Putting in time

(This was written on Thursday - just didn't get around to posting it.)


While October has flown by in some ways, on a day-to-day level, it's been a bit grueling. Typically, transition periods don't make it into my favourite memories and I'm guessing this waiting time for us won't either.  (Although taking lots of pictures will help it seem like we had lots of fun somewhere down the road!) It's been a hard time of S being far too busy with work, S hardly at home as he is traveling much of the time and me just trying to figure out how to occupy the kids throughout.  Overall, it's okay.  I'm focusing on taking one day at a time, which helps.  But I also feel rather apathetic as I've been too tired to think of projects I should do in my spare time before we move into our new home in December.

After my weekend away at the cottage, S returned home for four days before he was gone again to Saskatchewan for three.  He returned home for two more and then left for Halifax, then Toronto, where he'll be for eight days.  Ug!  It's super draining for him as his time away from the office doesn't eliminate all the work still waiting for him upon return.  Still so much to learn and much to do.  So I can't complain in comparison - my days have been filled with yet more playgrounds, trips to McDonalds play rooms, library story times and walks in the malls (up and down escalators before the stores open).  Nothing hard there.  But it leads me to moments where I think, "How did this become my life?"  It's not very fulfilling to be alone with kids all day, every day - as cute as they are!  

One of their favourite places to stop after school - the local skate park.
The teens have been great about letting the kids ride around (this is just the entranceway).

They like going up and down the ramps, but their favourite pretend play these days is to be cats!  
They climb up everywhere and meow, pet each other's back, etc. A little odd, but they're happy!

This morning I attended a women's drop-in time at a church south of the river.  I'd heard of it through the church we'd attended and thought, why not.  Had some pre-conceived ideas of what it'd be like (ie. younger moms, pretty tight group).  But knowing they had child-care for 2 hours, I thought it'd be a break of sorts for me and fun for the little two, too!  I was pleasantly surprised - even met someone I'd bumped into at the library last week and will see again tomorrow.  And I was impressed by the openness of a number of the woman, refreshed by their honesty.  I'm happy that for November,  I now have things booked for Thursday and Friday mornings.  A big deal for me during this hovering season!  In our weekly outing to McDonalds yesterday (during an impressive hail storm), I was also pleasantly blessed with getting to know a mom who's daughter plays with A at recess (they're not in the same class).  The girls were delighted to play together, Ai played with her 3 year old brother and we now have an invite to their home next week some time.  Hooray!  A win-win for all of us - happy kids, happy mom and dinner to boot! :)  

Tonight the kids asked to head to the Forks after school, as it was clear and not too cold.  I indulged - still want to take advantage of getting out with ease before winter hits.  They had a great time and I enjoyed being out, too.  Not sure what we'll do this weekend, but guessing we'll fill it up well enough.  Last week I invited myself to another of S's co-workers churches on Sunday.  Was nice to get to know Kirsten and experience yet another church (they had Sunday School in the service so I could sit without the kids!).  As a bonus that morning, we were invited over to Nyomen and Paul's for dinner and had such a good evening together.  They'd helped unload the moving truck and we hadn't been able to connect since - so A had a great time playing with their daughter, Paul did an amazing job playing with Ai & Iz.  And I loved getting to know Nyomen (smiliest co-worker of S - super nice).  Was such a treat.  So as I approach another weekend as a single parent, I anticipate that I may just be surprised again with some connection I hadn't planned on.  And if not, at least the forecast is decent so we can further explore the city.  The joy of having three is that they entertain each other quite well.  


Here's a few pics of our afternoon:

Iz the kitty on her favourite climbing place at The Forks

A look across the Red River to Saint-Boniface Cathedral

The actual 'Forks' where the Assiniboine River joins the Red River

The Red River was so flooded this year that Winnipeg's equivalent of the 'seawall' was completely submerged
 up to the tree line.  The pathway is still all covered in sand and mud.

And here's a few shots from our play time Tuesday after school while waiting to pick up S from work.  We always drive by Gray Academy - a beautiful Jewish private school that has two huge playgrounds out front.  They were thrilled to be able to finally stop and explore.  I just liked that their jackets matched the playground equipment so well :).