasionally, I has something to share, but couldn't get it quite right.  Once in a while, I wanted to say something that wasn't nice, but then I remembered that Mom always told me "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."  So I didn't.  ;-)  (okay, that really didn't happen much, but it was fun to write)  Recently, however, I've been busy with some work.  I've gotten another "casual" job where I work two days a week and other days if they call.  (I've worked most of the last three weeks for them! crazy)

But enough excuses!  ;-)  
Here's my first post of a new attempt.  Cross your fingers! 

I'll leave ya with a pic... 

 Family game time!

and snacks

Although after an unfortunate incident playing this game in PA, I have been banned from participating.  I do stand on the sidelines and cheer on the players.  It's better all around. ;-)