If April showers bring May flowers, what do April snowstorms bring?
A day off school.
Yes – we had more snow this week and yes, the kids had a snow day. The time off ended up being completely unnecessary (the roads were clear the whole day), but having them home was actually a lot of fun.
Thanks to everyone who chimed in with suggestions for future blog posts. I am set with ideas for at least a year. I had to chuckle that one of the first requests was to talk more about organizing. Why is that funny? Because I went on a huge organizing spree last weekend. See below for more details. In my world organizing = a Very Happy Thing.
SNOW DAY
As I’ve written before, school cancellations used to fill me with existential dread. How was I going to get my work done and fill time with the kids? Now, snow days give me an excuse to let the kids sleep in a bit longer.
I was surprised to see the cancellation notice – I didn’t even know we were supposed to get snow – but I managed to sneak into Belle’s room to disable her alarm so she got some extra shut-eye.
After running a few errands, I collected a friend for each of my kids and that was the extent of what I needed to do (other than provide food periodically).
The two boys spent HOURS outside in the snow. Their favourite adventure was making snow chairs. They took their architectural pursuits very seriously. Their efforts were rewarded with hot chocolate with marshmallows!
The two girls talked.
I always used to feel like I was scrambling when I hosted other kids for lunch. Now, my solution is almost always to dump fruit, veggies, and something crunchy into a divided tray with some hummus and make a few grilled cheese sandwiches.
EXPANDABLE ORGANIZING TRAYS
Hi. My name is Elisabeth and I may be addicted to organizing things. Seriously, it is so. much. fun.
My bedside table drawer has been driving me to distraction. It didn’t look particularly messy, but it was nearly impossible to find things when I went looking (I piled things in a basket, so while it kept things together, it also layered and obscured them).
On the weekend, Belle and I were at Dollarama and I made a point of looking for inexpensive storage solutions.
Behold.
This would be more satisfying if I had thought to take a before picture. In some ways, it looks a bit “messier” than what I had previously, but it is so much more functional. Some family members were teasing me because I kept making excuses to go open the drawer and admire my handiwork. The two long sections on the right and left are the extendable bits (this is at the fully extended “setting”). It’s made of very sturdy plastic – I can’t imagine it ever breaking. And it was $5!
I was so enamoured by my new organizer that the next day, I went back to Dollarama and bought three more.
Look at how happy and organized all of Belle’s face-care items, earrings, and gum (she likes to take a piece with her to school each morning) are…
Finally! A before and after. Admittedly, I don’t need to use our travel toiletry drawer very often, but it was just a jumble of things inside shoe containers. Plus, I needed some excuse to use my fancy new organizers. Now I can tell at a glance what we might need to replenish. And it looks so happy!
But wait, I’m not done! (So many exclamation points! I hope you can sense my excitement through the screen!!!!!)
I consolidated all our dental products into a single drawer. Electric toothbrush chargers and replacement tips, manual toothbrushes, flossers, toothpaste. And I even have an empty oblong storage container just waiting to be of use.
Because of my bedside table reorganization, I needed a new place to keep my “to-read” library books. I have two stationary storage boxes in my closet that rarely get moved. So I bought a $4 acrylic shelf divider (that slides over any shelf – if you squint at the left side you can make out the clear piece that friction fits over the shelf) at Dollarama. Voilà.
A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET
One evening Indy and I headed out the door to collect Belle from an extracurricular and, I kid you not, I audibly gasped the second I looked at the sky. The sunset was stunning. We didn’t have much buffer in terms of time, but I absolutely had to drive a few streets over to get a less obstructed view. We passed a whole group of university students gathered together taking pictures and that made me so happy. Young people! Outside! Enjoying nature!
I thought Belle might be a little crusty since we were 1 minute late (sure enough, she called me to make sure everything was okay). But instead of being grumpy, she was excited to tell me everyone had stopped the extracurricular early to go outside and take pictures of the beautiful sunset.
