the cursed nostalgia

The texts I received from Cody leading up to our return from Calgary last night were so sweet; after 14 days away from us nostalgia was setting in. Fast forward 24 hours and I believe the nostalgia is completely worn off and instead he has nominated me for a medal. Yup, we are home.

What a wonderful trip we had. For the most part the kids were troopers: enduring long hours and very busy schedules. There were a few fights, a few tears and Elliott spontaneously fell asleep a few times from pure exhaustion. Otherwise we had a pile of laughs and many instances where the kids developed fast friendships, the second generations of mine. 

Per the norm I must thank:

- my Mom and Dad who were unbelievable, loving hosts

- Stella, their dog, who took more than her fair share of abuse from Elliott

- My great girlfriends who carved out lots of time for me and my kids 

- My sister's family who gave me several reprieves from my crazy kids and who trekked home with us, thus making leaving our Western home much more bearable.

I'm going to zip it and let the pictures do the talking...

A steam engine trip at Heritage Park with cousin Aidan.

Kate with Becky's girls Sophie and Lauren.

One of many adventures at Grandma and Grandpa's park.

A quiet "guys only" moment at the splash park with Uncle Norm and Melissa's Jacob.

Literally hanging out in Diane's new Canmore backyard with Misha and Marek.

Our kiddos.

Misha hanging out.

A little hike in Canmore that looked like a Day Care's outing.

The boys hunting for frogs... Diane's sons with Elliott in the middle.

 Sophie and Kate beaching it in Canmore.

 Becky's Miles busy in the sand.

 Elliott passed out on the way to the beach and proceeded to sleep in Miles' stroller for a couple hours.

 On our way up the Sulphur Mountain "Gondolo" as Elliott referred to it.

I didn't think these two lazy-boned babies would do it but I was proved wrong... seen here at the mountain's peak.

Out and about, again, this time to the Spark Science Centre.

Stella. The object of Elliott's "affections".

Our little family photo shoot.

This time with Stella and without Grandpa's safety glasses.

My turn.

 Grandpa's punkies.

 Getting ready to celebrate the kids' "Not Your Birthday, Birthday Party."

Uncle Norm ready to par-tee.

Gift time.

Aidan rippin' it up.

Lots of love everybody. Thanks for the good times. 

Cheers - AKE

4 days and 4 beaches later...

It's not often you hear a child utter the phrase, "no more beaches Mama." But that was Elliott both Sunday and Monday of this week. Unfortunately for him, Sunday was a beach day, the fourth in a row, fortunately for him, Monday was a lazy day spent mostly at home. In review, we visited Parlee beach (NB), Emery Leger Shore (NB), Cousin's Shore (PEI) and finally Cabot Park (PEI). We're officially Maritimers.

Friday the kids and I hit a rather quiet, secluded beach and as we approached Kate observed a cottage right at the sand's edge, her comment, "Look Mama, there's a house on the beach. That's a good idea." It is a good idea, why didn't we think of it Kate?

The weekend was spent with Aunty Candace and the cousins trying to beat the 30 degree heat. It was bedtime Friday night when Uncle Cody joined us. The kids ran out unexpectedly and found Carter's birthday present. So instead of bed the four of them went on an adventure with Uncle Papa. 

 Cody trying to keep up with the student.

The groupies.

Our little man who so wished he was six and allowed to ride solo. "I can drive it!" was the Elliott quote from the weekend.

 Our six year old.

And they're off.

We had a perfect weekend with stellar, hot weather. Thanks for hosting us Candace. A special congratulations to Uncle Paul who was in Montreal for the weekend competing in his first Tough Mudder, we're especially thrilled you didn't partake in the mohawk ritual. 

Our official Calgary count down is on. Mom, Dad, Stella.... three sleeps until this tornado lands.

Love to all,

CAKE

with glowing hearts

Canada Day turned out to be a very long but good day. We began it at the Riverview celebration, complete with bouncy castles and snow cones, then finished it up with fish and chips sea-side and an evening trip to the beach. It should be mentioned that there was a brief interlude when Cody lost our bike lock keys at the Canada Day celebration. Though we searched, we ended up having to walk home following a violent brawl between our hot, sugar-soaked children. What's a public celebration without an equally public display of knuckles and tears.

Our young patriot.

The girls.

Papa had great success teaching the kids the perfect sand quality required to build castles.

Evenings have to be the best time to hit the beach.

In case you're wondering about our bikes... Cody did call a lock smith who was able to cut through our chain. He did so at precisely the same moment that Cody found the keys under the bikes.  Oh well, it was nothing that a couple beers out in the sun couldn't heal.

Happy birthday Canada, we stand on guard for thee. CAKE

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