A walk in the woods.

Last weekend was one of those great weekends.  Nothing really planned.  And so, things like sleep-ins, long dog walks, afternoon naps, and breakfast out all just happened.

Our family walk in the woods on Saturday was typical in so many ways:  it took ages to get us all out the door, Tucker licked the car window on the drive, Juliana trailed behind us gathering leaves, every time Peter and I tried to hold hands the leashes would tangle, and Sheldon was grumpy because he was being dragged out with us.

As usual though, once we were out, Sheldon became the life of the party - it's hard for him to stay mad when he's given so much space to run and jump - plus, he perfected the art of bugging Juliana by stealing her hat.  But, the best part was how he kept us all entertained by finding a huge stick and trying to drag it all the way home.

And here we are on the cusp of another weekend wishing that we could replicate our last one.  A girl can dream, right?

Date weekend.

We were celebrating our third anniversary.  At least that's what we told our waiter.  We've been married 18 years but we only get around to actually doing something special to celebrate every six years.

This year, with my Mom living so close (lucky us!) she got to stay with the kids (lucky her!) last Saturday night while Peter and I drove a little north to spend 26 hours alone together.

It was dreary weather that turned into nasty rain for all of Saturday afternoon and evening.  Almost every restaurant was booked for dinner.  Juliana texted us non-stop.  And yet, we had the most fun we've had together in ages.

Ask anyone.  I had been feeling exceptionally crabby for the last little while.  Out of sorts for reasons that I just couldn't pinpoint.  But spending time with Peter - laughing, holding hands, drinking coffee, and eating non-stop was just what I needed to pull me out of my funk.

My only regret was Juliana's new iPod touch.  She saved and saved and finally got it on Thursday.  Which means that when we left on Saturday for a little break, she was just getting warmed up.  Text after text after text.  Multiple Requests to FaceTime.  (I didn't even know what that was until Saturday!)  Which means that we had calls that looked like this:

It seemed too short to make a difference, but our date weekend was perfect.

In fact it has inspired us to try to celebrate again before another year is up.  I think we may have to start making up for lost time.

Happy anniversary honey.

xo

12 on 12. (iPhone edition)

October  :  Friday

01.  Fall is definitely here - it was pitch black out this morning when I pulled out of the driveway at 6 a.m.
02.  Usually we have to drag Juliana out of bed at 7:30 but last night Juliana finally got her new iPod touch.  This morning she's up early to start the day texting.
03.  My ten o'clock coffee run with Kim.
04.  There was a fire drill in our office building this morning so we had a chance to sit outside basking in the warm fall sun for a few minutes.
05.  Lunch time found me shopping at one of my favourite downtown bookstores.
06.  Friday night means a Pumpkin Spice Latte for the train ride home!
07.  I stopped at the Tourist Centre around the corner from our house just to take in the gorgeous colours.
08.  Twelve hours after leaving, I drove back in my driveway.
09.  Our busy kitchen - Peter working on dinner and Sheldon making surprise cupcakes for Grandma's birthday tomorrow.
10.  Somebody wants to join me on the couch.  Look at that face.  Even I feel bad that she's not allowed up.
11.  Once more my house is in the dark when I get home from a quick visit with my Mom.
12.  Oh, camera, how I miss you.  Next month will be all about you, baby.

Thanksgiving weekend.

I had a lot to be thankful for this weekend:

* Celebrating my mom's birthday with the whole family on Friday night:

* Celebrating my mom's birthday again Saturday morning with both of my sisters in town:

* My team of assistants to help with Sunday dinner prep:

* Fantastic volleyball matches:

* A big, joyful, chaotic turkey dinner:

* Musical interludes:

* A beautiful day to celebrate 18 years with my soulmate and enjoy a late afternoon walk together:

I am very grateful.

Time flies.

It's October?

That's impossible.

Just yesterday, we turned the calendar to September and sat the kids on the front porch for their first day of school photos.  That morning, I officially started to lose track of the time.  And while I have blog stories swirling around in my head, none of them have made it here.....

For now, let me share what we've been up to.

There's been the Fall Fair (Peter's band's first gig and then a day of rides), drum lessons, Sheldon's houseleague hockey, Juliana's youth service group meetings and their help at the kid's Short Film Festival at the local movie theatre.  School committees have started up and Peter's meetings at the Youth Centre.  We've had doctor's appointments and dentist appointments (in anticipation of braces!), curriculum night at the the school, an afternoon on the Studio Tour, and the Terry Fox run which we did as a family.  Juliana started another year of dance and hip hop, while I finished up another season of soccer.

Oh, and we decided to do a little painting so I've been looking at this view from my kitchen for about two weeks:

Did I mention that I haven't picked up my camera in weeks either?  That's got to change.

October:  the month that screams out for slowing down.  At least for me.