June
En Route to Red Pine Camp
- June 30, 2011
We're off on our first foray into family camp. Our good friend Amy and her
family have been going to Red Pine since she was a kid. We were SO happy to be
able to join them this summer. We're already counting the days until we can go
back. Today was mostly about getting there. The camp is located on Golden Lake,
east of Algonquin Park. We stopped just outside of Huntsville to meet up with
the Chambers crew and to take a break for lunch. Kaden quickly eyed up the water
and with no hesitation went swimming with Craig. Milo was less than impressed.
It took most of the time we were there to even convince him to put his feet down
(notice they are not touching as he sits on the rocks)! We finally managed to
convince him to dip his tootsies, but he was quick to put that to and end. We
were beginning to wonder what camping on a Lake for a weekend would have in
store for Mr. Non-nature...
Upon our arrival we claimed our cabin (about the size of a tent, but made out
of wood) and discovered the awesome playground right outside our front door. It
was shaping up to be a good weekend.
It begins...
- June 29, 2011
I'm not sure who's more excited about the introduction of Lego in our house -
Kaden or Craig?! Needless to say, Kaden has taken to Lego like a duck to
water....fully supported by his Daddy goose :]
Fun in the Sun
- June 27 & 28, 2011
We discovered a new water park adjacent to a playground not too far from our
house. It doesn't seem to get too busy with bigger kids and Milo can actually
find a few smaller sprays that he can tolerate (he's still not a huge fan of the
splash pad).
Daddy came home from work just as the ice cream truck was coming down the
street. He scooped up the not-fully clothed, no-shoed boys (and snuck some loose
change from one of their piggy banks) and dashed across the road for dessert.
Some backyard fun with our buds. And yes...Milo does have his shoes on in the
water table.
The boys got their sleeping bags today and had to give them a test drive.
Calvert Car Wash
- June 26, 2011
Craig said, "what should we do with the boys this afternoon?" Ask a silly
question...
They have to start sometime...at this point though, playing
with the water is more important than the cleanliness of the car.
Happy Graduation, Connor
- June 24, 2011
We joined Connor for his preschool graduation in High Park today. The rain
managed to let up just long enough for us to board the train for a tour of the
park. Thankfully there was a shelter for us to have lunch as well. It was a
doozy of a day, but I think it might have been the last rain we saw for quite
some time.
Swing, snooze, smooch, sketch, stamp 'n stack
- June 23, 2011
Today was the final day of gymnastics. The kids both got to take a turn on the
crazy sky swing. Brave boys.
Here are the high-flyers in action.
All that swinging can really tire a boy out...
This was probably one of the last times I had both boys in the cart together.
Kaden generally walks now otherwise they get to rough/rowdy. I think they were
probably heading down that road when I managed to distract them into playing
nicely with each other. Somehow that turned into a kissing game. After the first
full-lipped smooch I diverted them to kissing each other on their hands, cheeks,
etc. That first one will be pulled out at at least one of their weddings I'm
sure :]
Kaden has started doing basic crosswords and Milo has discovered a new use
for the stamps. Everyone's happy.
Go Blue Jays!
- June 22, 2011
T-ball looked a little more "legitimate" today when the kids donned their
uniforms.
Park Play and Paint
- June 20, 2011
A typical summer day...an outing in the morning and an activity at the house in
the afternoon.
Happy Daddy Day!
- June 19, 2011
Every weekend consists of "Daddy Days" in our house, but today was a more highly
celebrated one - complete with breakfast in bed and tools (well...a workbench
where he can use his tools)!
Since we had a weekend pass to the Waterfront Festival we decided to go again
today, but not until 11am! Again the boys were very adventurous. Even Milo
managed to navigate his way around the 2-3 storey tall climbing structure. Today
also was another good day for ice cream and another project care of the Home
Depot.
Back at home the boys got some good ol' fashioned Daddy-time raking the grass
and throwing a ball. Grandma and Grandpa joined us for dinner and Grandpa
brought over his new toy to show off - a remote controlled helicopter. All the
boys were delighted!
Mississauga Waterfront Festival
- June 18, 2011
To start our Father's Day weekend we took the boys into Port Credit for the
Waterfront Festival. We learned a valuable lesson for next year. Although the
gates open at 10am, pretty much nothing else does until 11am. Fortunately we
were able to find a few animals to feed, a train to chase and an ice cream truck
willing to sell their wares. Once the rides opened the boys were game to try
anything - even a roller coaster! After putting their workmanship to the test in
the Home Depot tent we left to refuel ourselves with pancakes at the Sunset
Grill.
That night we were off to Gran and Grandee's for dinner.
Happy Gradulation, Kaden!
- June 17, 2011
Nope - not a spelling mistake, or a drunken slur...Gradulation...that's what
they call the end of year "grad" celebration at the Clarkson Co-op! Today Kaden took
the stage to get his cap and certificate. No longer a preschooler - Kaden
graduates (sorry, gradulates) to being a Kindergartner in the fall. He's a big
boy now! The festivities carried on outside after the ceremony where the school
had rented a bouncy castle and then arranged for an ice cream truck to come at
the end of the picnic.
I think this is Kaden's third graduation in as many
years...still needs some practice though...
Weeeeeeeeee!
It seemed like a good night to eat outside for the first time this summer.
