Happy Birthday Maddy!

Maddy turned 11 today! I decided to have a surprise party for her...I'm pretty sure she is the only one in the family who would enjoy this...and she didn't suspect a thing! It was so fun to see the expression on her face...the complete joy at seeing all her friends together to celebrate with her! I'm pretty sure we managed to pull off a birthday she will not forget!

I really want to take a minute to thank Leslie from home-grownkids.blogspot.com and also selfcreatingart.blogspot.com for choosing me for a beautiful blogger award. I started this blog as way for our family and friends to keep up with where we were and what we were up to, but it has become so much more now. I'm happy that others are able to take something from it as well!

The requirements for accepting this award are as follows:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Pass this award along to 15 bloggers you've recently discovered and whom you think are fantastic!
3. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.
4. Share seven (7) things about yourself

Seven things about me:

1) I knit everyday...really!

2) I don't like chocolate

3) My favorite movie is still The Big Chill

4) I'm happiest when I'm with my family

5) I can't miss an episode of Grey's Anatomy

6) I love music but don't like to dance

7) I'm a night owl

It's been over a month since I've posted....I've been putting it off somewhat I guess. I wasn't sure what direction this blog would be taking. We left California over a month ago to visit family and friends back in Ontario. What I didn't know then was that we would not be going back. With work requiring more of Bill's attention here in Canada we made the decision to move back. It's interesting that the decision was easy to make...there were no regrets or what ifs...we were just as happy to come "home" as we were to leave almost two years ago. It has been really great to be able to see everyone and know that we can still easily see them again. And really, I am feeling a little relieved on the homeschooling front. It is just so much easier in Ontario than anyplace we visited on the road. I don't feel like I have to be looking over my shoulder all the time. And I was not looking forward to having to register the kids with the school board and following their rules...we are natural rule breakers I guess! Now that we are back we are really looking forward to exploring so many places in Ontario that we never took the opportunity to get to know. There is so much to do here...and I think our trip really opened our eyes to how we really like to spend our time. And that is outside in nature. The kids love to run, climb and explore so being in the forest, or exploring a riverbed or foraging for wild berries...it's just a more enjoyable time than any of the "touristy" things we did. So that's our focus right now. We are looking for a farm and some land to give the kids space to grow and create a place for ourselves that we can pursue some of our interests. We can't wait to have some farm animals, grow a garden and continue to enjoy a much simpler life. It's time to put down some roots again.