Running Solo

S has been dreading the month of June for a while - one where he's gone for 4 days, home for 3, gone for 3 days, home for 7, gone for . . . I haven't been anticipating it, either, but it crept up so quickly that he was gone before I knew it.  Off to Toronto this time round.

Thursday night I couldn't take A to her jingle dance lessons (something she's just recently started).  I knew my limits would be reached trying to restrain the other two at the side of the room.  Instead we went to Ai's "soccer time" at a nearby park - something S usually takes him to.  At the beginning of May my friend, Sandy, invited various families she knew with 3 or 4 year olds to start getting together for casual soccer night.  That way there's no soccer fees for kids just kicking a ball around.  It's something Ai really looks forward to, though often the kids all end up on the playground after a few rounds.

Goalie Iz who's favourite trick these days is to sneak into Ai's t-shirt drawer and change out of what I've dressed her in.   I've discovered it's a good way to encourage Ai to try wearing shirts that he wouldn't otherwise - he'd rather wear them than see Iz in them!

Salem's dinosaurs proved too tempting

Friday, I decided to run errands where I can't usually ride my bike with the kids.  After those were done, we enjoyed discovering some 'new-to-us' playgrounds.  I think I'm as excited as the kids to find unique play structures!

Ai with a cut-up lip thanks to a nasty "concrete-kiss" on the way to soccer the night before.

Saturday morning was a perfectly gorgeous day, so I decided to take part in the Run for Rights in Kildonan Park.  We opted for the 5 km route, very unsure if I was nuts to try.  I was looking after Molly for the day, too, and she looked less than thrilled just before the count-down to begin:

Didn't help that A had said, "This is the most boring thing I've ever done!" - and that was before we'd begun.  Oh boy.

But quickly we were off and overall, they did great and had lots of fun!  There were about 320 participants, all so enthusiastic.  Ai especially got into it, doing the whole thing on his bike, wanting to wear his "racing number."

I was fortunate that our friends, Will and Jennifer, met me there.  Jennifer helped push the bike stroller so I could carry a child every now and then.  Will rounded up Ai and A when they got too far ahead with the pack.  Was a great way to spend the morning in support of Amnesty International and other Human Rights advocacy groups (and apparently over $20,000 was raised through the event, so that's great).

We had a good long play in the park afterwards - it was such a perfect weather day.

S is due to arrive back at 1:00 tonight, poor guy.  Overall, this first stint without him has gone alright.  I lost my fuse a few times with the kids (usually at bedtimes when their shenanigans prove too much for tired me), but I felt so much better after a chat with a visitor at church this morning (who kindly helped me out, as it was potluck morning, thus challenging to load up 4 plates!).   With kids a few years older than mine, she said, "Yes, my husband and I have decided that divorce could never be an option.  Both of us would refuse to take the kids!"  Said tongue in cheek, of course.  But it made me thankful that the kids haven't driven me nuts enough that I'd come up with such a joke.   :)