It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Well, not really, but I chuckle every time I see those Staples commercials...

Anyway, it IS the time to prepare for the return to school...so far we have bought the new back-packs and running shoes, some new outfits, and today was the back-to-school haircuts.

Cassidy just had a trim but wants to grow out PART of her bangs (she wants the fringe but not so thick). That means, of course, that she is now going to have to wear clips or a headband for quite a while. While I had my hair done too, the young assistant at the salon spent time pinning back the long pieces of Cassidy's fringe and added a "ta-dah" accessory. She was delighted!

Bryanna had quite a few inches taken off the overall length and then the salon girl french braided the front of her hair.

Another thing checked off as September 8th approaches. What else are people doing to prepare?

And Miz S in California, the following video clip is for you because you love it...we miss you!

Fire's burning, fire's burning...

Yes, I grew up in a camping family and have camped all over Canada and the U.S. Yes, I used to have a full set of camping gear and camping was my vacation of choice during the university years. But now? When I choose spa treatments over smoky fires and the comfort of a bed over sleeping under the stars?

Yeah, well, Bryanna has been dying to go camping ever since her overnight at Mountsberg earlier this summer and some of my friends (as well as my sister and brother in law) camp regularly. So I bit the bullet and bought a tent this week. End of summer and all, it was a great deal - maybe too great. What was advertized as a 4 person tent will only hold TWO air mattresses (and believe me, while I'll camp, I will not sleep without a mattress).

Oh well, we're trying it out next weekend - the weather forecast is great and if I survive, I can always invest in a much more significant tent next year (maybe with bunkbeds, a washroom, air conditioning, a stove...)

And had to post this pic of my littlest sunshine - delighted with one of her new school outfits.

Watch for the camping post on Labour Day!

Oops, I did it again!

*sigh*

Something with me and hand injuries this year. Damaged the tendons in my left hand yesterday in a valiant attempt to save a toppling pile of examination papers.

Anti-inflammatory meds should deal with the pain and swelling in about a week.

Good thing I'm not scheduled for any piano recitals or typing contests in the near future. As if.

Drenched in sunshine. Immersed in contentment.

This was the week I had been waiting for ... when summer finally, finally, finally arrived.

As it happened to be the week I spent in Tobermory with my family, we were blessed to enjoy all that sunshine, warmth and welcome breezes in one of the most beautiful places (I think) in Ontario.

I considered posting in my typical fashion...somewhat of a chronological journal, but the past seven glorious days have all blended into one lovely glow.

So here are just a few of my favourite pictures that at least attempt to capture a few of the many "aahhh" moments.

Hope you enjoy...I certainly did!

who-o-o!

A final happy moment forwarded to us by the Mountsberg staff yesterday....love it!

Camp!

This was the year that the girls went to their first real summer camp...and it was a total success!

We chose Mountsberg based on recommendations from friends. This camp based in nearby Halton region includes all the fun things that a sleep-away camp up north includes...hiking, archery, canoeing and boating, swimming, crafts, theme days, caving, and for the older kids, an overnight in tents! But all this is only half an hour away and the kids take a bus each day that picks them up at a school close to home. An extra bonus was that we discovered that 2 CB friends were going the same week, so the moms finagled the girls (the 2 older ones together and 2 younger together) into the same camp groups. They had a blast.

I gave each girl a disposable camera, and the following are some of their pictures from the week.

Enjoy!

The allergy bracelets. This is the first thing the kids did on arrival at camp. Evey child was given a bracelet which noted by bead colour their allergies and medical conditions. Cassidy has none, so only had a clear bead. Bryanna's environmental allergies are noted by the plain green bead. Kids had to keep bracelets on the entire week. This mom was impressed.


Bryanna's 7 km hike!

Stopping for lunch on the long hike! Uncle D, you would be impressed!


Cassidy and her friend, S. For these younger ones, having a friend took away the hesitation about being away from mom.


