Far Flung Friends

June-July, 2014

Kate and I grew up together in NWOntario but have spread ourselves out from our original 'home'. Her sweet family was in Orangeville for part of the summer, so we made use of the proximity to us and gathered a few times. The kids get along; the hubby's join in (or we gather without them); all while Kate and I catch up, hang out, and just continue making more memories that prove our general awesomeness…

Eli, Sophie, Tavish, Keva: Together Again!

Tractor of Trouble

Off to explore!

...after picking strawberries for about 2 minutes.

Fine Dining

MOMENT: Strawberries of Summer

We met up for some strawberry picking. The intentions were strong, but the pull to tadpoles and frogs was greater for Sophie and Tavish than the sweet strawberries. The Dad's worked up a sweat with the baskets, the bigs played in mud and the Moms chased after the littles. We all gathered back in Orangeville to recover and rollerblade discover, beat the heat and eat.

MOMENT: O Canada!

We basically turned right around and headed back up to Orangeville for another play session together full of red attire, splash pad fun, and general giddiness.

Happy Canada Day & Happy 7th Anniversary to Tom & Kath!

Ready to celebrate!

Celebrating Canada with a Splash

Bubbles at the Market

July, 2014

You know summer is finally upon us when it's market season! The kids and I go often to this weekly market, it is a favourite. There's live music, great vendors, a playground nearby, and a wading pool. No swimsuit needed (blush)

MEMORY: The Two Meanings of Bubbles

Keva was still a babe-of-few-words, but she'd recently surprised us by saying "bubbles". I was on a hunt to catch it on video and although I was successful eventually, there was a cost. The cost was wet clothes and a lot of bubbles.

Glamping

Tom and his friends from university gather for an annual golf tournament. So, the kids and I tagged along to Kingston to make a weekend of it. We went glamping (glamour camping) with a pregnant Megan and Xavier.

Xav, Keev, & Tav

Someone fell down. Boo.

My Little Swimmers

Campground Exploration Mode

MOMENT: Cottage Site

We even skipped the tent and opted for a little cabin! There were a lot of local sites to explore ... mini-golf, little cars, swimming, busker festival, and more! Good times.

Cousin Care

This summer, Tavish and Alanna really found themselves a bond. They play - Auntie Colleen and I can enjoy chatting! A win all around, really.

Beaching

Shoe Fitting

MOMENT: Superhero and Cinderella

Playing together at the beach was fun, but the dress up play later in the evening really ramped up their cousinship. They were construction workers who repaired all sorts of things around the house and Tavish, I mean "Robin" helped to get the fancy dress up shoes on Alanna's feet. There is no deeper bond than that!

Recycling Help

Taking the recycling back from the curb - it's a weekly chore that offers few obvious perks. Well, unless you've got a little helper to keep you company...

MOMENT: Ride Along

Making Cents of Second City

July 10, 2014

After having a few days in a row of sunshine and lolly pops, frolicking in a field of flowers with the kids, Tom and I decided to head out on a date night. Tom didn't make it home from work, so I was to meet him at Second City for the 8:00 show. I had arranged for the sitter to be over for 7:30, it'd be tight, but I'd dash out on my bike and just make it...

MOMENT: Makes Cents

The sitter is over, my bike is out, all systems are a go. No. They aren't. Tavish decides to share with me at 7:31 that he doesn't like our babysitter (not that he interacts with her, he's already tucked in when she arrives). It was a saga. It went on. And on. And on. Time was beyond tight. So, in one attempt at explaining a reason why I wanted to go, I'd said something about money. Having spent the money... etc. Things were heightened at this time what with both of us emphatically trying to express our point to the other, so Tavish responded with a simple solution to a complicated problem:

Tavish: "Mom, if you want more money, take the money you have and buy something at the store and they'll give MORE money back to you!!!"

I melted inside and softened my perspective on this loving five year old who wanted everything to be okay ... and for the sitter to go home. He really tried to solve my problem for me and I love him for it. I really, really, really wish that his solution would work!

I did get there, I was a little late ... and the delay was completely worth it ... in hindsight... :)

Basement Make Over

The basement when we moved in was "partially-finished". The floors were roughly poured concrete that showed the remnants of brown paint that hadn't yet been chipped away. The ceiling was exposed to the myriad of pipes, wires, heating vents, and cobwebs overhead. The place was poorly lit and the exterior wall made of rock. Sure, the space was technically usable, it was far from homey...

Before

Ceiling shot

Ceiling heating vents

MOMENT: Lights, Carpet, Action!

Welcome to a homier basement!

It's remarkable how a little combined work goes a long way. Grandpa Mike installed florescent lights (they made it into the above 'before' shots). Grandpa Mel covered the ceiling with wainscotting, we put down carpet, and swapped out the spare bed for a pull-out couch. Voila! Living space for everyone with thanks to everyone who pitched in. Before these changes, it didn't dawn on any of us to really make much use of that space. I have no digital record of anything happening down there other than some laundry and the odd evening movie. My how times have changed, Tavish plays down there when his friends come over, more movies are being watched, people sleep over comfortably, and sometimes, there are random gatherings in that space rather than upstairs...