Pirate mom ramblings

Lately, M has had role play in his head.  He comes up with the most creative scenarios involving us all.  This morning, I am midshipman mommie.  I serve under Captain M, with first mate J, lieutenant D and baby S as the crew.   We have our treasure map and are sailing the high seas.  Our provisions - apple slices and wooden animal puzzle cookies - have been inspected and deemed adequate for our journey.  We are fearless explorers on our table ship with blankets and pillows aplenty!  

The summer is passing so quickly.  School is inching closer each day.  I am clinging to the last golden days of August, before we are swept under the glorious banner of Autumn.  It's not that I don't love Fall with its crisp abundance.  It's probably my favourite season.  It's just that I don't want to miss a single moment of the present.  My little ones are growing up so fast.  Each day, each hour vanishing with alarming speed.  Even now, I am left wondering where it all went.

I am so thankful to be able to spend my days with these munchkins of mine.  Time does not have the same urgency for us as it seems to hold for others - unless it be my fervor to treasure each and every moment.  Our days are relatively stress-free.  (I say relatively because, let's face it, 3 young kids are not a recipe for zen-like tranquility.)  However, we have no deadlines, nowhere to be at a certain time, no tight schedule to adhere to.  It makes for a very peaceful frame of mind, assuming the monkeys are not trying to poke each others' eyes out with their swords and hammers.  (Is it a boy thing?!  Please, someone, reassure me!)  For the most part, we live in the present - in the now.  We complete our daily work, happily interrupted with spurts of play and learning.  There is rarely pressure to finish something right away.  It is a flexible ship we run.  

Of this, I am thankful.  The only thing missing is... well, I can think of a few, but I think I'll choose to forget them for now and just soak up what is.  

Messy

My head is so full of plans and ideas these days that I often forget to take my keys with me when I go out.  Seriously, this head of mine is all over the map.  It would be so convenient to just take an internal snapshot and show it around when asked, "So, what's up?"  The usual answer: nothing much.  Too much hassle to explain it all.  Besides,  most of the time my brain resembles Swiss cheese, so I can't imagine forming coherent conversations to begin with.  It's all a hazy, colourful mess up there!

Incidentally, we baptized the baby this past week.  All last minute and very cozy.  Kind of indicative of where we are right now - spontaneous and messy.  The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that "messy" is the perfect adjective to describe life at this moment.  So for anyone who wonders what life is like with 3 young'ins, the answer is: messy.

With berry season done, we have turned our heads to peaches.  Between you and I, I am REALLY looking forward to the fall fruits and veggies.  Apples, pumpkin, squash.  I've never made pumpkin butter and I aim to try if I can.  That is, of course, after we tackle cheese.  I have decided that for someone who loves cheese as much as I do, it's about time I learned how to make it.  The kids are all enthusiastic enough to try anything, so it's settled.  Cheese first.  Everything else shall follow accordingly.  Speaking of making things, there's this fantastic book by Alana Chernila, The Homemade Pantry.  It's a must read!  Incidentally, she has a simple and lovely recipe for mozzarella cheese within said pages...

My parting thought, and something I think about often: M. is starting school this September.  This mama is not looking forward to it.  Such a little boy.  He is my first baby.  I can't imagine parting with him for that long each day.  He is my helper, my story-teller, my calligrapher, my soldier-king-dinosaur, my fort-builder, my teaser... my son.  My little son, where did all our time go?  When did you turn 4?  Soon you will be itching to get away from me instead of being practically attached to my hip.  Soon you will grow up and "be a man" like you always tell me.  And then, I will miss these small days of innocent childhood.  

Donut therapy

We have been sick.  Oh yes.  First it was strep throat with a little scarlet fever.  Then it was a viral cold.  Now it's hand, foot and mouth disease.  (Gee, it sounds so much more serious with "disease" at the end!)  The viral cold was actually the worst and we all succumbed, though not all at once.

Our bodies are recovering thankfully and the kids are again sleeping through the night, minus little S of course.  Obviously, it was high time for donuts!  The whole process is actually kind of therapeutic for me, and I try to do it when a bit of quiet reigns in the house. Watching spoonfuls of runny dough swell up in the hot oil to little golden puffs.  Noticing each donut's shape is different and enjoying each unique imperfection.  Sprinkling cinnamon sugar over them and popping one in my mouth while they're still hot.  I don't know why, though I suspect it's the comfort factor, but donuts are best when eaten fresh and warm.  

And since she's been filling my days with so much sunshine, I think it's only fair to share.  

My sweet girl.  How much my heart swells when I see you.  How much you are loved.