What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Went to the top of a mountain.

Watched my hot husband play in a rock band.


Spent some time at the playground.


Played at the beach.

Go-carting...

Boating...

Looking up.

It has been a wonderful summer full of fun. And it's not over yet! Let's cram as much fun as we can into these last couple of weeks, shall we?

Counting Blessings

Sometimes I find it difficult to be as thankful as I should be. It's not that I don't feel extremely lucky or that I don't appreciate all that makes my life full and wonderful. Maybe I feel that its not enough to just think it or say it. Maybe I feel I should do something for those who are not as lucky as me. For today, I would like to tell you why I feel grateful. Perhaps that will inspire me into action.

1) I am grateful that I do not live in a country where war makes it so mothers fear for their children's lives every night and day.
2) I am grateful for every moment that the sun shines on my face and makes me feel warm.
3) I am grateful to have choices about where I live, what I do and with whom I associate.
4) I am grateful for the sounds made by children. Laughter. Questions. Cries of need.
5) I am grateful for warm, generous, friendly people who try not to judge or hurt or ridicule.

Of course, I am so grateful for many, many more things. These are the ones that feel most urgent today. Please, feel free to add your own.

Amazing Photos

Frameworks Photography
Contact: nick@hugephotography.com

One of Those Days

Well, it all started with the fact that I went out last night. That is always a risky choice. Those of you with children will understand. I was out until 12:15am, asleep by 1am, and up at 6am with the baby. Let's be crystal clear. I am NOT one of those people who can thrive on only 5 hours of sleep. I can barely function on 5 hours of sleep. Don't ask how I managed to get 3 kids past their first few months. I have no idea.


The day started out okay. I had ingested enough caffeine to make me feel even somewhat energetic, and I ventured to face the world, dark circles and all. I should have known when my bank card didn't work at the grocery store that I should just go home, call a sitter and go back to bed. (If only that was a possibility!) The baby could not be more grumpy and needy than he is today, I am so tired I can't remember the older kids names, and there are at least 3 more hours before I can sleep. Mmmmmm... oh, sorry, nodded off there for a moment.

But even in this somewhat challenging day, there were shining moments. The baby and I watched, and participated in, the older boys Physical Theatre camp finale this morning. They danced, they sang, they jumped, they juggled. They became clowns, pigs, cats and birds. The baby watched intently as his older brothers and their classmates entertained us all. I watched. I video recorded. I even teared up a little.

And now my baby, who has not spent more than 2 minutes happy all afternoon, is sitting in his rocking chair making the sweetest little sounds. I will make it 3 more hours, and start it all over again tomorrow. Hopefully with more than 5 hours of sleep.

Hold It Steady!! Please?

I have just spent the day editing a video for a friend who shall remain nameless. Now, I say I spent the day editing, but really, a few edits took all day. After five minutes of trying to cut around shaky zooms and camera moves, I'd get frustrated and needed to take a break. When I was almost ready to call above mentioned friend and say something about their camera work that could end the friendship, I reminded myself why this happens, TO ALL OF US, when we are taking video of our children. We are so focused on what they are doing, and what we want them to do on camera, we forget about the camera work.

Let me offer a little advice for those about to turn on the camera and capture those precious moments.

1. Hold the camera steady for at least 10 seconds. Its a news shooting rule that works for all video camera work. Once you see the shot you want, press record and count to 10 (at least) before you move. Count to 20 or 30 if you can stand to wait that long.

2. I know they put a zoom on the camera, but please don't use it. Okay, you may use it, but then see rule number 1.

3. Get a wide shot. Let us see where you are and what the child is doing. Hold for 10 seconds.

4. Get a close up. Now you can zoom, then hold to see baby's hand movements, or facial expressions. Hold for you know how long.

5. Keep your talking to a minimum. It is tempting to make sounds, especially when you want to get baby to smile or laugh on cue. But what you get on video is your really loud sounds (your right next to the camera) drowning out baby's soft sounds.

Although I am thinking about baby video when I write these rules, they apply to most video work. If you are yelling at junior's soccer game right beside the camera, you will not hear even the loudest cheers of a victorious team.

Bonus Rule: Be patient. If you sit still and wait, you will get the video you want.

Plan "B"

There is nothing wrong with making plans. There isn't. In fact, I am quite a planner, myself. What you start to realize once there are children in the picture is that you must always have a Plan "B".

Case in point. We made some vacation plans for the middle of this summer, and our children were really looking forward to the trip. It turns out those plans have been unavoidably cancelled. Or at least indefinately delayed. So, what to tell a couple of excited little boys about their summer vacation? "We're going to the lake! Again!" In my most excited voice. Plan "B".

One of the things I love about being a Mom is learning from my children. Seriously, they are as excited about going to the same old lake that we go to every summer as they were about going to Disney World. When I asked them in June what they wanted to do for summer vacation, they said they wanted to go to Banff and Paris, with equal enthusiasm. (Lucky for us, because we are NOT taking them to Paris!)

Kids have this ability to be excited about what is, and not dwell on what is not. It doesn't matter how far away or unique the vacation spot is, only that they can do some of their favourite things, stay up a little later, eat Fruit Loops. So I'm packing up the kids, the Fruit Loops and my camera. We're going on vacation, "TO THE LAKE!!!"

Let's Get It Started

Well, my friends, summer has officially begun. I am not talking about the changing of the seasons marked by the solstice. I am talking about that childhood euphoria marked by the end of the school year. Its only been one week, and my mind is dizzy with one hundred and one things I want to do with my children before they go back to school in September. And even though it is only the first week in July, it feels like time is racing by. That could be because much of the summer is already planned out. One week of Drama Camp. One week of Hockey Camp. One week of family vacation. Plus a camping weekend and a lake weekend. Throw in a couple of play dates and one or two family gatherings, and there is barely enough time for an impromptu trip to the zoo. Phew, I am exhausted just thinking about it all.

There will be, after all is said and done, a couple of weeks with no pre-scheduled events. The truth is, those weeks are making me nervous. I have the same disease we all seem to have these days, it is hard to just relax and let things happen. I need to be scheduled. I need my kids to be scheduled. I need us all to have so many fun activities planned that there is no time to have fun! I am fighting the urge to sign us up for summer music classes or soccer lessons. I know I don't want to have any more schedules this summer. I know I want to enjoy letting the boys decide first thing in the morning where we will go and what we will do today. I know I want to create the kind of family memories that are only possible when you relax and let things happen. Wish me luck!