Grid Road Adventures

Monday evening was a perfect time for a bike ride. Brookie and I set out to tour Caronport and stop by the school playground. Sean took Rosie with him in the car out on the grid roads so he could measure out his next run. Later that night, after the girls had been in bed for some time, Sean and I heard crying coming from their room. Sean went in and found Rosie crying and wide awake. After some probing, Rosie shared that she was sad because she had enjoyed her drive out on the grid roads with her dad so much and hadn’t wanted it to end. Sean asked her what it was she liked about it so much and she said, “the wind in my hair.” Sean comforted her by explaining that they would be able to do it again very soon and Rosie drifted off to sleep,most likely dreaming about open roads and the wind in her hair.

Tuesday morning, Sean woke Rosie up early and took her out again for another drive.

That evening after our dinner, we decided to all go for a drive. We left the dishes behind and all piled into the car. (As a side note: I always feel like I am doing the right thing when that thing requires me to leave the dishes behind.) The girls sat in the hatch back with pillows and blankets. I brought along some peanut butter cookies and we headed out. After a few wrong turns, we made out way up to Signal Hill. It is the only real hill for miles and it got its name from the signal tower that stands out on the horizon.

When we arrived at the summit, we all sat in the hatch together, listening to music and eating our cookies. We could see forever in all directions. The wind played in the long grass. It was so silent – the only sounds were the wind, our breathing, our heartbeats. We listened and laughed together. It was just us. No hurry or rush to something else. We were the main event. It was absolutely beautiful. The kind of beautiful that catches in your throat and makes you ache a little because you know it can’t last.

We stayed as long as we could,watching the shadows stretch out before us, the evening creeping up the hill to meet us. Then we packed up and drove home.

~Mandy

Final Performances

March was a month of endings. Rosie’s highland dancing lessons came to an end with a little dance recital. It was in our friends’ home on a Saturday morning. All the families came to watch the girls show their honed skills. And then after the dancing, we shared a delicious brunch together. It was another one of those positive small-town moments here in Caronport.

This is by far my favourite picture because it captures Rosie’s personality so well. She is there, dressed properly for the occasion and everything but still has her own casual approach, leaning on the kitchen stool, waiting for the photo shoot to be over.

This month also brought the end of the girls’ figure skating lessons. Of course the end of skating means another big performance. The girls were in the same group and performed a Caribbean number, complete with appropriately floral costumes.  They were the hit of the night. Both of them managed to stay on their skates while turning, jumping and skating backwards. They have learned so much in such a short time. My favourite moment of the night was during their number when Brookie fell and Rosie stopped to help her up. We were very proud of them.

 

Who knows whether the girls will continue with either of these activities but they had a great time. Next up, swimming lessons!

~Mandy