Life and Hobbies

I have an important post coming up, but I'm not ready to write it yet. Nothing big, just some things I've been thinking about. 

For now, I want to share what I've been working on these past few days.

Although it's hard to have hobbies while being a solo mom, I'm still working on doing things just for myself. Obviously, writing is a big one. Today is 343 days in a row of writing. This blog post is it. I'm also doing an extensive interview with the main character of my work in progress novel. Last question is today, and then I am getting back to the novel writing. I wanted to learn more about her before I continued. 

I am also trying to scrapbook my memories (and photos). However, I'm only just starting 2017 so I have got a long way to go. I'll be working on that tomorrow, hopefully. I thought it would be better to scrapbook myself instead of having them made, but it's actually proving to cost more doing it this way. I have a lot of photos. I'm doing it month by month, but it's all adding up. I may take a break and do another one online just so I can catch up.

Now to my newest (kind of) hobby.

I take a lot of photos. Anybody who follows me on Instagram knows this, and anybody who knows me in real life knows this (because I'm always taking photos.) I have this fear of missing things. I want my memories in photo form. I do put it down and enjoy the moment as well, but I take photos first.

Lately I've been taking photos with my 'real' camera. I'm loving it. I've enjoyed spending time taking the photos and editing them. I don't have a great editing program yet, but I'm looking into it.

I'm going to share a few photos that I've taken over the last three days. I haven't watermarked any yet, but they aren't meant to be taken, and if they're shared, I'd like the whole post to be shared. On that note, any advice on watermarking programs, let me know. 


These photos were my first practice shots. I took them on Sunday. Backyard photos. I'm still working at taking my time before taking shots.

 These ones are my Monday shots. We went on a gorgeous walk by the river with a friend.

Pretending to take a nap in the dirt.

 Here are a few from today. We didn't do a lot today. Sidewalk chalk painting, and just hanging out.

 I'm working on it. It's nice to have something just for me, but also something that I can spend time with my family while I do it. Great memories for my family.

I'll be working on my next post for June pretty soon. I know what it's about, it just depends how much I want to write about it.

Happy Tuesday! 

"Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

Second Birthday

At the end of this May Long weekend, I'm not thinking about my son's meltdowns. I haven't paid attention to why he's melting down. (And he has). I am thinking about the fact that my boy is now two years old. It's been an amazing two years, and I can't believe he's already two.

This is how I felt when Anthony turned one: He's Turning One. 

I wrote another one for Mommy Connections about him turning two: He's Two. 

Even though he won't remember celebrating it, I wanted to give him a great birthday weekend. It was actually a great birthday week because his daddy took a week off work to celebrate his birthday. It has been a wonderful week for all of us. It's nice to be a complete family again. He leaves in two days, and we aren't ready.

I've been solo momming since January, and it's nice to have him here. It's even nicer to watch him and Anthony together. 

Instead of being sad that he's leaving (we'll be travelling to Ontario to see him in a month though), I want to focus on the wonderful weekend we've had.

I've got more to say, and more posts I want to write, but today I want to focus on the week. Of course, this includes photos.

 Birthday morning included presents in bed, new wall decals, and bacon and eggs for breakfast.

It's Anthony's special day, but it's also mine. Two years ago, it was my Birth Day. I grew him inside of me, and I gave birth to him. It was a life changing day.

 We went for supper at Montana's. They sang to Anthony, and he handled it all like a champ. No tears.

I made him his cake. I made one last year too, but now that he has favourite things (diggers and trucks), I knew I had to make one like this. It was a lot easier than I thought. Thanks Pinterest.

For his birthday party, we went to this amazing place called LaLa's Farm. It included a petting zoo, parachute games, hiking, and a wonderful place for a gathering. Anthony had lots of friends there (he didn't really talk to any of them though.) It was an amazing place. Fun for both the kids and the adults. I'd go there every year if I could. He had an amazing day. He ended up filthy and happy.

I'm so grateful for these two years we've had. Every day, this kid is doing something else that is new and exciting. He's not perfect (what I don't show in these photos is him occasionally hitting the animals in a strange attempt to befriend them), but he's smart, hilarious, and can be so loving when he wants to be. I cannot wait to see what he becomes.

I'll be writing him a letter to open when he's older, but I haven't been able to sit down and do it yet. He's going to have A LOT of letters to read. We started last year with letters.

It's been a great week. Clint being home made it all the better. We're going to be super sad when he leaves, but I'll be keeping myself busy until we leave to join him for the summer in Ontario.

Hope everybody had a great May Long.

"Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

Toddler Truths and Mom Truths

And this week:

May 7

Momma's first Freakout/Meltdown

I don't have the photo of my actual meltdown, but it happened the moment I sat down in the car after a wonderful walk at the dog park. I felt something on my neck, reached back, and grabbed a tick crawling on my neck. I've been lucky enough to not deal with ticks for 37 years. Meltdown began. Full fledged freak out. Since getting home, I've checked myself, my kid, and my dog about 55 times. I'll check once more before I go to bed. I've been so good at going to the dog park, and now I'm going to have to convince myself it's a good idea again. We ALL need flea colours. 

Toddler's First Meltdown:

Truthfully, he was exhausted and needed a nap. In my head, he was upset about the tick.

May 8

This is not a photo of the exact meltdown, and it wasn't a TERRIBLE meltdown. Kiddo came running to me and jumped into my arms because his little friend stole his balloon (the balloon is actually hers because we were at their house.) Just a little more information though: Anthony is always taking toys from her, and he constantly tries to push her around, and sometimes hits. He's not always nice to her. Today though, he didn't push her around, and she stood her ground. She took toys from him when she wanted to, and she wouldn't give up the toys he wanted. It is nice to see her stand up for herself. Anthony needs practice sharing, and needs practice with somebody who won't let him be a bully. They also hugged before we left, and it was the cutest thing ever. He forgave her for the balloon thing, and she forgave him for his bad moments in the past. (Although probably not completely.)

May 9

He wanted something. And I don't know what. We couldn't go inside. We couldn't go to the front yard. He wanted me to do something with him, but he's the only one who knows what, and he was not happy that I didn't do the right thing.

Momma's Meltdown

I had a grumpy toddler, and a dog who wouldn't give me any space. So we took a car ride to the grocery store. I love my doggo and kiddo, but sometimes it's nice not to be touched for two minutes. Also, this photo was taken in my driveway. Before the car was moving. I don't take photos while driving. 

May 10

Stir crazy because it was raining.

May 11
Toddler Meltdown

I put him in the car.


Major Mommy Truth

Okay, so here's the thing, I love being a stay at home mom. I don't regret my decision at all. However, I went to visit the radio station I used to work at today, and I felt uncomfortable a little bit. I hadn't been there for a year. I'm not sure why it took me so long to visit. I love my coworkers. Today, I walked around and caught up with everybody, and I found myself constantly telling people how happy I was with my decision to stay home. And I am, but when asked what I keep myself busy with, I don't really have an answer. Just the obvious, I guess. I guess I wish I had a little more to tell people. I have my writing, but that's not new. I've always had my writing. I don't know. I just left feeling a little down. I don't want to be at that job, but I do miss making my own money. I have my writing, and it's mine, but it's not quite the career I want it to be. It's not a career yet. Maybe I'll get there someday. It was nice seeing everybody though. I miss my coworkers. 

May 12

He was mad because I wouldn't let him hit me. (This was all before 7am)

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. I may just do a post about being a Mom. No meltdowns allowed. We will see though. 

Happy Saturday! 

"Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/