What a week!
My father-in-law arrived Sunday; as always, he’s the easiest guest imaginable. We’ve also had a revolving door of kids’ friends, and most meals have included a few extra mouths.
Indy had a short-but-intense bout of illness (that involved a morning home from school + almost no sleep for any of us one night).
This is also THE WEEK. Over the next 48 hours, our family has:
- A dress rehearsal for Indy (honour choir); Belle’s drama dress rehearsal ran 3:30-9:00 yesterday!
An away soccer game for Indy (he had practice 6:00-7:00 yesterday)Cancelled, and I am NOT sad.- Two honour choir year-end performances
- Two year-end drama performances
- Belle’s baptism! (We don’t practice infant baptism, so this was a personal decision on her part.)
I also got a Pap smear this week, so consider this your friendly reminder: if you’ve fallen behind on your regular screenings, go book them. (Pap smears every 3 years, mammograms starting by age 40 — it’s important.)
NEW LIFE
I’m a Great Aunt!!! I mean, I already knew I was a great aunt, but now I have the title to match. Just kidding.
Sadly, my brand-new great-nephew currently lives 2,300 km away, but I’m soaking up every picture and video. Huge congrats to my niece, Laura (Hi Laura!!) and her husband.
BLOSSOMS
Speaking of new life…the apple blossoms are out! My seasonal allergies are a mess, but I’m enjoying the (fleeting!) moments of floral beauty. Antihistamines are now always on standby.
WALKS
Out walking with my father-in-law this week, we spotted a robin’s egg on the ground — such a cliche springtime sight. (Cliche or not, I was delighted.)
I loved the bright pops of red in a local park.
GOOD FOOD
Chicken Mango Curry. One of my absolute favourite meals. (Chicken, curry, bell peppers, onion, raisins, mango, cilantro, lime, coconut milk, chicken stock). I steamed some frozen green beans in the microwave, toasted some slivered almonds in olive oil, and tossed everything together in a frying pan. Yum!!
A giant salad (served with gooey grilled cheese on the side).
Another day, another giant salad.
Burger, potato wedges, another batch of green beans.
Other things I ate but forgot to take pictures of:
- Hamburger soup (with homemade biscuits). Belle’s made her famous Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert. They are out of this world.
- John has been making me breakfast each day — rye bread with drippy peanut butter and hemp hearts + an egg/one piece of prosciutto, washed down with coffee. Yum.
- Crepes with chorizo and egg. (And then a sweet one with peanut butter and chocolate chips.)
KIDS AT CHURCH
I helped out twice in kids’ ministry at church over the last week week and both times were delightful. Volunteering on a casual basis keeps it fresh and fun. My favourite part was leading the small group discussions for Primary and Grade 1 students. I encouraged them to share their “highlights and lowlights.” Kids are so honest and hilarious!
One boy explained his “lowlight” of the week was falling out of a tree that was “eight stories tall.” I have doubts about the veracity of these claims, as he was completely unscathed and mostly wanted to talk about his fun visit to a friend’s camp! (After much confusion on my part, I came to learn Cinnamon Roll was a beloved stuffed animal.)
A sweet girl with a mouth full of missing teeth gave me original art for my fridge which is quite heartwarming now that I’m past that stage with my own kids.
NEVER HAVE I EVER UPDATES
A few things struck my fancy from the Never Have I Ever post earlier this week.
I had no idea there was so much acting talent in the group.
- Ernie was involved in the filming of Rudy!
- Jacquie’s car (a 1955 Ford Fairlane) was used in a TV movie about Ted Bundy.
- Ally got as far as signing an NDA to be an extra in Seabiscuit (alas, she never got called in).
- Maureen was in a commercial for When Calls the Heart.
- Nicole was in an independent short film…doing yoga!
- Diane knows someone who was an extra on a movie and got to sit on a ferris wheel all day.
- Kyria accidentally walked onto the set of Benjamin Button. (Which reminded me of the time John and I were in New York City and he unknowingly crashed a scene Katie Holmes was filming.)
There were a lot of perms in the 80s and 90s.
- Gigi got her hair permed…and then remembered she already had curly hair.
- Tobia allowed her friend (who I’m assuming was in hairdressing school) to practice a perm for her exam — when the perm didn’t take, her friend “cheated” and curled Tobia’s hair manually. Did her teachers figure this out, I wonder?
- Jean was a hairdresser who wound up developing an allergy to perm solution. Now that’s a problem!
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- I was dreading cobbling together school lunchboxes Sunday night before I remembered Monday was a school holiday. Thank you, long-dead Queen Victoria!
- Silly memes and the wonderful people who send them my way.
- When a second cup of coffee tastes just as good as the first.
- Warm-from-the-oven biscuits that melt the butter just right.
- Sarah’s book is available for pre-order!!!
- Birdsong. Still loving this soundtrack of spring.
- Reading. I’ve enjoyed so many engaging books this month!!
Your turn.
- What’s been the highlight of your week?
- Have you had any Kids Say the Darndest Thing moments lately?
- Is anyone else heavily reliant on antihistamines right now?
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Melissa
I had daily antihistamines when I was in the UK. On many of our hikes the scent of wildflowers was so strong, which was beautiful but not great for allergies.
My notification that I was due for a Pap smear came up at the start of the year, but when I went I found out we can now choose do a self-swab for HPV. If it’s positive you get called back for a proper PAP smear but if all clear you’re all good for five years. Obviously I chose the self-swab and it was all clear.
Elisabeth
I’ve never heard of the self-swab option and I’m so glad yours was normal/clear.
I live a 3-minute drive from my doctor’s office and it only happens once every three years so I don’t think about it too much, but I’m so glad we have these standard screening options now. Imagine all the treatable cervical cancers that must have been missed in past generations 🙁
Catrina
Congratulations on becoming a great Great Auntie!
And thanks for the gyno cartoon, that gave me a proper laugh. 😂
Highlight of my week: our 32nd wedding anniversary yesterday. We celebrated at a lovely restaurant just outside Cape Town, and I had a Gruyère Soufflé that I’m still dreaming about. Absolutely divine.
Elisabeth
When you stop to think about everything involved in a Pap smear, you either cringe or laugh at the absurdity. My nurse asked if I wanted her to leave while I put my shorts back on and I was like “Why bother. You have already seen absolutely everything!?”
Congrats. What a big milestone and it sounds like you celebrated in wonderful style.
coco
sorry to hear about Andy getting sick, not fun for anyone in the family but kids get sick often unfortunately.
great that you take walks with your dad in law, i don’t think i’ve hangout with mine alone ever.
best moment of this week; have a manicure in my office while taking zoom meetings. brilliant idea.
Elisabeth
I’m thankful it was over quickly. We have a busy weekend and having the household sick would have really messed things up big time.
Having a manicure done at work? That really is genius!
Coree
What a full-on week… and we still have so much of the school year to go!
Our highlights
We had a successful halfday playdate (the kid is practically family, but struggles, and we weren’t sure if she’d be able to hang).
I’ve been putting off article revisions for AGES and then opened them, and they actually aren’t too bad. I’ve also figured out how to use AI as a writing tutor – to prioritise revisions from a huge, kind of convoluted list. The goal is to finish the text and references off today – and proofread Monday and SEND!
Lowlights
I thought I was done with marking, but one of my colleagues caught an egregious case of self-plagiarism at the 11th hour. Why do kids do this to themselves? To me?
I had an awkward moment in a meeting and thought – am I having a hot flush? Is this perimenopause? But I think I just felt mad and it came out my cheeks.
Anticipating
I’ve been roped into being camp chef this weekend, and have spent all week grumbling. But today is the day and I’m determined to have a good attitude.
My dad arrives next week for a visit and I’m just looking forward to an extra set of hands.
Elisabeth
There are lots of year-end things for school (like field trips), but I am relieved that their main extracurriculars are wrapped up as of this weekend. It always feels like we’re dragging a bit by the end of it all!
