The playground by the lake.....

After the farmers market, we wandered over to the playground.  Susannah and I sat and chatted, took pictures and Susie continued to watch 'Life Unexpected' which I now have her addicted to ;)  

Abigail and Sam quickly found friends to play with at the playground - Sam and his friend were off on his skateboard and Abigail and her friend played on the monkey bars etc:

Susannah borrowed my hoody - which she now wants to keep!!!!

Despite a forecast of rain, it turned into the most beautiful day - although it got chilly as the sun went down - and you can tell it is almost Fall!!

Another great day!  Tomorrow is our last day of freedom in Edmonton.  School starts on Tuesday and won't be around for the weekend.  Well, Laurence and friends are here - but they are dog sitting, house sitting and hanging out lol!

Snapshots from our Wednesday :)

Rosie getting hugs and kisses from Susannah:

I showed the girls a technique for painting polkadots on your nails:

We went to Goodwill, dropped Laurence at his friends house in time for him to go to work, and then went to the farmers market.  I gave the kids some pocket money each for the market and they could choose whatever they wanted:

Abigail chose fries with her money and also bought a bottle of water:

I had lemonade:

Sam picked a yoyo balloon and a mini cupcake and STILL had $2 left!!  It's a great math skill to give them money and have them choose how to spend it and see how much they have left and what else they can get:

Susannah's teachers Son was singing and playing guitar at the market:

Susannah chose to buy a bag of cherries:

29 Faces in September :)

Come and join us for 29 Faces in September!!!

Draw a face every day for at least 29 days.  

Even if you tell yourself you 'can't draw', give it a try!!

Grab some paper and a pencil and draw!  I promise that by the end of the month

 you will see HUGE improvements :)

'29 Faces' on FB  :)  

tag time.....

listening - to Laurence in the shower and the wind blowing outside.  

eating - mini meringues - too many!

drinking - hazelnut coffee

wearing - capris and t-shirt

feeling - edgy and anxious and I want to go out

wanting - Friday to arrive so we can go camping.

needing - peace

thinking - that I like the idea of being in a relationship, until I am in a relationship and then to be honest I resent the hassle!  I resent being pestered and 'needed' and just want them to go away!  Lol!  

enjoying - the summer and don't want school to start next week or for the good weather to end.

wondering - how this evening will work out....

A few images and tags I've liked on Pinterest this week...

Making summer memories :)

We had a picnic at the car, and ice creams in the zoo:

We had fun on the pedal boats.  Susannah and Jacob were trying to splash us, but they weren't good at driving OR splashing, and ended up soaking themselves :)  

We went on the train which turned out to be a really sweet ride, talking about a few animals and birds you can ONLY see from the train ride - we also went under a tunnel which THRILLED Sam :)  

And the kids all loved how friendly the animals were in the petting zoo:

A really good day out and yet again FABULOUS weather :)  

Arctic shores....

The new arctic shores exhibit is REALLY nice.  

A chance to see seals, sea lions and other creatures from the north.

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo.....

Today was a GORGEOUS sunny day and although it was 29c out, to me it didn't feel too hot!  Abby struggled with the heat a little bit - but even Abby only had a few grouchy minutes!!

We picked up Susannah's friend Jacob, and headed to the zoo.  

Edmonton zoo is partly under construction - it used to be a bit of a joke of a zoo, but they are working REALLY hard to improve things there, and every time we go now there is something new and different - the enclosures are sooo nice now for the most part, and it makes for a really fun day out!

Here are some of the creatures we saw:

For today.....

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it is still sooooo warm.  Leaves are starting to change colour on the trees, but it is very much still Summer, with days as warm as 26c.

I am thinking...about going downstairs to make a cup of tea.  Everyone else is asleep, but I haven't had my tea yet and I really do like a cup of tea before bed :)  I guess I'm a creature of habit after all :) 

I am thankful...for the most amazing Summer - filled with wonderful memories and experiences - and sunshine that followed us everywhere :) 

In the kitchen...not too much has been happening as we have been barbecuing so much :)  I have been making plans for meals through the Fall though :)  

I am wearing... My nighty and underwear.  

I am creating...a future for my family.  I am creating several new pieces of art.  I am creating a Fall timetable filled with classes, get togethers and activities with the children.

I am going...to be very happy to sleep in the tent this weekend.  I sleep so much better in there!  

I am wondering...if my horoscope for this week was right.  Why I am always attracted to guys who seem or ARE gay. How I got so lucky with my amazing kids :)  If I really SHOULD grow my hair long OR if I should give up and tell Amber to chop it all off again!

I am reading...a couple of books on writing for Young Adults.

I am hoping...Nadine has some good news for me this week - exciting news :)  

I am looking forward to...our weekend away camping.  Labour day weekend - camping, swimming, exploring, hiking.....and seeing my kids have a wonderful time with all that freedom :)

I am learning....to be a better Mother every day.  To know ME better every day.  My purpose - a little more every day :)

Around the house...it's Summer, the kids are on holiday.  We are rarely at home.  

I am pondering...everything the psychic told me last week.

A favorite quote for today... Someone mentioned this quote today:  'Dreamers are the Saviours of the World' - James Allen

One of my favorite things...my project 365 app on my phone.  and getting texts :)  

A few plans for the rest of the week: The zoo, meeting Tracy at the park, museum maybe....then heading off to Drumheller to go camping and meet up with friends...relax by the pool and generally chill out until Monday :)  I'm sure a few other things will be thrown in - like Farmers Market, taking Laurence to work, playgrounds, shopping for the weekend, bathing Rosie....

Monday at our place.....

We were supposed to be at the zoo today, but when Susannah woke up she felt worse than she had been yesterday, so we decided to delay our trip.  Susie and Sam stayed home, and I drove Laurence in to town to his friends house as they were all going to a pool party.  

Abby and I then had a lovely afternoon of just the two of us!!  Much needed after last week!!!  We had some banking to do, and then went to Second Cup.  We sat outside with our Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Abby picked the BIGGEST ever Turtle pie!!  

We sat and chatted and then headed over to Michaels as I needed a new paint pen.  Abby found some tattoo pens so used my coupon to get them.  

After that we headed to County Clothes Line - our local thrift store.  We found the store completely empty and a sign on the door saying they had moved!  So we drove to the new address and had a look around!  Thrift stores are one of Abigails favourite ways to spend time :)  

Then some groceries and to pick up a tub of odour free garlic capsules - Susannah wants to stop her cold, and I want to make sure I don't get it!!  :)  

After that we headed home.

Once home, I decided to get some work done.  As it was such a nice day I took all my supplies outside and worked on the deck.  I added some more to the canvases I started the other day, and I started a new one too.

Abby opened her tattoo pens, and started to tattoo everyone:

I got a heart, scroll and the initials of my children:

Sam got......this:  

Then it was time to pack up and get supper started.  I barbecued again as e want to make the most of the good weather while it is here - and because the children LOVE when I make the potatoes and asparagus:

After supper I worked on a project I wanted to finish:

Then the girls watch The Hunger Games again, Sam watched The Iron Giant on my bed, and after capturing the sunset, I went and soaked in the bath and chatted to a friend:

That was my Monday!!  Hope yours was a good one!!!

X