Cassidy's pic...loved the trees.

Another Cassidy pic - "the fields looked golden, mom"

Pirate Day!

Bryanna's pic of the lake at Mountsberg where they went canoeing (see left side of picture).

Caving at Mount Nemo! The kids went right underground through channels carved by streams/rivers. Apparently there were counsellors stationed every few feet throughout the caves, instructing each child exactly what to do/where to step.

Overnight adventure for the older kids! Camping out, cooking outside, sleeping in tents - BIG adventure.

Brya and friend H in their pjs.

Returning from the overnight

I am aghast. Seriously.

I mean, seriously!

But let me back up…

I started reading a new novel last week – a slightly spooky mystery by an author whose stories I have enjoyed for many years. In this book, each chapter begins with a quote – related in most cases to women authors and their writing (as the story is about a long-lost nineteenth century manuscript). See if you can imagine my reaction when I read this one…

All women, as authors, are feeble and tiresome. I wish they were forbidden to write, on pain of having their faces deeply sacrificed with an oyster shell.

Nathaniel Hawthorne
letter to his publisher, 1852

Yes, the Nathaniel Hawthorne who wrote The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables.

Is he kidding?!!!

Now, not wanting to jump to conclusions…because the quote could have been taken out of context...I spent the weekend doing research on the internet. (Despite my degree in English Lit I never studied Hawthorne. If I get any of the following wrong, I know AM will correct me.)

Now, Nathaniel sounds like he was an alright guy overall…grew up in a home with a single mom and sisters (his dad died young) and after some lonely adult years, met and married the love of his life who he seemed to adore. He was embarrassed and ashamed of his own ancestors’ poor behaviour (as far back as the Salem witch trials) and his stories are apparently complex studies of good vs evil and moral behaviour. Considering that he often struggled with writing and inspiration during periods where he had to make money at a desk job, and the fact that his own writing was often classified as the “romantic” style, I was even more surprised to conclude that he did apparently mean what he said in the noted quote. Not only that, he went on to say the following two years later:

America is now wholly given over to a d___d mob of scribbling women, and I should have no chance of success while the public taste is occupied with their trash...and should be ashamed of myself if I did.

I mean, seriously!

Different time and all that, I know. Whatever.

Those who have known me longest may not be surprised to hear that my own long neglected novel has suddenly been dusted off (figuratively) and I hope to get back to work.

Can’t let Nate have the last word, even if it is in my own mind.

Southampton and Tobermory

Summer vacation...two of the loveliest words, don't you think?

The girls and I just returned from a week spent with 3 friends and their daughters at the most lovely cottage in Southampton. Despite some rainy and cool weather, we loved it ...words cannot capture the many adventures, giggles, dramas and delicious meals we experienced this week so the rest of the post is dedicated to some photos from the week for our friends and family to enjoy. (The pics are loaded small as there are so many - click to enlarge.)

My personal favourite...loved sitting in the muskoka chair listening to the waves roll in from Lake Huron. (Can you hear them?)

The museum in Sounthampton - pics of an old school house and a fantastic dinosaur exhibit are shown here - what a contrast!

Taking a page from their cousin's adventures last month, the girls were excited to add their mark to the main street of Southampton on Canada Day.



Canada Day celebrations with tattoos and cake.

From Big Tub Harbour at Tobermory, we took the fast Zephyr out to Flowerpot Island (happy that the sun joined us for this adventure - the five girls thanked the Captain with a "You rock!" (S, the girls are excited to take you on this fun ride...)

Hiking through the National Park to see the flowerpots...Uncle D, we all kept saying that you are going to LOVE this place!

A clip from aboard the Zephyr back to the mainland...according to the girls, the BEST part of the trip!

Sun again for a final beach day...



P.S. More pics of our week's adventures will soon appear on our friends' blogs...keep an eye on these links over the next little while:

http://macshaslife.blogspot.com/
http://devinedetails61.blogspot.com/