As always, I was bemoaning the fact that pictures of sunsets are almost a waste because they aren’t even 1/10th as beautiful as the real thing. But then I thought of a brand-new perspective. There is a magic about sunsets because they really have to be seen to be fully experienced. But…this picture will jog my memory about the time Indy and I chased a sunset together which makes it beautiful in its own way.
FUNNY KID CONVERSATIONS
This first one is from a few weeks ago, but it’s still making me laugh and I forgot to blog about it.
Me (to Belle as she is complaining about emptying the dishwasher): It builds character.
Belle: My character is built.
Belle (to Indy, discussing his dislike of most girls his age and the chances he might end up, in his words, a “grumpy old bachelor”): You need a woman in your life.
Indy: *Sweeps his hand around to point at me* Yes. Mom!
One morning, for no particular reason, I started singing in an operatic voice at the breakfast table. I offered to step out onto the deck and serenade the neighbourhood. The kids declined my offer. Later that same day, Belle was explaining to a friend and Joy about how embarrassing my opera diddy had been. I suggested Joy and I could start to yodel back and forth to each other across town.
When I was downstairs working in the office, I decided to send a little hello text to Belle upstairs, so I recorded a video of me singing opera and then yodelling. Apparently, I’m embarrassing.
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- Our clear schedule. I think I listed this as a happy thing last week, but the novelty has definitely not worn off. Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday with no commitments? Yes, please!
- Indy spending multiple evenings outside biking and playing street hockey with friends. The previous three years have been challenging from a neighbourhood perspective and I cannot overstate how much good it does my heart to see him enjoying some newfound freedom.
- Hot coffee. I frothed milk and sprinkled on cinnamon and parked my butt in my favourite chair and got sipping.
- Blue sky and sunshine.
- Thick, fluffy snow that sticks to trees but not to the driveway or roads.
- Car rides with Belle. We listen to music. We talk. It’s great.
- Crossing things off my to-do list.
- Small group at church.
- A long walk with Joy – the sun was shining and, as usual, conversation flowed effortlessly.
- Crepes for our at-home date night.
- The sound of the dishwasher running at night.
- Waking up early and having coffee/reading my Bible before the kids wake up.
- Food. It’s just so delicious!
- A week of solo parenting where the kids were both in exceptionally good moods. Phew. [Stay tuned, I’ll be writing more about my experiences with solo parenting soon.]
- John gets home today!
- Getting the chance to see my “Soup and Sandwich” friend. She lives near one of Belle’s friends who had invited Belle over for an afternoon of fun. I managed to cut two proverbial carrots with one knife: I took Belle to her friend’s, I filled the three hours of wait time, and I enjoyed a delicious lunch and chat.
And that’s a wrap. This week was a mix of unexpected joys: a snow day that turned into a play day, a drawer transformation that genuinely delights me, and a sunset that made time stand still for a few minutes. Life isn’t always this tidy or this light – but I’ll take the wins when they come.
Your turn:
- What’s something unexpectedly happy that happened in your week?
- Do you enjoy organizing – or do you avoid it at all costs?
- When was the last time you were stopped in your tracks by a beautiful sky?
- Did someone/something make you laugh out loud this week?
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Kyria @ Travel Spot
Woof, that Indy is a bundle of energy isn’t he!? The snow chair is genius! I love that they are both old enough now that you can have a friend over (for them) and then do your own thing. I remember being a girl and loving it when I got old enough to have friends over and my parents would leave us alone. #freedom We once had a kiwi eating contest and my friend ate so many that she threw them up. This is what 15 year olds do for fun!
Your drawers look sweet! I know that kind of thing is so satisfying. Now I only organize and reorganize my backpack, but it still gives me joy to pare down my toiletry bag or fit more socks in that packing cube. My happy thing is that today is market day and I am going to go and buy some tomatoes! I am really loving the fresh veg and cannot wait to make a beautiful salad with my finds!
Elisabeth
He really is! I’m so glad you’ve been able to spend time with him in person to understand that he’s active but also very jolly (and quite introspective). They worked for a long time on those chairs and one of them is still standing despite sunshine yesterday.
Kyria, I LOVE that they are both old enough to entertain themselves with friends. I know I say it over and over again, but for years I really did feel like this day would never come. And now it has.
