Apparently there's an app for that...

Meredith mentioned to me a few weeks ago how many days there were until Christmas. She is definitely the elf of the household. She loves everything about the holidays and looks forward to decorating and snow. I'm pretty sure she did much of the household decorating last year.

I couldn't believe she knew how many days were left until Christmas before it was even Halloween. She told me her friend has an app that tells her. Is this necessary? I guess for a kid time seems endless. Waiting is interminable. Especially for something so exciting.

I love that excitement, but I can't seem to share it, because I don't feel like I'm waiting for anything. Things just keep ticking along and so many exciting moments seem to come each and every day.

 Stockings on Christmas Eve.

 A toast to the spirit of cherishing all of our moments. No matter the time of year.

I just can't seem to join in on the early holiday hype. Because of that, I get labelled a grinch. Which is funny, when you consider it is my husband, the household curmudgeon who takes pride in giving me this label. I enjoy Christmas. It is the expectation of sheer bliss and harmony, while running the busiest schedule of the entire year, that seems unrealistic.

I am always thankful for some of the quiet family moments that seem to be the only ones we are allowed to have on the 25th and 26th, but Christmas sneaks up on me every year, and I'm just fine with that.

Non-stop excitement

It's the eve of the first day of school and the whole neighbourhood seemed to be buzzing with excitement. The weather has been fabulous for ages, and it is calling for rain tomorrow. Hopefully the rain holds off for that initial walk to school and the bus stop.

Findlay will be going to school by bus for the first time tomorrow, so he is pretty anxious about that. Of course, to take his mind off of it, Axel (our cat) decided to go for an adventure outside!

Axel kept us guessing for quite some time until we found him under a neighbour's deck. It took nearly 45 minutes to coax him out of his hiding spot, so the adventure kept the entire family busy.

Throughout the evening, the doorbell was ringing, the phone was ringing and of course the kids were frantic over the cat. Such a typical busy household, but I was reminded by a facebook friend that when you're wishing for them to grow up, it happens in a blink of an eye.

Tomorrow will be chaotic and fun. It's the remaining 180 some odd teaching days that will seem long at points!

Now that the cat is back, we can enjoy the day tomorrow.

You can feel it coming....

I'm not sure how those who don't have children feel about the weeks leading up to the back to school build-up, but I suspect they too have the urge to at least hit the Staples and buy a new notebook or pencils just to capitalize on that energy of renewed commitment to being organized! All of my teacher friends lament that their school isn't open until next week and they can't get in to get the classroom ready. I try to encourage them by pointing out that they get to make the most of the rest of their vacation. They agree with me, but I can see in their eyes, they are chomping at the bit to get back to it all. Preparedness. It is what keeps us sane I suppose.

I will miss the willy-nilly schedule of the summer though. The spontaneous barbeques and the drives that involve the 'slow' road seem to force us to enjoy the ride, and it has been a good ride this summer.

Some photos from summer:

 I love the energy Meredith gives in everything that she does. This photo shows that well.

 Hello PEI. A quick weekend in Cavendish made me remember how beautiful the Island is. I have spent so much time there in the winter that I forget all of the lushness and quaint charm that attracts so many there.

 A reminder of a great day at the beach.

This photo was of a spontaneous stop after a lovely meal in North Rustico, PEI. The kids busied themselves building a dam in a little river and for a short moment it felt like time was standing still.


This week I have been at the rink a lot more than usual as Olivia and Meredith have been going to a ringette camp, and it is energizing to get back into it that environment. Even still, I am trying to squeeze every little bit out of these fabulous days of summer we have had.

Happy back to school, but maybe we'll sneak a visit in to the beach in September...