The Okanagan International Children’s Festival rolls into town every May and, like the good Mom I am, I’d never planned a family outing to go check it out. The schools all bus the students to it to spend a day there, so the dudes have been a few times now. Their wristbands give them free admission to the Saturday “Family Day” but I spent many years working weekends due to the nature of the contract work I was doing. Emily was small enough to not know what she was missing out on so I didn’t worry about it too much.
Both boys went with their school last week and came home with painted faces and piggy banks they decorated and stories about THE AWESOME. Emily asked if we could go on Saturday so she could paint a piggy bank and see THE AWESOME and I told her that I would make it happen. I could have given many reasons why it wouldn’t work but it’s not fair for her to miss out on fun just because Mommy has too much work to do.
(Side note: I took on contract accounting work when my job was up in the air, but my job is now secure and so in addition to working full-time at the office and my freelance writing work, I have about ten hours of contract accounting work to do. The bulk of which falls on the weekend. Five more weeks, friends.)
I worked late on Friday and got up early on Saturday to get a few hours of work in before the soccer/ballet/groceries routine of Saturday morning. When soccer was over the kids and I ventured to the Festival (I gave Matthew time off for good behavior).
Our first stop was the piggy bank painting area.
Canucks-themed piggy bank:
Darth Maul-themed piggy bank:
(I don’t know, either.)
Rainbow-themed piggy bank:
We watched a (kid-friendly) hip-hop group perform, ate cotton candy, chatted with friends and got our faces painted. Uh, not me. Them.
Go Canucks!
(Watch out, Boston fans. We’re coming to getchoo.)
A chef!
A butterfly!
There was coloring and balloon animals and red balloons floating in the sky.
I had every reason not to take them because of all of my work commitments, but I missed out on a lot of adventures when Matthew was unemployed and my weekends were spent working long hours. I’m not going to get to the end of this life and wish that I had worked more, you know?
Looks like so much fun!! I love how their piggy banks and face paint choices are soooo different. Totally shows their personalities!
[Reply]
Looks like it was a fun time!
[Reply]
So glad you guys went! Those are the kind of moments that matter and you’re so right, nobody heads to the grave wishing they’d missed more time with their kids. And I still think no matter how much time we spend with them now, we’re going to wish for more when they’re too cool to ride in the minivan with ol’ Mom.
ps. Is it just me or does Nathan look like he’s 18 as a chef?
[Reply]
I totally agree – I never wish I’d worked more. Glad you all had fun!!
[Reply]
So true about the working more – I think about that daily.
Glad you made it happend and totally sympathize on the weekend work!
[Reply]
Fun! I love Nathan’s painted face!
That reminds me of the time I was babysitting my niece and nephew and I took them to the park and we happened upon a carnival. It was like the BEST! DAY! EVER! for them! Those are the best things in life!
[Reply]
The very first (and last) piece of pottery I ever made was a pig that looked remarkably like the ones they painted. Awesome.
[Reply]
Nice face paintings
[Reply]
that balloon photo is amazing.
[Reply]