Life's been good!

Other then the wicked cold weather and mountains of snow we have been getting ...life has been good! As you can tell by my lack of venting 

The month of February may only have 28 days but this year it feel like it's been 100. We had 24 days of extreme cold advisory here in great old Ontario....24 day of weather that without the wind chill was more then -15 (most were -35 or colder with the winds that seem to go none stop at 80km/h) the kids haven't been having outdoor recess nor have we been spending time outside cause again when your skin freezes the second you open the door and then burns for 2 hours when you come back in, it's just not fun.

Otherwise life is good! I'm starting to get into vacation mood (42 days to go). Plans have changed slightly but we are still going! My parents will be flying home early, leaving me and the 3 boys alone for 4 days (which I'm good with, little nervous about flying home alone with 3 kids but I will get it done). 

I've started getting some new to me clothes to take with me in the trip for myself. Now to hope they will fit in 6wks and not be to big. Have I mentioned in sick of clothes??? I feel like I've gone threw 4 set since September. Which is good but is it ever taxing in my budget. 

The kids received their report cards last week! All is good 🙏

Did I meantion I finally broke down and bought myself a treadmill???

I scored a really good one for a price I couldn't pass up! I rearranged my living room so that it would "fit"....that last 24hrs. I don't k ow who I was kidding thinking I would be able to living with it in my living room???

By day 3 it had a new home, in my new bedroom!  Yep I bite the bullet and moved all 4 of us around the house just to fit the treadmill into my room. In all honest I was out growing my little 6'x10' room. The kids weren't using the big bedroom for anything other then sleeping since they got there kid cave so I said, let move!

The 2 older boys now share the little room (thank god we have loft style bunks so there dressers fit underneath or it would t have been possible), Nathan moved to the second part of the master bedroom (most would use this as a giant walk in closet or a sitting area) this would be the second time I've used it as a bedroom (Nathan was in there when he was first born up until I became a single mom). And I'm now back in the master bedroom, which I will admit was a weird feeling, still is? My dreams have been wild since the move. More so then normal. But this allows me to have the space I need and can actually utilize!!! 

The older boys like the idea that they have a choice now if Nathan is allowed in their room (as does he with his room). Bedtime is going great! None of the kids have TVs in their room now. 

And I love my treadmill. Wishing I would have had got months ago. I'm starting slow (20-25 mins a day, 5-6 days a week). I've increased my speed and distance. I would love nothing more then do a hour each day, but I know I have to work up to it. I don't ever plan on being a "runner" just I will admit I have done some jogging sprints durning my time. 

I've now added arm weights to my warm up and cool down period and average a speed of 4.5km/h. Again nothing most would be excited about but for me that's huge. I need to go slow because of my hernia (which is getting worse) but I also need to keep moving (which can't happen outside). I've always enjoyed working out. Loved going to the gym, but I just don't have the time, money or resource to be able to so I'm making a mini gym in my bedroom (boy can you tell I'm single 😝)

Can't wait for warm weather where we as a family can get out and really truly enjoy the outdoors!!!! This summer we will be doing outing like there's no tomorrow. Can't wait to go on hikes on all these beautiful trails we have in our area. Br g in the sun and warmth!!!! 

 

54 weeks later....

And he finally calls???

He's said he would 4 times now, and 3 wks ago when he asked again (the night before we left for GWL) I laid it all out for him

I told him that Wednesday night that he could not call them, explained that we were going away the next day and it wasn't fair to the children to have this happen and possibly wreck our trip. I also told him to take the weekend and really, whole heartedly think about this. This wasn't going to be a one time call. If he seriously wanted to take steps to rebuilding a relationship with his children he had to be in it 1000% cause I was not going to let them get hurt again.  

We had agreed that Wednesday would be the best day for everyones schedule. Well the Wednesday after our trip came and went, never heard a word from him so I assumed I had my answer....wrong 😕

Yesterday he texted me to see if he could still call and I said I would ask the kids if they wanted to talk to him if he was truly going to call. He said he would???

I picked the younger two up from the bus and on the way home asked if they would like to talk to there dad tonight?

Nathan of course started his goofy little laught and said yes

Dalton said YES! Then proceed to start crying. I explained to him that if he didn't want to or wasn't comfortable talking to him he didn't have to. No one was going to make him. He proceed to tell me they were happy tears cause his dad finally cares about him again (enter my tears)

Then I had to talk to Alex. I knew this was going to be a LONG shot but I had to ask and give him the option. He's response

(Remember he's 12 now)

"NO, why would I want to talk to someone who hasn't even tried to talk to me in over a year!" Put his earphones back in and refused to talk to me anymore. 

 Alex has some major issues we are going to have to work on before he will be ready to rebuild a relationship with his dad, if ever. 

He is legally old enough to make this decision on his own know (while I would want to say maybe not mature enough too), and I've always told him that if and when his dad made a move it was his choice. Not I (or anyone) would force him to talk or see his dad if he didn't want too.  Yes it breaks my heart that at 12 years old he has chosen not to have a relationship with his father however, he's been threw a lot with his dad in the last 3 years, he been hurt mentally and emotionally and as someone who has ASD this is the worse way to be hurt. He internalizes everything and over thinks everything.  

