Postcards from a rainy Montreal

Please note that I said rainy and not snowy. Yes, I am counting each non snowy day as a blessing 😉 Since we had the time change, it has been getting darker and darker on the way home but the downtown lights look pretty festive... especially since we are just getting used to being back in the city again. Not that we are out of the covid-cloud yet but things seem to be returning- even if it is just a little bit- back to normal again.

Wishing you all health and happiness from Montreal... rain and all xox

17!

Today is Alexander's 17th birthday!! I cannot believe that he is one short year away from being a legal adult. He is in college, playing football with guys who have full beards and is close to leaving us with only one car. Alexander now stays up later than me and has a way more active social life with his friends than I do. Some days I look at him and wonder who the young man in front of me is and where that little boy went to... and then he will say something goofy and I know that the little guy is still there... under those muscles and facial hair. Happy birthday to our first born!!! We wish you a wonderful 17th year!!!

Feeling Thankful....

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving, which always gets me thinking about what I am most thankful for...

I am thankful for my family.

I am thankful for the love in our home.

I am thankful for my friends.

I am thankful for health.

I am thankful that I live in a country where I can raise my boys and not worry about wars that will claim them or that I am unable to keep them safe and healthy.

I am thankful for our neighbourhood where our children can play outside and be kids.

I am thankful for soccer and the wonderful women that I have met over the years.

I am thankful for sunshine and warm air.

I am thankful for the autumn leaves and cosy sweaters.

I am thankful for a job that positively challenges me and colleagues that make the day to day fun.

I am thankful for quiet time while enjoying my morning cup of coffee or evening glass of wine.

I am thankful for good food and good travels.

I am thankful for all those who volunteer so that my sons may be active and involved.

I am thankful that people still come by to read my blog even if I have not been so good at tending to it.

Happy Thanksgiving! xox

Boys' morning out

This blog has become kind of quiet over the past two years because 1) the boys are not into having their pictures taken anymore and 2) they usually hide out in the basement with their headphones on ;) Not an interesting blog post ;)

Oliver, being eleven years old and not quite teenager yet, can still be lured out to do things (sometimes) and, today, he was into going fishing with Andreas. Lucky me, I got to stay home and clean. I wonder who got the better morning activity? ;)

Happy Sunday xox

First day of grade 9!

This is a picture that I will treasure as it has become increasingly difficult to get Nicklas to pose for photos! He starts grade 9 today and, even though he is at the same school, it has now moved into another building. Although he wasn't so thrilled about this move initially, when renovations took longer than expected because of covid and he got another week of summer holidays, it ended up being better than he thought ;) 

Now we are all back (unfortunately, Andreas did not agree to a back to school photo) and fall is in the air. What the heck happened to summer?!? Bring on the chaos!!

The first day of the last year

Today was Oliver's first day of the last year of elementary school. Grade 6! We have been at this elementary school since Alexander first started in 2009. I found out I was pregnant with Oliver just before having to take Alexander to his first day of kindergarten. For one year, I had Oliver in kindergarten, Nicka in grade 3 and Alexander in grade 6. The only year they were all at the same school... Now, it is Oliver's last year and I can't believe it!

Nicka will start online on Friday and in person next week. Stay tuned for part 3... I might have to sneak that photo though ;)

My first official day of school/teaching is tomorrow. Maybe I will be as photo resistant as Nicka ;) 

Happy first day of school! 

First day of college

Can you believe it? I can't! First day of college (CEGEP in Quebec).... where did time go?

I had to take this picture in the back of our house because Alexander was being picked up by friends (yes, his friends... driving!) who- heaven forbid- would see him pose for a back to school picture. So, this was the one and only picture that I was allowed to take... and I will treasure it :)

So proud of this kid!! Have fun on this new adventure!!