Time to Get Caught Up

Ok, I'm going to attempt to finally get caught up here!

Last weekend was the Victoria Day long weekend.  Tyler was going to help my brother do some landscaping at his house, so we all decided to go for the weekend and stay at my dad's newly renovated house in Aurora.

The boys and I drove up on Friday after lunch to spend the afternoon with my dad since he was going away for the weekend.  He showed us around his house which looks amazing.  He basically had the whole inside gutted and redone.  There is still an addition to be built, but for the now the rest of it is spectacular.  We are lucky because now there is room for us to stay there, so we can visit any time we like.

On Saturday morning we drove to Stouffville to see the work the guys were doing on Mike's place.  T got to sit in a skid steer for the first time, but he was a bit grumpy so didn't really enjoy it.  I think if he had been in a better mood he would have been thrilled because he loves machines.

We had some breakfast in Stouffville then the kids and I headed back to Aurora to check out the Farmer's Market, which was really fun.  There was a fire truck there and T was excited to get to sit in it.  We picked up some fresh produce and played at the park, then got some lunch and headed back to my dad's.

Saturday night I actually did something I haven't done in ages.  I went out with friends!  It was my friend Crystle's 30th birthday, and when I saw on the invite that the party would be while we were in town, I asked Tyler if he would be ok staying with the kids while I went downtown with Mike.  I figured I'd put F down to bed before I went and hopefully he wouldn't wake up while I was gone, then Tyler could put T to bed.

For the first time in forever I got to put on a dress and makeup and go out.  It was a lot of fun!  I got to see some friends that I hadn't seen in a really long time.  We went downtown to the Brandt House for dinner.  There was dancing afterwards but unfortunately being the lame mom that I am, I couldn't stay up too late because I was so tired!  Mike and I took off around 11, and I didn't get to bed until almost 1.  So that part was hard, since I'm not used to being up so late.  But it was still fun to get out for a change and be social, and see some people I haven't seen for awhile.

Sunday morning I had a date with my good friend Amy and her daughter Sydney.  I was so excited to see them.  Amy is my bellydancing friend from back when I used to dance.  We were going to meet at the park but it was raining a bit so we met at the mall instead, which ended up working out well since there was a great play area there for kids.  I can't believe how much Sydney has grown since I saw her over a year ago!  She is 2 now and such a cutie.  The kids had fun and Amy and I got to catch up which was great.  It was so nice to see her.

That afternoon we had a bbq at my brother's which was fun too.  Mike has a drum set which T really loved.  Actually, T seems to have really good rhythm and a knack for drumming.  Oh dear, I think I see drums and lots of noise in our future!

Monday morning we got packed up, and then before hitting the road to drive home we met with another old friend, Kristine, for lunch.  It was so great to see her too, she is such a special friend of ours but has been in Montreal for school so we don't see her much.  Kris is one of my oldest friends, so I'm glad we got a chance to meet up.  Hopefully we'll see her again over the summer.

On our way home we stopped at the outlet mall in Cookstown to do some shopping.  Tyler and I were both in desperate need of some new clothes so we agreed we'd splurge a little since we have been so good with our budgeting.  There were some amazing deals there, at least for me!  I was so excited to leave there with tons of new clothes and a pair of shoes.

We made it home in good time and had a quick dinner then got the kids to bed. 

What a fabulous weekend!  The weather was just fantastic.  We got to catch up with so many great friends and family.  The boys were just amazing, and I am so thrilled with how adaptable they have become.  They both slept well considering we weren't at home, and they were on their best behaviour the entire time.  I can't believe how lucky we are to have such go with the flow children.

While I was visiting all my old neighbourhoods though, I was struck with a lot of feelings of wishing we were still there.  It has been awhile since I have felt that way, out of sight out of mind I guess.  I drove through Newmarket and Aurora, Stouffville and Markham, even downtown a bit.  Up and down the streets I used to take to go to friends, to the barn, to school, to work.  Roads I know like the back of my hand.  Everything was so familiar, and so beautiful, and I missed it so much.  Driving through the city late at night, seeing all the people out on the town, brought back so many memories for me.  I am such a victim of nostalgia.

But I did come to some realizations though.  I realized that my desire to live there again comes from memories that have passed, memories of an old life and an old me.  And that even if I were to live there again, it's not the same.  I also had moments this weekend where I did miss home.  I missed our house, and our yard.  I felt so relieved to feel that way.  So even though at times my heart was heavy with wanting to move back again, it was also uplifted by feelings of knowing where home is now, and that this is where we will stay.

There were a few crappy parts to our weekend.  T got carsick driving back from Markham to Aurora on Saturday.  I now have to make sure to give him gravol if we're going to be in the car 30mins or more, he just doesn't make it.  Poor guy.  Also, stupid me, I left my phone in the bathroom while we were at the mall on Monday.  It hasn't been returned, so looks like it's gone for good.  So dumb!  Still, I wasn't too bent out of shape since I had come away with so many new clothes!

But aside from those minor details, the weekend was so fantastic.  I've been having a hard time getting back into the swing of things!

Life is good though.  The weather is finally picking up, and I am loving where we live.  I'm also feeling good about making lots of new friends.  It seems spring time and nice weather bring everyone together, and now when I go out I'm seeing so many familiar moms and talking about getting together with them and their kids.  We even have a playdate with M and her two boys again tomorrow.

I think that's all for now, hopefully I haven't forgotten anything!