Crosshatches and Crossroads

Crossroads

Going away for nearly 2 months this summer brought up a number of changes and issues. Everything from where, when & how we want our next move to be, to thinking about buying a new bed for our 3year old. There have been so many changes in our small family, as well as our extended family. Being close to family members as they move, pass away, grow up and many other changes, has caused us to re-examine our priorities and values.

My stalwart travellers having breakfast in Frankfurt Airport

One important issue that has been eluding us for some time has been health & wellness. You might think I'm crazy for bringing this up, as we tend to eat 'home made' all the time, but there are other aspects of our family's health that need more attention. We decided that fitness needs more energy & attention, and that a healthy environment for our children should be higher on our priority list. Seeing how healthy our boys were for 2 months (not a sniffle or cough, despite travelling half-way around the world) was wonderful. Seeing them both visiting Doctors within a week of returning to Doha was a STRONG reminder that this is not the healthiest environment for their developing bodies. Others may have differing opinions on the matter, but this was our conclusion.



GianLuca thoroughly enjoyed running and rolling on the freshly cut grass at a Farmer's Market in Langley.

 

Enjoying fresh air and greenery in Italy.

 

Both boys enjoyed 'pizza night' at Casorelle in Italy.


We particularly  enjoyed spending time as a couple (without kids) on several occasions this summer. Thanks to wonderful family and friends, we were able to enjoy a few nights out, as well as a night away! This is something that we have missed incredibly in Doha. The generous & caring support of our extended family would really help to keep the 'fun' in our marriage.



Our relaxing night away at Harrison Hot Springs, BC.


Extended family and close friends are also dearly missed. Those who continually love and support us in thoughts and prayers were a really blessing as we spent time together this summer. Although I didn't see many friends, I thoroughly enjoyed watching my boys play, fight, giggle and get into trouble with their cousins. That comraderie & bond is something that we dont seem to be able to find anywhere else.

Tavian wasn't too sure about playing in the tent.

Checking out amazing animals at the Toronto Zoo with Aunty Karen & Esther.

Upon spending so much time with the family & becoming so close to all of us, my husband also examined his workload and work-life. He found that when he forced himself to relax and let go of certain work-related issues, he was so much more relaxed and enjoyed both his family and life in general so much more. It will be a constant challenge for him, but with support I hope he will be able to continue focussing on family and not getting overly-preoccupied with work. It made us all more relaxed and so much closer to one another.



Peter & the boys having fun at the park with cousins.

Crosshatches

I've come to love 'sweet and salty' cookies. I made my 1st batch in July and tried them again in the summer. I found a new recipe recently and everyone seemed to enjoy them. They're called Salted Butter Break-ups  and reasonably easy to make (I made the dough the night before & baked them in the morning). After a hectic couple of weeks with no baking, dragging my fork across the dough to make crosshatches felt strangely theraputic and relaxing.

New Shoes

My son is VERY picky about his shoes. He will become attached to a pair of shoes and never want to give up wearing them even though they are pinching his feet (until they 'disappear' mysteriously). This spring I ordered some new shoes for him via Shoebuy . My family received them, paid customs & posted them to Qatar. I have never received them, but apparently they are in Qatar customs (whom I can only presume are confused by the red flashing lights on them). I then decided to get an Aramex shop and ship account to order the next pair. They did arrive, but I had ordered a size too big. My son was thrilled to have them, but could only clump around the house in flashing clown-sized shoes. He wore his sandals to Canada & once there, we finally bought him the right size shoes with flashing orange lights. Thankfully, I have another little boy, so whenever Q-Post decides to deliver the shoes, I can save them for my second son.

"Hey I put some new shoes on & suddenly everything is right" (Paulo Nutini).

Spray, Spew, Blow the man down!

Spray painting

We hosted a spray-painting craft for pre-schoolers at our home last week. Using old and new spray bottles (the kind you use for cleaning or spritzing your hair with water), we created amazing art on giant sheets of white paper. The results were fantastic and very colourful. We did it outdoors because it's very messy, but a simple hose-down and everything was quickly cleaned up.

Spewing & Blow-outs

Of course, the morning when we're planning to have a couple families over for brunch, our 11month old decides to have an upset tummy. When he vomits, it's not just a little that dribbles down his shirt; he sends it flying all over whatever and whomever might be a few feet away from him. After cleaning him up, I picked him up to comfort him. A few minutes later, I noticed a bad smell and some brown smears on my arm... uh oh! Yes, he had done a 'blow-out', the diaper had leaked & he had smeared it all over himself and me. Then it was into the shower for both of us and promptly into bed for him! I had to get brunch on because our guests were due to arrive in 10minutes and there I was in my skivvies with only a bit of spinach and onion fried up for the frittata that I had planned. Brunch did work out and the food did get made, but I was sure panicked for that hour!