OUR NEXT CHAPTER...A FAMILY TRAVEL ADVENTURE!

“What if we just took a little break from our everyday?”, I said. “Pack our bags and take the kids around the world?”. In fairness, this conversation with my husband, Damien, started years ago. Let’s go on a big trip! When the kids are older, when we’re not working so hard, when we have the financial means, when, when, when…

A little mid-life refresh I’m calling it. Surely, we can rephrase the ol’ mid life crisis by now? With both of us firmly in our 40s and the kids teetering out of young childhood and very much transitioning into tweens, we thought there was no better time. We are going ON A TRIP OF A LIFETIME (!!!) with our kids alongside. Are we CRAZY?! Probably, yes! Excited? Absolutely. Ready for it all? Most definitely not; but really, are we ever ready for change? I have always believed that setting about trying new things brings growth in the best possible way.

I’ve been dreaming about this adventure since I was a child. I vividly remember thinking that, when I grow up, I want to take my family to see the world. It just seemed like a super fun thing to do. Travel is, and has always been, so inspiring to me. After finishing high school, I spent a summer backpacking Europe. After university, I moved to London with one of my best friends and traveled every weekend I could, then after leaving jobs in London (where Damien and I met), we traveled through the parts of the Middle East and a few countries in Africa before settling into new jobs.

While it’s always been in the back of our minds as something we’d one day do, the opportunity and decision to go for it came quickly. We decided in June 2023 that we would take the kids out of school for the year and backpack around the world!

The summer raced by in what can only be described as a whirlwind of logistics. From how to homeschool to what to pack, where to book flights and what to take (I’ll share my list soon!), what vaccines we needed and where we’d go. We felt like nothing was ready but the leaving date was coming too soon. Isn’t that always the way? When are we ever really ready for the next thing anyway.

Why now? Well, the timing was right. The kids are growing up way too fast for my liking. I know motherhood lasts for our entire lives, but I’m always very aware that the most time we ever spend with our kids happens by the time they’re 18. I love my kids more than anything and truly think they are amazing people to hang out with. All 3 are still in elementary school and I know we want to be back and settled once they reach high school.

Covid truly brought about so many changes in our young kids’ lives. There were nearly two years where they barely went into shops or interacted with a wide variety of people. I want our kids to discover that there’s a much bigger world out there to explore; one where people live in different ways than we do, eat different foods, speak different languages.

We are incredibly aware of our privilege to take this opportunity, not only to travel but also to be such an integral part of the kids’ development. We will be doing math along the way and journaling too, with most other learning being taught in terms of classes we can enrol in along the way and experiences that naturally occur.

So, if you’re up for following along with our travel adventures, I will share along the way. And now, global adventures await!

OUR FALL TRADITIONS...WHAT ARE YOURS?

With the official start of Autumn this week I have to say I am loving the crisp morning air, crunchy leaves and warm afternoons. While we’ve never really been a family with loads of traditions, as the kids get older I realize they live for special moments and eagerly await the months with holidays.

So, even though September and October are busy and full months with school starting and the change of weather, I have thought about ways to make these months special and the little things we’ve done over the years that have become traditions for our kids. They now ask and look forward to them.

Here are a few ways that we celebrate fall:

1. TAKE FALL PHOTOS

Every year we head to the same place with big trees and lots of leaves. While the photos are a lovely way to capture the kids growth each year, jumping in the leaves is a memory I hope they remember forever (I know I will!).

2017

2019

2. MAKE PLAYDOUGH

I don’t know about yours, but our kids STILL looooove play dough. Each fall, I make a fresh batch and get out the seasonal cookie cutters. I love these fall leaf and acorn ones for September and this Halloween set for October.

3. FALL DECOR

When it comes to seasonal home decor, I would say that I keep it light. I love to change things up by adding a few little white pumpkins on the table, some grasses in a vase and a fresh doormat at the front door. That’s it! Traditions can be as complicated or simple as you make them.

4. BAKING

After having the oven off for most of the summer, there is nothing better than warm fall baking. My go-to’s are breakfast crumble (dessert for breakfast basically!) and our favourite pumpkin muffins are a treat muffin that the kids honestly ask me to make them as soon as the temperature drops.

5. A GRATITUDE PUMPKIN

This is a brand new tradition for our family! I saw this idea online and loved its’ simplicity right away. Starting October 1st (or whenever you like!), you add new words of things you are grateful for to a pumpkin (or in our case, we’ll do a mini one each!) each day. Thanksgiving is in October in Canada so this is a great way to acknowledge all that we have to be thankful for, while steering at least some of the October attention away from the excitement of Halloween. ;) If you decide to start a gratitude pumpkin, I’d love to see! Tag #WDgratitudepumpkin on Instagram and I’ll share my favourites. Who wants to join the fun?

