Island Life

We just returned from a wonderful vacation on Vancouver Island. It was a great way to end the summer and it got us really excited about the prospect of living there next Spring. It has been over 10 years since I have lived on the island, but I can't help but feel like I am home the minute the ferry pulls into the harbour. The pace of island life is slower, more relaxed and everything is kissed with the salty ocean air. I LOOOOOVE a market called Combs, which is known for the goats that live on the roof, the beaches in Tofino and Victoria, cathedral grove, the raw, rugged coast,Sointula, the camping spots along upper Campbell lake where I spent much of my childhood, camp homewood on Quadra island,Coombs market, Esperanza.... I could go on and on.

Initially I had reservations about the trip, as the mere thought of spending sixteen plus hours in a vehicle with two small children is enough to give me a panic attack, but we decided to travel at night and the trip was virtually painless. Our girls slept 90% of the time and Nate survived on red bull, coffee and bags of sunflower seeds. Our first stop was in Sointula, which is an island off the northern part of Vancouver Island. We have some great friends who were vacationing there for the summer and it was wonderful to reconnect with them for a couple of days. We spent a great deal of time on the beach, ate fish n chips, took leisurely walks, marveled at each other's recent offspring, went fishing, got stranded in a boat, watched whales (I SAW MY FIRST KILLER WHALE!!!!!!), and chatted away the hours. It was blissful!






We spent our remaining days catching up with Nathaniel's family in Port Hardly. We hadn't seen them since Nathaniel's graduation from depo and we owed them a visit. Amelia was only nine month old the last time she met her grandma and gram pa and it was special watching her get to know them. Nathaniel's mom was thrilled to finally met our little Claire. We got a chance to visit Nathaniel's sisters, get Amelia's hair cut at a salon, eat ice cream, go swimming, look for glass beads on the beach, pick loads of blackberries, huckleberries and thumbleberries, eat out, enjoy the ferry, hold crabs, and do some trail running. I feel rested, refreshed and now I need to tackle the laundry. Love Jocelyn

I'm going to attempt to make some delicious chocolate curls tonight. If they turn out well I will be using them to decorate the decadent chocolate mouse dessert I will be "attempting" to make for Nathaniel's much belated birthday party.

A bike ride

After dinner, I tucked Amelia and Claire into the double chariot and hooked it up to my bike so that I could take them for a ride. Normally my girls are pretty fussy at the end of the day and I thought some fresh air would uplift our weary dispositions. My pretty little cruiser has only three speeds, so even a slight hill can be an arduous climb; especially when lugging two children, but I enjoy it immensely. I climbed the long hill that runs past our home, listening to Amelia comment on the wildflowers, saying hi to the neighborhood horse, and singing "twinkle twinkle little star" off key. I glanced back to see how Claire was managing and she was happily leaning against Amelia with big eyes, her chubby feet kicking wildly. Ahhh this is wonderful, I thought to myself as I glanced around me. The sunlight was warm on my skin, but not too hot, and the air was filled with lazy, drifting dandelions.*bliss* I was headed towards home when I noticed a friend of mine watering her garden. She is an incredibly gentle soul, kind, unassuming, genuine, intelligent and fascinating. She has had a great many adventures in her life and she continues to live life to the fullest. In so many ways, she reminds me of my dear Loretta. She noticed me on my bike and asked if she could join me. She went into her garage and pulled out an antique bike from the early 70's. She dusted it off and with a few wobbles, joined me on the road. We both smiled giddily like schoolgirls and peddled up and down the road until I realized I need to get the girls home for a bath. It was such a delightful way to end the the day and I was smitten by the fact that Diane had chosen to join me, especially since it had been years since she had ridden her bicycle.

my days are filled with........

My days are filled with..... finger painting. singing "twinkle little star". hearing "I want to do it". cuddling. administering time outs. washing hands. giving reminders to use the potty. nursing. making snacks. daydreaming. playing "tea set". baking. lots n lots of laundry. baby talk. twirling. scolding the puppy. sweeping. smiles. tears. tickles. baths. kissing owies better. tucking in. glancing over my shoulder at fresh spit-up. cooking. tidying. playing. and loving.

Little mason jars filled with goodness!

I was browsing on pintrest the other day when I stumbled upon a delightful recipe for mini pie's made in mason jars. Here is the link if you want to to make them. I made a dozen little pies( rhubarb, peach and nectarine), attached some cute tags, and gave them to my friends and neighbors.

It's been awhile

I promise I will post something on my blog soon! Love Jocelyn :0)

Tantrums...

This evening I had planned on blogging about how I felt like I was finally getting a grasp on being a mother of two, but then I had a horrible evening with Amelia and found myself and I found myself googling "what to do when 2 year old has an epic tantrum". For the most part, Amelia is a well behaved child, but once and awhile when she is overtired and hungry and something ticks her off - she looses it. And I mean LOOOSES it! She cries so hard she almost vomits, she flails her arms and legs, she arches her, screams so loud I'm amazed the windows don't shatter. I guess there is a good reason for the term "terrible two's", although I prefer to call them the "terrific two's" since it is such a precious time of discovery, language, independence and fun.



A mom I ardely admire wrote this READ IT! I find her posts incredibly uplifting and insightful.