Camp Mommy goes to the country

Cup of coffee in my hand and this view. Mornings don't get better than this.

Camp Mommy - Contemporary Art and more Sock Monkeys

Yesterday was a busy one. We started with swimming lessons, as usual, then we joined Little Z's class at the Contemporary Art Museum for a tour and workshop. Lots of fun - "Cool! Moving curtains!" "Look at that rock collection - it's even better than mine!".  Lots of questions - "Why do I see that man's private parts in the picture?" "Why is that sculpture made of broken mirrors?".

All in all, it was a lot of fun.

 

Next, we went to see my sister, brother-in-law and nephew, who are in town. It was the first time the cousins got to meet and it was so nice to see!

(And I got to see my sister!!!)

Finally, we ended off the day by working on our sock monkeys a bit more. They are starting to come together:

Sock Monkeys at Camp Mommy

Today's activity was making sock monkeys. The kids had a blast. The
biggest complaint was that they wanted to finish the entire monkey in
one day. Sorry kids. This activity needs to last us a few days.

Here are some pictures of the project in progress. I will post more
pictures as the monkeys come together more.

Camp Mommy is getting the campers ready for bedtime.
Mommy needs some quiet time.
Peace out.

Garnish!

Every once in a while, I come across this website and I spend far too much time dreaming up what I'm going to use their stuff for. I love it! I have always had this weird love for store packaging. There is something "official" about food sent in take out containers. I can't explain it. It's one of my many quirks that my husband simply nods his head and laughs (he's usually the one to send me the links though!).
Click on the picture to get the link - have fun with it!

It's taken me almost 36 years to relax

Don't get me wrong. It's not a complete transformation.

I was scared of my own shadow growing up, I rarely see myself the way
others seem to see me, and I have always been a somewhat nervous
person. I have definitely come out of my shell over the years. In
fact, when I have told several people that I was a shy kid they were
actually really surprised. I don't run away from a challenge. I never
really did, but in my younger years I was much more of an observer
than an active participant in what happened around me.

You may be asking why I'm droning on about my childhood. Well, as a
passive kind of kid, I wasn't all that passive. I internalized
everything and stressed over all the details. I mean ALL of them.
Whether my parents would be ok with a decision that I had made, or my
friends would accept a new accessory that I fell in love with. Would I
make it to where I was going on time? Would I have everything ready in
time for shabbos?

I could never, NEVER understand how Israelis could spend the day
hiking somewhere, then come home and still be ready for shabbos. Most
weeks, no matter how late shabbos starts, I'm scrambling. Then I get
forgetful. I always forget something (last week, I forgot to light the
candles!!!!).

This Friday, here in Canada, is Canada Day. Our national holiday. No
school or work. Kids and hubby are all home. We decided to take the
kids to see a movie on the spur of the moment. On a Friday. When I
hadn't even started cooking. And I didn't stress. I enjoyed. The kids
had fun and we spent a few hours together.

And as I am about to light my candles (I will NOT forget this week!),
I have a few minutes to write this and feel proud of my (not so
little) accomplishment.

Shabbat shalom.

Music

I'm not what you would call a "music lover". My husband has the ability to sit and listen to music and just have it melt into his very being. I admire that about him.

For me, music is more background. Sometimes, pretty often actually, I will find something that just has me sit in awe whenever I hear it. Here is my current love:

There is an innate talent to singing that impresses me. At the same time, the majority of music just affects my moods without actually touching my soul. I had a revelation today though - that is enough for me. The mood effect that it has on me is so great that I can become this jumping, happy person or this sad, angry person just because of what is on around me. And if you asked me what I had been listening to, chances are I wouldn't be able to tell you.

What has been the number one song running through your head lately? If you can, post a link to the youtube version of it.

Stand back and let them learn

Like many kids, my monkeys are not big fans of stepping out of their
comfort zone. I wish they were, but the apple doesn't fall far from
the tree.

Watching them at swimming lessons this morning, I chose to sit as far
from them as I could. I wanted to watch them (as I pretended to read)
to see how they listened to their new teacher and to see if they tried
what she was trying to teach them. I don't give them enough credit. I
didn't think that they would do it. I expected screaming and a bit of
hysteria. To my surprise, and to the credit of a sweet teacher named
Chloe, I heard laughter and giggles and I watched as my kids raced
down the lanes of the pool to reach their new teacher.

Note to self 1: Give the monkeys more credit.

Note to self 2: Stay out of their way, and find them good teachers,
and they will push the limits of their comfort zone to learn new
skills that will knock your socks off!