Good luck with the revisions. Just think of how wonderful it will feel to have that behind you!!!
I love you making space for anticipation. I guess the camp chef part isn’t necessarily your first pick, but I predict you’ll end up having fun. And hooray for your dad coming to visit. I’m sure T will love the extra attention, too. As I recall, he’s quite close with your dad? I’m assuming you’ll be going to Portugal at some point over the summer break, too?
Katy @PracticalWalk
Congrats on the new baby! Being an Aunt is so special, being a great Aunt must be too!
Hight light would be my daughter’s birthday, can’t believe she’s 17!! While it’s really hitting me that in 1 year she plans to move to Bible school, I’m so grateful for her in my life and really want to soak up this last year!
Kids say the best things!
Elisabeth
The years start to really zoom by, don’t they. I’m not quite to that life stage, but next year marks the start of high school and when I stop to really think about that, I’m gobsmacked!
Jenny
Oh congratulations! Your great-nephew is SO CUTE!!! (Yes. Yes, I am ready for grandchildren and waiting patiently).
Ha ha on the pap smear cartoon… I don’t even want to say how overdue I am. I WILL schedule it, thank you! Glad Indy is feeling better (but a huge UGH for the sleepless night).
I would say a highlight for me is knowing that I packed the LAST LUNCH OF THE SCHOOL YEAR this morning. Next week is finals, so it’s only half-days. Phew.
I pre-ordered Sarah’s book!
Elisabeth
I need someone near me to have a baby! I want all the cuddles with none of the responsibility. Is that too much to ask???
Schedule your PAP-smear Jenny. We can do hard things.
What a relief to be done with school lunches. I absolutely dread them at this stage in the year. Belle packs her own now, but they are NOT balanced. Sigh. The other day she told me I can pack it for her or not critique her choices and let her do it. Touché. So I’m letting her do it, even though she seems to be subsisting on Cheez-it’s and fruit pouches.
Birchie
Congrats on the new baby!!! 2,300 km of distance or not, I hope that you get to meet her soon.
My happy thing was of course my California trip! I’m in a work bind right now and it feels like I will never ever have time to blog again, but the TL;DR version is that it was 10 very busy days of joy. And lol lol lol 10 days away from home meant a pause on seasonal allergies!!!
I made the joke that I preordered Sarah’s book for her birthday, but it’s almost my birthday so I guess I got it as a gift for both of us. Next January will be here before we know it and we’ll get to read it! By then I will have met you, and you will have met her!!!!!
Elisabeth
Argh. Work can be such a nuisance. But I’m glad that was tempered by having so much fun and getting to see blog friends. I loved reading J’s update. Looks like everyone got along fabulously (of course) and the food sounded delicious.
I told Sarah I want a signed bookplate! Can’t wait to meet her and you. My mind is being blown!
Dara
That baby is so cute! I also went to the gynecologist recently. Great cartoon depiction of that.
Elisabeth
It’s never fun to go get those sorts of screening tests but it’s so important. I’m glad I went…and I’m glad it’s behind me for another 3 years!
mbmom11
The highlight of the week was my daughter’s wax museum presentation of Pocahontas. ( Kids each pick a historical figure to research, make a poster and a short speech, and then parents wander around listening to the spiels.) My daughter is mostly nonverbal, so I had low expectations. And I didn’t find out until 2 days before that she was supposed to have a costume and props. ( The administration didn’t communicate this. I find this principal and admins lacking in many , many ways…)
But the teachers had loaded her speech onto her talker ( an augmentive and alternative communication device) , and she could press the buttons to go through the speech. My son 3-D printed some shells so we could make a vaguely native american necklace, and I had an ear of corn as a prop. Her teacher braided her hair. She did well! Her entire special needs class did a great job with posters and research. Very proud of them! The teacher and aide are outstanding. Very blessed to have had them for 2 years.
Elisabeth
Start to finish this comment made me smile. I am so glad you and your daughter have such wonderful, dedicated teachers who pour into their students. What a joyous occasion!!!!
Bijoux
I remember those crazy May schedules! A lot of fun and excitement packed into one month. Congrats on your daughter’s baptism. Fun fact: I’ve been baptized twice!
You already read about my trip which was my highlight of the entire month. My grandkids say hilarious stuff quite often. I just learned that my 5 YO granddaughter thought The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books were called Diarrhea of a Wimpy Kid! I guess that makes sense when you’ve never heard of a diary!
Elisabeth
May is busy, but I also can’t believe it’s well on its way to being over. Where did the last three weeks go???
Diarrhea – I bet that would appeal to a lot of kiddos, one of my own included who automatically thinks anything related to potty humour is hilarious.
You had such an interesting trip and I loved learning that detail about Neil Armstrong’s “cheat sheet”.
Lisa's Yarns
Sorry to here that Indy was sick this week! I am glad it was fairly short-lived and hope everyone else avoids it! But lost sleep can really wreak havoc on a household! Ask me how I know. Lol.
The high of my week was definitely seeing my sister and her family and especially holding her snuggly newborn. Congrats to your niece! What a beautiful baby!
Elisabeth
I am jealous you got to snuggle the newest baby addition in your family! I’m so thankful for pictures and how easily they can be sent on modern technology, though. I will get to watch him grow up day by day <3
Kim Carberry
How lovely to have your father in law visiting! What a worry about Indy.
Smears are no fun but are so important. I have another year before my next one.
Aww! Congratulations to your niece and her husband. The little one is adorable.
That Chicken Mango Curry sounds delicious.
Elisabeth
Yes, I’ll admit making and attending a gyno appointment ranks quite low on my list of fun things to do. But it needed to be done and now it’s over!
Nicole MacPherson
Oh wow, so many incredibly happy things here! I don’t even know where to start. Babies! Blossoms! Giant salads! So many of us on movie sets!
The highlight of my week…well, I have had a lot of good writing sessions, revising and editing. I’m pretty happy with my MS right now, to be honest. Also the iris garden is popping, it looks incredible. And it’s Friday! My favourite day!
Elisabeth
I love that your writing project is coming so well. It seems like such a hopeful, expansive time of year. Perfect for perfecting a project near and dear to your heart.
Rebecca Jo
That baby – so precious!!!!
Working in kids ministries will no doubt leave you with chuckles!
Pap Smears – could there be anything so awkward for me? I think not.
I did your 5 top/bottom post today – a little late – but fun ot join in
Elisabeth
I’m glad Pap smears only need to happen every 3 years and not annually!
I just checked out your Top 5/Bottom 5. So fun!
Alexandra
This week’s highlights were that maintenance finally came and fixed the sink in the guest bathroom, which had been leaking for one month too long. Plus we had a break in the weather and saw one full sunny day. But then, the rain came back. Of course it would, because Wednesday we had delivery of our mobile AC unit.
What I love about young kids is their brutal honesty, no filter included. You ask them something they’re going to give you the absolute truth according to their eye.
Oh, and congrats on becoming a Great Aunt. I’ve now got about 12 great nieces and nephews.
Elisabeth
Hooray! It is so nice to get nagging issues crossed off the list.
It is a gift to have the freedom to speak so freely as a kiddo. I wish it was as easy for adults (and as well tolerated).
The weather has been positively rotten where we live. Rain, rain, rain, and more rain. With mostly cool temps. Any time I’ve seen the sun for even a few minutes I’ve made sure to get outside.
Alexandra
Kids are wise beyond our years.
And yes, any time the sun has managed to peek out from behind storm clouds, I’ve gone out for a walk in our small tree filled park, just to get a breath of fresh air. I don’t remember a year that was this WET!!
Elisabeth
Agreed.As I write this it’s STILL raining. But I spy sunshine in the forecast for next week, so I’m hoping there are sunny skies ahead.
Ally Bean
Thanks for the mention. Somehow I’ve overcome my Hollywood rejection.
What’s been the highlight of your week? My highlight has been seeing our rose bushes go all out with flowers.
Have you had any Kids Say the Darndest Thing moments lately? Well, I wrote about one of those this week so yes.
Is anyone else heavily reliant on antihistamines right now? Yes, I’m living on Alavert. So much pollen, but so pretty outside.
Elisabeth
All the flowers this time of year are such a joy.
Gigi
Ha! It was only after my hair should have grown out from the perm did I realize my hair would curl up on it’s on. Prior to the perm, I kept trying to make it straight (well before “product” was a thing so it was a futile effort) and ending up with a bird’s nest.
Elisabeth
My curls are 100% a birds nest unless I take great care. I wish I had curly hair that needed no work but, alas, I’m not sure that exists??
Gigi
Oh curly hair still needs work; not as much work as straightening it in my opinion so that’s why I eventually gave up and embraced my bird’s nest.
Elisabeth
Yes, my nieces have extremely curly hair and it is such a process (though looks absolutely stunning). I know a few people with loose ringlets who have a wash-and-wear scenario and that is my DREAM.
M. Jean Pike
What a lovely post, Elisabeth. I love your flower pics and what a gorgeous baby!
Elisabeth
Isn’t he precious. I know I’m biased an all…but *gah*…I wish I could pop over whenever the urge for a snuggle struck my fancy.
Maria
Congrats great auntie! Such a cutie! Hopefully you’ll get baby snuggles soon.
It’s been a really difficult past couple days and I really appreciated reading all your happy things and those of others in the comments.
Some happy things on my end :
– Canada Post striking by no overtime instead of a full strike. I really didn’t want to have another full on strike again.
– kid snuggles
– a lot of small things that have made the last two days easier
– an unexpected text from a friend I hadn’t heard from in awhile including her great news about having her third child! It made my day to hear that.
– our tulips are blooming
Elisabeth
It will be months (if not years) before I see the new babe. 🙁 But praise the Lord for modern tech.
I’m so sorry things have been rough. I know you have a lot on the go and it’s an especially exhausting season of life for you. Sending virtual hugs.
I am SO glad there was no strike. I woke with a giant knot in my stomach yesterday!
Daria
What a wonderful, uplifting post. I hope Indy feels better, soon!
Congratulations to Laura and her husband- I think I remember you writing about her wedding.. They are in one of the Carolina’s, no?..
A highlight of my week was…bumper cars yesterday at a birthday party. Those things are FUN, I think I enjoyed them more than my kids lol 😂
Also, dramatic skies after three days of rain straight. Ominous and hopeful at the same time.
Elisabeth
Wow – what a great memory, Daria. Yes, they’ve been married 1.5 years and live in South Carolina <3
The bumper cars looked so fun! I haven't been on a bumper car in several decades.
It's been raining and overcast here, too. Next week is calling for lots of sunshine and I am ready!
Katie
Congratulations on the great-nephew, Elisabeth!! You don’t seem old enough to be a great aunt! But, given your baby status, it makes sense. We are actually going to a graduation party tomorrow for our nephew, which doesn’t seem possible! (But my husband is the youngest by 11 and 13 years, so it checks out!).
The highlight of my week was definitely watching my daughter play tee-ball. Getting out of the house is such a game changer for my mood, running into people we know at the field, etc. etc. I’m so glad we signed her up!
Elisabeth
I’m the baby in the family!!!
Watching kids play sports is so much fun. I really enjoy it.
Sherry Smith
Hello, I just found your blog and find it entertaining. Lifestyle blogs telling all the ins and outs of everyday life are so interesting to me. Congratulations on becoming a great aunt!
Elisabeth
Thanks so much for stopping by, Sherry! And thanks for your congratulations; it’s exciting to see the family grow!
J
OMG, that baby is ADORABLE. Congratulations! You’re pretty young to be a great aunt, right? I think my great aunt was 39 when my brother was born, which seems young to me.
Beautiful blossoms, beautiful salad, beautiful all around. Regarding the kids highs and lows, I’m a little worried about Hilary.
I had a pretty good week. Sunday we drove home from Los Angeles, which should have sucked but it didn’t. Monday I worked a half day and my husband took me to a nice lunch. Tuesday was fun with Birchie! Then after so much business over the last couple of weeks, it’s been nice to just chill out a bit.
Elisabeth
I am 37, so…I feel like that is probably on the young side??
Hilary was actually the other adult in the room (of course I asked the adults, too). It was her son who had a tummy ache 🙁
You have had such an adventurous May and I’ve loved following alone.
Kate
Ohhhhhh I just want to kiss those squishy cheeks!!! Congratulations!!!
Good job on the health maintenance stuff. In the US, Pap smears are recommended only every 5 years for women over 30 (as long as HPV testing is negative and previous Paps have all been normal), but in some ways I feel like that’s too long to go in between smears! (Pelvic exams are still recommended though.) I turn 40 this September and already scheduled my mammogram, and had a full skin check with dermatology last month. I am just so grateful for the screening options we have and want to take full advantage! ALSO the answer to the question in the comic is, undies go folded up inside your pants, also folded on top of the chair! I guess if you’re wearing a dress it would be a bit trickier. But no way would I leave my undies on the floor of a doctor’s office. It’s not as clean as you might hope!
And huge congratulations to Belle. That is a big step and I’m sure it makes your heart happy that it was something she felt strongly enough about to choose to do! God bless her!
Happy things: the Cookish cookbook I requested from the library just arrived, I treated the girls and myself to Starbucks on the way home from mass today, and now as I type this, the little ones are napping, older ones are playing outside, and it’s just quiet — a moment of peace before getting together with friends for dinner tonight!
Elisabeth
I didn’t realize Pap smears were only every 5 years in the US!
I hope your dinner with friends is delightful. I spent my Sunday afternoon napping. Oops. I set an alarm, but turned it off and slept 3x longer than I had planned but it has been such a busy week (plus the one night with almost no sleep because of Indy). We shall see if I manage to sleep at all tonight…
Sophie
Sounds busy your way! Lots of fun/happy things though. That Pap smear cartoon made me laugh. A Pap test saved my life in my 20s, thank you modern medicine. I probably would have died of cervical cancer by 30 without it. There’s some new test in Australia which means they are every 5 years now- yay. But I got my first mammogram this year now I’m over 40. All the best for Belle’s baptism, very special.
My happy things this week was our beautiful sunshine (finally), Owens quick recovery from surgery, and an Owen mummy Day on Sat which was just delightful.
Elisabeth
Thanks for sharing your story. It is incredible how regular screening can save so many lives. Screening procedures are never nice, but what a gift to the world.
You have had such a tough, exhausting for weeks so hooray for sunshine and I loved reading about your special time with O (and his speedy recovery from surgery!!)
Ernie
I just discovered (well Mini did) that a kid I babysit for went viral
For saying the darndest thing. I’ll share the link soon on my blog.
I had such severe seasonal allergies but my folks refused to get me shots. I had a scratch test done about 6 years ago. My monthly allergy shots have literally been life changing.
Those perm stories- especially the one that was being tested for a class and used a curling iron are so funny.
Elisabeth
Ohhh. I’m intrigued! I’ve never gone “viral” and I don’t think anyone I know has gone viral, either?
I’m so glad the monthly allergy shots have been helpful. Modern medicine can be such a blessing.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Such a busy week for you. And so many great things happened. Congrats on becoming a great aunt. How exciting.
Also I have never seen a robins egg. Is that a very Canadian thing I wonder?
As for your questions. I was to sit absolutely still so the curls did not hang out. I had the curler in my hair with the perm solution and then she just uncurled one or to and used the curling iron to make a great shape. She delibirely worked slow that the guy checking could only see a work in progress. But I remember that when we all left the building another examiner passed me , stopped and sad, didn’t you get a perm just yet … looking at my sad looking curl imitations. She passed though.
Elisabeth
Robins are a staple bird in North America and “robins egg blue” is a very common name for that exact shade of blue.
Ha! How devious!