Hello May!

If you ever read my blog before, you might have noticed that I am not a big fan of winter (aka understatement of the year). I love green, sandals, warm air, sunshine, sunglasses, wine on the patio, long walks in the warm evening air, fresh strawberries, BBQs, sleeping with the window open, outdoor soccer, flowers, gardening and ice cream. Please note that the vast majority of my "likes" are better in the late spring/summer months. The only thing that I am not such a big fan of is my birthday (in June) but that is another story😉....

In any case, it is now May and I am feeling hopeful! I can feel a bit of warmth creeping into my bones.... finally! Hello May!!!!

Is it spring yet?

Little things

Some days, it is just the little things that bring happiness to the day. This morning, I didn't have to stress out too much to get the kids out the door (who am I kidding? Yes, I did stress out... just not as much as some other days). I didn't need a hat... or gloves ;) I stopped at my favourite coffee shop for a latte to enjoy on my walk to work. The sun was shining. It is closer to 0C than -100C. I don't have teaching today... just catching up. I love the pants that I am wearing today (yes, a good clothes day). Last but not least, the radio station that I usually listen to at work is playing a lot of my favourite music. It is a good day. Wishing you all the same xox

The snow mounds are not TOO large..

Pretty clear sidewalk. Hey, that is important ;)

Lovely sun!

Green November

Before I start this post, I have to make it perfectly clear that I am NOT complaining!!! If you have been following any of this blog since last winter, you will remember how non-winter I am ;)

We have been so incredibly lucky this year. Montreal is still fairly warm (ie: between 5 and 15C) and green! It is actually a bit strange: stores are putting their Christmas decorations up against a backdrop of green leaves (and not just green pine boughs)! I have been wearing my light jacket and autumn boots... no shivering or wet boots involved ;)

Last year, at this time, we had a blizzard and our backyard was absolutely covered with snow. The boys were wearing boots and ski jackets. I was complaining! This year is totally ahhhhhh..... ;) I have to say that I am loving this non-winter-start-of-November :)

Last year....

This year :)

I will take it! ;)

Hallowe'en weekend

This weekend was filled with ghosts, scary zombies (and not just me before my morning coffee), morph costumes, friends and lots of SUGAR! We had a lovely time trick-or-treating with friends in our neighbourhood and great socializing afterwards. The weather was on our side (ie: no rain, snow or -15C) and we also got to change our clocks and gain one hour more sleep! I'll take it :) This evening, after the kids are in bed, Andreas will take his share of the 20% candy tax and I will guiltless-ly eat the dark chocolate/almond bar that I bought to celebrate Hallowe'en ;)

Wishing you all a great week xox

La Famille Hibou

Oliver has a class project. He brought home the Owl Family (Stella, Lola, Manolo, Alfie, Frida and Charlie) from kindergarten. All the children get to bring the owls home for a night and they learn how to take care of them (they come with bottles, toothbrushes, blankets and tents). Oliver was over the moon when it was finally his turn! It also worked out well for the Owl Family (La Famille Hibou) because they got to come to Mt. Tremblant with us! How cosy!

First, after arriving at our hotel room, Oliver took the owls out of their safe traveling place (ie: our suitcase) and made sure that they were comfortable. They were not allowed to come to the Aqua Club with us (they don't like water) so they got to rest in the hotel room. When we got back after swimming, Oliver took care of them again (he offered them a bottle). They sat on the bed with him and watched some TV while I made them dinner... seriously, I did ;) Baked mouse and veggies... it was pretend but I am sure that they liked it ;) After dinner, we played a bit before getting ready for bed. By 8:30 both owls and boys were tired so it was toothbrush time and BED! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

We woke up this morning and slowly got ready to leave. The owls got some breakfast (not sure what it was because Oliver made it) and then they were packed in my bag because the view was better than in the suitcase. We put the owls in the car while we walked around a bit. Oliver said that they didn't like to walk around anyway.

The owls are now back at our house, getting ready to go back to school tomorrow. We had a great time with La Famille Hibou... hoped they enjoyed it too! Our little trip to Tremblant was a cosy way to spend the weekend. Stella, Lola, Manolo, Alfie and Frida said that they wanted to go back again and try skiing next time.... Have fun with the next family xox

Oliver posing with the owls

All cosy!

La Famille Hibou at Mt. Tremblant

Ready for the trip home!

Evening out

Last night, Andreas and I went to a friend's wedding. It was a lovely evening... obviously lots of love for the newly weds. The food was awesome (thanks to the bride's Italian background) and the dancing was a real workout (thanks to the groom and his friends). It was nice to sit down and use a knife and fork to eat ;) The wine was good too ;)
It is funny with weddings... it makes you really think on your own marriage. Andreas and I will be celebrating our own 11 year anniversary this year and, despite the ups and downs, I am very thankful for the love that we share and the family that we have made. I consider myself very lucky... although Andreas does have selective hearing at times... hint, hint to my husband... He makes up for it by his awesome choice for a wife ;)

Wishing you all a great remainder of the weekend! xox

PS: Yes, sometimes Andreas actually reads my posts ;)

Beach life

Yesterday, I had just planned to hang out at home after my soccer game (yes, I can play again... kind of :) ) because it was REALLY hot. Happily, that did not end up being the case because some lovely friends of ours invited us to go to the beach with them! Perfect way to spend the afternoon! We went to Oka and had a great time :) I always have to laugh when we get together with the W family because, in total, we have 7 kids (6 boys, 1 girl) so we look like a traveling religious sect ;) Or a zoo, depending on the activity level of the kids ;)

Anyway, it was a great outing that ended with a good roadside restaurant and a beautiful sunset on the ferry trip back home. Outings with the W family are always a great time... thanks guys!

Oliver and his favourite pass time!

A lot of other people had the same idea as us ;)

Happy kid

Buddies, chilling

OK, Oliver! Time to go home! ;)

The boys

The religious sect ;) Yes, they are all ours!

Sunset on the ferry

Ahhhh

A good day....

.... for all!

Marstrand

Yesterday,  we went to visit Marstrand. It is a beautiful seaside town on the west coast of Sweden and where they have an old fort from the 1600's, lovely walks by the water and boat racing.... :) It was a great day and, again, if you are ever looking for things to do in Sweden, I would totally recommend it! The boys (all of them) give their seal of approval ;)

Today, Andreas and I are heading to Copenhagen.... (insert BIG smiley face here)... More pictures to come!

Here is a bit of Marstrand: