Making memories...

I don't read a lot of blogs. I mean, when would I have the time!? But I do have a few favorites that I check, usually at 3 a.m. when Iona likes her third dinner--she's a hobbit. One of these blogs is written by a stay-at-home-mom whom I've never met but I enjoy her take on life, and the joy and challenges of raising children. Recently she wrote about making memories and the importance of striving to do this with one's children, despite the trials and tribulations one may face. So, I've been thinking about this. There have been several recent outings that in my mind seemed like such wonderful ideas, good opportunities for growth and fun, but once hip deep in the actual experience I'm questioning my sanity and making Michael promise to never let me leave the house with our children again. 

Take for example our recent trip to the zoo. The weather was great. The company, our good friends Bren, Stephane and daughter Sophia, was superb. The location was unique. What could go wrong? Well, almost everything. 

Holden woke up at 4 a.m. the day of our outing and did not go back to sleep. She also was too excited to eat a decent meal. By the time we got to the zoo, lunchtime, she was a jittery mess of emotions. When she found out there was a carousel located within walking distance, well, that was that. She wasn't interested in exotic animals that she's only seen in books. She didn't care that a giraffe just winked at her (I made that up but she didn't even look). And no, she didn't want to walk one inch out of her way to see bears, not when the carousel was somewhere out there waiting to be ridden! So, needless to say we went to the carousel. And I'll admit we took the scenic route and stopped several times trying to force her to enjoy hippos, sloths and meerkats, but she was adamant and could not be swayed. Well, she rode the carousel and was happy. Happy for approximately the four minutes she was riding it. As soon as the spinning stopped she wanted more. And when she couldn't have more she wanted nothing. Well, nothing but a giant, rainbow colored, butterfly lollipop as big as her head. Don't even get me started on the butterfly lollipop. So, yes, our trip to the zoo will be a memory. For me I am still suffering from a bit of post-traumatic stress so the memory is best not dwelt upon. For Holden, well, she talks about hippos and giraffes and funny looking meerkats, as if she really saw them! She laughs and says the sloths were slow and the bats were upside down. She recalls the silly penguins flying underwater. She has memories and the memories are good. Isn't sleep, food and time a wonderful mixture of joy-producing magic?

And before we even got out of the parking lot of the zoo, I mean literally while we were buckling Iona into her car seat, Holden fell asleep. She slept the whole way home. And 12 hours later she came down with a fever. (She's feeling better by the way. Thank you all for your concern.)

Our other memory making outings included a walk in the spring-time rain with Iona riding in the stroller for the first time. She had this deer-in-the-headlights sorta look on her face the whole time. 

Holden enjoyed a hike with Daddy that included puddle jumping! 

She jumped so much her water-logged pants fell down!

Iona enjoys chewing on her teether Dottie the giraffe. 

This explains why she was drooling so excessively at the zoo's giraffe exhibit. 

Crafty Holden shows off her art work! The little happy creature on the right is a mushroom.

There's just nothing to say about the below picture. It says it all.

Did you see the moon? The glorious super moon?! I walked to the end of our street to watch it rise over the Salish Sea while the girls slept. Don't worry, daddy was home.

We're sorta jumping the gun on summer around here by making some yummy tofu chocolate popsicles!

They were obviously a big hit!

 I've already imagined future memory-making outings with these lovely souls. How could I not? 

Their smiles make it worth it.