Celebrating Three Decades!

6:52 a.m. Me. Uncensored. First thing in the morning. I am a self-professed night-owl. However, in the last few weeks I have been waking up earlier and going to bed earlier. Is this a hint of things to come? Will my thirties start with a circadian cycle shift? Anything is possible I suppose. I will admit that I’ve enjoyed waking before my little people so that I can enjoy a moment of quietness before the breakfast diatribe begins.

7:00 a.m. I took a quick stroll through my gardens and moved my seedling outdoors to make some room in the kitchen. The seedlings are still being hardened-off, and I hope to plant them soon. 

7:09 a.m. The boys awaken, a little earlier than I had expected, but they both remembered it was my birthday and wish me a “happy birthday” while we had some snuggles on the couch. 

7:52 a.m. It was a beautiful sunny morning. In the afternoon the clouds rolled in and showered us with a spring rain, regardless it was a lovely warm day.

8:05 a.m. A typical morning breakfast in our home: steel-cut oats boiled in milk and generously covered in maple sugar, nuts and fruit. 

8:28 a.m. A surprise visit from the husband. He spilled milk all over his clothing this morning and had to return home to change. I think he should spill his milk all over himself more often (grin). I enjoy seeing his smiling face in the morning. My daughter slept in until after nine, during which I was preoccupied with something or another. 

10:29 a.m. That’s right. This is the year I will finally Get Strong! Since the birth of my eldest, over seven years ago, I have been plagued with aches and pains. After trying various things that have left me in even more pain I have decided to start strength training. In the last couple weeks I have been slowly building strength through mainly body-weight exercises (squats, push-ups, pull-ups). I purchased Nia Shank’s Beautiful Badass Bodyweight Workout Guide (e-book) and have been using it as a guide.

11:51 a.m. There’s my Claire-bear. Always one to take her time in the morning. This picture was taken right after she crashed her head on the stairs.

12:00 p.m. Chili in the slow-cooker. Grilled cheese and veggies for lunch. An endless flow of dirty dishes and laundry. What would be a photo journal without including at least one picture of these daily tasks.

1:53 p.m. Once everyone was sufficiently fed and the kitchen was somewhat tidy again, it was time for a little sit down learning. A few minutes of piano practice, some spelling and math. 

3:00 – 5:30 p.m. (No pictures) We went into town for swimming lessons. I managed to register my two eldest into swimming lessons at the same time. While they were at their lesson Teddy and I played in the pool. Every now and again I managed to convince my little guy to dip his toes in the hot tub so that I could enjoy the jet streams.

6:00 p.m. – 9ish p.m. After being rather non-committal about my birthday plans my friends took it into their own hands to throw me a special birthday party. I made a big pot of chili and they brought the rest of the meal: many loaves of garlic bread, a fresh spring salad and a delicious angel food cake covered in lemon glaze. I feel so blessed to have such lovely friends ♥.

7:58 p.m. One candle for each decade and a little helper to blow out the flames.

7:59 p.m. And lots of helpers to eat the cake!

9:42 p.m. Thank you to my friends for your well wishes and kind words. I am excited for this next decade of my life and I am ready to own those grey hairs on my head!