I've been meaning to capture the moments that make motherhood so special and although there are many videos and photos which will account for the first 15 months of Tavish's life there are no journals or scrapbooks. So, this blog will document the tid-bits and tales of the moments that make a mother proud, happy and generally enthused about this ride that is motherhood. This has been created for me but I invite you to read, share and enjoy this collection of moments too.
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.
When covid strikes ... rent a campervan and make the most of it! And the most of it we made indeed!
All Starts with the Map
The Mighty Campervan Crew
It's Only Fair to Take Turns at the Wheel
Our Outdoor Movie "Theatre"
Splash!
An Important Stop Along the Way
Happy to be Home for a Visit
Superior Sunsets
Nestling in for the Night
Family Views
Happy Campers
Che Cheemaun
Grotto
Keeping it Classy with a Night at Walmart
MOMENT: Memory Making on Wheels
After almost 4 glorious Grandma-in-Toronto filled months, she has decided to head home to Fort Frances. With airlines reducing their covid safety protocols, Grandma's ticket was credited and we rented a campervan for safe transport and the perk of an unexpected adventure. It's important to always find a silver lining among these covid times... so, we found some silver with Tom having to work 'from home' enabled him to come with us (and work). So, we journeyed quickly to Fort Frances, stayed for a few short days, then adventured a bit on the way back along the north shore of Lake Superior, Manitoulin Island, Bruce Penninsula, and Wasaga Beach. Many memories and good times had by all.
About to leave my Mom's place in Fort Frances to give Tom some quiet to work and my Mom some space to unpack. So, I plan to accompany the kids to a nearby park / field so they could play and run around together...
Tavish: "Keva, are you sure you don't want to bring your new golf clubs? Mom is going to be playing with me."
Keva: "No! I don't need them. I'll be playing with Mommy."
*Both kids look over to me*
Me: "Uhhh, Mommy thought she would be able to read her book..."
Pretty soon, I will just have to refer to the weeks that pass by their date alone because this has been going on long enough to slowly become "normal"... sigh. (dates of this entry include June 3 - July 2, 20202) In fairness though, there still are incremental changes to the guidelines and suggestions of how to safely live during this pandemic and this time frame introduced the idea of "bubbling" which is the best news yet because it means hugging those within that bubble, so the kids finally got to hug Grandma and Auntie Colleen!
Finally, a *real* hug for Grandma
New alley activity
We managed to fit something else into our back "yard"
Off to Stratford for a day on the farm!
MOMENTS: Hugs, School Wrap Up, Animal Play, and the usual Sporty Stuff
The school slog slowly wound down (end of grade 2 for Keva and end of grade 5 for Tavish). Animal experiences went up, including a trip to Forever Green Acres Farm near Stratford that a family friend from Fort Frances, Leesa, owns. Keeping active and social remained about the same but always with a new interesting twist - see if you can spot them! However, it was the addition of hugs that was by far the highlight to this stage of pandemic living. These weeks take us into the start of summer ... although days and weeks and (gasp) months seem to just blur into one another right now. Without further ado... here's what we were up to!
Daddy went off golfing with some buddies the day before Father's Day which gave us the opportunity to create in secret then adventure and enjoy the whole Father's celebrating this great Dad!
Father's Day Swim at Ward's Beach on the Island
Enjoying a Yummy Hot Dog in Celebration of this Great Dad!
The cutest part of our 4 person paddling team...
Daddy's Designated Grilling Zone
A delicious Daddy-day dinner: steak, baked potatoes, asparagus, arugula salad
MOMENTS: Daddy Rocks
The kids excitedly gave Daddy his new BBQ backyard sign and their self-penned Father's Day Book first thing in the morning. We made use of the sunny weather and paddled "Sweetride" to the Island for some beach time and lunch. Some lovely provisions were purchased and ready for Tom to do his thing and the whole family ate like royalty, all spaced out in the back yard. Happy Father's Day, Tom.
We just keep the spirit alive by doing more of the same stuff and some different stuff, stay mostly in the same place, but sometimes go check out different places (but seriously, not very often, we are usually right here at home...)
The best kids to be quarantined with. Ever.
See Monkey in a Tree - 1
Ramp Rider Girl
Skateboarding Boy
Golfing with Discs
See Monkey in a Tree - 2
Homemade Pretzels
Lilac Candy
Bookworms
Homemade Wormery
Family from afar, but finally closer with the weather better!
Friends from afar, but better than not at all!
MOMENTS: Keep on Keeping on
We continue to make the best of the situation and having the weather improve has enabled us to get out more easily, but also to hang out (distanced and safely) from our loved ones. We've also been having some fun with our food, Tavish in particular. Lilac candy, homemade ice cream, pretzels and more!
