Summer Loving at Home

"Each day of our lives, we make deposits in the memory banks of our children."
- Charles R. Swindoll

The summer was host to a lot of adventures, many of which we didn't have to leave home to experience!

The new homestead

...is a welcoming one...

...and filled with some great kids....

MOMENT: Home Is Where Our Heart Is...

It's also where meals and baby naps happen ... so we created a lot of our fun in and around our new place while we got settled in. There was plenty of activity to keep both kids (and Mommy) moving indeed ...

Daddy's New Work

When there was no school but Daddy was at work, we would take the bus and picnic with Daddy either on the roof top patio of his building or we'd enjoy our food in the food court below at his old office in Ottawa. It only made sense to make ourselves known at this new place of employment...

MOMENT: Rumble

Only a few weeks after arriving here, and with the TTC still a source of fascination, we embarked on our lunching journey by foot, streetcar, and subway with picnic in hand. We inspected the new office, then made our way over to Queen's Park with Daddy and our grub. A highlight for Tavish was the rumbling of the ground beneath us in the park when the subways went by below! Now, "we" are keen to do this again, but Mommy will be sure that it's not in the middle of a heatwave next time (sweat, sweat)!

Dishwasher Draw

Not sure, but I feel like I've seen this photo before...?

Keva - 13 months

 Hmmm, oh yeah ... now I remember...

Tavish - 10 months

Fortunately, we have experience now to show that the tongue feature isn't a guarantee to be permanent! ha.

Pianists

We were given a small plastic piano when Tavish was a baby. He was drawn to it then and still is now. Seems Keva also likes playing the keys and, it turns out, they both enjoy playing for an audience...

Keva's act: Cute & Composed

Tavish's act: Lovely & Lively

MOMENT: Born Entertainers

A favourite memory of Tavish with the piano was captured on video when Kate was visiting with her daughter, Sophie. Tavish was crawling and would make his way to the piano, pull himself up, and play the piano for her. She was the perfect audience. Recently, Keva's taken to standing at the piano and hitting the keys when others are watching as well. Her performance is less flashy, but equally as intentional. We've even been the audience for a Tavish and Keva duet which is a whole new level of entertainment yet to be caught on video. If it ever does, be prepared to play audience again!

Solo Spinning

Third time is a charm for Tavish and his new wheels. The third time on it and the training wheels were removed. Three rides without them, and he's able to do it all himself, even starting. There's no stopping him now. So, we went on a family cycling adventure in our new 'hood to celebrate...

Tavish on two wheels and ready to go

Keva needs a helmet too

Double the fun

Biking at Leslie Spit

Well deserved snacks before heading home

MOMENT: Solo and Double

There is no denying it, Tavish was ready ride like the wind. He controls and varies his speed, he maneuvers around obstacles with confidence, and has the stamina to go the distance. It was time. We have access to a double chariot through our generous new neighbours, so we piled it with two kids in  helmets and brought along Tavish's bike. Off we went to check out the nearby Leslie Spit (car free) where we let Tavish take off on his own two wheels. He rode for over 3km and was asking to ride more. Such a good time, our boy is a real biker now!

Going Up

It's happening, she's on her way up! She has defied gravity perhaps a little too well though because she hasn't found her way back down yet, so it's Mommy, Daddy or Tavish to the rescue! Gone are the days of long post-nap plays - they've been replaced with a cry out for help to rest her tiring legs...

Helping hand tempts the stand...

Very exciting site, she's up!

Stuck standing in captivity, less exciting...

MOMENT: Knees to Toes

Tavish has been holding Keva up and hauling her around for awhile, so she had some encouragement to discover the world from beyond the floor. The independent exploring started in her little, little kitchen and progressed to rising up all over the place, taking her view of the world from ankle height to knee height. Next up, walking?

The Big Apple

This moment of escape and parental solace brought to you by the bravery, love, and support of Grandma and Grandpa Mel. They held down the new home and the two kiddos while Mommy and Daddy took on Manhattan. Sure, it was for less than 48 hours but it felt like freedom - we went without snacks or a diaper bag! It was just us, no set plans, and every intention to sleep in! It was bliss. Thank you for making our first time away together in over 4 years happen, Mom and Dad. Look how relaxed we look... maybe we should make this an annual (or monthly) thing? ha.

Lunching with lemondae

Being a part of it - Time Square

When we returned, it was to a home full of four happy faces accompanied by stellar reports for how they made out in our absence. From the accounts of how smoothly it went, I'm hearing that we should go for longer next time! 

Grandma's happy face is missing from this photo, unfortunately...