The call was short and sweet. I prewarned him that if the kids ask about sleeping over or going to his place he needed to tell him it would be a while before that could happen. They/we all need to rebuild this family and it will be a slow process. 

Each boy talked for about 5 mins. Dalton fought back the tears for the first few minutes (so his dad wouldn't hear him) and Nathan did his typical laugh more then I talk giggle (not sure why he gets so excited when he's on the phone?!!) I actually had to tell him to stop laughing and talk or he would have to get off the phone. I couldn't even understand what he was saying. 

Their dad asked me if it was ok with me if they talk to their step mom. Dalton choose not to and Nathan was again beyond excited! 

Nathan and his step mom have a special bond??? Not that I know why or understand it but I'm glad he can (and hope he continues to bond with them both). 

Their dad has agreed to call again next Wednesday night....fingers cross he sticks to his word!

And we're back!

What a great trip! The kids had a blast, the adults got to relax....and everyone made great memories. That what it's all about 

We lucked out and made it to the falls prior to the snow storm!!!! 

This time the kids received Paw Pass as a Christmas gift....would highly recommend them if your staying for 2 or more night! There's a lot to do with the pass. 

They were about to stuff an animal

 Create sand capsules (plus magnets that we decide to bring home to colour)

We bowled (sorry photo is a screen shot of a video)

They also received a gift from the spa, fudge (which we couldn't have cause it wasn't nut free), tokens for the arcade, photos from the water slide

And a game of Magic Quest....Dalton was beyond excited about this part. He's been asking and waiting to do this since our visit in 2013. 

They also received a pair of wolf ears (as photos) and a cool swim bag to hold all their treasure!  

Thursday night we were all in bed and asleep by 10pm (my dad worked the night before and didn't sleep prior to us leaving...silly guy). Friday night at the lodge they had a dance party. It was great to see all the family dance there hearts out! Nathan had a blast. We stumbled upon it on our way up from the water park. We stayed for a couple songs but my poor body couldn't handle waiting around in a cold wet bathing suit. 

This trip was that much better then our last one. 2 days is well worth the money over 1! I was physically able to do more with little man. Older 2 generally do there own thing in the water park and just check in every once in a while. 

Nathan and I hit up lots of water slide. Some were hits, some brought out tears and some will never be done again...LOL

He was big enough to do the middle class slide all by himself (they have a kiddy section, a middle kid section then a big kid/adult water slide section). First round both my mom and I joined him, I went first, then Nathan followed me, my mom went down the slide beside him. 

He had a blast and decide he was a big boy and went right back up to go again. 

Then Nathan and I hit the big kid water slide. I will admit I was a little nervous. I'm still a "big" girl and there is no graceful way to get in or out of tubes. On top of the fact that not only was my fibromyalgia still flared up but my knee wasn't cooperating. 

But I was determined to let Nathan do which ever slides he want and was able to do. We did 3 of 5 (there is 6 total but he wasn't big enough for the 6th...thankfully! It's considered a roller coaster). 

He did really good! I was scared his little 45lb body wasn't going to stay in the tube but he did. 

The tears came in on the second slide. We started off by dropping into a pitch black tunnel (hence the tears) then we spun around in the "toilet" bowl for about 5 rounds only to bounce off the next tunnel and be turned backwards to finish of the ride. After this one he was officially done with the slide. 

Sadly when we went to scan his bracelets to see photos we learned that it didn't work and we would have to do them again. It took me till the next day to get him back on them but we did get photos. 

Nathan didn't understand the Magic Quest (nor did I. I don't do well with riddles and puzzles), Alex lost his patience about 20mins in (this was day 1 and he had had enough of everything), Dalton could have went all night long!

The second day we attempted it again. Alex did much better after taking the time the night before to fully read the book (about 5 times and asked a lot of question). Dalton completed 4 of 12 quest by the end of day 2. 

Day 3 Alex ventured out on his own for the quest while my parents sat in the lobby (no fears I'm not one of those parents). He was able to complete 4 total quest. Dalton hit the water park briefly then went back to the quest. In total he completed 6 of 12 quest and Nathan and I hit up the water park for one last time before heading home.   

I was able to sit and relax with a hot cup of tea in the lobby kid free for about 2 hours while my dad entertained then in the arcade. 

I wish I had taken more photos, however it's seems impossible to do now that I physically do more with the kids. Next time we go I will be purchasing some of the waterproof cameras (as well as when we go to Florida). I'm gratefully my parents are able/willing to join us, I still could imagine a trip like this alone with 3 kids. As they are getting older I'm finding the age gap is getting harder. The older 2 are fine together as are the younger 2 but Alex and Nathan have 8 yrs between them and as Alex is becoming a teen he's just not into as much stuff (the ASD doesn't help either). 

We have all agreed that we will go back maybe in 2016.....till then we get ready for

  Shhhh the kids still don't know yet we're going!!!!!