A rather disjointed update

I wonder if it's true for everyone, but the more children you have, the more you let go.  In most ways.  Let go of the laundry, let go of the need to have things tidy all the time, let go of control.  Things are so much easier to control with one child.  Less with two.  Impossible with three.  I can't imagine how it is with four.  Or seven.  (God bless my parents!)

I am learning to let go every day.  It's a struggle for me.  Oh yes.  I love control.  I remember reading many times how children react around ages 2-3 because they want control but lack the skills to express it.  I feel like that kid.  I want control, I NEED it!  Give it to me!  Then reality hits.  I'm supposed to be the mature one - the grown up - the model.  *sigh*  It's hard to be a grown up sometimes.  And to think, I used to be so eager for this time when I was little.  

My children are growing up so fast.  Milestones are flying by.  I want to shut my eyes and ears to slow things down, but then I'd just miss things going by.  M is swimming by himself as of today.  TODAY!  Not a few months ago he wouldn't let go of his dad.  We don't even go swimming every day.  Suddenly, two days ago, he was striking out on his own with the water wings.  Today, he took them off.  It was huge for all of us!  And little J?  She is swimming with those water wings all by herself and loving it.  She practices floating on her back.  She copies M by ducking her face in the water.  What little water babies they are.  And us parents are loving every moment!  (Yes, I am very much looking forward to the time when I don't have to be within an arm's snatch away at all times for both!)  

We have finished with the strawberry jam.  That is, for now.  We went to Whittamore's farm in Markham to pick sweet peas and strawberries last week.  It was great.  We used most of the strawberries for jam.  I did set some aside for strawberry ice cream.  It was a real treat.  The most delicious ice cream has to be the homemade kind.  We don't have an ice cream maker, so we did it the older-fashioned way.  Kept on stirring periodically until it was all nice and firm.  Like I said, nothing beats this ice cream.  (At least in my books!)

M is finished with school for the summer, but we are still learning so much together.  Our balcony garden provides so many ways for them to learn about plants.  They can recognize radish shoots by the heart-shaped leaves, or tomatoes by the smell.  Mint is a dead-giveaway.  Same with onions and chives.  We have a bell pepper on one of the stalks already growing rounder every day.  And our parsley needs a haircut.  They know most of the these from being with me in the kitchen.  

M has also been after me to make things.  Not simple things.  Oh no.  This boy is sophisticated.  He wanted a canon.  A canon that actually shoots.  Riiiight.  Did I mention I didn't study engineering?  Where in heavens name did the boy come up with these ideas?!  Anyhow, that is what the primitive tube is in the picture above.  It's actually a piece cut off from the tube of a bubble wand.  By some miracle, we found a way to make it shoot using a good old rubber band, some pins and a little desperation.  (That would be me.)  I don't care how ugly it looks.  The boy is happy with it.  And so am I.  Just don't get in the way of his shot.  Aluminum paper balls may not look dangerous, but they pack a punch on more sensitive parts - like eyes.  Just saying.  

After writing all this, it seems a little funny to mention that I feel a little burnt out for some reason.  Maybe we're doing too much?  It could be because little miss S has started waking up during the night again.  Teething is such a miserable time for her.  (And me.)  It might be because I'm going to be bed late.  Or perhaps it's because I haven't been able to find much time to quiet down and do something calming.  Most of the time, I feel stretched.  I feel tired.  It's more of an inside tiredness though.  

I have finished one or two crocheting projects I left on the side.  Small things.  And today I started a blanket.  I need to have a mindless project waiting for when I'm too drained to count stitches or pay attention to what I'm doing.  I wish life could be like that sometimes.  Just hit autopilot and away things go, oh so nicely on their own.   And that would leave me more time to crochet.  And paint.  And just generally make things.  A very agreeable thought all in all.  

Speaking of agreeable thoughts, I just remembered that I found the most amazing recipe for balsamic vinaigrette!  I found it here.  You must try it.  I hate using superlatives all the time, but it is honestly the best dressing I've ever had.  I feel like eating salads all day with this stuff.  No diet necessary!  :)  Incidentally, our lettuce is ready for picking.  Can't wait for the tomatoes!

I love summer.