Gadzooks

I knew it would be busy; I really did. But I didn't imagine that I would be this busy. I am essentially a moving machine and show up to teach every evening with a not-so-glamorous sweat that no one seems to understand. But it's the motion you see, the endless movement that I can't seem to quell as I find my mom-legs. Notice I said mom? I think I'm there. Elementary school is finding a way to redefine me in way I wasn't ready for. All of a sudden I am swamped in fundraising brochures, meetings, book bags, forms, and other countless details that need to be remembered. Heaven forbid I be the mom who forgot the dollar for the Terry Fox Run or didn't show up for Friday Family Reading time. My poor brain is busting from all the details of preschool and kindergarten that I must manage while still having something organized for dinner and making sure the everyone gets to where they need to be that day. Oh yeah, and then I go to work. Mayhem. An absolute shit-show. But somehow, I am doing it. Let me write a list for you;

- preschool (am)

- kindergarten (pm)

- teaching (late pm)

- parent rep for kindergarten

- duty days and art coordinator for preschool

- field hockey

- team rep for field hockey

- swimming classes x2

- birthday parties

- hubby will be departing any day for a two-week wine adventure

Ok , the list isn't that long... and I know... it's my own fault I'm volunteering to help so much, but I want to. So, what to do? Any words of advice or encouragement in the form of a comment would be greatly appreciated. I just keep reminding myself that "this too, will pass" but the reality is that I love these days. Lucas is adjusting to kindergarten well, Mia LOVES preschool, I'm happy playing hockey again, I've got nice students and supportive colleagues, my hubby helps as much as he can and sometimes I go out. It's really all good, just busy.

Photos aren't uploading right now. I'll add some later.

Savary Year Two

This year's trip to Savary Island was once again the highlight of everyone's summer. The island seems to have some sort of healing power on us as a family and we all worked out the kinks and bugs of a busy year. The lack of media alone brings us right back to the roots of our relationships and the way we relate to the time granted us in our days here. Such a pleasure as well as such a reminder to live the rest of our year in a state closer to that which fills our spirits when living in the trees and on the beaches of a quiet island.

We started our week with a visit from our friends the Witts who were sailing up to Cortes for the week. We had a crab and rib feast, plenty of wine, some ghost stories, a pitch-black forest walk and then a day of sun on the beach the next day.

(Sorry - I couldn't erase this so you get Lucas and I twice!)

Many a creature was found, loved, photographed and released. (Except for a few unlucky crabs!)

Lucas was able to cycle the hilly five kilometers across the island and we had a couple of phenomenal days at the unbelievable South Beach.

View of South Beach from the steep trail down.

The water was as clear as glass.

We caught the sunset on the aptly named Sunset trail off of Indian Point,

made new friends,

and just lazed away.

Heavenly; we can't wait for next August...