The Dobsons

 

Joel amazed himself by winning the 500m freestyle race! It was a close race, Joel managed to move from third to first in the final length.

 

We are all very proud of him. We'll be celebrating tonight!!

 

Nancy

Next Thursday is Valentine's Day and Graham and I were thinking about how to make it more of a family day. In years past we've gone out to dinner ourselves but left Joel and Lisa with a babysitter. This year we want to try something different. Graham thought we should try and make a day of it so we're going to have a Valentine's skating party with the kids, complete with hot chocolate afterwards.

 

When Lisa asked where Graham and I were going on our date, and I told her the skating rink, she immediately asked if she could come, too. So we'll all be going skating together after ordering pizza, everyone's favourite dinner. Then I have to hope ice skating is like riding a bicycle and you never forget how! I used to love skating but have not done it in years. I'm looking forward to it, but hope I don't fall too many times.  

 

It should be a fun evening for all of us.

 

 

As a mother, it's been my experience that all mothers think their kids are the best. But I have to say, my kids are the best. Now, you'll have to forgive me. I've just come home from a swim meet where my son placed a solid second! My bets are on Joel to win next time!

 

Before you have kids you don't realize how much of a profound effect they will have on your life, how much their successes and failures become yours. Sorry to get all mushy on you, but it really struck me, sitting in the stands, watching Joel compete, what a great person he is turning out to be. It was one of those sheer 'mom' moments that catches you off guard, where you can hardly believe that person (son or daughter) standing in front of you is really yours. Did I create that? did he really come out of me? You betcha! And when he reads this he'll probably turn around and say "Oh mom, that's so stupid!" But what he doesn't realize, is that one day, when he has kids of his own, those same mushy, 'stupid' feelings will well up in him. And he'll know his ol' mom was right. As usual.

 

I hate to cut this short, but it's time to finish unpacking and start dinner. 24 hours of fast food and sub-par hotel fare has left us all in need of something featuring vegetables as the main ingredient. Yes kids, I said vegetables, and I mean it!

 

Stay tuned for pics from the swim meet!

We leave tomorrow and I feel like no one is ready. Graham insists he’ll pack in the morning and that he knows where he’s going. Last time he swore up and down he knew the way somewhere, we drove around for three hours and ended up a few blocks from where we started! I love him, but can’t he just admit defeat and ask for directions?

 

The kids claim to be ready and packed but when I threatened to come upstairs to see for myself I was met with a chorus of “What? No, you can’t come up here!” I’m no Sherlock Holmes, but this has led me to believe no packing has been done. 

 

If I can get the kids to pack and Graham to at least make a pile of what he wants to take, we should be able to stay on schedule tomorrow. Time to relax with a nice cup of tea while I can! We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.