The (almost) Final Gymnastics Class
- June 16, 2011
The boys have really enjoyed gymnastics this year - perhaps Kaden a little more
so than Milo. None the less they have both grown in ability and focus and have
had fun in the process. Today was the last class. They got to show off some of
their skills and then got their report card/ribbon presented to them at the end.
Ta Da!
Would you guess there's an adult under there?!? Poor Jen is being mobbed by
both our kids!
Twisty Bisty
- June 14, 2011
I took the boys for a run in the jogging stroller down to the lake this morning.
We then came home for a well-deserved treat. That afternoon we played in our
backyard. Milo is always ready to try anything Kaden can do. Today he not only
wanted to sit on a "big boy" swing, but he wanted to twist too. Hold on tight!!!
Dizzy Bizzy? Twisty Bisty? Whatever you call it, they're
having fun doing it!
I Believe!
- June 13, 2011
Still holding out hope...
Bathtub Bubbles
- June 2011
Boys in the bath make me laugh...
Green-thumb Sunday
- June 12, 2011
We started our day playing at park. Our plan was to hit a local nursery, but we
knew we needed to run the boys first!
We hadn't done much with the yard/garden before we left for Vancouver as the
weather hadn't been that great and we didn't want the plants to die! So today
was the perfect opportunity to get our thumbs green.
Summer is in the air
- June 9, 2011
It may only be early June, but the heat is telling me it's summer. We turned on
the sprinkler today. Kaden hadn't forgotten his love of the sprinkler, but Milo
was still weary.
Post-waterplay-fish-watching.
I took this one to show how Kaden's scar is healing. Pretty good, if you ask
me.
T-Ball
- June 8 & 15, 2011
Tonight was Kaden's first t-ball practice/game. It's hard to get any good shots
from behind the batters fence. As you can see, so early in the season there are
more than enough kids to play (I seem to recall that those 3 other kids are
"helping" Kaden man third base)! The following week he got some action on first
base. He has a pretty good swing too when he's paying attention.
It's hard for Milo to always have to watch his older brother's activities,
but one perk from him is that he benefits from the after game snack.
Home Sweet Home
- June 7, 2011
The boys and I are having a quiet day readjusting to Ontario time. The weather
here is warm and sunny. We put on our shorts and pulled out the water table for
it's first use in 2011. Then the boys played switcheroo on the swings.
That evening Craig started the daunting task of harvesting our yard! Although
we had help taking in the mail and watering as needed, we didn't think to task
anyone with mowing the lawn. Given the rain and heat they had while we were away
our lawn grew to be at least a foot tall and the grass had gone to seed! While
Craig did the first level mow of the backyard our saggy-bummed boys looked on
from the deck.
Kaden and Milo's Excellent West Coast Adventure
(Chapter Two)
- June 1 - June 6, 2011
This morning we met up with more of our friends (big ones and little ones).
Since we left Vancouver, my friend Erin had her second daughter and my friend
Emma has had her first son (and is expecting her second). So it was so wonderful
to catch up with them and let all the new babes meet and play. To bad
Mississauga to Vancouver is too long of a commute for a playdate...
Today was packed with fun as we met up with another set of friends for a
post-nap/pre-dinner swim (no pics of the awesome new pool facility we visited -
thanks Olympic legacy). After our dip we went back to Hans and Caroline's for
dinner. New on the scene since we left town is their third child, a daughter.
Fun! Tonight also marked Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. The game was being
taped for us back at the house so we could enjoy a hockey-free dinner with
non-hockey fans. We managed to get all the way back to the house without any
sign of the outcome until we were just about to close the door behind us. Then
we heard a honk! We managed to convince ourselves that it could have been for
anything so we persevered and watched the game anyway. Go Canucks!
June 3
Today we took in Granville Island (without an Aquabus ride). It was the
Children's Festival. We were joined by our housemates and by our good friend
Karyn and her son (she too has since had a daughter since we left town, but
today was a mommy-son day for them). While we did take part in a few of the
festival's booths/stations/activities, the kids were just as content to feed the
birds and play at the park. Figures.
June 4
This morning we took the kids out to breakfast and then hit the playground at
Kit's Beach. Gorgeous. Auntie Laura popped by for a visit too. Fun!
Happy Wedding Day Dan and Jess!!! Part of the rationale for the timing of our
vacation was to coordinate our attendance at our good friends' wedding. Craig
was a groomsman and was gone from early in the day. Thanks go out again to Ian
and Alanah who looked after the boys in the afternoon/evening while I attended
the wedding as well. A beautiful day for a beautiful bride.
June 5
Our final full day in Vancouver. After a brunch at the Yacht Club we went down
to fly kites and dig in the sand at Jericho Beach. In the afternoon we were
delighted to see so many of our friends at a bbq hosted by Mike and Karla. The
bbq was a surprise in honour of Mike's birthday, but was affectionately stocked
with both of our friends and colleagues so that we had a chance to catch up with
so many people at once. Kaden had a chance again to play with his buddy Graeme
(without a trip to the hospital for more stiches) and Milo got better acquainted
with his bud Ronan. A great way to cap off our trip.
June 6
Hard to believe 2 weeks has flown by. Time now to get back on the plane and head
home. Fortunately the time difference will work in our favour not to miss
tonight's Canuck's game! We're all sporting our shirts in support. As Craig and
I finish packing and load the car we let the boys watch a little TV. I like to
call this couch-related activity "synchronized screening"!
See you again soon Vancouver!