i flew with the children over to canada this summer BY MYSELF. i wasn't surprised to note that the most hectic and stressful time for me was getting through the airport. once we were on the plane, i sighed and realised the worst was over. once the personal television headsets flickered to light, i realised it was going to be okay.

not perfect. the boys still needed help and often i wouldnt' be able to help them fast enough due to the fact that i was helping the girls, in the toilet or didn't hear them which was their invitation to ask again in a much louder voice.

seb and i got about two hours of sleep the entire flight, unfortunately he fell into a deep sleep 30 minutes before we landed and getting him up was quite difficult. but we quickly hustled through customs and immigration, and even had the letter of permission from charles allowing me (tess) to take children of magnificent out of the country. i always get asked for that.

what i was surprised about was that the place where you hand your little agricultural and firearm form, the lady asked me "where's the husband?" by this time, the letter of permission was underneath jellies, lollie wrappers and books, and THE END OF THE JOURNEY WAS IN SIGHT. in UNDER 60 SECONDS, I COULD BE A DAUGHTER, and SOMONE ELSE COULD MAKE DECISIONS FOR A BIT. i said, "he had to work" gave her my form and kept walking.

and there were my parents, arms open. I gave them two children each, a smooch, and controlling the luggage trolley, we were on our way. it was a great time.

i did something new this year.

i rented a house in white rock all for myself. for the first time in my life, ever, i was mistress of my own home. no one lived underneath me. or above me. we had a yard. a front yard. bedrooms. it was FANTASTIC. i loved it! the allure to live in my own home is MASSIVE. every day we would go on a little retreat. somedays we would go to the beach, some days we would go to a school, where we would stay and play on a playground for four hours. some days we would walk. it was great. the kids were gearing up for fintry, but i was having a great time. sebastian was very brave, he CLIMBED the famed "white rock" in WHITE ROCK. IF MY MOTHER WOULD SEND ME THE PICTURE, I WOULD POST IT.

it was a great start to the vacation. you people who live in houses, whether they are glass or on sand, i can see why you love it.