Today, I enjoyed being a parent.

Matt was on the road heading to Whitehorse by 7am leaving me on my own with the kids for the next three days. Of course I was dreading it. The boys live for lunchtime and 4:30pm when Matt walks through the door. Days feel so long when he isn't home!

But today turned into one of those days where I truly enjoyed being a parent. Yes, that does mean that there are days when I don't- mainly due to frustration and exhaustion.

It doesn't mean that there weren't tears, time-outs and a bit of blood today.

This morning we played in the house until 10am. The boys both had huge appetites and ate everything in sight. At 10am we headed out of the house for a walk with a friend. The weather was warm (only about -3C) and we walked 3km. The boys didn't fight at all and Hunter only put up a small fuss when I made him walk his 0.7km to the stop sign. Next we played at another mom's house and that passed an hour. No fights over eating at lunch, a bit of play time and then naps. Hunter was down for 2 hours. Cavan cried for half an hour and then crashed for an hour.

The afternoon was just as nice. While they napped I worked on some sewing and caught up on some tv online. The boys woke up happy and snack time was followed by playtime outside where we did some sliding, digging in the snow/dirt and rock hauling. We came inside where the kids were entertained by running water in the sink, bowls and cups while I made a delicious squash soup and applesauce french toast for the boys. Erica joined us for supper and playtime afterwards. Cavan crashed by 7:30pm and Hunter helped me load a dozen apples, six pears, two mango's, a coconut, four oranges and four lemons into the dehydrator (the citrus is for some craft projects). Then Hunter and I read some books and then he asked if he could sleep with me since his dad's spot in the bed was empty. How could I turn that down! So he is now snuggled in my bed fast asleep.

A perfect day. The boys didn't fight that much resulting in just a couple of time outs. No clue how the blood happened. When I came to check on the crying, Cavan's lip was bleeding, but he was over it in a couple of minutes. I am pooped from a busy day, but it is a content type of exhaustion.

I need to remember these days to encourage me on those other days!! Hopefully tomorrow goes just as well.

Thanks Leanne

The other week I was having a great catch up with my friend Leanne over the phone when she totally called me out. I was whining that it was windy and cold outside and I didn't want to go outside for my walk. She then mentioned how I whined all summer that it was too hot to walk. Pretty much I was told to suck it up and get my ass outside for my walk. It was exactly what I needed to hear! We are now back into our walking routine and have walked at least every other day since that phone call.

To make sure I get out for a walk, I get Matt to take our truck to work in the mornings instead of his work vehicle. We can get out for our walk and catch a ride home if we are late and that way I don't feel rushed to get the kids off the playground or stop them playing in the bush if they are having fun. Matt just checks the usual spots for us on his way home for lunch.

So Leanne, it is -13 this morning and we will be gearing up to head out for our walk soon! Thanks for the verbal butt kicking!

Making Tracks

Today the boys and I went on our regular walk around town. We have started taking more of the trails since the mud and puddles have been replaced with ice and snow. I was more than ready to get past the mud season and Cavan's addiciton to puddle jumping!

It snowed last night and we were the first people to walk down most of the trails we were on and Hunter was so excited to see rabbit and squirrel tracks. So often he is begging to ride in the stroller after just half a kilometer, but being distracted with tracks he walked about a kilometer and a half today! Cavan, my little walker, just wanted to roll in the snow today so he got strapped into the stroller and was none to happy about it.

Hunter spent the whole walk talking about tracks. Our tracks, animal tracks, train tracks... It was a fun walk and nice to see my kid happily learning about the outdoors. AND I even pushed them in the stroller, in the snow and up the hill to the house! I hate that hill enough in the summer, but in the winter it is even worse. So I am impressed I made it!

Dead Moth!

This afternoon as I was laying Cavan in his crib for his nap I just happened to glance up and THERE HE WAS!!! The evil moth had made his way upstairs from my lair. I scuttled out of there as fast as I could leaving Cavan behind. Yes, always thinking of my own safety first! When Cavan woke up, I wouldn't even go in there and get him. Matt went to retreive Cavan and then killed the moth for me. My hero!!

Hopefully he was a loner and no moth friends will come to avenge his death.

Toddlers and Toilets

Lately we have been encouraging Hunter to use the bathroom by himself. He has been potty trained since last January when he was two and a half, but he still insists that we come to the bathroom with him every single time. So now instead of Matt or I accompanying him, he takes Cavan. I can hear them talk and laugh and Hunter usually lets Cavan do the flushing part. I have been pleased that they are getting along and Hunter is becoming more independent.

Yesterday morning they went to the bathroom to do their thing. Hunter returned saying he had pooed and wiped his bum all by himself. He also said he and Cavan put all the toilet paper in the toilet. I didn't think anything of the comment. I just figured he put his piece of toilet paper in the bowl.


About a half hour later I went to the bathroom to have my shower....

Nope. They really did put all the toilet paper in the toilet!

All three rolls:

Die Moth, DIE!

I have a completely irrational fear of moths. One can fly by 10 feet away and I am reduced to tears and run in the opposite direction screaming like a little girl.

My relationship with my husband nearly never was because of moths. Our first summer dating we were sleeping in a cabin and some moths were flying around our lantern. I begged him to kill them while in near tears and hiding in my sleeping bag. His solution? To turn out the light and say, "There, now you can't see them!" Needless to say, after a fit of complete hysterics, he turned the light back on and killed them all.

Tonight a moth was flying around in my sewing room. I would take the zombies down there over a moth any day. I cannot bear to go down there! Matt looked for it, but could not find it. Even Hunter was helping to search out the moth with our aquarium fish net so he could kill it for me.

How do I lure a moth out of my sewing room? And how do I prevent more from getting in there? I don't really want to use moth balls because I don't like that smell. Please, send all advice!

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