Lady Who Lunches

Sorry I didn't post last week, readers.  I was busy.  Busy MAKING LUNCH.

Why does it have to be so stressful?  Maybe because it's not an option to NOT make your kid's lunch?    And they can't have anything delicious that's not good for you.  What, no Twinkies? Come ON.

But thanks to my brother and SIL and their portable food container savvy, Liliane is bringing her photogenic and organized mid-day meal in an awesome Laptop Lunch box.  Doesn't it look delicious?  It's really great for portion sizes and all the boxes and colours make everything look tastier. 

NOTE: she did NOT appreciate my putting cucumber in her wrap.  Cucumber is to be eaten BY ITSELF.  Also  a big N.O. on the snap peas.  Red, yellow or orange pepper s.v.p.  Carrots and cauliflower passed muster.  

I actually put fresh corn kernels in her lunch once (with a fork) but FAIL.  Corn on the cob STAYS on the cob.  Unless we eat it at home.

The lunch rules are complicated, people.  Parents of preschoolers, be warned. 

Otherwise, it's business as usual around here.  Alice is combining her love for horses with her skill in the salon:

And the girls got their bangs cut.  WOO HOO.

 I'm heading out of town tomorrow to go hang out with my Mom in Washington, D.C. for a couple of days.  If you happen to be in the neighbourhood, please feel free to stop in and offer my husband some  moral support as he'll be solo parenting for three whole nights.  Caffeinated beverages and adult conversation will be gratefully accepted.  He's my hero! 

I'll give my regards to the ruby slippers for you.  À bientôt!

Friday Favourite: Devotional Edition

So, I had a little revelation recently (ha ha, Bible humour) when I realized that maybe all the down time I've had since June has been for a reason.  A reason beyond the privilege of enjoying the sunshine and swimming and kids and holidays and camping and ice cream.  Which I did!  To the fullest!

They have not been carefree months, friends.  I think once you start working for yourself, that fear of never working again because actually I suck is never very far away. I had some of that.  I had more than one meltdown about money.  I had some general doubts about what the heck I was doing with my life.

But it turns out there was a point to all that.  That time was a gift.  Time to work on developing the habit of spending time with God and listening to what He has to say.  To develop the reflex of turning to God instead of giving in to the fear.  So much harder to do than it sounds.  And I'm still not very good at it but I am definitely better.

Turns out that for me, the best way for me to be in God's presence is by writing things down.  Hello! *smacks forehead* I am a writer after all and I always use words to work mah stuff.  So yes, it's perfectly logical and maybe I'm SLOW but better late than never, right?  SO.  I have my journal, I have some great music, I have some quiet time (thank you school and excellent subsidized daycare system) and I have this book called Jesus Calling.

Full disclosure: I was doing some research and I discovered quite a few folks who are disturbed by it calling it "dangerous" and "occult-like."  As if the author is trying to replace the Scriptures with her own words.  I disagree.  And I digress. ANYWAY.

This book has been incredibly helpful for me.   The other tool I use is this app written by Ann Spangler.  Someone else recommended it to me and I LOVE it.

It takes practice to build a good habit.  So I'm practicing.  I am also working on memorizing verses.  So far I've got "Jesus wept" (heh! we church kids know that as the shortest verse in the Bible), John 3:16 and I'm working on this one:

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. -Psalm 37:7

I read this for the first time about a month ago and I love it because it makes me feel better about all the crap that goes on in the world. Example: when I think about Syria, hotbed of wicked schemes right now, this verse gives me some hope.  I don't watch the news or read the paper anymore (it's a PPD thing) but I know what's going on and this verse soothes what troubles me.

Voilà.  That's what I have on my mind right now.  Along with school lunch ideas, pumpkin spice anything and starting to save money for a turkey.

Oh and we made all of Alice's soothers disappear yesterday.  (DAH SUCE!) She protested more than her big sister did but then it was over.  And she went to sleep.  Fingers crossed she does it again tonight.

Wish us luck! And wishing you peace, dear readers. In whatever form you find it.

OTTA-WINNING!

You may not know this about me but I like to keep summer going as long as possible.  Don't talk to me about how it's all over after Labour Day because *lalalalala I can't hear you*  

However.  It is tricky to keep up the charade enjoy the remaining days of summer when you have a child in school.  Sure it's easier to let go of my favourite season since we're all busy adapting to the routine and getting excited about kindergarten, etc.  And it helps that we really did make the most of summer with all the traveling and camping and trying new things and generally having fun as a family unit.  But STILL.  I'm not quite ready.

So that's why we squeezed in one more adventure over the long weekend!  It may not have been particularly warm or sunny, but we got to swim in a fancy outdoor pool, eat BBQ and drink rosé, hang out in Ottawa and generally slack off. 

We hit up the kids' section of the Museum of Civilization and it was awesome.  Super fun and well organized.  Also not too expensive.  Because, in case you don't know this, freelancing = POOR.  For now! It can also mean big bucks but I am grateful for the time just now.

ANYWAY.

We met Mr. Potato Head.  

Alice transported stuff.

And swabbed some decks.

They rode a camel.

We got in some family time in with Stéphane's sister.  I took these while they were playing a form of HIGH FIVE!  but with feet.  I highly recommend it.

Deb!  My dear friend from the waaaay back.  Let's not explore how far back exactly but we met in Junior High in 1987 so that means we were 13 - carry the one- OH SHUT UP.

 She kindly put us up for two days in her guest room.  AND came swimming in their swanky condo pool.  AND bought us lunch on Monday AND came with us to the mall.  We love her.

Liliane has declared Deb to be her best friend EVER. Like mother like daughter I guess.

I only share this so you can see Alice and her side eye wondering why are even bothering with this busted selfie.  Liliane was in charge of the angle, can you tell? 

So now, this is our new normal:

An excited nearly-6-year-old with new shoes, ready to skip out the door and plunge into whatever kindergarten adventure awaits.

OK FINE, summer. You are free to wind down.  But I'm warning you, fall.  You have big shoes to fill!