I haven't been around much lately, and I'm sorry to have disappeared without warning! I'm working on a major project here, that I'm not quite ready to talk about, and it's sucking up most of my time. (NO, it's not another baby. I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed!)
Anyway - my parents are truck drivers at the moment. This means that they drive for about two weeks, and then are required to take two days off. I had told them earlier that if they could take a break somewhere nearish to us, like Edmonton or Vancouver, that I would see if I could meet them there. I got the call that they were going to make their next stop in Edmonton last weekend, so I quickly packed up the kids and we five drove to the city for a couple of days of fun with the grandparents! (Yes, traveling with four kids by myself might sound slightly crazy, but it was so worth it.)
The kids and I drove all day Sunday (Edmonton is about 740km from here), and played with Grandpa and Grandma until Tuesday afternoon. The hotel we stayed in had a swimming pool and waterslide, and we kept the whole time really low key, just hanging out together. Grandpa took each of the kids for an outing (he even babysat Liam while the rest of us hit the pool), we found an amazing Turkish restaurant (my step-dad is from Iran, and this was the closest we could find to Persian food - ooooh, so good), my mum and I visited a yarn store, I got to wander around Chapters with only Liam in tow. All good things. The kids and I drove only part way home on Tuesday, spending the night in Hinton, AB, and visiting with Stuart's sister, who lives there. We made it home Wednesday afternoon, all a little tired and road weary, but safe and sound! Whew!
The most exciting part of the journey, for me, was this:
I had the great fun of teaching my mum to knit! Here is her very first FO:
A "bookmark" from her first cast on, knit stitches and bind off! It was really wonderful for me to be able to share something so dear to my heart with someone I love so much. I sent her on her way with "homework", a copy of Stitch n' Bitch, as well as a couple of balls of dishcloth cotton, two pairs of needles, and a ball of wool. I hope that this is something she will really enjoy! I said to her, the best part of it all is now I can talk to her about knitting without her eyes glazing over. She answered, "I don't know about that!"
Everyone's mom needs to knit. I pushed my mom back into it a few years ago! And every kid needs time to hang out with grandparents!
Posted by: Maria | August 24, 2008 at 03:08 PM
We have just had our grand kids for a week. Those visits are so wonderful. I am sure your kids and your parents appreciaed the time together.
Posted by: Brenda Harris | August 24, 2008 at 05:07 PM
How wonderful to get to spend those few days with your peeps! Your mum is so cute! I giggled at her response... give her time, her eyes won't be glazing over :^)
I'm glad good times were made by all, glad to hear you're home safe and sound, I love that you're such an adventurous mum!
oh boy, a new major project? Can't wait! (I will... and I'll even be patient about it but I am excited to see what you've been up to!)
Posted by: marianne | August 24, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Think of the knitting she could get done while in the truck! That's all I did last summer when we drove out in our Big Rig from Nova Scotia to Alberta and back. :)
Posted by: Sheri | August 25, 2008 at 03:44 PM
How lovely! Getting to share both your love of knitting and your kids. Sounds wonderful.
Posted by: stefaneener | August 26, 2008 at 09:17 AM
How lovely! Getting to share both your love of knitting and your kids. Sounds wonderful.
Posted by: stefaneener | August 26, 2008 at 09:17 AM
How lovely! Getting to share both your love of knitting and your kids. Sounds wonderful.
Posted by: stefaneener | August 26, 2008 at 09:17 AM
I know the excitement of seeing your Mum knit, mine always could but had put it aside, she started again last spring and after a small summer hiatus I'm hoping she will do more this winter. So much fun to share.
Posted by: Sarah | August 26, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Your mom is going to be hooked on knitting, that's one thing I will bet on.LOL That's fantastic you showing her how to knit!
Your kiddos are going to remember this little fun trip!
Posted by: KnitPastis | August 26, 2008 at 04:26 PM
wow, think of all the knitting she can do on the road!! how cool is that?
Posted by: Colleen | August 28, 2008 at 07:35 PM