the dupuis in the maritimes - part 2

Yesterday morning a very tired Elliott climbed in my bed at the Bests' cottage.  We had had two very full days and he was up far too early.  The first thing out of his mouth was, "is this the day that we go home again?"  I responded yes and he broke down in a flood of tears.  I asked him why he was so upset and his response... " I don't want to go home yet but I miss Aunty Rhonda so much." Sweet and sad and a little confusing.  

So with that in mind let's take another look at the Dupuis' visit and say a final good bye.

 Aidan in the back yard.


One day the Dupuis took Kate to Bouctouche (Elliott needed a little break from travelling). We have never actually been but it looks beautiful. Cody, Elliott and I had a surprisingly wonderful day together - realizing that we have pretty much never had a day as a threesome.

Another day and another beach.

Some crazy Papa suggested that the kids throw food to the seagulls. We perhaps didn't win any friends with fellow beach goers but the kids were thrilled!

Oh to have family in town.  Rhonda was so kind to put the kids to bed a couple nights and let us get out.

 Like old times.

 And this is what happened while we were out. Floods of good bye tears. Such sweet sorrow.

Bye bye Aunty. We love you.

And bye bye Aidan and Uncle Norm we love you all. Thank you again for making the big journey and for making such lovely memories.

CAKE

the dupuis in the maritimes - part 1

I was hoping to stay on top of blogging while my sister's family was here - alas  - I did not. We had a busy and wonderful visit with those three. They departed very early yesterday morning and about noon Kate asked, "When is Aidan ever going to wake up?" She's a little forgetful and I believe wasn't quite ready to let Aidan go.

Though the forecast was supposed to be rain the entire duration of their stay we actually had wonderful sun and warm temperatures, so there were multiple trips to the beach, we hit the park, we crafted, played outside but the highlight (for me at least) was our over night jaunt to Halifax.  In Halifax we took in the Busker festival, and all the offerings of their perfect waterfront.  I did post this quote to Facebook but I'll repeat it here, Elliott remarked the first day, "Imagine if Halifax were our home. And even imagine if Halifax were Aidan's home." That's love. And it's a sentiment shared by all of us.

Busy beach time.

Aidan is actually standing straight up in a hole. 

Uncle Norm was a very busy digger - by the end of the day he had dug at least four holes for all the kids to stand in to be buried. 

On to Halifax and a little photo shoot harbour side while we waited for our lunch.

Kate.

Aidan.

 Aunty Rhonda.

 Me.

 Every ten feet the kids assumed this position. Mesmerized.

 On the HMS ??? - Elliott's favourite tourist destination.

Sea man Aidan.

 Aidan breaking all the rules.

 Kate with her favourite busker - A floating Mary Poppins.

Me and the kids taking in a former Cirque de Soleil performer.

Kate and Uncle concentrating.

 

The horror - a busker pulling me up to be part of the show.

The result. A wigged me who had to dance and jump around.

 

Aidan out after dark enjoying the interactive art.

 Day two and Aidan's still interacting with the light posts.

 

The kids waiting somewhat patiently to board Theodore Too to take us into the harbour.

Uncle Norm and some large navy ships.

 

The kids winding down with a red headed fiddle player.

Stay tuned. More to come following the weekend.

Speaking of this weekend, I'm wishing Cody and Matt safe travels to Massachusetts where they're taking their Level 1 Cross Fit Certification training and then living out their dream of woding with Ben Bergeron's crew at Cross Fit New England. Have an awesome long weekend guys!

In the meantime I have to go pack up the car as the kids, dog and I are heading to the Bests' cottage in Fundy.

Yahoo Summer.

a day in the life

Another day, another twelve hours chock full of summer activity. We had a house full of workers again yesterday so the kids and I hit the road for the morning. Elliott started the day asking "what are our options on outings?" Upon listing said options, they agreed on Butterfly World. So back to the ball pit, bouncy castles and of course butterflies.  There's a mini golf course at Butterfly World as well, I have since promised a special visit after Elliott asked if we could "go play a game of hockey there." Cody - your son needs you.

Great day with the butterflies. Kate had two on an orange and one on her shoulder. She glowed!

