What's Been Up

These guys built a shed. 

(Thanks for the help UncleJ.)

I meal prepped for the week. 

Homework was completed. 

A race was run. 

Ouch

Every once in a while my guy has a day when his back pain drops to the level of 'nagging discomfort' (let's say a 3 on the pain scale).
It doesn't usually last very long and we've never been able to accurately pinpoint the magical combination of factors that bring it about. But when it happens, he's goofy, relaxed and less guarded.
It highlights for me how affected he is all those other days when he's operating from 4-10 on the pain scale. It means he doesn't often sleep well so he's tired and things he 'has' to do, like drive and work, are consistently uncomfortable and require constant changes in position. And, he's always trying to judge how far he can push himself without making it worse. For example, can he take E driving after dinner, or, did he use his driving time going to work and back? Things he wants to do are often out of the question (hikes, yardwork, travel, skating, or just sitting through a movie).
I'm not trying to be a party pooper here, just reflecting on how hard he works trying to reduce how much it affects our family. I forget sometimes that he's smiling through the pain, and then when I see a genuine almost pain free moment I can see the difference again.

PS. Please for the love of all that is good do not send us advice on fixing back pain. I'm pretty gosh darn sure you haven't thought of something he isn't currently doing or hasn't tried and rejected. If you do feel you must, please check against the list below before forwarding. Cold packs, heat pads, back supports and/or pillows, massage, osteo, chiro, physio, vitamin b, fish oil, inversion tables, orthotics, yoga, weight training, anti-inflammatory meds and pain pills.

Homework

I got to help this guy with his homework for the first time. 

Well, homework that wasn't assigned by me.

There's been a major reno job going on around here. 

It's not quite finished but ... almost. 

New to Date

Believe it.
Hockey is getting geared up to start. 

And, the construction continues!

Smiles

This guy is working on his road skills.

And this guy is on vacation out West. 

Missing you A!

New Work

This was something new for me ... Concrete!

Good thing I had some muscle around to help get it where it needed to be.

And they learned a couple new skills.

It's not a huge space, 72ft² but it greatly (!!) improves the functionality of the area. 

Love it!! Thanks for the help Norm. 

Mackenzie King Estate

It's a great day to be alive..

I know the sun's still shining when I close my eyes...

There's some fun times in the neighbourhood....

Why can't every day be just this good.

Soccer

This is the 2nd time Adm has played in goal.
He likes it ... but it stresses me out.


I don't remember seeing this goalie move before. Stay focused!

That's more like it. 

Soccer a family thing around here ...

Erc is helping the coach.

He's helpful to have around ...

... a natural leader. 

Exhibits

We squeezed in another visit to the butterflies at the museum while we were there to see the pterosaur exhibit.

G1

He's licensed!!

Four Times Fourteen

It's not that we needed a reason to all get together ...

...but, in the summer of 2005 4 babies were born into the family ...

.. and we got them together after the 1st year...

... and again at their 2nd year.

But then, life happened and 12 years went by.

Wow! 14 years old. 

It was a great reason to spend the weekend together camping. 

And there's a whole new crop of littles to play with, and catch frogs with and ... 

...swim with.