Wonderful Nate

Well, I am officially almost unemployed - my little guy's last day is tomorrow.  I really tried hard to be brave and not to cry.  I say that with a grin.  I knew it would hit me - hard.  What's not to love about Nate?  (That's his name - hope his mom doesn't mind that I've put that in the blog).

We were walking Roxy this morning - part of our usual routine - and Nate usually holds the leash (also part of our routine).  Roxy got caught up in the leash and Nate said "Uh-oh - Roxy is over and under" - I laughed and laughed. I'll miss those funny little Nate-isms.  Those are one of my favourite things about him.

Something else I love about Nate...and I caught this the first week we spent together.  He loves routine and repetition.  Our first day we made Jell-o, played Hullabaloo and danced to some great songs!  He wanted a repeat the next day. So that's what we did.  And so it went from week to week - throwing in some new stuff to keep it exciting and also having some old stuff to keep it steady.

So, I made a photo book for Nate and his mom and called it "Hangin' with Nate" - a little momento of our journey over the past 6 months.  I hope they like it.

And today, I was honoured to get him ready for his graduation.  We ironed his shirt, buttoned it up, put on the pants and tie and combed the hair.  And not to forget, a little Superman cologne (thanks for that Ben).  Ben saw Nate all fancied up and gave a whistle (yes, that whistle) and Nate laughed.  Me too.

Out for pictures - all my graduates get their picture taken in our garden.  Well wouldn't you know it?  I started crying (and I am a little now too!) and gave him a big hug and told him I'll miss him.  He said "I'll miss you too".  Now if that isn't the nicest thing that a 6 year old can say to you!  I meant something to this little guy.  I was important in his life - and I hope that he always takes a little piece of that with him in his heart.

Go forward Nate - you are wonderful!

Keep smiling!

Best Trade Ever

I came across this on a friends FB page and loved it.  It's so true.  This is one of the more important things I've learned along the way this year.  Wouldn't it be great if everyone thought this way?  What a world we would have then!  I think this is a real ahhh-haaa moment...hmmmm.  Funny how life works, isn't it? When we open up (say yes) to life, it just gets better!  

Keep smiling!

It's All Good

Today was my last visit with the seniors at the home until September - and although I know many of them don't remember me from week to week, I found myself telling them see you in a few weeks (instead of a few months).  I have seen some of the residents really decline over the past few months and that is difficult. But other residents are just as vibrant and funny as they ever were and I look forward to seeing them in the fall.  I absolutely love going there - and really believe that the old saying "Spend more time with people under 6 and over 70" is true.
 
This week is also the finishing up of my time with my little guy (nice segue).  We have officially 2 more days together - but I know I'll be seeing him during the summer and hey, he lives 2 doors away from me!  I have a little surprise for him (really his mom) and I hope they love it.  I don't want to say too much on Adventure Mommy because I know that his mom is a fan of my blog (yeah!).

Also winding up this week is grade 4 and grade 1 for my two.  I think Ben is a little disappointed as he loves school and his chums, but Naomi can't wait.  Bring on summer vacation is her mantra! LOL!

The best thing about all these endings, is that I know, know for sure, that there are many new adventures waiting for me.  And that sometimes good things end to bring on great things!
 
Well, I'm going to keep on keeping on and continuing my adventures through the summer - can't wait!

Thanks for reading and...

Keep smiling!

Trust the Universe (a Deepak Moment)

When I read this I am reminded of the wonderful day I had at Oprah's Life Class.  Say "Yes" to the Universe and all will be yours!

YES!

(If you could pretend that the word Yes is flashing with stars shooting off it that would be great!  Thanks!)

Keep smiling!

Great Things

So true.

Keep smiling!

Happy Birthday Adventure Mommy!

Adventure Mommy has been blogging for 1 year!  WOW!!  And a huge thank you to all my readers.

Cheers to more adventures...

Keep smiling!

Worthy

The Chatty Shopper Strikes Again

I was at Loblaws yesterday (my daughter used to call it Blah-blahs!!) and I was feeling super chatty.  Unfortunately, the store was pretty empty - maybe I was a bit too early?  Anyway, I was fortunate to find a chatty kid being pushed around in one of those fancy car-carts and he started chatting to me.  Well, I happened to be in the pop & chip aisle and ahhhhhhh!  I saw it.  President's Choice Sweet and Salty popcorn.  Yummmmm.  If you've never tried it, head over and grab a bag.  It's on sale too.  Seriously.  It's super hard to find - it must be one of their more popular items especially in summertime with bbq's and campfires (oh, now I'm dreaming of the trailer).
So I grab 4 bags and say out loud "This stuff is awesome.  And it's on sale too. I'll grab 4 bags because they run out so fast."  Loblaws really should hire me too - I can sell anything LOL!
So the mommy of this chatty kid moves her cart around in my direction and says "Really?  I've never tried it."  So you know I'm going sell it - "Wow!  You'll love it - you can't go wrong - and even better - it's on sale."  Didn't she grab a bag.  Ta Da! Just like that.  The power of moms - I tell you.  There's a whole big idea in there somewhere...

