A great end to a not-so-great week.

What an absolutely fabulous weekend.

All it took was some serious bonding -  with Peter at work, and Juliana's friend here for a sleepover, Sheldon and I spent Saturday night hanging out, chatting, and watching a mini Big Bang Theory marathon.  Believe me when I say that it was EXACTLY what the two of us needed.

Oh, yeah.  Throw in the fact that the rink is ready and you've got the cherry on our weekend sundae.

It may be little in size but it's big in fun.

12 on 12.

12 photos.  On the 12th day.  For 12 months.

A chance to capture 12 of the little moments and routines that highlight my day. 

I thought it was a neat idea when I saw it on another blog months ago.  It was one of those projects that I couldn't get out of my mind.  And is there a better time to start a new project than the new year?

And so, January 12th arrived, and it was a bad day.  From beginning to end.  Definitely not the ideal day to feel inspired.  But, alas, that's the beauty of writing.  I had already publicly called it one of my New Year's challenges.  I'd put it on paper.  I made a commitment to myself and you were my witness.  

It was harder than I thought it would be - remembering to pull out my camera so often.  But, after all is said and done, I'm happy that I did it.  It was a challenge, but I got through the day and by documenting it, and then putting the collage together, I realized that there were a couple of joyful moments in there.  Joyful moments that I probably would have missed without this project.  

And now, my 12 on 12:

January  :  Thursday

01.  Oatmeal and coffee for breakfast.  Oatmeal by Peter.  Coffee by Keurig.
02.  A little snow overnight which then resulted in one of those days that seems like you're living in a shaky snow globe.
03.  My iPhone calendar.
04.  I was shopping for a bathroom mirror but somehow found myself in a change room with clothes. Full disclosure:  a black skirt came home with me.
05.  Ah, yes.  Back to mirror shopping.
06.  Take-out sushi for lunch.  Green dragon rolls, if you're wondering.
07.  The dogs and I waiting for Juliana after school.
08.  The walk home.
09.  Dropping Sheldon off at guitar lessons.  Sadly, the snow has turned to rain.
10.  Math homework.
11.  The contents of my currently-being-painted bathroom are now on the dining room table.  That would be my first resolution broken already.
12.  Wine in front of the fire to celebrate making it through the day.

Mothers and Daughters.

Last week, while the kids were still on Christmas holidays, I hosted 18 people at my house for Book Club.  If you're wondering, that's many more than our membership of 8.  That's because we asked our amazing daughters to join us.

Personally, Juliana and I spent most of the time that we read, toe to toe on the living room couch.  Each reading our own copy of the book separately and yet being together in the time that we spent doing that reading.  Perfect reading conditions.

Our selection was a fantastic book called Stargirl - a book that I'm happy to own because I'm sure that Juliana will be re-read it again more than once.

The food was delicious and was followed by a really great discussion by the girls which was honest, insightful, and passionate.  In fact there may have been a little bit of Stargirl in more than one of our newest young members.

While this was the first time that we've invited our daughters to our group, I'm sure it won't be the last.  While I think that each of us enjoyed the experience in our own ways, I know that for me, I was most struck by the way that Juliana read her book.

My book                                                                                       Juliana's book

Just like mom.

2012.

Happy New Year!!

I know, I know.  I'm a week late with my greetings.  Hopefully that's not any indication of the year to come...  ;)

The world is abuzz with new year's resolutions being made for 2012.  Personally, while I should go with the standard stuff like exercise more and eat healthier, I know, like everyone else secretly knows, that it's easy to stick to those resolutions for a few weeks and then, disappointment.

Since calling them resolutions doesn't really work for me, this year I'm going to make a manageable list of some things I'd like accomplish - things that will challenge me and things that I might actually enjoy making time for.  So, for the record, and because putting it to paper will hold me accountable, here's a list of some things that I'd like to try this year:

*  I'd like to take a photography course.  (Maybe a class, maybe one-on-one, maybe learning on line.  Just something to help me spend more quality time with my camera.)