Do you have a special tradition in your home? I’d love to hear in the comments if you do!

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XAVIER'S SUSTAINABLE 7TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

It’s been a LONG time since we’ve shared a birthday party here, but given we are all practicing social distancing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic right now, I thought it might be fun to share a happy moment from our last home gathering for, quite possible, a very long time.

Xavier (our youngest) turned 7 and we celebrated with a small gathering at home. I wanted to create a party that was memorable and used as much sustainable decor as possible and I think we achieved both!

These giant leaves were from Our Little Flower Company and provided huge impact for the table backdrop. The garland is made from a giant roll of brown kraft paper and is recyclable.

You may have seen our letter board before (here) and we love using it for so many occasions. Xavier really wanted a turtle cake and although cake making is definitely not a strong suit over here, we made one and he was thrilled.

Xavier’s friends joined for the party and we had Animal Safari Rescue Centre come with some of their rescue animals to show the kids. It was an absolute hit and the kids learned all sorts of facts about the animals.

At the end of the party, little bags with National Geographic readers went home with the kids as well as these super cute animal stickers. A great day before the social distancing started. Happy 7th Birthday Xavier!

5 WAYS TO HELP DURING A TRAGIC TIME

It is with so much sadness, that I share what’s happened in my personal life over the past week. My brother-in-law had a sudden heart attack and died, leaving behind my sister (& best friend) and her three kids, aged 9, 14 and 17. This is them last summer.

I have never written a post like this before, but through the process of loss, there have been a few things that have come up that I thought might be helpful to share.

1. Take SO many photos (& videos):

   My sister is a photographer and if there is anything she feels grateful for right now, it is for the hundreds of photos she has of her husband and her family. Her kids have photos to tell stories about, pour over in their darkest hours and memories to hold forever. She has had family photoshoots taken by professional photographers and these sessions are valued beyond belief. Videos capture voice and personality in an even greater way. So, get our your cameras and snap away making sure you and your partner are in the shots too.

2. Stay organized:

   Having important documents labelled and organized helps those around you at all times of life, even when you are no longer here. When systems are clear and in place, it makes the inevitable process of form completion and documentation so much easier throughout the most challenging times. Digital organization is just as important as paper-based.

3. Food is a fabulous love language:

   Within hours of the tragic news, close friends dropped off a block freezer and started filling it with food. Hot meals, freezer meals, general groceries and fresh food platters started to arrive. In that moment, I realized, food is the most logical (and such an appreciated!) way to show love. It is so helpful. If you have a friend or family member going through a heartbreaking time, dropping off a meal that can be enjoyed now or used later is such a great way to give.

4. Play:

   While each child copes differently and processes at different times, play is a beautiful way to connect. With younger kids, reach out and set up play dates. With older ones, invite them for a movie date. Any distraction that can allow a break for the mind is a welcome way to show kids that you care and a great way for them to connect with their friends.

5. Think longer term:

   While the initial outpouring of love is amazing, I can’t help but think of ways that will be helpful longer term. Set a reminder once a month over the next 24 months to drop off a meal or have a grocery gift card or gift certificate to a local restaurant mailed to the family every 3 or 6 months.

Most importantly of all, just be. Be you - the sibling, parent, child, or friend you are. Your friendship is what is most valuable of all.

In search of ways to help, I’ve set up a GoFundMe page for my sister and her family. Thank you to those who have already reached out. Your kindness and generosity is so very much appreciated.

A LITTLE TRADITION: LUNCH BOX NOTES FOR KIDS

We made it to Friday!! I know that our kids breathe a little happier knowing a couple of days at home are ahead too. I file this one under efficient Mama because it covers off two things at once: being organized and feeling connected! As a child, I loved receiving notes from my own Mom and now I’m carrying on the tradition in our home by popping a little hand written note into our kids’ lunchbox most Fridays in hopes of starting the weekend off on the right note (see what I did there?!).

It really doesn’t take long and it definitely doesn’t have to be complicated; even a simple ‘I love you!’ goes a long way to letting the kids know that we are thinking about them when we’re not physically there.

As with anything, what gets planned for gets done and this is no different. Schedule it in your calendar, set a reminder in your phone, write yourself a prompt on the fridge…whatever it takes, I encourage you to pick a date and try it out!

I’d love to hear if you do. Did your kids like it? Were they surprised?

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