23 Feb 2008

Busy Hearts

It's been a busy few days...too busy to even blog, which has not happened since I was in Cyprus back in October and out of Internet-range.



We got back from the cottage on Tuesday, where we'd had an awesome time skiing, jumping, making bonfires in the snow, and generally enjoying ourselves.



We spent Tuesday afternoon and evening back at the house, just the four of us. Mike and I threw ourselves over the piles of work that were waiting for us, and the boys had a joyous reunion with their beloved computers and play station. Four days of nonstop outdoor fun in the Norwegian mountains give boys horrendous electronics-withdrawal, apparently.

Wednesday was another day of frantic working for Mike and I. Over the past three weeks, I have translated some 50,000 words, which is a crazy amount of words. I am starting to dream of CT machines, but have not yet gotten to the point where I'm worried that our rushed translation will cause permanent injury to some unsuspecting patient. I'm sure that'll come by the end of this nasty project, when we'll have reached some 150,000 words.

Wednesday night we had my sister and her family over for dinner. We made Chinese food, which, although not as good as the authentic stuff, beat the hot dogs we'd been surviving on for the last few days.

Since it had been a full 24 hours (gasp!) since my boys had last seen their cousins, they convinced us that my nephews needed to spend the night on Wednesday. Not that it took a whole lot of convincing. The boys are on their winter break, and, frankly, it is easier to have the four boys together, than my two alone.

Thursday was spent pretty much like Wednesday, with us working and the boys playing in the house, except for the hour or two when they were banished outdoors to enjoy the spring-like warm weather we've been enjoying lately. We even put them to work clearing the snow from the walkway, which was dangerously icy to walk on:



Somehow, the boys managed to finagle another sleepover through Friday, which was just as well, because yesterday was my parents' 39th wedding anniversary.

39 years of wedded bliss is not usually celebrated in grand style, but seeing as we are here this year - and likely won't be in Norway at this time next year - we jumped the gun a bit on the big 4-0 years of marriage for my parents.

The grandchildren even got involved by making awesome congratulary cards to their grandparents. They wrote cute little messages and drew balloons and coloured fairly well within the lines. No small feat for boys who are not artistically predisposed or interested. They were very proud when we hung the cards up on the wall by the dining room table.



And imagine my surprise, people, when I realized that B boy knows how to draw hearts. Hearts! This is my fit-for-fight warrior child, who sleeps with his Lord of the Rings sword and dreams of becoming a Jedi Knight. The same child who has been diagnosed with severe fine motor skill issues and refuses to write more than 10 words at a time. But if you're in need of a heart - here's your man:



Speaking of artistic skills, I baked a heart-shaped cake of which I was extremely proud until Mike burst out laughing at my attempt to create the number 9 on the cake with sugar, and kicked me off decoration duty and onto washroom clean-up duty while he took it upon himself to decorate the cake. The nerve!

I think I even heard him mutter something about "I see where Benjamin gets it from" under his breath. Clearly he was unaware of Benjamin's heart drawing ability, because this cake rocked:



The night was a huge success. My mother cried when she saw the boys' cards, the food was awesome, the cake was a big hit and the boys...well, they played and played and played some more.

And despite having been together for 5 out of the last 6 days, they were still upset when they had to say goodbye to each other last night (I'm starting to really worry about how they'll cope when we pack up and return to Canada).

Today has been yet another day of work for us. The boys have done very little but play electronics and card games, and Benjamin only got out of his PJs in the late afternoon, as we prepared to go visit my parents for a quick dinner of leftovers from last night.

Tomorrow is looking like another sunny and warm day, so Mike and I have promised ourselves to take a break from the overload of work and drag the boys out into the fresh air for a nice, long walk. Something tells me they won't be thrilled...

Have a lovely Sunday, everyone!

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do you sometimes think of staying in Norway? I'd stay. And I don't even have family there! It sounds splendid and so much more fulfilling than the life in north america where every thing is FAST! and BIG! and LOUD!!!

That cake looks awesome. I'd love a piece of cake right now. Tell B that I too want to be a Jedi Knight when I grow up. Or maybe a Sith. But just because Mara Jade is so awesome.

Anonymous said...

SQUEEEE! I was first! W00t!!!11!!!!

Suburban Correspondent said...

I'm wondering what exactly you consider "warm, spring-like weather"?

Steph said...

Wow, have you been busy! Sounds like the boys are having a great break, despite having to be away from their beloved electronics to go skiing (the poor dears) ;-)

The cake is awesome! Happy anniversary to your parents! :)

carrie said...

You've been a busy, busy lady! But in a good way.

And I know what you mean about having 4 boys together being easier than 2 alone. That's why mine are gone right now! They were behaving like puppies.

LoriD said...

I think 39 years of marriage is worthy of a big celebration. Congratulations to your parents.

