Nurturing my Creative Side

A while back, Beth knocked over and accidently broke the large mirror that we had leaning up against our bedroom wall.  Fortunately, she was not hurt.  But it seriously was a close call!

Once I recovered from the near accident (which took me a while - you know how hard Mom's can be on themselves), I decided to use what was left of the mirror somewhat creatively....

I broke up the mirror and with my creative friend, Sue's help made a mirror/mosaic backsplash in my kitchen.

Next, I had to decide what to do with this....

Voila!

I taped around the inside of the frame and painted with 2 coats of  chalkboard paint.

Here is the finished product hanging in my kitchen.  I can't even begin to tell you how much I love it!  It makes a great 'communication board' and the girls think it's awesome.

 Here's one more photo, just for fun :)

Back to school - second edition

This week Beth got to go on the school bus too :)

Do you think she is excited?

It feels like yesterday that I was standing right here at this bus stop with her as a newborn.  

My heart could honestly melt over this photo.

Off she went!  Another milestone for both of us.

And just like that, it's back to school time.

Summer around here was amazing.  Tons of highlights.  Great memories were made and stored up.  We loved and soaked up every minute.  Lazy mornings.  Bike rides.  Swimming and more swimming.  Family Camp.  Kids Camp.  Berry picking.  Time with friends.  A new baby cousin.  Camping at MacGregor.  Ice cream.  Sun tans.  Soccer games and practices.  Carousel rides at Port.  Sun kissed hair.  Late nights.  All in all a really great summer.


As much as I am grieving the loss of summer, it's time for fall.  Time for school.  And structure.  And routine.  Bring it on :)

for everything there is a season...

I love new beginnings.  New chapters.  The start of a new season.  And that's exactly what today feels like.

Beginning Grade 7

Beginning Grade 5

Soon to be JK (she starts on Thursday)

all 3

Happy Mom :)

Off they go!

Just like that, a brand new school year...

Camping 101

Last week Steve and I went camping with our three girls.  We were camping for 10 days and it was fantastic.  If you know anything about my husband, you'll know that he LOVES to camp.  He lives for it.  He was born for it and he is the best possible version of himself when he is camping.  On the drive home from our camping trip, I took the liberty of interviewing Steve.  He humoured me and what a great sport he was :)

How long have you been camping?  "35 plus years"

What are your favourite things about camping?  "the outdoors, pace of life, campfires"

Any advice for first time  campers?  "go for it.  It's a great and inexpensive way to spend time with family and friends"

Any favourite camping items?  Things you can’t live without?  "pie-irons, beach toys, griddle for making breakfast, axe"

Favourite camping meals/snacks?  "breakfast, apple and mars bar pie irons, pringles, purple fanta"

Best camping investment?  "my broil king portable barbeque"

Favourite campground?  "MacGregor Point Provincial Park"

How do you keep the bugs away when camping?  "don’t shower" jk

How do you cope with rain when camping?  "my tarp - rainy day camping is better than a day elsewhere"

Do you own patio lanterns?  "nope - just Christmas Lights"

On average, how much do you spend a week at the camp store on candy?  "75 dollars"

Camping nick names?  "Sugar", "Luke" (from Gilmore Girls)

Readers, what do you love about camping?  Any questions you would want me to ask my resident, expert camper?