3 Billy Goats

We are enjoying the summer, thoroughly and without hesitation. Our motto is, "see a park, stop and play." So, after Aidan's physio yesterday we hung out at a very cool park down by the ocean. The boys had such fun running, climbing and zipping.... Luckily I got them to slow down enough to take a couple of photos of them together. I can't believe how big they are getting! Aidan looks so grown up with his big brothers. Especially now that he's wearing his glasses.

And...things seem to be clicking for him. While grocery shopping he signed talk, talk, talk, talk, until I realized he was trying to tell me something. Then, he signed cookie. I was so happy I squealed and jumped up and down. This is the first time he's done that to get my attention...it's usually the other way around. I sign "talk to me" to prompt him, then he copies/answers my query.

Today, he put one of his socks on BY HIMSELF! He worked at it for such a long time, but he didn't get frustrated - and he looked so very proud of himself. Another big hip-hip hooray (from me) that shook the house and most likely woke the neighbourhood.

It's all good.

Glasses for a Day

Finally, finally, finally.  Aidan wore his glasses while watching Elmo.  Aidan wore his glasses while eating.  Aidan wore his glasses while sitting on the deck enjoying the flowers.  Aidan wore his glasses.

Then.  Mommy. Stepped. On. Them.

Oh the shame. 

Going to make a visit with the optical dispensary to see if they can be fixed...and will order a second pair.  Maybe in neon yellow so they don't blend in with the hardwood.  Good idea, no?

Fortunate

We're fortunate. I know that. I'm grateful. Family is the most important thing.

Under a Prairie Sky

 


We're in Saskatchewan enjoying the big sky and bright sun.  Aidan is thrilled to  be in the large house with the lovely back yard.  The big boys spent a couple of hours this morning pretending they were Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.  They looked for clues, interviewed people, and solved crimes.  It was nice to see them getting along and using their imaginations.

I brought my paints with me and have been setting up at the kitchen table after the boys go to bed.  It's nice to have Baba's critical eye helping me make the big decisions.  One painting has been painted over so many times the paint is thicker than the canvas.

I'll try to post some photos soon.

A few paintings

Boat for Hope

This weekend we transformed ourselves into pirates for the annual Variety charity called Boat for Hope. 





People donate time, energy and their boats to take people with disabilities (and their families) for a boating adventure.  This year we got to ride in a Whale Watching Boat.  Our captain gave up a day of work to volunteer his time for this amazing charity.  There were whales out...and he was missing it...but he didn't care.  He took his two children along, and together they experienced the joy of coming together as a community for a great cause.



I told them how very important the charity was to our family.  How Variety Heart in Winnipeg helped us to get to Edmonton to get Aidan's heart fixed when he was only five months old.  How we'll always be grateful.

When we docked and were leaving.  Our Captain (wish I knew his name) gave Aidan a little pat on the shoulder and said, "take care of your mom, big guy."

I wanted to cry.  I guess I have a soft spot for pirates.

Hot off the Easel - The Knight's Gift

I think this little painting is finished, but after I live with it for a few days I might add/change some things.



For now, I'm quite proud of it!  I was inspired by a little clearing near where I live.  I stopped the vehicle on the roadside and took photos.  My lads thought I'd flipped my lid, but that seems to be my new normal. 



For some reason, I thought of a knight, a horse, and an apple.



Once I got going, I realized the big tree in the middle of the clearing would take away from the characters, so I'm saving that for another painting.