Mother-Daughter Camping 2020

This trip to Charleston Lake Provincial Park was the 2nd annual Mother-Daughter canoe trip for Keva and me. This year we went to a different paddle-in site, but we had another great experience. We stayed two nights, just the two of us, and it was lovely.

MOMENT:  Roar

This girl impresses me all the time and this trip was no exception. She has grown up and changed just since last year. This year she paddled the canoe more (even used her brother's paddle because she's physically grown so much too!), helped set up the tent, initiated going for a hike (!), ventured off on her own to frog find, and even dragged the barrel down the hill from it's overnight spot one morning while Mommy lounged a little longer in the tent! When we got back to the take out, she insisted on portaging the barrel on her own back to the car. This girl is a force and a lot of fun. We both love doing this trip and are already excited to do it again next year. 

There are two videos below, the first is the usual compilation of our experience, the second is Keva's recap of the first day from the comfort of our hammock, I've included it because it's just such a delight to talk to this kid and it marks just how much she's grown up!

 

Tummy Love

Keva gives lots of hugs. Some are more memorable like today's....

((Hug))

Keva: Mommy, I love your tummy.

Me: aw, thanks

Keva: it's so soft and squishy... So comfortable on my head.

Happy to be of comfortable service. 

Might be time to hit the gym...

Eleven is Smelly

Tavish had his first hockey practice with his new team. Yes, you read that right, hockey. In August. It's extra out of context amid pandemic life and baseball season not really being normal... 

Tavish: "what?! I have hockey?! (pause) but I still want to play baseball!"

MOMENT: Smelly

Tavish came home from this first practice looking perfectly sweaty (as one would after working so hard). I mentioned showering. Tavish: "what? no! I'm fine. I'll just do it tomorrow!". We chat about how he's getting to an age where it needs to become automatic to shower right when he gets home. Tavish heard us and after we agreed that this would be the last time for 'waiting until tomorrow', he sighed as he headed upstairs, stomping on each step saying a word at a time... "why. is. 11. so. smelly?!".  🤣

Cottage 2020

We rented a lovely cottage for a week up near Sharbot Lake. It was small, sweet, and perfect for our family to kick back and relax. It was also situated close enough to Ottawa to make day visits enticing for our extended family.

MOMENT: Family Time

There were 3 different day visits from Tom's family to our wee cottage rental! First visit was Auntie Michele and Grandpa (and Scout). Second visit saw the return of Grandpa with Harrison and Finn. The final visit on our final day brought Auntie Michele, Harrison, and Finn (and Scout)back. It was lovely to see them, outside of course, during this strange pandemic summer. Our family of four had a great time. Solitude served us well ... good food, lots of time on, in, or next to the water, some chill time, and lots of games. It was wonderful and we hope to replicate it again in summers going forward.

Poor Worm

Fishing at cottage with live bait. HUGE worms. Tom cut one for a fishing rod because they were so big, fish would just take a bit off the end and make off with dinner and managing to avoid our hook altogether. After Tom cut one, Keva exclaimed ... "aw, poor guy! He's bleeding." (pause) "good thing I'm not a worm right now..."

Happy Ending

Our first evening at the cottage, we sit down to our dinner together on the deck. Keva sighs and says "I just love a happy ending". We agreed but did pause to ask what she meant. Keva clarified, "you know when we are all together and everyone feels happy? Yeah, that's a happy ending and I like it". ❤️

Canoe Trip 2020

A few short days after returning home from our epic campervan expedition, we had done just enough laundry and had just enough energy to pack up again, but this time, with significantly less space to spare - so we headed off on a 4 night canoe camping trip to Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park!

We are Off ... in One Canoe!

We all Fit!

Tent Life

Keva's Leap

Tavish's Leap

Swimming is our Way of Life

Enjoying an Extra Bite of Sweetness to the Experience

Ontario Scenery Never Disappoints

Fabulous Four

MOMENT: Paddling Pleasure

What. A. Trip. We had an excellent. Just the 4 of us and our canoe. The bugs did not impose on our happiness hardly at all. We didn't need masks and we were just free to lake swim, rock jump, canoe paddle, hammock read, tent sleep, and wood chop. It was absolutely idyllic.