We had a great weekend in this house of jays. I love how a wonderful weekend sets us up so nicely for the new week.

We shared fun times with special friends, I tested out a couple of new recipes (forcing me, ahem, to eat a lot of chocolate), and we kept watching those birds (like many of you correctly assumed here). We polished off a giant stack of waffles while test-driving this loan from a friend (amazing!!). There was snuggling, reading, listening,  and watching.

Of course there was knitting. While I didn’t get loads done, I did finish off the gaptastic and darkside cowls, finished up the body on the ongoing saga that is the tiny tea leaves and nearly completed the last ear on this poor neglected friend (you can view my notes for all these projects here). I even braved myself to snap some self-potraits modelling the cowls (ta da, photos of me).

Now our Monday is almost over and we’re rushing out the door for skating lessons.

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How about you all? Hope you had a great weekend and a great start to your week!

Our home is still sitting on the market, patiently awaiting a buyer. We’re feeling pretty relaxed about it all (the subzero temperatures do that to us). Apart from an occasional freak out (by me) that someone could call at any minute to see our not-so-tidy house, we’re not thinking about it too much.

Having our house listed, though, does pose the question of where we will move if/when it sells. Dan loves the search and often calls me to his computer to check out a potential home. He checks often, as much for the love of the hunt as anything. His searches are mostly objective, full of optimism (“that price is negotiable”)  and potential (“taking out a wall is a piece of cake”).

I on the other hand am more subjective about the whole process. More subjective and Dan might venture to add, kind of a buzz-kill. I’m all full of hope and really do believe the right place is out there for us but I have a hard time looking at houses that just don’t feel right. Yep, I’m one of those people.

But we look. We compare. We wonder and hope. We talk about compromise and must-haves (and I change my mind on that list every week). We’ve talked a lot about how much space we want. We don’t want much, we just want it done well (with just one more toilet)…Ha, right?! We reference this book and try to keep her ideas (which are very much our own) in mind.

And if we forget what we’re looking for, all we need to do is look around and see that this is how we mostly spend our days.

Together. Squeezed into this place that many consider too small.

Learning, playing, working, living together.

Crying, laughing, fighting, forgiving together.

And loving it.

(Yep, I nudged that knitting into the photo. She needed a presence there.)

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We’ve been trying to be a little more mindful about carving out one-on-one (or two-on-one) times with our littles – the older ones in particular. As you can imagine, the dynamic is quite a bit different when all eight of us load in the van. I love when we’re all adventuring together but there are times when it is so special (and much more manageable) to have a trip out with just one or two little people.

It’s not been as easy as I’d expected (the fairness police, aka the 7 & 8 year olds, have been on the case) but it’s been a great chance to get some extra-special quality time. These aren’t big deal trips for the most part – a helper at the grocery store, a run with daddy for new skates, a trip to craft store with mommy (not everyone considers this a treat).

Along that vein I made a plan with my two oldest daughters (the aforementioned fairness police) while my sister was still in town earlier this week. The weather was glorious – sunny, warm and snowless. We wandered out in our light coats and shoes (shoes in January are a rare treat).

On the advice of a friend we checked out a new-to-us diner. Although it was fully booked, they directed us to their other, larger restaurant. I was thrilled to learn they use mainly local ingredients, sustainable practices, and serve both breakfast and lunch meals on their daytime menu (have you noticed I’m weak for breakfast?).

The stuffed french toast was yummy and the roasted potatoes even better The tea was black and hot (I chose to ignore how caffeine affects my body). The bacon was guilt-free  – only because I measure bacon guilt in origin of meat not fat grams. The restaurant was bright and inviting.

Of course the company trumped all. Sweet girls and my sweet sister. So wonderful.

I’m so glad we enjoyed this time together. And definitely pleased we took the chance when we had it as the next morning was covered in a blanket of snow. Goodbye, TOMS, see you in the spring.

(Photos snapped on my sister’s iPhone – Thanks, K!)

We’ve flown through five wonderful months with this sweet little lady. Our Mira is the constant centre of sibling adoration and parental affection. I didn’t imagine just how much these kids would dote on their new sister. It is beautiful.

These baby days are precious and Mira makes them so easy on us with her happy smiles and gentle nature. She celebrated the beginning of her sixth month by rolling over to the cheers of grandparents and aunties but for my part, I might just be trying to pretend that this wee one doesn’t really look any older than she did at three months (the definite lack of hair helps on that count).

The girl with a thousand nicknames and at least that many kisses smothered on her everyday, she is such a joy to us all.

Happy Monday!

Our weekend flew by in a flurry of fun, surprises and busyness. We’ve been basking in the last few precious days before my family flies back across the country from us. Blessed by lazy mornings when grandma puts the porridge pot on, quiet moments with children snuggled up on grandpa’s lap, and bedtime stories read by Auntie K. Hubby and I have been spoiled by these last few weeks with extra adults around washing dishes, helping with meals, folding clothes, tucking littles into bed and bringing extra love into these short days of winter. The inevitable return to normalcy (although the idea of normalcy is laughable) is looming. It is nice to get back to a schedule but it is a bittersweet transition. For now I’m enjoying these moments and hoping to avoid the post-holiday letdown.

This weekend was full. We enjoyed sibling harmony (and disharmony), family meals, many cups of tea, indulgent calories (replete with January resolve), and unbelievably kind temperatures. We shared it with family who are friends and friends who are family. There were trains in jammies, stolen moments with books, late nights with boardgames, and a much anticipated series. There was a surprise house showing – with no other result than incredulity that three adults were able to clean the house around six children in two hours (thank you, dear Sis). There was a five month birthday. There was a sweet boy who discovered he loves to share. There were many baby kisses.

It was good.

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How was you weekend? Are you charging into this week or squeezing in a few more hours of weekend?