Make Me Smile Monday

This year we decided to spend March Break in the "great white north". We're staying with Jason's family, who lives on a beautiful piece of land with acres and acres of field as well as a hill leading down to the river here in their home town. This time of year the everything is white and the lake is frozen. With so much open space there's lots to do.

I'm a firm believer that we all need to take time for a little r & r. as well as simply taking time to have some fun! So far I'm happy to say we've been able to do both.

On the agenda for this week: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, a cook out (a winter campfire with hot dogs and marshmallows - this is one of Jason's family traditions), getting in some visits with my dad who happens to live close by, hopefully some ski doing, a movie and pizza night with all the kids (Despicable Me), making St. Patricks Day hats, a trip to the nearest city center (a 45 minute drive away), some reading (Irresistible Revolution) and maybe even some writing. :)

So, because I'm on vacation and  I'm already late with my post, I'm going to keep things simple today. I'm going to stick with highlighting a few of my favourite moments so far:

-looking down the hall to discover S and R hanging out with their two older girl cousins (grades 6 and 8), doing each others hair only to turn around and see the older boys throwing each other around and putting each other into headlocks (which J would love to be a part of, but isn't quite ready for)
-J playing ministicks with his two older cousins (grades 1 and 3) in the basement feeling like a such a big boy
-making meals together with Jason's grandma, aunt and sister and enjoying many warm cups of tea
-S highland dancing with her Aunt R (who used to take lessons when she was younger)
-the sound different musical instruments (piano, violin and guitar) and singing that can always be heard quite at different times throughout the house
-the sheer joy and excitement on the faces of all the children when flying down the big hill on their sleds and that rosy cheeked, fresh air tired kind of look on their faces when they were eventually ready to come in from outside
-going snowshoeing with Jasons sister and enjoying the fresh air with no child caring responsibilities - Thank-you Jason! ;) 
-just being together as a family whether working or playing

So, that's it! I hope that whatever you're doing this March Break (whether or not you get one) you give yourself at least a few minutes here and there just to relax. As busy as you may feel and as overwhelming as your to do list may seem, you need it! You can't afford not to. Give yourself the rest you need and you'll find yourself feeling refreshed and ready to tackle that to do list with a renewed sense of purpose!