“I think this one should go on the mantle and this one in the stairwell,” Owen says to me while we are holding some Christmas signs. If it’s to do with Christmas, Owen wants to be included and do everything with me. Also if it’s to do with shopping, particularly grocery shopping. All to make sure that I will get yummy things for the cupboard.

I have the week off of work. And Owen (who is 12) is such a good helper that he suggested he should have the day with me on Monday. I thought I’ll take advantage of the time he wants to spend with me while he still wants to. He always loves errands, grocery shopping and being included so that he doesn’t miss out on perks like stopping for a candy cane hot chocolate or being able to pick out some stuff he likes at the grocery store.

I didn’t offer the same option to Jordan, who is in grade 12, as he knows he can’t miss classes, and even if he did miss, he would not opt to run errands. He would rather be playing on his computer. So after getting them hot chocolates, we dropped Jordan at school and Owen and I went on our way. We went to the grocery store first, which included some advent calendars and treats for Christmas. Then we went to a printing shop in Victoria. This printer had some prints made up for me last year. I wanted to go meet in person, and find more details on getting some art work printed – as prints or as cards. He gave me some tips, showed me some samples and explanations on how it’s done. And then to wait on some quotes! I also need to determine shipping costs and how I might offer some cards – pack of 5 of the same image? Or mix and match to choose 5 cards? And then the packaging. But it’s exciting to do some actual steps to figure it all out. Oh, and the not-so-small-task of choosing just 5 (or so?) illustrations of mine to start with! 😵‍💫

Next we went to look at some festive decorations where I picked a new Christmas sign. This is what Owen helped me place, and decide, in comparison to the decorations I already have, which ones we should place in a new location and where they are all best suited.

And then on to gingerbread cookies! We just had time for the dough, as it has to refrigerate for some time and Owen had his afternoon hockey practice to get to.

Monday was a fun day with my sidekick, and I’m cherishing these days. I know the time will come too soon that the boys will be grown and well into their own lives. Missing a day in grade 7 can be made up. When Owen told me last evening, “today was such a good day,” I knew that he will always remember these days as well. Having time with his mama.

Sending Love,

Devon