So the next part of my list for immediate attention is quality
time with Dustin and Emma, my niece and nephew. My niece and nephew are such a
huge part of my life. Ever since I moved to Ontario I have felt torn about
returning to the east coast or staying here.
Nova Scotia will always be home. Every now and then my heart longs for
the simplicity of east coast living, the beauty of the ocean being so close by,
the fresh salt air, the friendliness of everyone and the comfort of ‘home’. The
problem is, anytime I even consider the thought of moving home I can’t imagine
a time where I would only see Emma and Dustin once or twice a year.
Over the last few years there I times where I have seen Emma
and Dustin everyday. I have lived with them in their basement on 2 different
occasions. Once when Emma was 1 for about 6 months and then a second time when
Dustin was 6 months until he was about a year.
I would not trade that time for anything… My sister and brother in law
may not feel differently J
but I seriously feel so blessed to have
had that time with Emma and Dustin. The second time around was especially fun
with Emma she was developing her own personality and loved hanging out in
aunties room.
Since finding my own place and settling in I have much less
time to see them and more and more I am finding that the time I do see them
isn’t quality time. I used to be part of their daily routine but now it is
usually a meal or occasion I see them for and the kids play and the adults
visit. I was starting to feel a disconnect so I had to put it on the list.
That brings me to number 4…I got started last weekend with
our first snowshoe of the season. Last Friday night Emma called me to tell me
she had been snowshoeing. I was impressed since the last time I was visiting
and suggested we try it she declared “NO WAY! I’m not putting those on my feet”
In her defense I think she was still in “overtired, hyped up on sugar,
overwhelmed by Christmas” mode and wasn’t her usual sweet self. During the phone call she explained that her
and mommy went snowshoeing and they went up the hill and down the hill and then
up the hill and down the hill and then up the hill and down the hill again. Then
she said- “you want to bring your snowshoes and try Auntie” ah yeah- like I’d
say no to that!
So Saturday morning I got up and headed out to the farm
where we all got ready and went snowshoeing. My sister and Brother in law own a
beef farm so there is plenty of pasture to walk in, we packed some hot
chocolate and loaded into the ranger and drove down to the river that runs
through the field. Dustin was tagging a
long as well and we brought the sleigh to pull him in.
We got strapped into our shoes and headed out. Dustin was
not impressed and did not want to sit in the sleigh but he is too heavy to
carry and the snow was too deep for him to walk. So we took turns staying with
him. Emma did impressively well…actually she logged more miles then Elizabeth
and I. I took her for a few circles and
then she went with mom to the bridge. When we were done we had some hot
chocolate and then drove back to the house.
I was so glad to see them and actually do something while I was there. I
have an extra long weekend coming up and am hoping to have Emma into the
apartment for an overnight stay…I think a spa night is in order.
Here are a few pictures of our snowshoeing adventure.
Dustin is clearly not impressed!
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