Happy Naked Day!!!

This was the first day this year that it was warm enough for Charlie to dive into the 'little pool' in his birthday suit. Is there anything more adorable than a little naked child running around in the sunshine??? I love how completely un-self conscious children are about their bodies. Charlie thinks nothing of running out to talk to the neighbours with all of his cuteness showing. When do we lose that? Not the running naked in the streets part, necessarily, but the feeling of complete comfort in our own skin. We are far from a cover-it-all-all-the-time family, but William is only 6, and already he is past that stage. He does not want his friends to see him in his pajamas, let alone in the buff! How quickly we move from a 'born free' mentality to one of shame or embarrassment at our bodies. The human body is a wondrous things. It is strong, and flexible. It is capable of healing itself, and of having babies. And it is beautiful, even carrying around a few extra pounds of the pregnancy weight that never really seems to go away......So Happy Naked Day, everyone!!! Today is the day to enjoy yourself, feel good about yourself, and relish the feel of the sunshine on your cheeks (both sets of them!)

Quote of the Day

We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.
Einstein

Cousins

Yesterday was a perfect day at the park - a chance for cousins to reconnect, and for Mommas to sit on our butts and relax. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the children all got along (it has been hit or miss lately). Lots of laughter, nibbles, smiles, and (almost) no tears. My sister and I both lament that we do not live closer together, but on days like this it doesn't seem to matter - it was wonderful to be together. It amazes me how much our relationship means to me now, considering that we were not exactly fond of each other when we were growing up. We have learned that she and I can be best friends, as long as we don't try to live together (sound familiar to anyone else out there?). As for our kids, it thrills me how well they are getting along. I dream about them being friends, and staying close as they get older. I fantasize about them looking forward to spending time together, and even to all of the trouble that they will conspire to hide from my sister and I. Cousins offer that wonderful intermediate relationship - not as close as a sibling that you have to spend every day with, but close enough that you can count on them for company at the annual family reunion. Who could ask for anything more?

Fairwell to Friends

We were all devastated to wake up this morning and find that the beautiful robin's nest that we have been watching on our roof had blown down in the night. The building of the nest has been wonderful to see, and we have been so excited about the eggs hatching. Watching nature, being a part of it, loving it and marvelling at its beauty, also means witnessing its hardships and death. Not an easy lesson for little ones, or for me for that matter.

After getting over our initial sadness, the boys did enjoy holding the nest and exploring it and the egg shells. It is really amazing to see how intricately the nest is put together, how perfectly round it is, how strong, how larger branches and mud are used for the outside (how do they get the mud up there?) and how soft and clean the grass is inside. What a tribute to the beauty of parenthood, whether you are a person or a bird.

As for the robins, there is now about $20 in birdseed on the deck to help them through their time of grief.

The Trilliums Are Here!!!!!

I hope that you find some beauty in your day wherever you are !!

Model Trains

We enjoyed visiting the Model Train Show this afternoon . It is amazing the detail that goes into these set-ups, and the time that it must take - wwwaaayyyyyy more time than I can even imagine having at this stage of my life!!) guess that that is what ages and stages are all about - it doesn't only apply to childhood. These are men who started out as boys, probably in love even at that age with trains, as most little boys seem to be. The grew into teenagers and their love of machines might have changes its focus to cars, or might not. They became fathers, and as with most of us, likely found that they had no time to be much except a father!! Then perhaps their lives was focused on their career, realizing that those sweet little babies grow up and want to go to university!!! And finally, 65-odd years later, retirement. And the chance to rekindle the love of trains. And you know what? Their smiles and the excitement in their eyes as they handled the controls that moves the trains around the track was exactly the same as the look in William and Charlie's eyes as they watched.

Spring Fair

Today was the Spring Fair at the local Waldorf school. We started going to these fairs (they usually have 2 each year) when William was about 2 years old, and although I don't think that he would enjoy going to the Waldorf School full-time, we all love the fairs!!! We went this year with some of the boys' friends, and they had that much more fun because of the company. They decorated spring flower baskets...

Had a pic nic lunch outside...

Dug for gold in the sandbox...

Made sand cakes...

Build a log cabin...

Met Julius Squeezer...and a lot more. They went fishing for small felt fish, made comets (throwing toys) and felt flowers, received a spring bloom from the spring fairy. Not to mention the face-painting and puppet show that we never made it to.....

After some extra playtime with friends when we got home and a quick dinner, it will be stories and off to bed early - I may even get a few minutes to myself before I collapse tonight!