A Monday Morning Walk

We found a cozy spot. See, people put cups back right by our table. No wonder we got smiles!
Note discarded socks and shoes under table!


This morning my beloved and I left the house before 6:15 am and it was pouring down rain. Cathy and Cliff and Courtney drove into Vancouver so that Cathy could be at an 8:15 doctor's appointment somewhere near V.G.H.

After feeding the children their breakfasts and supplying Daddy and Mommy with a few eats as well, off they went.

After a flurry of activity of getting coats, footwear, lunches and backpacks filled, kisses and wishes for a happy Monday, Pappa walked the three older children to school. The most amazing thing was that as the day was brightening, the rain subsided. How glorious.

We decided that even though we really weren't prepared for walking in the sense that Pappa didn't have the right shoes, and I didn't have my headband or gloves, we'd go out anyway.

Catie was such a trouper. We asked her if she wanted to go out. Did she! Well then let's go to the washroom first, wash our hands and put on our socks and shoes and coats. She had all of this done so quickly that it surprised us. Caroline too was so cooperative. She saw her coat and grabbed it, hats and mittens were found. But no shoes for Caroline, they must have been left in Mommy's van! So she decided to put on one of her sister's crocks-big, orange, crocks! We decided that was ok, because she wouldn't be walking around anyway. Now if I were younger, as in my mothering days of yore, well, I just would have freaked out. But not now, you just laugh!

Out we went. Two destinations in mind-a trip to the library to renew my book and perhaps a coffee. When we got to the library we discovered it was TOO EARLY! Yikes, when you get up at 5:00-something, any time after that is early. So we walked up to a local A&W for a coffee and toast. Now this A&W is definitely a spot where retirees go for a quiet cup of java, and our little band of troupers brought much life to the place. But as I say this, I don't mean to infer they were noisy and obnoxious, because they weren't. They were as good as gold, and lots of "grandfather's" smiled at us, and said hello. One even told us that he has 9 grandchildren and he told us that he taught all of them to make this certain noise, which he demonstrated. I know these little dollys brought smiles to many faces. I know pappa and nanny were doing a lot of smiling too.

After our snack we walked back to the library only to find I've had too many renewals so I have 35 pages to read before tomorrow. With an eye on the clock we decided that we still had time for more of a walk before we headed off to the elementary school to take care of Carly. Little by little our little beauties nodded off, first Caroline and then Catie. Mommy and Daddy somehow found us on one of the sidestreets and we told them we'd walk a little longer and then bring them home. By the time we got on their street, Catie woke up from her catnap, and then Caroline woke up in her driveway.

How lucky we are. Healthy grandchildren to love and care for. The sun came out. We brought some smiles to some faces. A beautiful day in the neighbourhood.







Two Sleeping Beauties. Note discarded orange crocks!

My beloved said I looked like a Rastafarian in his toque!