I wanted to note something based on my last entry which described Daddy working a lot lately. I want to make sure that it is duly noted that any time that Daddy spends away, he makes it up to us by taking a day off, or working part-time from home. There is flexibility in his job which means that Daddy can and does always make sure that we feel that family is the most important thing even though sometimes we have to be a bit patient. I mean, you cannot quit a job just because sometimes you have to travel. But you can alter your lifestyle so that you are away as little as possible and when you are home, you are there for your family 100% or more.

We just came back from a business trip with Daddy for two days in Paris. So, case in point. Sometimes if we go too, then we enjoy an adventure as well and then we are all together. One day, when Frunts and Pit read this blog, as they may do, I hope that they remember this. I also think living in Europe has helped in a lot of ways. With so much holiday time, we have a great deal of time together which is the number one thing kids want!

Well, how to have fun with your little ones? This is how this whole blog started. Number one way. Spend time with them. Doing nothing, doing little things, doing big things, being together, being lazy, being not too busy, just being...a family. That is how you are going to have the most fun of all! Yes, it is hard work sometimes, very draining, (especially learning how to discipline them and validating their feelings etc. ) very challenging. At other times, plain amusement and joy at watching them grow and discover and best of all, laugh their heads off!

It seems now that Pit is learning table manners from his older brother. Frunty has always had a history of being difficult at the table and we were much relieved when Pit turned out to be easier to feed. That is, until recently. One evening, Pit started to refuse to sit nicely at the table and eat his food. The Mommy eventually told him sternly to sit down properly and eat his beef strips. He shouted "no!" and grabbed a piece of meat to throw at the Mommy, but just before letting go of the food in his tiny hands, he had second thoughts. He shoved the beef strip into his mouth to cave-man-like rip off a chunk AND THEN threw the food across the table! His aim was excellent and it was quite difficult for us to scold while holding back giggles at the sheer drama of the scene.

Even though it feels like the fall, we are enjoying our summer together. Taking each day as it comes means that we have done the simplest things like going to the park and GB and the club pool to more adventure-type activities like going to see the movie, Shrek 3. It is fun taking it easy, staying in our jammies, making homemade pancakes not just on Saturdays, drawing pictures on the sidewalk with chalk, running beside Frunts as he scoots along on his new toy and watching Pit somersault on his own!

We have had a lot of rain so far which makes staying home, one of Frunts favourite activities, guilt-free. The kids love play-doh, drawing a lot, making paper airplanes and doing crafts with stickers. They have fun swinging together on the two ropes hanging down in the livingroom. I try not to turn on the tv much and luckily they don't ask for it. We like to read books too and sometimes I find the kids go in the front room and grab a book or the Lego and get started on their own...taking time to wake up in a calm way. It sure is a lovely change from waking Frunts up for school, getting him dressed quickly, forcing Pit awake too, grabbing the dog and power walking to school...

Today we will go to the club for swimming and playing and then I'll put the kids in the play zone as I would like to try a Tai Chi class for the first time. We'll then have dinner there. Daddy has been in the States and now that he is back, he is doing a lot of team building stuff at work which means he gets home late. We miss him but Daddy is working very hard for all of us and the kids know it so no complaints. Gotta get crackin' for the pool. Hope you're all having fun too.