A Lovely Mother's Day

This past Saturday the boys and I spent the whole day doing things I love to do. It was my Mother's Day treat.

The day started off in bed, snuggling with two beautiful boys who happily watched cartoons so I could sleep in a little longer than usual. We then headed to the shop for breakfast. They enjoyed waffles and I enjoyed a chocolate croissant and cappuccino. We then made our way to the Farmer's Market, where I picked out flowers for Ryan's mom, as well as a bouquet for myself. I couldn't resist the pail of Ranunculas, especially these few bunches with their pastel shades. We also picked up some of the season's first local Asparagus.

Before leaving, Willen challenged me to a game of checkers (chess), which I lost, due to some creative maneuvers on his part. I just enjoyed watching him grinning ear to ear, laughing each time one of his men went hopping all about the board.

I love going to market. I love coming home with something that's just started growing locally, and something freshly baked and delicious, and an armful of flowers, and maybe even some artisan cheese. It always feels very European and old.

When we got home, I arranged my flowers in water, and then we spent the afternoon outside in the yard. I walked around the gardens, looking at everything filling in and beginning to bloom, and realized that the first of our Rhubarb was ready to be harvested. I picked what was ready, and froze it to use later.

I think Ranunculas are such romantic looking flowers. Each one is shaped differently, or colored in a different shade, or a slightly different size. But that's why they make such beautiful arrangements.

And they change as they continue to open.

Mother's Day was busy with visiting with our moms, but it was still relaxing.

One of my favourite parts of Mother's Day is getting my special present from Willen. He has always made something at school that's a surprise, and he's always so proud when he gets to give it to me. This year, he made a candle holder out of clay, which he's carved and decorated. I love these so much, and cherish them.

And I love being a mom. My boys are one of my greatest blessings and fill my life with so much joy. Oh, it's hard some days, but they teach me grace and what's truly important in life, and they make me happier than I ever imagined I could be. I'm so thankful God has entrusted me with them.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

I had a lovely day yesterday. There were no afternoon classes so Willen spent the day at home. We had breakfast and snuggled and read and played and finished celebrating the day with a movie night. Ryan has been down and out for the past couple days so a quiet night in was perfect.

I was spoiled with a beautiful bouquet of Ranunculus from Ryan, and Willen, oh my... He makes me so happy. (Sometimes a bit insane, but I really do just love him so much!)

First, earlier this week, he came home with a handmade ornament that he spent days making during his "jobs" time at school. He was getting quite tired of painting puzzle pieces and I really had no idea what he was talking about half the time. But the finished product was so adorable.

Then came my Valentine's gift, which I received on Thursday when he came home from school. He was excited and wanted me to have it so I could actually wear it on Valentine's Day. He had made a beaded necklace in reds and pinks, (practicing their work on patterns) and a card that said "I like you." 

I'm glad he "likes" me...

Of course he was too cool to really show any emotion about most of what he made when he first showed me, but when I put them on display, and especially when I proudly wore his necklace around, he couldn't help but smile proudly.

One of my most favourite parts of him going to school are all of the beautiful pieces of art he brings home. They're something that I will cherish for many, many years to come.

Isn't this just the happiest bunch of flowers?

I got up early the morning of and made cinnamon rolls. Warm cinnamon rolls for breakfast never happens as they just require to much time. But it was a special breakfast. And, I discovered I could roll them out and put them in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you simply set them out for an hour until they reach room temperature before letting them rise, and then baking them. It was worth the extra effort.

Willen and I also made some dark chocolate bark with pretzels, pecans and salted caramel for candy grams for his teachers.

I have the most beautiful Valentine's in the world.