The kids were in the care of grandma and grandpa. They may not even have noticed us leaving. Dan and I escaped for the day. A whole day.

We set out for Victoria, a 2.5 hour drive from my in-laws. I cast on a baby cardigan I wasn’t supposed to be knitting(thanks to a friend who kept teasing me with hers). We chatted. I only asked for a snack once.

Before we went downtown for lunch at this favourite vegetarian restaurant; before we wandered this favourite store; before meeting some of our favourite friends for awesome conversation; before joining them for take-out from this favourite noodle shop; before watching the sunset on my favourite long day of the year…we stopped, in a day of favourites, at one of my very favourite places.

It’s a special strip of road separating a lagoon from the ocean.

We parked and walked across to the lagoon beach were we sat watching Great Blue Herons, Caspian Terns and many different types of gulls.

Then we crossed the road to sit gazing out over the Pacific.

I breathed deeply of that most wonderful ocean air and my soul exhaled a few times.

After a rather long silence Dan turned to me and asked if I was enjoying myself. Oh yes, I was.

It was a great day.

In case you missed this post, the Jay family is on vacation.

We left our city home in the good hands of a friend and travelled west to the coast, half of the grandparents and salty air.

The 15-hour trip from door to door was absolutely wonderful. These little people of ours stunned us once again with their incredible travelling skills. Snacks, books, sketch pads and music kept everyone busy and we only answered the question, “Are we almost at the ferry?” about every 20 minutes.

It doesn’t hurt to have a few “vacation only” snacks packed to keep little fingers busy.

We even saw some wildlife…not including the flying fish.

Any guesses which child I had the best view of during our day?

After nearly twelve hours, thousands of snacks, one listen to The Best of ABBA *shudder*, three naps, one diaper blow-out and three potty stops we boarded a ferry to the Island.

The ferry trip is by far a kid-favourite – and thanks to the three naps the journey was raised immeasurably in Mommy and Daddy’s opinions.

We were on the ocean – floating as Sarah kept reminding us while she remembered this previous lesson.

As I savoured the view these clowns ran off some of that pent up energy.

I just adore these little people. And family vacations. And the ocean.

And I love how they all feel like home.

Each day has been feeling a little more like summer here.

The smell of fresh cut grass, barbeques and blossoms. The sound of children playing, mosquitoes buzzing and birds singing. The sight of late, lingering sunsets, a garden ready to explode, dandelions aplenty.

There are special moments I enjoy at every time of the year but these long days before the heat of summer hits are some of my favourite. The days stretch out, our schooling mellows, the mornings are cool enough for baking, the afternoons warm and bright, summer showers surprise us with their sudden strength.

We’ve had a busy weekend – a sweet blend of visits with beautiful friends and preparations for our upcoming vacation.

The littles have had the door swinging all weekend as they hop in and out, through the sprinklers and in for snacks.

Muddy footprints mark their progress, sun hats have become every moment wear and we’re restocking fruit nearly every day.

I’ve nabbed some quiet moments with my knitting.

In the kitchen.

And over a few little sewing projects.

And I’ve been happy to share these moments with the most wonderful company.

These days have been feeling much lighter, much brighter and much more peaceful. The weight I felt I was carrying last week is less. I am so thankful for hope and love. I am so thankful for friendship and encouragement. Thank you all for the love and kindness so many of you have offered me – in this space and elsewhere. I am amazed and blessed.

I’m wishing you all days of blessing…with a little more each day.

After a cold and rainy week the sun showed its lovely face again today. Just in time for the kids to join their friends at the park across the way. Just in time to pull the weeds which had grown to frightening proportions. Just in time for juicy watermelon and picnic blankets. Just in time to highlight all those grey hairs I didn’t know I had. Just in time for the patient buds to open in the garden and many of the veggie sprouts to peek just a little higher out of the ground.

(Just in time for me to discover this growing belly of mine gets in the way of photography.)

Today I found there was the distinct call of summer in the air – without perhaps the temperatures to accompany but full of promise and joy and sunshine. With children calling, the smell of fresh cut grass and barbecues.  These are days which always seem to fill me with memories of childhood. I’ve been swirling in nostalgia all day, my mind lost in warm and happy thoughts of some previous summer day.

The power of memory never ceases to amaze me. I love that inexplicable feeling of being transported to a moment long since past. I found myself trying to grab hold of those memories but instead they flirted just outside my grasp and left me with a feeling of simple joy.

And later this evening when bedtime chaos reigned with overtired children, shampoo mishaps and potty accidents. When I found myself sighing in exasperation at end of the day drama and woes. I remembered that simple joy and paused, if only for a moment, in thankfulness. Deep thankfulness for these dear ones who bring new memories in every moment, while making happy childhood memories of their own.

Hoping you all find such moments of peace and joy in your week.

I’m begging one more day of this long weekend. I promised a yummy post but I didn’t get that one finished up quite yet. There have been too many toes to nibble, bug bites to soothe, birds to “Quack” at, tears to comfort, and lions to brush out of teeth (I don’t even know how to explain that last one).

So here’s a little peek of our fun from this long weekend…along with some photos of yesterday’s baking frenzy as a tease. I’ll have that yummy post for you on Thursday!

Kid made snack picnics.

Green and purple smoothies.

A girl who likes her cucumbers whole.

Potty successes.

Lots of silliness.

Gazing out a rainy day…

…a rainy day which inspired all this baking.

Grandma’s biscuits.

Muffins that were deemed unhealthy because they weren’t brown – but were they ever yummy.

Pie pastry.

And a summery pie.

Now we are off to take a stab at some schoolwork…schoolwork which was sadly neglected during last week’s sunny days. At least cold and rainy days are good for some things.

Have you had anything baking in your kitchen lately?