THE GOODS BLOG: Erika's Precious Little Life ~ April Edition

Hello and welcome to spring! The spring season usually takes its sweet time to arrive in Edmonton but it's actually been quite mild and pleasant lately. We still have snow on the ground but it doesn't feel like winter anymore. It's like we're emerging from a long, dark hibernation. It's bright out until 8:30pm in the evening again which feels like a huge return to the light. It's giving me life! Somehow the month of March was simultaneously kind of quiet but also very busy. It felt packed with "at home normal life stuff." I kissed a cow...

I started practicing at a new yoga studio this month called Inner Five Studios. This studio is located directly (like, directly) across the street from the place were I took my first-ever yoga class sixteen years ago (it no longer exists). Inner Five was recently opened by one of my previous teachers and it's a really beautiful space. I have become a "Founding Member" of the studio and have been attending classes 3-4 times a week. I'm really enjoying it! This is the fresh new environment and motivation that my practice needed. I feel a bit sad to have left Yoga Within because they were really good to me... But this new studio seems to be a bit more to my taste.

Susan came to Edmonton for a visit from Vancouver Island and it was so wonderful to get to see her! It was great to get our kids together and to spend a morning with each other - in matching rainbows!

That same day, we had new appliances delivered! Our new fridge and stove arrived and we have now replaced all of the appliances in our kitchen with new KitchenAid ones. You know that you're an adult when this is the MOST exciting day. We eventually plan to renovate the entire kitchen but having new appliances is already a major improvement.

St. Patrick's Day was pretty low-key but you know that there were Shamrock Shakes!

We also had a pretty fun double date night with our friends Crystal & Scott (they live in our neighbourhood a few blocks away and have a son close in age to Archie. Crystal works at BioWare and is Tim's co-worker. Scott is a radio announcer and hosts the morning show on The Bear... So between the four of us we have quite a lot in common and we know all of the same people.) We had dinner at Uccellino and it's my new favourite place! Come visit me and I will take you there!!

We took a much-needed weekend trip to Jasper for the start of Spring Break! It felt like we had not visited the mountains in a long time! We spent two nights there and had a wonderful time snowboarding together at Marmot Basin. This is exactly how we've always wanted to spend winters as a family and now that Archie can ride it's finally happening!

SNOWGA!

It was also really nice to discover that I still feel confident on my board and that I haven't gotten too rusty. This is me in my natural environment: Drinking a delicious latte in my favourite cafe in Jasper.

I was invited to attend the Media & Friends Garlic Fest Kick-Off that was being thrown by Sorrentino's (a big Italian restaurant group in Edmonton) and Nicole came with me as my date. We had a very fun time!

And lastly, you may recall that back in October I said: "Archie's teacher is awesome and I love her. Is there a way that I can make her my friend without it being weird?" I think I'm doing it!?

March was full of local events, activities, and outings and doing a lot of living around Edmonton. The month felt happy and productive. I am often reminded of how trilled I feel to be exactly where I am in life at this moment. There was a time when all I wanted was to be living the life that I have right now. I don't want to take any of it for granted. I am so grateful. Life with Archie: Archie's school held a Carnaval which was surprisingly well done. It was inspired by the one in Quebec City and they even had a Bonhomme!

Archie attended the CBC Kids Book Club that came to Edmonton. It was very cute! (It was hosted by CBC Kids TV personality Janaye.)

Archie also pet cows...

Tim and Archie went to the Oilers School Spirit Night and saw a hockey game together. They had a great time and the Oilers won.

Archie had a blast playing with Susan's kids; Elijah and Adeline!

For St. Patrick's Day at school Archie dressed in green and of course brought an appropriate snack!

Archie got to have his first-ever sleep over! When we had our date night with Crystal & Scott they brought their son Brendan over to our house and the kids shared a babysitter. And then Brendan slept over! They both slept in Archie's room and it went perfectly well! Tim made them waffles in the morning. It was super cute, the boys loved it, and we're definitely going to do it again.

Archie also attended a birthday party for a girl in his class named Alice (in the glasses) at the Science Centre and he was very excited to be invited.

School is going really well for Archie and he recently got his Student Progress Report which seemed to only contain glowing remarks. He appears to be thriving at school and loves to participate. He also had to complete a Culture Project this month about his cultural background and I was pretty happy with what we made for him to present on the screen in his class.

Archie completed his five weeks of snowboarding lessons at Snow Valley and then did an All Day Kids Camp lesson in Jasper. We are sooo impressed and happy with his progress! Archie can snowboard now! It's the best! He still has to learn a few more skills when it comes to carving and switching edges (which I think he'll nail next winter), but he's getting it. And most importantly, he's having fun!

And just because I love his cute face...

It's April! Is it just me, or does this year seem to be flying by? First things first, we're celebrating our own Easter at home a week early so that we can have the Easter Bunny visit our house and do Easter the way that we like to at our house... Because... We are going to Muskoka for Easter! You'll probably remember that we did not get to go to London at Christmas like we had planned and now we are having our Christmas/Easter re-do in Muskoka. We are flying to Toronto (and we'll have a little bit of time in Toronto as well, which will be nice). We're very much looking forward to getting together with all of the Golems and for all of the cousins to be reunited! Plus Muskoka is quite special to us. Can't wait! Otherwise, the month is fairly chill. We'll see if it stays that way! THIS MONTH’S SHOUT-OUTS!: April 2nd is Jaelyn Leonard’s 41st birthday!

I hope that your day was extra special and from the looks of it everyone in the family did a good job of celebrating you! We really must make plans to see each other more often, considering that we don't live all that far away from each other. Coffee date soon?? Love you!! <3 April 7th is Melanie Watson’s 42nd birthday!

Oh hay, birthday girl! I can't believe that I'm going to be IN Ontario on your birthday but just not in the right place. I hope that you get VERY spoiled and that some form of dancing with drinks takes place. I miss you a lot! If I don't see you this week I will definitely see you this summer! Love you very much! <3 April 10th is Amy Bull’s 38th birthday!

So where are we headed for your Birthday Girls Night this year?! You know that you are incredibly special to me and I am so grateful to be able to spend time with you on a regular basis. Core Four for life!! You're an amazing mom, friend, and human. I can't wait to see your band play! I love you always! <3 April 18th is Colen Quinn’s 41st birthday!

No matter where we are in the world, the siamese brain connection is strong. I hope that you get SO spoiled and celebrated on your special day because you absolutely deserve it so much! I'd love to be able to see you this week but definitely this summer if not. I love you and you're forever in my heart. <3 April 18th is Nadine Ottenbreit’s 41st birthday!

I love how connected I feel to you on a regular basis and how well we do at general friendship, ha ha. You know how much you mean to me and how amazed I am at everything that you do. I still cannot believe that you're a grandmother because that shit is crazy (mostly because you're about 22 years old in my mind). That whole crew of yours had better celebrate you so hard! LOVE YOU LADY! <3

April 18th is Lacey Suttie’s 43rd birthday!

I am so grateful that I've gotten to spend some meaningful time with you this past year. I absolutely need to come to Canmore ASAP. This summer maybe?! You're one of the coolest people that I know and always a mom that I try to be more like. Wishing you many fabulous birthday eats!! Love you! <3