Keep smiling!

What is Beautiful to You?

Last night while lying with my son Ben at bedtime (our regular snuggle time)he asked me quietly "What is beautiful?"  I answered "the garden, sunrises and sunsets".  He said "I think you are."
I told Ben that was possibly the nicest, sweetest thing that anyone has ever said to me.
Thank you, Ben.  You are beautiful too.

Keep smiling!

Moving Forward

Sometimes I write about fluff because I can't find the words that I really want to write down.  They just haven't surfaced yet.  But today I want to write about tears of clarity.  That's what I call them.  When you cry, not because you are sad, but because you have figured something out.  An ahhh-haaa moment.  Maybe I should really call them Ahh-haa tears...that's more fitting.
Anyway, I digress...this morning at the home was a bit sad.  Some of my favourite residents are sliding down the slippery slope and I think to myself that I can just be there for them.  That is my role.  To bring some sunshine into their world.  I know I do that - I see it in their smiles and in their eyes.  Wow.
So back to my ahhh-haaa tears...that's where they are coming from.  I recognized my purpose today.  This is my job.  This is what I'm meant to do.  To give.  And I'm good at it!  And I love it.  Thank you.

Keep smiling!

Rock n' Roll

Naomi and Ben are on stage tonight in a rock n' roll show at a local bar.  Ben will be drumming his heart out to White Stripes 7 Nation Army and Naomi will be strumming her guitar to Michael Jackson's Billy Jean.  Should be awesome!  We even had to reserve seats as the show is usually a sell out!

Right now the kids are outside on their new "Slip and Slide" - believe me, that "deal" we thought we got was a total dud.  For $9.99 the "awesome spray tunnel" is more like a little trickle and a big disappointment (at least for the yes man anyway).  But hey!  The kids are making the most of it!

We're also getting ready for Naomi turning 10!  We were ordering her birthday cake yesterday from our little Italian bakery - and I was remembering her first birthday cake - complete with Tinkerbell on wheels.  And Naomi in her little dress (which is one of the only outfits that I kept from her baby years).  Goodbye Tink and hello to growing up, ordering her own cake - chocolate with chocolate and more chocolate.  Should be a beauty.  Just like our girl.  Thanks for a great 10 years Naomi and here's to more wonder-filled adventures for the next 10!

Keep smiling!

Look Out! Dragon Slayers Compete!

The Dragon Slayers dragon boat crew raced through the waters of Lake Ontario yesterday...4 times!!  What a day!  Imagine 20 women (actually, 18 women and 2 men - we had a crew change) all decked out in our finest rainwear paddling our hearts out.  We really did.  During the first race of 500m our oarsman thought it was in our best interest to yell out that we were 200m in...Yikes!!  Do not do that when you are less than half way!  Believe me - I could almost hear all the groans and I'm sure the boat went off stroke because of that LOL!

Well, we finished 4th place (of 5) and most of the crew slightly discouraged - although I wasn't - only my muscles were seriously shaking from the stress on them.  Get me a juice and quick!  Anyway, I was happy for two reasons: 1)that we had competed well in our first ever race and 2)that our first ever race was behind us.

A souvenir

So, we ate and chit chatted away the time until our next race - a 200m which we thought we had in the bag...but we didn't.  We came 5th (out of 5).  But still, we were a team with heart!  Our 3rd race brought in a new oarswoman (yes, a woman) and a drummer who worked so well together.  She gave us a respectable 4th place finish (tied actually) and we went on to race 4 which thank goodness was only a 200m because by this point the Slayers were pretty much done.  But, we were still smiling and laughing (mostly).  So, a powerful start and our tough guns brought us to....2nd place!  Yeah!!!!!  We were so ecstatic I think we were almost crying (well, me anyway).  And then we hi-fived the next team going out and packed up and headed home.  Soaked.  Tired.  Proud.

Beware the mighty Dragon Slayers

Keep smiling!