A mix of life...
Last weekend we celebrated Easter and my dads birthday on Good Friday. Then Saturday since we were in Listowel we took advantage of taking the kids to the Easter Egg Hunt at the park. This park holds so many dear childhood memories for me. It is where I would hang out after swimming lessons or baseball, where I would meet teenage friends, where my grandma would take us for walks around the river for the participaction walk, my sister got married there, there is a huge rock that will always hold a special place in my heart as I grew and learned to climb it, I watched my great grandfather enjoy many evening walks around the river, we feed the geese and swans, we walked over a bridge/dam that once mastered felt like you could conquer anything... it really shouldn't have been safe for anyone to walk on, but we watched for when the water was low (they built a new bridge later), it is where we had so many family reunions and so much more.
So... it is really fantastic to see my children also enjoying this place.
This particular day was actually quite cold, however I was there with my dearest friend Lindsay and her two children.
This was bitter sweet...
After the egg hunt we enjoyed hot chocolate and my heart cried. Followed by my eyes.
My friend was moving to England to join her husband who will be the lead horse in Warhorse. I am so happy for him, and so happy for her to join him there as he has been there since January. She plans to come back, and so far it is a one year adventure, but my heart still hurts a little to know she is so far away. We have been friends since Kindergarten, and we made best friend status official in grade seven as she carried books for me while I hobbled on crutches with a broken leg. We were in each others weddings and while she isn't gone forever, it stung a little harder as she is the friend that lost her sister to cancer so quickly just before Christmas.
So, leaving was difficult as my eyes were blurred. We felt each others love and took a piece of each others hearts to hold onto.
The day went on and we celebrated a wonderful Easter with Brian's mom and sister.
Sunday we were back home and the kids were longing for a day of video gaming. This worked out perfectly as our neighbour Sarah offered to give me a riding lesson. Let's just say I love it! I can't wait to learn more and be able to trail ride. For now, I am in the arena, but I am hopeful that there will be many future rides.
On Tuesday I volunteered again at the school. In the morning with the grade ones and in the afternoon with Easton's class.
Wednesday was pamper me day at C4 Moms. So, I got my nails done and my hair straightened. It was lovely. Extra special to be pampered as Brian was in Vancouver all week.
Friday was special as I was able to join Easton's class to go to Brooks Farms. It was a trip to the maple sugar bush. At 6 in the morning it was cold and raining with thunder and lightening. However by 9 am when we arrived it was a beautiful day. We did a train wagon ride to the bush, then a learning tour with a sample of taffy. This was followed by lots of outdoor fun. There was a huge blob that was kind of like a jumpy castle, a huge pirate ship to play on, a sand box with lots of toys, hay to climb on, slides and lots more.
Today we had a birthday party for Sam. My friend Leah had it at her house and Hadley and I were invited to stay as Brian was away in London for a LAN party weekend with his friends. I think Josie (Sam's sister) enjoyed the girl company at what would have otherwise been an all boys event.
Easton got his hair cut today. He has been saying that he wants his hair long like Hadley and I for a while now but it was sticking up all over and looking a bit crazy over his ears and at the back, so I talked him into a cut. Not a buzz like we normally do, but a cut. I think this is his first hair cut where we didn't just buzz it off. He looks so cute! More importantly, he likes it.
So, there you have it... a small picture of life at the moment.