Look who's all grown up.  Last year E shook and swatted any time a butterfly came by. Yesterday he had one tickling his finger and another on a slice of orange.

 A bug's life.

Onto the Wharf Village and a full sized Captain Hook.

 Kate's turn.

 Now on to the really good stuff - a cinnamon Beavertail in the village.

Not enough activity? Nope. The kids rode bikes and played travelling aquarium for the afternoon.

Last night, after the kids were asleep, I got to go to the airport to pick up Aunty Rhonda, Uncle Norm and Aidan! This morning the kids refused to go to camp and have asked when Aidan is getting up a dozen times.

Surprise! Look who joined us for the morning's cartoons (4:30 Calgary time).

Three days remain of July, we're having a lovely summer but something quite shocking happened yesterday. We went by the kids' school and Elliott burst into tears saying he missed Miss Julianne and Miss Tara and all his friends.  Then Kate chimed in - no tears but a shared sentiment. Wow! Half way there guys. I'm sure I'll be battling you to get there before we know it.

xoxo CAKE

mermaids, men and mammas

My girlfriend Julie and I took our five little children to the beach yesterday for a little R&R and shocker we actually achieved some. It was a perfect day - a little overcast, mid twenties and not a lick of wind. The kids swam, dug, ran, sculpted, ate, whined, fought, tortured, screamed (in delight and disdain); 70% + good stuff. And for that, Julie and I were thankful.

Talk about cooperation.

 

Our first mermaid of the day - Mermaid Charlotte.

Followed shortly after by Mermaid Josie.

 

"Mama can you make me a merman?"

Our school of merpeople.

 More merfolk.

Mermoms Tatiana and Chandelier.

So much fun we're doing it again today, poolside. Summer lovin'.
AJ

summer stories

Every summer has its stories and I feel like we are writing some lovely ones. Summer 2014; one for the books. The weather - grand, the kids - delightful and having Cody off for weekends - priceless. Since the sale of Terra Nova our family has transformed. Cody quite literally worked seven days a week and when he wasn't at work he was still very much on, distracted. He's a new man. And the three of us are in love with him. So far we've park'd it, splash park'd it, beach'd it, pool'd it, bbq'd it, grand parent'd it, craft'd the hell out it and tomorrow we're joining our friends' to cottage it and soon we'll be camping it. 

I am very very thankful. 

Presently Elliott is at a birthday party. He was so excited to see his friends from school again.  He talked about the birthday boy Damian all afternoon yesterday. The best line, "Mama, I actually like Damian now."  I guess distance does make the heart grow fonder and just in time to celebrate.

Shout it out Elliott - yahoo summer!

Some good news: our beautiful home renovation is very nearly complete.  I just have to screw up the courage to hang some art.  I'm so in love with the perfect walls that I fear making mistakes.

More good news: my sister's family have booked their tickets and they arrive in nine days for like ten days. My liver already aches.

Mucho love! CAKE

grand parents

My parents have come and my parents have gone. Ten days sounds like a lot but it went very quickly (at least for us four). Elliott asked Saturday why Grandma and Grandpa couldn't stay for super long. It's a sad thing this country being so grand in size. With that said rumour has it that my Dad's hearing aid was out of batteries for his entire visit. Makes sense and I can't actually blame him.

We (they) packed the days, and a couple of evenings as well.

Peak a boo...

 Kate having some cuddle time with Grandpa George.

This season's inaugural visit to Butterfly World.

A tiger-striped beauty.

 The ball pit - always a fan favourite.

We commemorated our visit to Butterfly World by creating our own - even Grandpa got in on the action.

 Pretty serious butterfly decorating face Ell.

Mine, my Mom's and my Dad's creations.

Kate's zombie butterfly.

Nice work Elliott.

Beaching it.

Great find Elliott.

Our fearless jellyfish hunters (well scavengers really).

Our friend fluffy a baby bird that fell out of its nest.

We googled it and they said to make it a nest in the same tree for Mama to keep feeding it.  We waited all day and never saw parents. So sad.

The kids already miss the water fights and all the hugs and kisses. We love you. Thanks so much for coming so far to be with us.

CAKE