*  I'd like to run a 5k with one (or both) of my kids.

*  I'd like to keep the piles off my dining room table.

*  I'd like to start a "12 on 12" blog post - twelve random photos taken on the 12th day of every month for 12 months.  (Can't start that until January 12th though.)

*  I'd like to see more live music.  And more movies in the theatre.

*  I'd like to be a better listener.  (Which, to clarify for my children, does not mean that I'm going to stand around listening for an hour while you debate your latest consequence or to try to change my mind from a 'no'.  It means that I want to be a more present, focused and patient listener when I'm really needed.)

*  I'd like to celebrate birthdays on time.

*  I'd like to go on a holiday with my husband.  (Or a weekend.  Or a night.)

* * *

On an even more personal note, I'm ever so grateful for all the encouragement and truly nice things that people say about reading my blog and I'm excited about all the little things to come in 2012.

Happy New Year to all.  From me to you.

The Christmas Season: Recovering.

Since returning home from my mom's, we've spent one day at the arena for Sheldon's hockey tournament, made one trip to the mall for new shoes for Sheldon, done laundry, and picked up groceries.

Oh, yes.  And played musical couches.  Upstairs couch for reading.  Downstairs couch (in pull-out bed position) for movies and TV.  Upstairs couch for reading or playing UNO.  Downstairs couch for tv and napping.  Upstairs couch for playing Apples to Apples and more reading...  You get the idea.

Three days of almost nothing.

And that, my friends, is how the Bradley family said goodbye to 2011.

The Christmas Season: A family reunion.

The family celebrations continued at my mom's on Boxing Day where our families all met for a few days of visiting, (more) gifts, wine, food, stories, crafts, dance shows, Table Topics, and pyjamas of all sorts.  I personally ate more shortbread cookies that Santa does during his stops on Christmas eve.  And whenever Auntie Sarah is involved in a family holiday, you know that the children will be fed secret chocolates.

Traditionally Grandma has matching pjs for all the kids every year.  This year was no exception.  And it makes it so much better when all her grandchildren are together for the photo op.

Nick and Chris took Sheldon and Josh to see the new Mission Impossible movie.  (The one where Tom Cruise runs.  A lot.)  Otherwise, Josh and Sheldon spent much of their time playing PS3.  And Sheldon texted - but you probably guessed that :)

The girls spent two days planning a show for everyone.  They are a talented duo - doing all the marketing, promotions, choreography, ticket sales, and seating on their own.

Lucy spent a lot of time gluing stuff, telling stories, and confusing me for her mom.

And Simon?  He is seconds away from crawling but that's not going to stop him from getting around.  That boy rolls everywhere.  And the big kids took turns amusing him on the living room carpet.

Sadly, we were missing Peter for the family photo but since it is so rare for us all to be together, we took one before our mini-holiday was done and the kids and I were back on the road for home.

Happy family.  Happy times.

The Christmas Season: Best. Present. Ever.

From Peter to his loving son:

Does it get any better than the Justin Bieber singing toothbrush?

The Christmas Season: Scenes from Christmas Day.

The Christmas Season: December 24th.

You can count on a few things happening in our house the day before Christmas.

* Grandma and Grandpa always take the kids out to their favourite breakfast spot for pancakes.

* Peter is always running around doing his last minute shopping.

* I'm always wrapping presents.

But by 2:00, it all stops.  The hustle is done.  The bustle is done.  And it's time to work off the stress, get some rosy on our cheeks, meet up with friends, and do some skating with the Man of the Hour.

And believe me, just like in years past, Santa's eyes lit up when he saw his two favourite skaters:

We followed up skating with my mother-in-law's amazing tortiere and a rousing evening of Christmas carols before crawling into bed so that Santa could visit.

It might have been our most enjoyable Christmas Eve so far.