Snuggle Up

After reading stories one night in early July, Tavish asked, as he often does with me, "want to have a snuggle?". I could never decline such a delicious offer. We always have the greatest chats and sweetest snuggles together in those moments. So, tonight when I nestled down onto his bed and into his outstretched arms Tavish says: "Let's stay here forever". Mommy melts.

MOMENT: But What If...?

"Mommy would love it if we could stay here like this forever". (smile, snuggle) "What would we do if we got hungry?", I asked. "I'd go make us a snack".... thus began one of the most delightful conversations we've ever shared. Here are some sweet snippets...

Mommy: What happens when we run out of food?
Tavish: I'll go to the grocery store to get more food for us.
Mommy: What about if we get lonely?
Tavish: I'll play with you, Mommy.
Mommy: Thirsty?
Tavish: I'd go get you a glass of water.
Mommy: What if we want to exercize?
Tavish: I will bring us lots of things to do and exercize with...
Mommy: What if we wanted to play?
Tavish: We would go outside and run around and do all sorts of things, then come back...

This kids got it all figured out...

Mommy: It sounds like you would take really good care of me.
Tavish: And Daddy and Keva too. All of us. Together.

Seriously, I couldn't make this stuff up. That was a snuggle that was hard to leave, although there was a lot of giggling as the conversation became even sillier and my pre-schooler grew sleepier.,.

Swimming Lessons

This summer, Tavish took his first swimming lesson since he was 6 months old. It was at our local outdoor swimming pool and involved a 30 minute lesson every week day for 2 weeks. The pool was lovely, although the water temperature was ... well, frigid. Tavish braved it as long as his purple lips and shivers allowed him on the first day. He was the last kid left in the pool before he too admitted frozen defeat. He stuck with it though, every day the water seemed a little warmer and every day he swam a little bit better...

Tavish in Preschool Swim 3 - Otter

 MOMENT: To Swim or Not to Swim. There is No Question

Stopping to smell the sunflower on our
warm up run home from his lesson

Level 3? Check!

He's naturally comfortable in the water and probably has strong genetics for swimming too (brag, brag), but it was time for a formal lesson from someone other than Mommy. It worked, his first time in swimming lessons and he completed the level and is moving onto the highest level for his age!

The Urban Pond

"Every child is born a naturalist. His eyes are, by nature, open to the glories of the stars, the beauty of the flowers, and the mystery of life."

- R. Search

It wasn't until I was in my 20s, that I discovered that there were amazing things to explore in the area where land and water meet. I was in awe of the living things I found and have enjoyed watching that excitement emerge with the young students I've worked with over the years along the edge of various ponds. I knew it was time to introduce Tavish to this whole new world of exploration...

MOMENT: Pond Life

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful"
- E. E. Cummings

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you."
- Frank Lloyd Wright

"Wisdom begins in wonder."
Socrates

"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."
- William Shakespeare

Tavish rode his pedal bike while Keva and I hustled along behind to meet at the pond with some friends/colleagues. Tavish was eager and engaged the entire time. We found a dragon fly nymph, pond snails, and all of the stages along the life cycle of a frog (eggs, tadpole, metamorph, frog). He was in awe. When it was suggested that the other child was ready to go to the nearby splash pad, confused ,Tavish replied with a polite "why?". Another pond explorer is officially in the family.

The Little 'Do' That Grew

The rate of hair growth for Keva is impressive, especially in contrast to Tavish at the same age. Seems that after all of her teeth arrived, she turned her attention to hair growth. This brought about a new-do for Keva's lovely locks...

Tavish at 13 1/2 months

Keva at 14 months

Keva at 14 1/2 months

Keva at 15 months

Heavy Weight Pizza

Tavish and I made some seriously incredible gluten free and dairy free pizza. I know, I too did not think it existed, but we made it together today and it was tasty, really, really tasty...

MOMENT: Full Tummy

This pizza was so delicious that even Daddy thought it was incredible. Both fellas in the family ate the mushrooms without complaint too (perhaps it helped that Tavish cut them all with a 'real' knife for the first time?)! We polished off both pizzas. With the last bite in hand and with pizza sauce all over his face, Tavish says very seriously "I don't think you'll be able to pick me up tomorrow". I think we officially found the family heavy weight champion of pizza!

Parked

We checked out lots of new-to-us parks in the neighbourhood and beyond, often in the company of our new friends here in Toronto, Renee, Maks, and Seb. There were wading pools, splash pads, and playgrounds - oh my!

MOMENT: Explore and Play

Tandem

Solo adventurers ... but still together

Keva and Seb sitting in the shade

Tavish and Maks off exploring

Mommy's hands were often too full of snacks, strollers, or baby to take a diverse selection of photos, but the sentiment of summer time park-style is well represented in this short compilation...

The Shirt of Truth

I returned from Ottawa with a gift from my dear friend, Jessie. She knows me so well ...

"My Mom is Blogging This"