Yum. I wish we were in “fresh veg” season where I live. Things are not…amazing…this time of year, but I’m making do with frozen veggies and know that before long there will be a bounty of fresh produce in our area.
Birchie
I always loved snow days – both when I was in school and especially when the boys got them. They were just so happy. I don’t think we’ll get any more snow or extreme weather conditions before the end of the year, so we’ve most likely had our last high school snow day.
Elisabeth
I thought we were done, too!
I really did hate (and I rarely use the word hate) snow days when the kids were younger. It seemed like every time we had a snow day John would either be away OR on important calls for the day so I needed to keep them quasi-quiet. And there were so many hours to fill. It is almost like magic how much has changed in just the last year in terms of independence and how they handle flex time! At worst, snow days feel neutral (I mean, if I have something scheduled, I can always leave the kids home alone together now), and some days it’s great (we can sleep in! no lunchboxes to make! extracurriculars are cancelled!).
Julia
What a happy week! My oldest is ten, and I regularly think to myself that he and Indy would be great friends 😄
Although I was not happy to have more doctor appointments this week, I am very thankful that one of my daughters got cleared from her ankle sprain to resume more activities, and another daughter got onto correct medication for a weird rash she’s been having.
I really love when things are organized, but I don’t love the effort of doing the organizing, and I am bad at keeping things tidy. I usually go on a binge effort for a day, then let things slide for a while til it’s messy again… ha! It just feels like a continuous battle with six people in the house. So much stuff.
Elisabeth
I don’t think I realized you had a 10-year-old. Indy LOVES to make friends, so I suspect he’d dive right in with a new pal.
Eeks. Ankles are such a weak point and they take so long to heal. And rashes always stymy me. It feels like they can be from literally anything.
I love organizing, but I definitely have a surge of enthusiasm for it and then let it slide. The good thing about organizing (as someone who finds it relaxing) is that it needs to be done and redone constantly. But it does feel like progress when I find new systems.
mbmom11
Were you out walking in the snow without a coat?! That’s a surprise!
I love snow days , provided there’s actual snow ( and not ice storms or bitter temps) and if I don’t have to go to work as well. It’s disheartening when I have to go out on the snowy roads to teach while my kids stay in their pajamas. Luckily, I can do a virtual class now if absolutely needed.
Enjoy the weekend!
Elisabeth
Good eyes. I had a coat slung over my arm. We had done a long walk, ending with a steep hill, so I took my coat off for the last portion of the walk. I promise, for the majority of the time I had a thick puffer coat on.
Agreed – a snow day is much cozier when there is actual snow and not a messy mix of rain and ice.
Jenny
First of all, I like your use of the saying “cut two carrots with one knife!” Much better than the other version. : )
Second- omg. If I sang in an operatic voice my daughter would be so embarrassed I’m not sure if she would ever speak to me again. And yodeling!!! I love Belle’s response to your text. And I love the photo of the girls spelling out “love” in front of the sunset. Yes, it’s genius- and so, so sweet. I’m always on the lookout for a beautiful sunrise or sunset- I agree that photos just don’t do them justice.
I have to admit I was happy my daughter was gone for two days this week on a band trip. I knew she was having fun with friends, and I got some LOVELY peace and quiet. And I got to sleep until 7:00 am on a weekday!
Elisabeth
I think it was you that suggested it? I remember asking readers for a better/less violent turn of phrase and I know it was a vegan reader who mentioned the “cut two carrots with one knife.” Maybe it was someone else. But yes, much less disturbing.
Well, I sang in an operatic voice and my daughter WAS so embarrassed. Yodelling might be a step too far?!
I am counting down the days until the week this summer when both kids are at camp. I had the best time last year when they were both out of the house and feel zero guilt admitting it. I love my kids. I also love when my kids are off on their own having a good time and I’m not responsible for them!
Nicole MacPherson
ELISABETH! That organization is like porn to me. Oh wow. HOW DO I GET MY HANDS ON THOSE ORGANIZERS. That looks amazing and now I’m newly inspired.
That sky! Not porn like but equally admired!!!
