It may be dull. But it's our dull.

This is the second year that we've driven south for the March Break.  To some we probably seem a little dull -- it's the same drive, to stay at the same cottage, to do the same kind of nothing.

But for our family, it's perfect.

For the one who feels most comfortable when he knows exactly what to expect when he ventures from home - this trip fits the bill.

For the water enthusiast - this trip fits the bill.

For the one who loves the early mornings - this trip fits the bill.

For the one who wants to soak up some warmth and spend hours upon hours reading - this trip fits the bill.

We've found our favourite restaurants, our favourite car snacks, our favourite travelling music.  And when we arrive at our home away from home there is nothing on the schedule.  We don't feel the need to be touristy.  Everything we need is within walking distance.  We've got sun, sand, ocean, and books.  We've got wide open spaces to run and a big night time sky.  Our days start with local coffee, donuts, and, if we're lucky, a dolphin sighting, and they end with spectacular sunsets and family beach walks.

But to me, the best parts of the week are the quiet moments that we find with each other.

The week is a never-ending opportunity to have amazing conversations.  To get one-on-one time with the kids that we can never seem to find time for at home.  No interruptions - just time to listen.  It's amazing how much they have to say when there is time to say it.

It is a week that is bookended by our hectic happy life.  But it is surely a week that is much needed by everybody.  It is the week that refuels our spirits and gives us a headstart to feeling that spring is in the air and the sun is on our faces.

Which is why, as dull as it may seem, we'll do it all again next year.

What happens when the kids steal my camera.

12 on 12.

March  :  Tuesday

01.  I could hear rain outside when I woke up this morning.  Obviously it's the perfect morning to stay in bed with my book for just a little longer.
02.  Eventually Sheldon realized that I was up and reading so he joined me with his morning cup of hot chocolate.
03.  Peter started his early morning with a long walk on the beach.  He left before the hard rain started but he didn't make it back before getting soaked.  Afterwards, he tried to dry out his orthotics using the air conditioning fan.
04.  We decided that if it was going to rain, there was no better place to be than Target.
05.  Success.
06.  There is nothing that Juliana enjoys more after shopping than to lay out her new clothes the minute she gets home.
07.  Sheldon wants a quick photo shoot to update his Facebook profile pic.  I was just getting started when he was done.  I think I got 5 quick photos.  Hey, he asked me take his picture. I was secretly thrilled.
08.  Can't let the chill in the air keep us from the beach.  We played frisbee...
09.  ...sat and watched the waves (which I could do all day)...
10.  ...and then I watched Peter watching the waves.  There is something so peaceful about the sight of and sounds of the water.
11.  After trying all day, I retreated to the gazebo just before dinner to finally finish the end of my book.
12.  Another family sunset at the beach.  This time the kids had a rousing game of leapfrog to end their day.

12 on 12 in Florida was trickier than I thought it would be.  Our days are filled with all kinds of nothing and yet are so meaningful in their little moments.  I took lots of pictures but I found it hard to decide which 12 to use here.  In the end, I picked out the ones that made me smile a little bigger than the others.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs.

It was two weeks until we were leaving for Florida.

Since Terry, our house/dog/cat sitter extraordinaire, couldn't watch our animals while we were away, I researched, visited, and found a Plan B for the dogs.  I did this a month ago.  And yet, here we were, two weeks prior to departure and it fell through.  Crap.  I had to scramble, find the time to take the dogs to check out another option and then, thankfully, book them in.  Crisis averted.

It was three days until we were leaving for Florida.

Juliana had been feverish for a few days but with no other symptoms.  That is, until I saw those dreaded white spots in her throat.  Crap.  Off to the doctor for the official confirmation:  strep throat.  Thankfully the meds kicked in and she was as good as new 24 hours later.  Crisis averted.

It was 36 hours until we were leaving for Florida.

On the way to pick me up after work, Peter decided to try out the sun roof - you know, practicing for the warm weather in front of us. Except it made a grinding noise and jammed.  In the open position.  Crap.  Straight to the dealership Peter went.  Bad news.  By 9 pm we had our options:

(a)  pay a kajillion dollars for repair, wait for the parts to arrive from Japan, and have our van back in our hands in two weeks at the earliest;

(b)  cancel our trip; 

(c)  curl up in the fetal position until it all got better on its own; or

(d)  find a new van, and fast.

As luck would have it, we were able to trade in and purchase a new (to us) van which was in our hands at 8:30 p.m. - 10 hours prior to our departure time.  Crisis averted.

They say things happen in threes.  Well fingers crossed.  We can only hope.

In the meantime, by 6:50 Thursday morning, we were Florida bound.

Dreams.

We tell our kids that they can do anything that they set their mind to.  Anything.  And they totally believe us.  As an adult, I wish that I still had the inhibitions of a child.  I wish that I still believed that I could do anything.  I wish that I was brave enough to try something new and not be afraid of falling short.  I wish that I could remember a time before I started to doubt myself.

Lately, though, I've shifted my thinking.  I'm thinking that maybe I can try something new.  Maybe I should be trying something new if only to prove to myself and to my kids that you really are never too old to live your dreams.  And for inspiration, I only have to look beside me.

Peter has loved music for as long as I've known him.  A few years ago, he started jamming with a couple of friends.  They all had kids at the same school but I think it actually started with the trifecta:  a morning of hockey, followed by bacon for breakfast, and then a jam in the afternoon. A little later a couple of other parents joined them.  For a few years now they have gathered, with their instruments, for music nights.  Sometimes just the players, sometimes as a sing-a-long with spouses, and sometimes it's family affair with all the kids too.

Finally, last fall, we turfed those little birds out of their cozy basement nest, and got them on stage for their first 'live' concert at the Fall Fair.  The weather was crummy but friends and family still came out to see them play.  And play they did!

I realized a couple of things that day:

I realized that no matter how old you are, the nervous excitement of achieving a goal is exhilarating.

I realized that letting your kids watch you "put yourself out there" teaches them far more than any story you can tell them later.

I realized that no matter how old your kids may be, you will never stop bursting with pride when you watch them do what they love.

And the best part of all this?  If you've done it once, you can do it again.  Bigger.

Which brings us to a couple of weeks ago.

They got some space in the basement of a local restaurant, they set up their stuff, and they hosted a music night for their friends and families. Who would ever have expected that over 100 people would show up, that people would be up dancing for hours, that so many talented musicians would join them throughout the night, that they would be asked to play again by the restaurant owner, and that people would still be talking about their party a week later?

The moral of this story?

We can do anything that we set our mind to.

We can be brave and try something new.

We are never to old to live our dreams.

And we should still dream big.

Back home.

See these faces?

These are the faces of four very happy, very relaxed people.

We have now returned from our sunny (albeit chilly) visit south and are back to work/school and back to tackling the laundry, groceries, and day to day stuff that waited for us.

But I have lots to share - the week leading up to our trip, 12 on 12, and lots of photos.  Just give me some time to get some of that laundry and shopping started.  And then I'll be back.....