I am grateful for time spent with my lads this morning, watching Jurassic Park.

I am grateful for time spent painting today at the hotel.

I am grateful for time spent with Farley today. He had a new toy to play with outside, kind of a propellor driven drone-esque ball thing, then after that we had a water fight in the hillbilly hot tub.

I am grateful that I have had enough previous experience making websites for other people that managing my own isn’t much of a challenge.

I am grateful for a fine supper of hippie chow that Julie whipped up tonight; fried tofu, brown rice, roasted vegetables, and this crazy delicious magic dressing type sauce she makes. Tasty and good for us. Love that.

I am grateful for time in the hillbilly hot tub again this evening, this time just me and a This American Life podcast.

I am remiss to admit that I forgot to mention my gratitude for a short surprise visit from my Uncle Bill and Aunt Patti yesterday, but now I have.

I am grateful for a fine day at the hotel today. I haven’t been painting there yet, but I feel like I’m all set up now.

I am grateful for an evening of errands, followed by a screening of the original Toy Story movie, which still holds up. Hard to believe it came out 24 years ago.

I am grateful for leftover pancake mix from our camping trip. I didn’t have any myself, but I made pancakes for the boys this morning to rave reviews.

I am grateful for a day that went smoothly despite many moving parts.

I am grateful for the summertime. Everything is a bit easier and funner in the summertime.

I am grateful for time spent with my lads getting them down for bed.

I am grateful for a month’s long artist residency at the Victoria Doubletree Hilton Hotel, and for a month with my work on a good portion of wall at the Central Gallery in Bay Centre, downtown. Both have been great opportunities for me.

I am also grateful for time spent today at the Gage Gallery Artist Collective. Today was my last shift sitting at the gallery. It is a great group of talented artists that run that place, and it’s been a real pleasure to get to know them and be a part of it over the last 8 months.

I am also grateful. as these 3 commitments end, for a simpler schedule for me.

I am grateful for the start of a new artist residency at the Hotel Grand Pacific. I was there last year in August, and it was an enjoyable and successful month. The people there are friendly, and I very much enjoyed reconnecting with a few of them this afternoon. Where I set up in the lobby is a great space, and I am looking forward to filling it up with my artwork and painting there for the month of August.

I am grateful for time on the floor making lego train tracks with Farley this evening.

I am grateful for a fun 9 days camping at Goldstream with friends and family. That place is magic.

I am grateful for perfect weather the whole time.

I am grateful for near daily swims in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall.

I am grateful for the chance to spend lots of one on one unstructured time with my kids. I feel like I know them even better.

I am grateful to be home, snug in my own bed.

I am grateful for time spent painting at the gallery and then the hotel.

I am grateful for time spent with Farley in the hillbilly hot tub this evening, He was at a sleepover at camp last night, it is nice to have him back.

I am grateful for delicious things Julie made today.

I am grateful for a smooth morning where no-one missed any busses.

I am grateful for the opportunity to write letters to Cooper while he is at camp. I’ve enjoyed that more than I thought I would.

I am grateful for time spent painting at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel this afternoon.

I am grateful for the staff there. They’ve been great to be with.

I am grateful for an evening without kids. They are both at camp tonight. I am grateful for time spent with Julie. Truth is, we mostly talk about the kids when they are gone, but I enjoy that, too.