It certainly will be difficult for your boys to be separated from their cousins. Luckily, in this age of internet, skype and email the miles don't have to keep them from being close.

dawn klinge said...

What a sweet celebration you threw for your parents. I loved the pictures and enjoyed hearing about your week. A winter vacation around this time of year sounds perfect- I realize it's been anything but a vacation for you and your husband, but how nice for your boys to be able to enjoy that time with their cousins.

Stomper Girl said...

Wow! An action man who can draw hearts? He is going to be SOOOOOOOOOOO popular with the girls when he grows up.

Happy 39th anniversary to your parents.

Beck said...

Aw, that party sounds wonderful.
Alpha Dogma asked and now I'm wondering - HAVE you thought about staying?

Rima said...

I think the cake rocks.

And while I have never translated technical documentation from one language to another, I used to write tech docs that were used to run factories and such, and TO THIS day I fear the phone call alerting me to the fact that something I wrote caused something to blow up. Or something.

Shan said...

Happy Anniversary to your parents. And the cake looks amazing. Great job!

Amy said...

wow, you HAVE been busy! i enjoy hearing about your day to day life. your boys always look happy and so full of energy! you can tell they are enjoying life!

Lisa said...

I agree with your 1st commenter...you should stay! Looking at the beautiful pic of B, Norway agrees with you guys!

And your parents are GORGEOUS!!!

painted maypole said...

39 years. fantastic.

and I want a bonfire in the SNOW. how fun!

Kat said...

Sounds like a fabulous time. Well except for all the word translation. Yikes!
Happy Anniversary to your folks! Wow, 39 years! That is amazing!
That cake looks fabulous. Well done, you!
Send some of that warm weather this way, would you? Thanks!
Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

After such a busy week, a long walk sounds just what you need. Enjoy it!

Barrie said...

39 year! And I thought I was doing well at 21. :)

Your blog is so well named--it truly is a family adventure!

Glad you're having so much fun!

the dragonfly said...

Busy busy...but looks like you had a great time!!

:)

Beth Cotell said...

Sounds like a busy but fun time!

Misty said...

See, my first thought was echoed by a couple of other commenters. I am curious about the ties that hold you to Canada. Maybe a visa kind of thing? You really do seem to love it there. You make me love it there and I have never left the contiguous United States.

shay said...

YOu guys have the most fun!

I love your description of your heart drawing boy:) What a sweetie and 39 years is quite a feat! GO mom and dad!

Gina said...

It sounds like a very productive week. Congratulations to your parents. They look very happy.

My son Zane was diagnosed with severe fine motor delays when he was about five and really struggled with writing (still does at 14) but we discovered when he was nine that he was artistically inclined. It was very surprising.

Amy Y said...

Happy Anniversary to your folks!! The cake and cards DID rock! :)
And now I must go take a nap as I'm worn out from hearing about your busy week!!

Ice Cream said...

Please tell your mom that I LOVE her outfit!

It sounds like a lovely, if busy, week. I hope you are enjoying these last moments in Norway!!!

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

Sounds like a crazy, wonderful, busy week. Congrats to your parents, what a terrific thing.
I know what you mean about the 4 boys being easier than just your 2. I often feel that way when the kids have good friends to play.
Have a terrific Day Heidi, hope the coming week is somewhat sane:)

Kellan said...

You've had a busy week!! Congratulations to you parents on the anniversary - how nice for them to have you all there to celebrate with! I loved the cards and cake - so nice.

Have a good Sunday Heidi - see you later. Kellan

Laura said...

WOW - what a week...how fun!
Thanks for sharing!

Julie Pippert said...

50,000 words! Holy crap! Way to go you!

And happy 39th to your parents, sounds like a lovely time and the cake and the cards are fab!

Thanks for checking in.

Don Mills Diva said...

What a fun anniversary party - they look so happy!

Jennifer (Jen on the Edge) said...

It all sounds so nice. Snowy day activities, inside electronic pursuits, artistic endeavors... Just lovely.

And yay for B's hearts! My Ellie has similar writing issues, as you and I have e-discussed before, so I understand completely your pleasure in his hearts. What a cute boy he is!

ewe are here said...

Sounds like a lovely family party!

ANd hearts are always good.

Mrs. G. said...

While we don't really know each other, I absolutely know we would really like each other.

I can't believe what vicarious pleasure I take in your world traveling life. Great photos as always.

Lisa said...

Oh my gosh. I was going to say what Mrs G said. And I will add, you make me want to visit Norway. And I think your little Jedi would get along famously with mine.

Good luck on your project. Hope all goes well.

kim-d said...

It doesn't surprise me a bit that B-Boy is good with the drawing of hearts; that's the way it should be for a boy who has such a big heart :)!

Victoria said...

50,000 words? Yowza! (Can you translate that?) *grin*

Awww....and HEARTS!!! So. sweet.

Great pics, as always. Happy 39th to them!!