A Different Kind of Peace . . .

 Doesn’t it look peaceful, the view from our beach?

But that’s all going to change in a few hours. The peace is going to be disrupted, and I couldn’t be happier. My son and daughter-in-law will be the first to arrive, and we’ll have them to ourselves long enough to toast his birthday (yesterday) and compare notes on our recent trips to Europe (they were in Paris, Bordeaux, and the Amalfi Coast).

Then Daughter #2 will arrive with her guy in time for dinner. I love that we will have time with just the two couples for an evening — often there’s so much going on that it’s tough to hear people’s news amid all the banter.

 But there will be plenty of banter and energy and just plain fun on Saturday when my two daughters arrive, with a son-in-law and two granddaughters, leaving one forlorn son-in-law in Vancouver where he has to work (but will join us on Sunday, thank goodness). Saturday we’ll toast the three Leos — two born yesterday, our oldest and our youngest, and their Dad, whose birthday is early next week, and one Cancer who hasn’t had a family birthday cake yet although she was well fêted on the appropriate date.

There will be some musical beds around the early arrivals and various departures, so that everyone gets a turn in the guest cottage eventually and Nola will get to test out the new chair-turns-into-a-bed we got for her.  There will be a campfire (in a large copper fire container — it’s been dry here for weeks!) with marshmallows roasted on sticks (we’ll all say we’re roasting them for Nola, but we’ll all know better).

As for the wildlife at this campground . . . 

The raccoon that’s been making bold forays onto the porch, once even making it into the house this past week (he climbed to the top of the china cabinet trying to escape me!) may be frightened away. I know, unlikely.

Our shy cat certainly will leave for a few days. We won’t be so noisy that the neighbours will have to, but I’m not sure the mink that entertained my visiting friend last week will dart across the beach if we’re all out there swimming and sunning and chatting.

But I don’t think the raft of 6 or 7 otters that gamboled between courses — diving to retrieve the appy (seafood, bien sûr), then the main (also seafood), then dessert (you know, seafood again) — will be deterred by our presence. We’ll be able to point out all those little heads to Nola and see her gradually recognize that there are long furry, playful bodies just beneath the water’s surface. . .

We’ll have the whole crowd here by tomorrow afternoon and most will leave Sunday evening. Two daughters and their two little ones are staying on through most of next week, so we will relax into the lovely in-the-moment pace that young children dictate. At some point, Paul and I will chase the moms away so we can have our granddaughters all to ourselves. . . I may find a moment here and there to share some anecdotes and photos with you.  And I’ll definitely check your comments from time to time to see how you’re spending your weekend. Any plans?

20 Comments

  1. Pondside
    26 July 2013 / 4:36 pm

    Ah, what a rich weekend! My plans are up in the air, as I comment from the eight o'clock ferry. An early morning call to my hotel had me throwing computer and clothes into a bag and then racing through the Lower Mainland for Tswassen. Perhaps there will be a grandchild born this weekend. I am over the moon!

    • materfamilias
      27 July 2013 / 2:39 pm

      How exciting! Can't wait to hear your news. . . .

  2. Unknown
    26 July 2013 / 5:15 pm

    It sounds like a fabulous weekend with your loved ones. The weather is perfect for you. Roasting marshmallow is so wickedly good fun. It was terrific to meet you this week. Really nice.

    • materfamilias
      27 July 2013 / 2:39 pm

      It was really good to get together after reading each other for some time. . . .Enjoy that deck in the sunshine!

  3. hostess of the humble bungalow
    26 July 2013 / 10:04 pm

    Oh it sounds like lots of family fun will be on the agenda.
    Enjoy these precious moments…
    you life on the island sounds enchanting.

    • materfamilias
      27 July 2013 / 2:40 pm

      It's a pretty good life in the summer, at least. . .

  4. Madame Là-bas
    27 July 2013 / 5:46 am

    What a fun place for a family get-together! It's a great adventure for the little ones to experience the beach and its inhabitants.

    • materfamilias
      27 July 2013 / 2:40 pm

      It really is perfect for these occasions — I love to take my granddaughter out to poke about the tide pools.

    • Madame Là-bas
      27 July 2013 / 9:27 pm

      I had friends who lived on your island. Did you know the Karjalas? We spent time there 35 years ago when my daughter was 3?

    • materfamilias
      30 July 2013 / 2:51 pm

      I know who LK is, although I don't really know her. The island would have been quite different when you visited

  5. Melanie
    27 July 2013 / 7:06 am

    Well, just seeing the use of the word gamboled makes this post wonderful. Sounds like an excellent weekend is in store. There are fireworks in Vancouver on Saturday so I'm bracing myself for the mayhem.

    • materfamilias
      27 July 2013 / 2:41 pm

      Oh yes, the fireworks. I'm not a huge fan of crowds and loud noises, so I'm generally glad to stay away . . . That said, some of those shows are pretty impressive — Enjoy the mayhem!

  6. Patricia
    27 July 2013 / 3:47 pm

    Sounds like bliss – apart from the pushy racoon! Here's hoping he doesn't make another foray indoors – that would freak me out.

    Our younger son is having a bunch of friends over this afternoon and they will probably stay for supper, so that will be nice. Other than that, just relaxing. Have fun!

    By the way, I've loved your posts about learning French and your travels, just wasn't able to comment at the time.

    • materfamilias
      27 July 2013 / 7:50 pm

      I was a bit freaked out myself!
      I loved those years with the teens' friends staying for dinner — enjoy!
      And thanks so much for the feedback on my French posts — they're among the most personal that I've written here, and it's good to know they've found a welcome ear/eye. . .

  7. pomomama
    27 July 2013 / 7:27 pm

    it does sound idyllic. reclusive as i am, i feel envious of your family gathering. have a lovely weekend, week and beyond 🙂

    • materfamilias
      27 July 2013 / 7:52 pm

      Let me admit that I do seek out quiet spaces over the weekend, but it is so great to have my brood around. Enjoy this gorgeous gift of a sunny weekend! We need to store up memories for those rainy months. . .

  8. K.Line
    28 July 2013 / 1:12 am

    Have a terrific time. THink of how much you'll appreciate the quiet in a couple of days 🙂

    • materfamilias
      30 July 2013 / 2:53 pm

      Exactly!

  9. LPC
    28 July 2013 / 4:53 am

    Sounds glorious. We're just wrapping up wedding details:).

    • materfamilias
      30 July 2013 / 2:52 pm

      Happy planning!

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