52/52

 "a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson: Overjoyed to find the present he wanted Christmas morning.

Lily: Caught with one of her Nana Jane's sugar cookies before supper Christmas Eve. 

51/52

 "a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017" 

Jackson: Sporting a new haircut and looking so big and old and handsome (in my opinion). 

Lily: She LOVES Christmas and still loves to wear dresses thrilling this Mama to death. So many of her peers wouldn't be seen in a dress anymore. She's anxious about a lot of things but clothing isn't one of them. She knows what style she likes and is confident and happy in anything she puts on.

Joining in with the lovely Donna and others over at Living Arrows. 

50/52

"a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson: I stole this shot from his IG account. Playing it cool with his Starbucks while freezing in the dumping snow on Grouse Mountain. We had a super day but were ill prepared for all the snow coming down. 

Lily: Powell River doesn't have a Dairy Queen so this lady was particularly happy to celebrate out of town and have an ice cream cake on actual birthday. We'd already been celebrating for days and this was the perfect way to end it.  

As ever, joining in with Donna and others for Living Arrows. 

49/52

"a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson: Up early, surrounded by his gear and overnight bag, waiting for me to drive him to the ferry for his overnighter to Victoria to play hockey. 

Lily: Happily decorating her gingerbread house surrounded by friends who all came to celebrate her turning 12. We partied several days before her actual birthday this year but it was the only way it would work out. She didn't care as she knew there were more party's to come. Will post more on her never ending birthday celebration soon. 

48/52

"a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson: Almost as tall as our tree now. 

Lily: She is now officially enrolled in Pathfinders. She received 2 pins and 3 badges at her enrollement ceremony and was so proud and happy to be a part of it all. If I'm being honest, I was tearing up looking at how happy she was to participate in the ceremony. I'm such a softy. 

46 & 47/52

Another busy couple of weeks means zero time for the blog and no great pictures plus two Living Arrows posts in one again. I look SO forward to the end of this semester for me so I can relax a little,stop thinking about how I'm going to write this essay, enjoy Christmas and play catch up on this space. Three more weeks. Wish me luck!

Week 46

"a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson: My boys was asked to join and play with the rep team for the weekend when they travelled to Coquitlam to compete in a tournament.  He played well throughout the tourney but got two fantastic goals and received the MVP in the first game. As ever, I felt very proud of him!

Lily: Her Pathfinders troup had a Murder Mystery party this week and she had the role of Miss Arizona who turned out to the murderer!!! Lily couldn't have been more pleased with her role :) She loved getting all dressed up and acting according to the bio that was given to her the week before. She didn't know she was the murderer until she got to the party but suspected (and hoped) she was. Our leaders do a real exceptional job! Lily loves her Tuesday evenings at Pathfinders.  

Their together shot this week includes their Uncle Kevin. We had such a busy week and then travelled to the tourney and this was the only picture I'd taken with the two of them in it. 

Week 47

"a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson: Although he is still very fearful of large dogs, he sure LOVES our babies. 

Lily: She got this new dress while we were in the city and claimed it made her want to jump. I must also include a quote from her this week. The kids and I were driving home from school and Jackson and I were chatting about an incident at the high school involving some very bad kids. Lily was in the back seat and I thought, off in her own little world but mumbles "Kids are slowing turning into animals." It was so quiet but hilarious.  

Linking up with Donna and others again over at Living Arrows 

45/52

"a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson: He dressed for pictures but didn't actually go trick or treating this year. Lots of kids his age still go out but he decided against it. He joined us to go to both grandparents houses (and to light a few fireworks off) but then went his own way. He went to a buddies place with a bunch of others and they lit off fireworks and had hot dogs and treats. It was the right choice and he came home with a smile on his face but I did feel a little sad because he's so old already. 

Lily: Mary Poppins had a super night and came home with too much loot as usual. So many people were delighted to see her happy costume. I offered to take her umbrella several times during the night but she was keen to play the part til the end. 

44/52

  "a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson: This probably seems a strange picture to post but his busy life often makes me yawn and wonder how he manages. When he is not at school, he is on the ice either practicing, playing or reffing. He loves his hockey there is no doubt about it but it would be nice to have just one day a week where we weren't driving back and forth to the arena. Admittedly though, I'll do it forever so long as he is keen. It keeps him active and healthy and if he is willing to get up at 5am to go play, I'll support him. 

Lily: Grade 7 has been a lot more challenging and she isn't loving it. She is currently reading My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George and NOT enjoying it at all. It's hard to read a required book you aren't interested in and then complete a novel study on it. Fortunately I can relate as I'm reading books for my course that I'm not loving either. I think it makes her happy that we can work on our homework together even if she is hating every minute of hers.

43/52

 "a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson: Fresh from a chilly October jump in one of our local lakes. The boy loves the rush of cold more than anyone I know. 

Lily: More fall love this week. I'm glad she loves this time of year as much as I do. 

42/52

  "a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson & Lily: Some may consider me ridiculous but I hope and have most always gotten certain photos from my kids along with and even before the weekly shots I've been getting for Living Arrows over the years. I NEED :) a birthday shot, pumpkin patch photos (as seen here), several in their Halloween costumes, a shot with Santa, in front of the tree Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning with their stockings, a first and last day of school photo, one with their current teacher or somewhere at the school - I'm sure I'm missing some. I have a big list. The kids are used to my camera in their face. I suppose my required photos are a lot of passing holiday's but I do also insist we get several with grandparents and special people in our lives every single year. May be silly to some, but I LOVE photos, I always have and photographing certain milestones of my kids is important to me. I guess i feel like you never know what tomorrow will bring. Hopefully one day they will love that I have captured all these memories for them. I know I will cherish them forever. 

41/52

 "a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson: My boy went to see IT with his friends this week. I kind of can't believe it. 

He's too young for that isn't he?! Wishful thinking I guess.

Lily: She's a lover of fall just like me and happy to pose in front of or amongst the leaves any time I ask. 

She's my muse and I'm so grateful for her.  

40/52

 "a portrait of, and occasionally a quote from my children, once a week, every week, in 2017"

Jackson: My sweet little big man turned 14 on the 30th. He's a strong, athletic, happy kid. He is kind and well liked. I love him so much. 

Lily: Unlike previous years, she is happy to have a bit of a busier schedule. She has joined the school bike club, is in Acro and Musical Theatre at the dance academy and has just last week become a Girl Guide. We'll see how things go but so far so good with that much on her plate.