I need to stop saying porn.
I think you had more snow than we’ve had all year! But we have had quite a bit of rain lately. I’m not complaining! But we sure didn’t get much in the snow department.
That lunch is perfection!
Elisabeth
The organizers are $5 at Dollarama. They are in the fabric baskets/shower curtains/closet hangers section – at least where I live. I CLEARED OUT THE STOCK (in grey; they also come in white) at my Dollarama and will be going back this weekend to hope they’ve replenished.
Ally Bean
I like your organizational baskets in your drawers. I adore organizing things, but also don’t like buying items in which to put things. So some drawers, like in the kitchen or bathroom, are perfect like yours, while other drawers, like in my desk or table linens, are chaotic. I’m a complicated woman!
Elisabeth
It is a bit of a stretch to buy things to organize the clutter you already have (it adds to a clutter in the way), but it is one of my true pleasures in life!
Central Calif. Artist Jana
I got a job once by saying “I am a compulsive organizer, my slow time is in the winter, and I would like to do your library”. (At a university extension farm.)
How do you froth milk? A special tool? An espresso machine? I’ve tried with an immersion blender and it kind of does nothing. (Trying to mix cinnamon into coffee so it isn’t like sand on the bottom of the cup.)
Elisabeth
I use a milk frother (I have one by Bodum but there are dozens of brands that make them). I think they’re about $10 (no more than). It’s an amazing little gadget and works wonders for whisking up simple vinnegrette’s for salad or mixing hot chocolate. Definitely a purchase I recommend.
Michelle G.
I totally understand opening newly organized drawers over and over just to admire them! I love how you’ve organized everything! Those organizers are pure perfection!
This post was so much fun. I absolutely adore you for sending an opera/yodeling text to Belle. What an awesome mom thing to do!
Elisabeth
I’m glad you adored the text. Belle was tres embarrassed. But that’s kinda my job at this stage in parenting, right?
Lisa's Yarns
Thank you for sharing the sunset photos! They are gorgeous! We saw a beautiful sunrise a few weeks ago that had all of us commenting on it, even Paul! The sky was a pretty pink.
Your encouraging pep talk text was my good thing for the week. It’s been a really rough week for me. Phil lands at 8 tonight, though. I am hoping he’ll handle Will’s wakings tonight. Last night I was up with him from 11:30-1 because I could not get him to take medicine, but he was in so much pain so I couldn’t just give up because he would have just kept crying for me. It was awful but luckily he slept until 6:30 – but then we repeated the whole song and dance over taking his medicine. Gah.
That risotto meal looks SO GOOD!!
Elisabeth
Yes, Indy was just as taken with the sunset as I was…
I’m glad my pep talk was appreciated; all of it was true and what a rough stretch you’ve had lately. I mean, I feel like it’s been a rough stretch for years. You have had so many health complications and work trips and family dynamics. Sigh. I really hope you are soon clear to the other side and have smoother sailing. And I hope tonight is an EXCELLENT night of sleep.
Katy @ Practical Walk
The drawers look great!
Glad you could enjoy the sunset, it’s true, they never look the same in pictures.
Happy things from this week for me:
– Finally started listing items on ebay
– Delicate light pink and yellow flowers on one of our cacti
– Husband currently off BP meds, hope it can stay that way. Very thankful for a doctor who responded right away to his message when his BP was dropping.
– Ladies Bible Study, I’m liking both the study and the ladies!
Elisabeth
What wonderful news about your husband and having an attentive doctor is such a blessing!
I saw your post about eBay. Would you believe I’ve never purchased a single thing from the site!?
NGS
Our sunrise was GORGEOUS this morning. I tried to take photos, but they weren’t doing it justice, so I just sat on a bench and watched it. Hannah was displeased – she does not like breaks in her morning walks – but I was insistent.
It’s not that I don’t like organizing projects, but that I can’t be bothered to get started with them. I need to organize my closet and dresser to do a seasonal switch and it would be fine if I got started. But I’d rather be reading a book, you know?
