This weekend was plans changed then changed again.

Plans for a birthday were postponed when the mystery flu moved to another host (darn it), and snow came gorgeous but cold.

It all gave way to a weekend of peace and celebration. Quietly enjoyed, gathered close, often snuggling.

And while my soul found gratitude in the delight of a gentle weekend, our thankfulness most keenly celebrated our newly minted seven old.

So, this weekend was about a first son, gentle and sweet;

his energy which leaves us breathless, his individuality, his depth;

his weeks long plans postponed with kind understanding;

joyful celebrations by parents and siblings;

special waffle breakfast, the requested carrot cake, his favourite tomato basil pasta, all fit around gift opening and LOTS of play;

then tucked to bed with one last birthday wish and blessing.

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It was a special weekend of celebration despite the unexpected curveballs. How was your weekend? Where did you find gratitude?

Have a beautiful new week!

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::

It’s been a bit of an upside down week around here.

Back from vacation, saying goodbye to my sis part way through the week, a mystery flu bug for Liam, and a cold for me have contributed to a few of the bumps in our week.

Thankfully, we’re getting back to our schedule and over sickness. Whatever was going on with Liam seems to have hit the road. It’s always easy to know when he’s under the weather. His usually bubbly, energetic, and chatty personality suddenly subdues. After three days of lethargy and tummy aches he’s on the run again today, talking non-stop about his birthday this weekend. We’ve postponed the birthday get together with another family, but I think he’ll be up for a visit to the zoo. I’m very thankful this his flu and my cold have not spread around the house!

I started feeling better last night (although still frustratingly congested) and finally tackled the laundry pile. I’d been ignoring it since we got back last Friday and now I have half-a-dozen loads of laundry to fold…maybe I can manage to enlist some helpers. Tomorrow is our weekly chore day so maybe I can trade someone’s vacuuming job for some laundry folding? I love the washing and hanging but not the dreaded folding and putting away. But does anyone?

With all the things that “need” doing around here I’ve been thinking about the things I’m especially thankful for in this moment.

<> a kombucha starter from a kind, local blogger and holistic nutritionist and now a jug of kombucha tea fermenting on my counter

<> six healthy children, running wild, making hair raising noise, and craft explosions

<> Dan in the kitchen making a batch of turkey meatballs – dearly grateful that I can depend on this man for so much

<> chia pudding for a late night snack and raw brownies for the afternoon sweet-protein crave (after the pan of these ran out)

<> the happy, long distraction of 3 or 4 wild rabbits roaming our yard, enjoying a few sprouts and carrot peelings (we may regret sharing when they chew up our garden), and even exhibiting some mating season aggressive behaviour towards eachother (boxing rabbits!)

…and I’ll add a sixth:

<> leaving the mess until chore day

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And now there is the weekend to enjoy – I’m starting with the hunt for a gluten-free birthday cake recipe! How are you spending the weekend? Hoping you get a gooder!

This weekend was a spectacular drive home through freshly powdered mountains;
the blessing of a random act of kindness as the customer ahead of us paid our drive thru bill;
the joy of arriving home this year to a larger space (until our new home we always downsized after our winter getaway);
clean floors which my dearest sis had scrubbed before we left;
a last minute optometry appointment and new glasses before closing to fix this;
waking up to the sun shining in our very own rooms;

haircuts for two of the six – they are trusting children;
lunch out with my best guy at my favourite restaurant;
cheese and salad and pastries;
the first meal out just the two of us in longer than we can remember (thanks to my sister’s childminding) ;
an evening of chatting, laughing, and cards with lovelies;
hardly noticing daylight savings’ stolen hour thanks to hubby up for the breakfast rush;
thrifting date with my sister;
hiding for a quick nap before dinner;
then sun shining still as we ate.
Now blueberry-banana ice cream (without the cream) and the call of my knitting needles.

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How was your weekend? I hope it found you well!
Wishing your new week rises peaceful and bright.

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::

I’m loving this new tradition of mine to start the weekend with a little list of gratitude’s from my week.

Weekends are a precious thing in this house. Even though we are together all week, the weekend has a different vibe, one that we all enjoy.

<> a mama-only afternoon out for an appointment which led to errand running and an impromptu visit with a lovely friend
<> a sibling dance party which drew me away from dinner prep to revel in the joy
<> chia seeds in my morning porridge – I can’t get enough of them
<> new teas to try and the nearly forgotten gift certificate which purchased them
<> being woken with kisses, excitement, and Valentine’s Day wishes by children so joyful over the cards I made them (making the 2am craft session worth it a hundred times over)

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Where have you found gratitude this week? Wishing you a wonderful weekend! xoR

This weekend was dinner with a favourite friend at a favourite restaurant;

breaking the rules and ordering cheesecake with chevre, berry dolloped and honey drizzled;

a morning surprise of an emptied dishwasher and cleared table thanks to the littles before Dan and I were even out of bed;

a thrifting trip for kid’s clothes with the added bonus of a wool blankets and sweaters for mama;

a lengthy mall lunch, a mishmash from across the food court, lingering long;

that late lending itself to a simple dinner of cereal and fruit;

laughing long and loud over a boardgame with friends;

busy Saturday making quiet Sunday all the sweeter;

hot bath, hot latte, hot scrambled eggs (the later two are usually cold when I get to them);

groceries postponed for more quiet;

laundry on the line, puzzles everywhere, a few minutes with a book;

now it’s kids settled, couch spot claimed, knitting at the ready, ahhhh.

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How was your weekend? Where did you find gratitude? Wishing you a beautiful Monday! 

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::