I've been meaning to capture the moments that make motherhood so special and although there are many videos and photos which will account for the first 15 months of Tavish's life there are no journals or scrapbooks. So, this blog will document the tid-bits and tales of the moments that make a mother proud, happy and generally enthused about this ride that is motherhood. This has been created for me but I invite you to read, share and enjoy this collection of moments too.
Going home was going to be different: covid, no Dad/Grandpa, no Cabin. Though some things would be the same: quality family time, seeing friends, jumping into cool refreshing lake water. Change means opportunity, so we made the best of the new ways to enjoy our home away from home by making wonderful new memories.
Nearby Fitness Fun
Second shot DONE!
Tasting good, Fort Frances!
Walking the West End
Gang is back together in Grandpa's Boat
Smiling Siblings
FORE! Tavish grew as a golfer (at Grandpa's course)
Looking like locals
The Grandma Fan Club
Hard working Hubby
FF Home with the Hostess with the Mostess
Brighton
Water Lover
Sunset Country
Mother & Daughter time
MOMENTS: Fort Frantastic
Though Fort Frances is right on Rainy Lake, most of our time has historically been spent on Footprint Lake, so we turned that loss of time on that lake into an opportunity to explore the local treasures of Rainy Lake. We explored new places with friends and in Grandpa's Boat with Uncle Kevin! The merging of old and new memories happening everywhere. Both kids made a local friend (Brighton for Tav and Scarlett for Keevs). Everyone truly had a blast from the day we arrived to the day we had to leave. (sniff, sniff) We are so grateful that Daddy could be with us the whole time, even though he had to work on weekdays. Virtual work proved to be a silver lining to covid - everyone enjoyed the fun Fort Frances had to offer our family.
Well, what started off as weekly "covid" updates continues with an entire school year in review montage. It was a strange year. Everyone in masks, class shutdown, covid cases, swelling ICU numbers, 'pivoting' at work again and again, virtual learning, and virtual teaching ... everyone home, too much screen time, but all for the sake of safety and we are fortunate to have come through the year healthy and together.
Comforts of Learning from Home
Lots of Screen Time
Outdoor Education!
Lots of Together Time <3
Laptops are Portable
Daily View
How Keva Feels about Online Learning...
Farewell to Grade 3, Virtually
MOMENTS: Screens, Masks, Teaching, Learning
Ups, downs, and all arounds. Here's a bunch of snapshots to help capture the full strangeness of the year. Enjoy!
In the spirit of making the best of what you've got, our 8 foot backyard "pool" delivered happiness again this spring.
MOMENT: Our Own Private Pool Parties
Sometimes Keva played on her own, every so often both kids would pile into the pool together, occasionally a grandparent would be virtually dialed in to join, once a grandparent splashed about in person, Mommy made an appearance, and plenty of friends joined in for a splashing good time.
Hard to believe that we will have exactly zero children going to school at Morse next year. It's true, both kids are off to new schools, as are most of the 'gang'. The teachers from the school put on a graduation celebration parade that came up Coady. We made an outdoor gathering out of it and bit a waving farewell to seven years spent at the marvellous Morse Street Junior Public School...
Graduate Lawn Signs
Our Grade 6 Graduate
Mr Lodhia high five as he cycles by
The Morse Gang
...heading off on new adventures
Big change for parents too!
Brace for greatness, Duke and Montcrest!
MOMENTS: I hope you Had the Time of your Life
I would be lying if I didn't admit that it was emotional ... a real end of an era, this whole leaving-Morse thing. Well, at least for Mom. It's likely the longest Tavish will ever attend any school. These have been the friends and faces of many formative years and it's ending in a pandemic with online learning! However, in typical Morse fashion, they made the best out of it. Tavish has a printed yearbook, a virtual yearbook, enjoyed a delicious Morse cupcake, and is leaving with many friends and ample memories. Thanks for everything, Morse.
This is the video "Tribute" from the staff at the school:
Every year we are excited to get to spend an entire day celebrating Tom!
Trying out kayaks for the journey to the Island
T&t in kayaks, K&k in Sweetride
DADDY!
Tom's biggest fans
MOMENT: Island Adventuring
A friend has opened a new business renting kayaks at Cherry Beach, so we tried something new this year! Tom and Tavish each paddled a kayak while Keva and I paddled our family canoe, Sweetride, to the Island for some sun, sand, and a swim in honour of this wonderful father. We had a yummy breakfast and dinner too because every good celebration involves good food!
Three days until Father's Day... Keva: "Mom! Sunday is Father's Day! We have to do something for him! We need to go shopping for orange juice!"
Twelve years and 3 months... That's about how old my baby boy (fine, he's a total tweenager) is and it was on this day, that he first rode shotgun with me! Not only was there no carseat or booster seat, he wasn't even in the back! He just got in to the front seat, buckled up, and started chatting as I put the car in drive and away we went. Glancing in the rearview mirror showed only what was going on behind my car, no Tavish face to see while I listened to him. Times they are a changin'...
