Last week we went to the book fair at our daughter’s school. Do you remember those from when you were a kid? My husband and I talked about how much we used to look forward to them – I would pore over the catalogue for weeks, debating which books I should order. And when that day arrived my stack would be waiting for me, secured by a green rubber band with the paper invoice on top.

There was a smell, and a taste even to that experience, that is just beyond reach but that I still remember vividly.      Continue reading →

Yesterday felt a bit like spring – a tease, given it is February 1, and the coldest weather is likely still to come.

I picked up this Hyacinth at the local Shaws, wrapped originally in shiny red plastic. Replacing the gaudy red with simple brown Kraft paper makes the world of difference. (I keep a roll of this Kraft paper on hand for art  projects with my 3 year old).

Hyacinths always remind me of spring, and their smell is amazing when they bloom, permeating the room. It’s the little things in life. 

What did you do this weekend? We spent as much time outside as possible, skating, sledding, making snow angels and shapes in the snow. 

The reality was great (minus the freezing toddler fingers! Any mitten suggestions that work/stay on??). But as Pooh tried to explain, the anticipation was half the fun… 

“‘Well,’ said Pooh, ‘what I like best,’ and then he had to stop and think. Because although eating honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.”

– A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

“Mama, can we go outside and play?”

“No silly goose, it’s dark out!”

“But mama, we have flashlights!”

It is 7pm on a Tuesday night in November, pitch black and COLD. But hey, she has a point. Why not?

Since that one night, the idea of a wintertime-evening-outdoor-romp has evolved into a new tradition of ours. We have gone for a skate on the pond at 6:45pm. We have taken a stroller ride around town at 7pm. We have gone to see the twinkling white lights on the tree on the common at 7:30pm. Last night we were out in the dark in the snow, making snow angels and tracing shapes in the untouched powder. We have a flashlight after all. And we have coats.

This new tradition embodies the open-minded enthusiasm that children bring to our lives, it is a snapshot of parenthood at its best. Who else could have the power to drag me off the cozy couch to go outside in the cold, in the dark? No one but my three year old.