Summer Fun

Have I ever mentioned that I love summer?  Because I do, I really, really do.  Granted, in Winnipeg, it's fairly short, but still... it's hot and lovely baby!  Good things happen in the summer, because it's so much more relaxed and free.


What's on board this summer?  Lots of time at the splash pad, and the park.  Even if he's getting to an age where he wishes to interact with me less while we're out, it's still nice to spend time with the boy. While he splashes and plays, I can read a book, or draw, or write, or I can just lay around and enjoy the sunshine. That's good too.


We also just got a family membership to the Y, so we are there quite a bit, too.  The boy is in a summer program for the next several weeks at school, so while he's there, I go work out and try to get this old body of mine overhauled and back to fighting weight.  I'm sure I'll be posting about that too, as time goes on, because I find if I talk about it more, I'm more accountable.  When I was younger, motivation wasn't an issue, but these days, it seems that there are so many things that I like to get done when the boy's at school that I feel like something's gotta give, you know? Often times, it's the workout, which is the sad thing.  I need to do something about that though, for health reasons, and just because working out makes me feel good.


Another thing I'm excited about this summer is the Winnipeg Fringe festival, which starts today!  I've really become a fan of it the last few years, and it's something I enjoy immensely. I love the chance to see live theatre, and it's less expensive and more accessible, so it's really awesome. Plus, the vibe in the area is so exciting and electric.  How can you not pick up on it?


Anywho, just thought I'd check in, since I've been a bit of a lazy bum, and give you a glimpse of what was going on in our little world. I hope in the next little while to have some other exciting news for you, but we'll have to see how it all pans out. In the meantime, leave a comment telling me what YOU like about summer!


Cheers!
Tara

Chillin' At The Park

Another sunny day at the park. 

You can always tell when spring comes, because, more often than not, the boy and I can be found at the park after school.  He gets rid of his excess energy by running and jumping and playing, and I amuse myself by sitting on a bench (or on a rock under a tree as is the case today) with a cup of coffee or other such beverage, and either play with my iPod, or take inspiration from the surroundings to create something, whether it be a drawing or a poem, or even a blog post. 

I haven’t always been an outdoorsy person, and I still make no claims to being a nature lover, but I will admit that it’s growing on me.  There’s just something so relaxing about a warm day spent in the sun, watching your child enjoy himself and just being. 

When I was working, by the time I picked the kid up and got home and got him fed, I was so tired that the idea of taking the boy to the park seemed like such an ordeal.  That all changed when I had to leave my job. I had all this time and so we started going to the park. At first, I had to bring stuff to keep myself busy, but after a while I realized how fun it was just to watch him play and enjoy himself.  Who doesn’t enjoy seeing their child happy?  Mom’s happy too, because when the kid burns off all that energy, his mood improves, and he sleeps better.

These days, the boy’s old enough that he plays mostly on his own, unless he wants me to watch something, at which point I drop everything and watch him.  It’s pretty awesome.  Win/win, actually.  Boy gets to play, and mommy gets a break AND quality mommy-boy time. What else could you ask for?

Wacky Times At The Ol' Park...

Hey all...


I thought I'd be different and do something along the lines of a wordless Wednesday kind of post.  Enjoy!

It's so nice to feel the ground beneath my feet again.

My darling boy

Even clowns need to play at the park!

Cheers!

Tara

Keeping Myself Amused.

Good evening!


So, the boy is gone for at least part of spring break, and Mama has a need to stay amused. This is not easy, since apparently parenthood erases part of your memory.  For some reason, I can't remember what it is that I used to do for fun when I was alone pre-David. It's just gone. I'm pretty sure I did something, but I couldn't tell you what it was. 


Yesterday I managed to waste an entire day doing nothing, and that just didn't sit well with me. I decided that today would be different. But how?  Hmmm.  What a dilemma.


Well, as some of you may know, I've been writing a blog for my sock monkey. It started innocently, I took the monkey to the museum and started taking photos, which I shared on Facebook.  People seemed to really like him, and so, he started going to more and more places and taking photos.


Recently, a friend suggested that I send him off to various places, and have the people who receive him take photos and spread his adventures. I've decided to do it.  For his first trip, he's going to the East coast of Canada, and from there he's taking a trip to Mexico. Should be fun! I can't wait.


Since he's going to be gone for a while, I thought I would take him for a "picture walk" around town and see what we could see. That is how I chose to spend my afternoon. And what a good time we had! We walked through Memorial park, and to the Manitoba legislative grounds, past the Bears on Broadway (oddly enough no longer on Broadway, hehehe) and then to the Forks and through the Exchange district home. So much fun!

I hope you enjoyed the sampling of photos. If you want to see more, head over to his blog at www.frootloopsmonkey.tumblr.com  or 'like' him on Facebook! Froot Loops The Sock Monkey

Leave a comment below letting me know what you think!

Tara