Monday was Family Day in Ontario, a day off to spend quality time with our families. Now everyone has a different idea of what family time should consist of. Many people believe that it should be spent outside doing one winter sport or another. However, we are not exactly snow loving people, so that thought didn’t even cross my mind. Bryan’s girlfriend’s family, however, always get together on Family Day for snowmobiling and other outside fun, so Bryan asked if we could plan something for Friday or Saturday instead.
Having Bryan home for his college reading week, I didn’t care which day we made our “Family Day”. I was just happy to have him home and to have our family complete. When our kids are little, we take for granted that they are with us every day, and that their world will always revolve around us, but even though both of my boys promised when they were little that they would stay with me forever, our family times are changing more and more. Not only are they fewer and further between, but they are now more about enjoying each other’s company rather than parenting skills. Now it’s more like a bunch of adults simply having fun. It’s hard to put into words what I mean, but I hope that makes sense.
Friday night was spent playing cards for hours, talking, and laughing ourselves silly, and it was the most fun I have had in a long time. It warmed my heart to look around the table at the smiling faces and know that we’ve done a pretty damn good job!! Then on Saturday we hit the big Town of Orangeville for dinner and a movie, and we had a blast watching the new Die Hard movie. It’s no award winning movie, but it’s action-packed, exciting, and funny, which meant another night of laughter. What a great family day weekend :).
So, between being busy with family and blinding whiteness outside as far as the eyes can see which I am very sick of looking at (LOL), my camera has been quite idle, and I haven’t been very inspired about blogging. I am longing for the appearance of Spring so that I can get out exploring with my camera once again. In the meantime, here’s another picture from a recent snowstorm. It’s the plant stand that sits on my back deck adorned in colourful blooms all summer which appears to be patiently, or maybe not too patiently like me, waiting for Spring.
photos from the loonybin 
It is a plant stand — oh – it is not mystery photo day–darn and I am sure I got it right–mostly because you called it a plant stand in your post. My son has next week off as he goes to college,so hopefully I will get to experience a little family fun and laughs next week – glad you had such a good time
Thanks and I hope your time with your son is special too!! :). Don’t worry, it’s almost mystery photo time, and I’m really rooting for you this week!
I didn’t know you take sides on mystery photo day…now it’s all becoming clear to me
Now TBM, suppress that nasty green monster, Jealousy!! I’m just trying to be positive and encouraging :). Maybe you will both get it right this week!
It sounds like a WONDERFUL weekend!!! Glad you had some quality time with family… 🙂 I am also super sick of the stupid white stuff…. roll on summer!!! 🙂 **
Great post! Might be my favourite one! I also had fun with my second family! Had a great time playing cards with you guys! Miss you all already! xo
Awww, thanks daughter :). We definitely have to do that again – it was a blast! I wish you could have been with us for dinner and the movie too, but at least we have Bryan’s birthday dinner to look forward to right? Hugs and kisses!!
Thanks Xandre, and I can’t wait to see what you think of our Canadian summers. I think you will love it :).
A good point….we do take for granted out time with our kids when they are at home. We cherish every moment spent with our “grown-up” kids and their spouses! Great post…..hang in there….spring has to show up eventually! 😉 paula
Thanks Paula! I was having a hard time describing what I was feeling, and I wasn’t sure if anyone would understand what I was getting at, but you obviously did :). It’s funny how each stage of being a parent has its pros and cons. I mean it has been hard adjusting to my oldest being away at college this year and I miss him horribly, but on the occasions he does come home, it’s so very, very special.
You did an awesome job describing it. I love that my boys are grown because they are such great young men. But it is such fun to reflect on the childhood memories. Mine are now 25 & 27. They each live 2 hours away in opposite directions….but we talk/text or fb daily. They are forever near my heart! Love your blog….it hits home! ♥
Thanks – that means a lot to me :). It sounds like you have a great relationship with your boys like I have with mine, and it’s so nice that they talk to you every day. As my oldest has just started college, he is enjoying playing the independence card right now, so he doesn’t talk to us every day, but we are still very close, and I’m glad that he is thriving on his own. My youngest is 16, so we still have a few years with him, but he is growing up into an amazing young man as well. It makes a mom feel proud doesn’t it? 🙂
Sounds like you had great fun and now I got to share in it too!
Nancy
Glad you had fun too 🙂
Family Day! What a great idea! And it sounds like you have been having more than one and adding laughter and fun to the mix. Springtime is inside your home Cindy – no need to wait. But the photo of your planter is great!
Thanks Dor :). We have only had Family Day for a few years now, but it really is nice to have a day off in the cold and blah days of February, and it has been awesome having Bryan home :).
As families grow up they change from being kids you guided to good friends.. and that I love… spring will come when it’s good and ready… and remember then we go into autumn and winter… so in a way I hope spring doesn’t come too quickly …
I like that – “kids you guided to good friends”. That’s exactly it, and I’m so glad that I can call mine friends :). As for you going into autumn and winter, it doesn’t even get all that cold there does it? Take pity on me in these freezing temperatures and let the Spring come LOL!!
Does your plant stand have glass shelves? If so, it’s exactly like one I had over 20 years ago back when I lived in Winnipeg. I loved it, but it didn’t make the cut when we moved to NW Ontario.
I had to think about that for a minute (LOL), but I’m pretty sure the shelves are metal just like the rest of it. I love it too though – it’s got character!
Awwwh I’m really glad that you had the opportunity to have some nice family time! I too have noticed the slight change in dynamic being away at university and it really is quite strange. It makes me a little sad actually, but I know I will always stay close to my family, even if I am further away. 🙂 It’s weird turning around a realising that everything has changed.
Yes, it was great, and It’s interesting hearing that you feel the change too. Although Bryan enjoys his time with us when he’s home, he seems to thrive on being away, but I think girls are far more sensitive to it than boys are LOL!
I love the idea of Family Day, Cindy! It should be adopted universally, not only as a special day on the calendar, but as a national holiday as well. It’s really frightening how easy it is to just take our time with those we love for granted rather than take a step back and appreciate how special they are to us. Thanks for the essential reminder!
No problem Gary, and I totally agree with you! Life is far too short to take the special times with loved ones for granted :).
I’m missing my smiling faces….too far from home…but soon :)….have to spend my birthday away from then all 😦
Awww, if you’re somewhere sunny and warm, I could come and party with you for your birthday. What do you think? LOL!! Don’t I have great ideas?? 🙂
LOL, Your ideas are the best!
🙂