With the arrival of spring, we are looking forward to:
- Blue skies and sunshine.
- Baseball games and practices. Softball games and practices. I'm sure both leagues will be getting in touch with us soon. I'm anxious to get the schedules plugged into the calendar and address all of the conflicts. Then I'll pack up the cooler and folding chair and put them in their permanent position in the truck.
- Concert excitement. Claire and Cole both enjoy going to see bands as they stop in Toronto and other local areas. Though the events are in the summer, the tickets will be purchased though spring and the anticipation will be a joy to experience with them.
- A finished master bath. I am so disappointed in Pottery Barn. Renovation Hardware will, again, come to my rescue!
- My two Gemini babies turn 14 and 13 - and my home will be, officially, filled with teenagers! Give me strength :)
- Embracing silence. The practice of meditation is being tried for the first time, after years of curiosity. I know for sure if it is not continued, the practice of silence will be. And maybe that will be enough.
- After MUCH begging, pleading, negotiation and hesitation, my boys will be playing rugby for their school teams through May. I love rugby as a sport, though I don't know how anxious I am to send them back onto the pitch. Sigh.
- I love living in a home full of music. Chloé got the part of Genie in Aladdin and I can't wait to see her perform in the Middle School Play! She's gonna kill it :)
- Many container plants filled with succulents for on the back deck. I just have to be patient enough to wait until after the May long weekend to plant them!
- Many hanging plants filled with trailing ivy and flowers for on the back deck. I have to be patient with this too.
- More container plants for the front of the house. This year I'll be planting my own. NOT impressed with the expense or poor performance of the plantings last spring done by "the professional".
- A new entry mat and I'd love to get a big brass door knocker for the front door.
- A fresh coat of paint on everything that needs a fresh coat - bathrooms, bedrooms, hallways, doorways. This may be a big job!
- Cole is back to NYC with the Appleby Cantus Choir. They're performing at Carnegie Hall! And then he's back again with Grampy since his earlier trip was cancelled. The weather should be way better in April!
- A final decision regarding Claire's university selection. I've already offered my opinion and will now maintain my silence and let her do the choosing. After all, it's her future and time for her to take charge.
- Purge! The annual Spring Clean has started. What is on your list?
- Fire up the BBQ!
- Our annual Mother's Day brunch with my family in Toronto. I love these "command performance" events. Watching all of the kids - mine along with those of my four sisters - grow up into amazing young adults.
- Stepping completely out of my comfort zone and meeting another group of parents at upcoming games.
- Cole is performing in the Peel Music Festival. His songs include "C'est Moi!" from Camelot, "Love Who You Love" from A Man of No Importance and "All That's Known" from Spring Awakening.
- Lunches on the patio at Jonathan's. Every time I go, I miss my friend Bill. I toast to him every visit.
- Maybe another driver? Claire has completed the course but has yet to take the driving test. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact that the family vehicle is a Suburban. Maybe she can borrow her uncle's Jetta? We'll see!
- A big bright umbrella for our patio table. Tomato Red? Bright Orange? Lime Green? Cyan Blue? Turqoise or Teal?
- Back to Canyon Ranch in Tucson with my sister! I'll be taking bunch of medical tests to get to the bottom of some unsolved questions and move every day on my favourite under-water treadmill. Oh, and get back to better eating and portion control reminders!
- Journal Your Life with Susannah Conway should give me some inspiration to start journaling for me again. I'm also looking forward to seeing what Cathy Zielske has in store in her Clean & Simple Workshop.
- Continuing with theme of pushing my comfort zone and embracing vulnerability, I've purchased a ticket for the school Spring Fling with plans to attend. Alone. Not that I won't know anyone, I just don't normally do this kind of thing.
- Final exams! It's time to bear down and end the school year with the best marks ever!
- Graduation for my girl, Claire. Big plans for the big day. I am so excited for her! I keep thinking of all the time she has to learn: to make mistakes, correct her course, learn some more. It's been great so far, and only gets better from here.
There is so much going on and so much to look forward to with days getting longer and warmer. It will be hard to stay focused on finishing up the school year, but we're all determined to get the best marks possible - it's a team effort!