Elisabeth
Fair enough, Engie. Fair enough. I know I’ll be frustrated in a few weeks when it’s an organizational nightmare again, but it was just so satisfying. It feels like a challenge or a puzzle that I get to put my own spin on. Maybe because I have kids and it feels like I can’t control much in my life (in some ways), having something to tidy and organize gives me that hit of control? My kids are always going to be sick at inconvenient times and I can never tell if something I do will offend or impress them. But by golly, I can have a very neat bedside table drawer 😉
Alexandra
First up, I am so with you. I love to organise my draws and yes, Dollarama is priceless when it comes to cheap, affordable plastic storage solutions. Nothing in our apartment is spared.
Also, I stop and stare for several minutes when I see a beautiful sky and would have more photos of said sunsets if I weren’t mesmerised. By the time I think about it, it’s too late to take a photo. Besides, I’d rather live it than snap a sunset.
Funnily enough yes, my OH did make me laugh this week. They have a very dry droll sense of humour and managed to snap me out of a funk with a wisecrack.
And, despite still having health problems this week, I’m happy/relieved to be feeling much better this week.
Elisabeth
I literally can barely restrain myself from making a special trip to get more of them.
Amen to living in the moment. With sunsets I almost always do just that, but I’m glad I snapped a picture to remind me of the night Indy and I went chasing a sunset.
You’ve had a rough health setback, but I hope feeling better coincides with improvements in the weather.
Alexandra
Oh, you and me both then. Every time I’m at the mall I have to go see what they have in stock, and always come out with something. I’m hoping we’re not going to see a price hike here, due to our Southern Neighbour’s tariff policy.
Sunsets are one of nature’s gifts. There’s something about the way the sky changes colour moving through dusk to twilight. It’s magical.
Just one in a series of annoying health problems these last few years. I blame it on my age and the longer winters cooped up inside. Those 6 months of little or no exercise doesn’t help. I can’t convince the OH to move to the south of France, for my health. Ha! Ha!
Elisabeth
I think most of the items at Dollarama come from China? So I suspect we won’t be too badly impacted but, then again, what do I know. Every day seems like a Choose Your Own Nightmare these days.
coco
I love sunsets and feel the same one about not capturing it properly with the camera. It means we need to appreciate it more, nature beauty in general as our mind captures them better than any devise.
Happy thing this week for me was to hang out with my grad friend for a work trip. We are good friends and I see him every time I go to DC, he even hosted our farewell when we left DC in 2017. It felt like a circle to now work together.
I like organizing too but I’m trying to hold myself back to not by organizing things until our shipments arrive to avoid duplicates.
Elisabeth
Spending time with people that bring us joy is one of the purest forms of delight! I’m so glad you were able to spend time with someone you enjoy/admire so much.
Kate
I had to laugh about the yodeling. I know Greta’s immediate response to me doing that would be “Mom!!! That’s so cringe!!” Haha. And yet there’s a perverse part of me that delights in embarrassing her (in the privacy of our own home — I wouldn’t purposely truly embarrass her in public although I’m sure I’ll do it often enough as she gets older just by existing). I have made a habit of doing a ridiculous cheer/dance whenever she gets a high score on a quiz or test and even though she covers her face and groans, I think there’s a little piece of her that actually likes the over-the-top response (as long as none of her friends are there to witness it!)
You are so right about the sunset. The photo is not an exact replica but a placeholder to remind you of that moment. It’s why we take photos in the first place, I think. And I’m also astonished by the creativity of spelling LOVE — especially the fact that they are alternating hands! Even if I would have thought of that, I would have just assumed one person would make the L and O and the other person the V and E.
And the DRAWERS!!! Oh my goodness. So satisfying and think of all the minutes you save just being able to see at a glance what you need (and, as you said, what needs to be replenished). Double points for finding a cheap storage solution. I often procrastinate buying storage containers because they seem ridiculously expensive for something that I can manage to live without. I should check our dollar store!
So, so glad that you all are feeling more freedom to move about the neighborhood. Especially at Indy’s age, it’s got to be a game changer for him to be able to enjoy his time outside and spread his wings a bit. I’m really sad for you that it was such a horrible situation for a long time.