summer - week one

I can not believe it has only been a week that Kate has been off from school. These kids are busy! Kate's like me, loves being on the go. After every activity or outing she consistently asks, "Mommy what's next?" At this point I'm almost out of ideas. This week we have been to the beach, the park(s), the splash park, the zoo, the movies (Elliott's first), the Y, Play Pals, a birthday party and have had three picnics.  Whewf.

Though exhausting it's been super fun and sure beats the heck out of ripping out basements or suffering from sewage sickness, which is how my sister and brother in law have started their summer. A very special shout out to Rhonda and Norm. Norm I hope you recover quickly and that your home reclamation is on the upswing. I know you have been fortunate receiving wonderful generosity of effort and spirit but you're exhausted and I'm sure you'd benefit from some privacy and down time. All the best; we look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks.

 Our tigers.

 Muggy fun.

Kate's new cut and new brown eyes thanks to Instagram.

With the weather we have had as of late it's a shock that we're not on a floodwatch. It's been so wet. We're hoping the weather dries up enough to enjoy some Canada Day festivities. How about you?

Lots of love, Aimee

go fish

I promised a follow up blog post on our trip to Ontario. This one features the crazy antics of our four little fish. Carter and Lydia have been practicing swimming without water wings for awhile and that got my kids taking up the challenge as well as cool new jumps and flips. In Elliott's case it was sink or swim as he was the only one who could not touch anywhere in the pool. It's a marvel to watch kids' growing determination and recognition of the importance of practice.

Viewer caution - there is a lot of gravity defying action and nudity. Actually Elliott is our last little nude baby. I believe he sported shorts only once over the six days of swimming.

Those poor rocks saw a lot of pee this weekend. Thank goodness for the good, hard rain.

Now for our little swimmers...

We're having a wonderful, busy weekend including our 2013 inaugural visit to the beach.  It was heaven! The weather was cool and overcast but the kids didn't mind a bit. They played tirelessly together in the sand and along the shore for a couple hours. Meanwhile we just sat back and watched their explorations. I love big little kids. 

xoxo Aimee

father's day - take four

Six days in Ontario this year meant six days in the pool. We hardly left the back yard, in fact I think our kids only did when we hit the local park for family photos. Why leave paradise? The kids truly were in heaven. An annual event really serves as a benchmark showing these kids' development. This year all four kids were starting to swim without waterwings. It was a little more hectic and nerve rattling but it was super awesome to see such development in their skills and confidence. On with the show.

Pool time festivities...

 

 

Father's Day festivities...

A daily nap required to recover from above festivities...

Another big thank you to Paul and Janice for their amazing hospitality. I can not imagine the tornado that 2 young families must be to their otherwise quiet home life. Stay tuned for another blog featuring some of the crazy antics of our water babies.

Peace out. AJ

summer solstice

The longest day of the year will certainly be feeling long for my family this year. Typically we celebrate this day each year as it's my Mom's birthday, unfortunately this year my Mom and Dad as well as my sister's family have all been evacuated from their homes and rumour has it their streets are under at least some water. Of course they are not alone and certainly will not be among the hardest hit. Some of my favourite places on Earth - Canmore and Bragg Creek are a disaster. Man I feel for all of you and am sorry for the worry and loss that you will be feeling.

On a selfish note I hope your basements survive family because the kids and I are really excited about bunking down there for during our trip. Is 9 days enough to recover from a disaster?

A photo of 9th Ave SE in Inglewood. Unfortunately my parents live on 8th, a block over to the right.

Sorry for the crappy birthday Mom. Especially sorry that I didn't remember it was today when talking to you in your refugee hotel this morning! Ouch.
xoxo Aimee

fundy national park

This weekend was our first camping trip in a tent and our first trip to the Fundy National Park. There are no babies left so there's no reason we couldn't get back to nature. We've sold the tent trailer, the motorhome and we're working on a simpler, more familiar approach. No heat, no AC, no TV.  I believe we were at the site for 10 minutes before Elliott told us he wanted to go home.  I'm not going to lie, he asked many times over the last two days to go home. But, there were also many times he informed us he did NOT want to go home. I think Cody and I had similar internal struggles. To be fair to all four of us, yesterday was too hot (31 degrees). We are Canadians and are still acclimatized to much cooler temperatures. Heat = misery for team Jorgensen. Oh and there was a small black fly issue. They really got the kids down and by breakfast this morning Cody and I were losing it as well.

Taking an average, we had a great weekend. The Fundy area is very scenic: beautiful views of the Bay, the mixed forest, rough beaches, cliffs and of course the famous Bay of Fundy tides.  There were many highlights: the town of Alma for its beaches, cooler temperatures and classic Maritime scenes, Cape Enrage for its fog and working light house horn. And the people. Man it must be early in the tourist season because everyone was on their A game. Unbelievable hospitality was shown to us; a family who in reality live up the road.

I have an iphone in my pocket these days so I have a lot of photos to share.
And share I will:

 As is the Biggar-family way, the kids are bird watching at a scenic stop.

Maritimers love ice cream, especially next to smelly Lobster boats.

I personally adore the classic Canadian National Park sign.

Cody watching the kids collect shells and toss rocks on Alma's rocky beach.

Our treasure hunter...

Versus our muscle man who was only satisfied throwing boulder-like rocks into the Bay.

Finally. Fire time = S'more time.

It's raining, it's poring...

and our two kids are snoring.

Day two and much cooler as we explore Cape Enrage.

Team Jorgensen in the fog.

Be quiet! The fog horn was so loud.

Giddy at a new adventure.

 Forcing a photo.

 I don't know if the view translates, but it was special.

 Back to the boulder throw.

Kate's latest treasure: the tiniest snail she could find.

Kate's favourite weekend memories: collecting shells; Alma's sticky buns.
Elliott's favourite weekend memories: sleeping in sleeping bags, in the tent; learning to go down the fire pole at the camp site's park.
Cody's favourite weekend memories: watching the kids sleep in the tent; Elliott yelling at the Lighthouse fog horn, "I know, I know."
Aimee's favourite weekend memories: watching Kate teach Elliott to slide down the park's fire pole, walking the rocky shoreline with my three explorers.

New Brunswick I have to hand it to you, you surprised and delighted us this weekend. Respect.

Until next time, lots of love,
CAKE