Marks The Spots

I got out my Magic Cleaning Eraser today and scrubbed my walls; I have two boys and my house is usually full of children so it doesn't take long for the walls to get grungy. In doing so I see all of the many dents and dings there are in my foyer and along the hallway. They're permanent marks that look like an eyesore and anyone else would probably have patched them up by now.

One dent I recognize from when the kids were small enough to be in a double stroller. I parked it in the same spot near my front door and the indent in my wall shows where it used to sit. Those baby years are so over for us.  Another few I know are from Callum running into the house in full goalie gear to use the bathroom. The hockey stick bashes all along the hallway as he hurries down it to go pee before the others begin the game again without him. He has such passion about him. The little nicks above the shoe rack are from where the kids leave their helmets and the ones near the baseboards marks the spots where the remote control trucks that have crashed along many times over the years. Some were even created accidentally by my husband, who is a child at heart and has been caught golfing down that hall on occasion. It's also been used as a bowling alley, a soccer field and race track for Hot Wheels cars and a railroad track for Thomas The Train. We've had trikes and bikes and scooters and sleds journey down that corridor as well. (And our guitars have left an indent or two when leaned against it!)

I of course don't know how every wall bash happened or who the paint destroyer was. From the chaotic life we live it's no wonder that hall looks the way it does; esthetically it's hideous. But at every glance some memory or another sweeps through my mind and evokes that emotion of gratitude for having a house that is so full of life and love and busyness and happiness. It's a place of comfort and warmth; where children want to play and be. If a few walls get dented in the process then we'll just put it on the repair list, .....but way way down on the list. I'm not ready for the memories they represent to disappear just yet!

Callum Caught Me With The Spy Cam!!

A High Five For Summer!

Peace Love and Fitba

I am the first one born in Canada on both sides of my family. My parents and the rest of my extended family are from Scotland. My boys are surrounded by people with Scottish accents and so it's no wonder they pick up certain phrases and words. Since the time Callum first learned how to talk, he has been all about sports. Soccer is one of his favourites but he has always referred to it as "football". My family calls soccer "football" and football "American Football." (cuz thats not confusing!) Anyways, Callum picked up the term football at a very young age and even learned the accent to go with it. "Fitba."

He calls it fitba just like the rest of my family says it. We have tried to correct him and remind him we call it soccer or football without the accent but it's sticking with him. He won't stop saying it. It's hilarious. Peace, Love and Fitba.

Playing Catch

Carter asked me to play catch with him today numerous times. At first, we were at my sister-in-laws (who is also our neighbour) but I was helping to get dinner out. Then I couldn't play because I was helping to clean up dinner. Next I still couldn't play; I was having dessert. Then, the next time he asked.... I grabbed a glove and I'm so very glad I did. Catch has always been a "daddy" thing. I don't think I've ever really played the game "catch" with Carter before! I do everything else you can possibly think of for him and with him, but playing catch? Maybe when he was super small.... it's been awhile anyways.

He was giving me pointers and telling me what a great job I was doing. I'm sorry.... when did he grow up? We chit chatted about this and that, talked about what he did while I was at work in the morning and went over our plans for the rest of the weekend. It was only for a short time that we threw the baseball back and forth before he decided he wanted to play with his brother and his cousins. It really made me think about how short the young years are and how these days are not going to last forever. What an opportunity that game of catch was for me to bond with my boy. I can't wait until he wakes up in the morning... I'm gonna ask him if he wants to play catch again with me!

Carter's First Time Skating

I love this video. It was made by my sister Lindsay for Carter the first time he ever was on skates. Grandad came to watch and so did Uncle Jeff. I was expecting Callum and didn't go on the ice with him but Chris, like the great Daddy that he is, did. Carter wasn't even two yet in this video, but it feels like just yesterday. He is seven now! I have this video on my ipod and watch it now and then to remind myself how quickly they are growing. They don't stay little for long so I'm loving it while it lasts.