There is a special tree, that sways to the side like a painting, that serves as a route marker of time. Killbear is special because it is the first place we camped together at as a family. It is the first family vacation we took during the pandemic and we were so excited to getContinue reading “Tree of Life”
Category Archives: summer
Community Rocks
As the sun descended over Georgian Bay, crowds started gathering on the rocks by the water. It was our second night of camping at beautiful Killbear and we were enjoying an after dinner walk to soak in our final evening. Sitting by the rocks to watch the sunset is a tradition and I love howContinue reading “Community Rocks”
Shooting Stars
Night hikes are a camping tradition and when darkness fell, we excitedly set off for the rocks. After our spontaneous sunset swim and jumping off beautiful rocks at Killbear, we roasted marshmallows and made s’mores at our campsite. T was now sugared up on s’mores and a watermelon slush from dinner. He was bouncing offContinue reading “Shooting Stars”
Leap of Faith
We were racing against sunset as we hiked up the rocky hill to get to the cliffs to jump into the bay. It was our first day camping at Killbear and we had just finished dinner. We had decided we would do cliff jumping the following day, but T was insistent, so the hubby andContinue reading “Leap of Faith”
Our Budding Influencer
“Hi guys,” T says sweetly and excitedly to his phone, on video record mode, to his imaginary followers. He goes on to narrate what he’s doing, emulating the online influencers and livestreamers he enjoys watching, like Ethan Gamer. It appears we have a budding influencer. T started doing this at his grandparents’ cottage during ourContinue reading “Our Budding Influencer”
Catch and Release
Kids catching lobsters washed up on the beach gave me a good reminder about abundance of gratitude. On the second morning of our recent visit to T’s grandparents’ cottage, we went for a walk by the beach, an activity T enjoyed several times a day. We stumbled upon three boys carrying buckets and excitedly catchingContinue reading “Catch and Release”
Before Sunset
Nature reminds us that often times there are good stuff yet to come near the end of our days. At the start of the final stretch of our drive to visit the hubby’s parents, we stopped to gas up near Edmunston, New Brunswick. We were treated to this awe-inspiring breathtaking sunset – pictured at top.Continue reading “Before Sunset”
The Odyssey
Off we go. Join us for live updates along our 16-hour drive to the East Coast of Canada. It’s our annual two-week summer roadtrip to visit T’s grandparents in New Brunswick. I love family roadtrips for many reasons – bonding, listening to music in the car, taking unplanned detours, delicious food stops, snacking on junkContinue reading “The Odyssey”
Wheels in Motion
When summers fly, slow down to soak it all in. During camp pickup on Tuesday, I told T I had a surprise. “We’re biking together tonight, because I got a bike too!” T’s face lit up with a smile and he shared the news with his camp teacher and friends excitedly. The hubby and IContinue reading “Wheels in Motion”
Return to Killarney
The hubby, T and I first visited Killarney, a beautiful and painting-like part of Ontario during our Northern Ontario roadtrip in Summer 2020 and it lifted our spirits during the pandemic. So it was wonderful to return, thanks to my Aunt who organized a getaway – and we packed a lot in from Friday afternoonContinue reading “Return to Killarney”
Lavender Haze
One of my favourite day trips was a pre pandemic weekend visit to the beautiful family-run Terre Bleu Lavender Farm when T was 4. I find the farm grounds very calming and enjoying lavender ice cream on a summer day is a treat. Lavender is known for its calming qualities. You may have seen thisContinue reading “Lavender Haze”
When Training Wheels Come Off
To kick off summer, T scored his first bloody busted upper lip after a biking accident. But let’s rewind a week to the morning of the same day T marched in the Pride parade for the first time – when the hubby took him out on his bike. The bike was a gift from hisContinue reading “When Training Wheels Come Off”
Tubing Down Elora Gorge
Rushing river leads to calm water. As a parent of a neurodiverse child, I wholeheartedly believe this. We celebrated Canada Day, and the start of the second half of the year, by tubing down Elora Gorge. It’s family tradition to kick off summer break with a weekend adventure. This year, we picked Elora, a charmingContinue reading “Tubing Down Elora Gorge”
Watermelon Sugar
Do you run towards or flee from inevitable sunsets? September 9 is FASD Day, commemorated during FASD Awareness Month in September. September 9 symbolizes the ninth month of pregnancy and this day helps raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the experiences of individuals with FASD. People are encouraged to wear red shoes, anContinue reading “Watermelon Sugar”
“La Vie Il Faut La Vivre”
Life must be lived. The words scribbled in French on the railing looking out at the lake. It was the final Saturday of summer break, four days before T’s second grade journey began. We were at beautiful Presqu’ile Provincial Park, located a little over an hour from the City. We left the day before, rightContinue reading ““La Vie Il Faut La Vivre””
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Experiencing life through a child’s eyes is sweeter when you do something for the first time together. On Sunday, our friend, T’s Auntie E, whom we recently went to Tobermory with, organized a stand up paddle board outing for friends and us. E is a SUP hobbyist and took us to Cherry Beach, a scenicContinue reading “Stand Up Paddle Boarding”
Training Wheels
The sandwich generation experiences the joys of kids growing up and the sorrow of aging parents. Earlier this summer, T showed interest in bike riding again after having no interest last year. While he loves zipping down the park, he doesn’t yet feel comfortable taking off the training wheels. And that’s ok. I thought aboutContinue reading “Training Wheels”
Sanity Savers for Enjoying An Outing with A Neurodiverse Child
Some people joke their restless kids are “climbing the walls.” Kids like our T actually climb them. I’ve seen memes of this boy climbing a pillar in an airport (below) many times on social media. I empathize with this kindred spirit. Even though it’s never disclosed why this kid was climbing, I infer and understandContinue reading “Sanity Savers for Enjoying An Outing with A Neurodiverse Child”
The Dance of Life
Music can be such a revelation. Every August 16, we celebrate Queen Madonna’s birthday; she turned 64 on Tuesday. I discovered her music in high school in ‘98 and continue to admire her tireless work ethic, tenacity, fearlessness, and advocacy. Just as she redefined music, it’s interesting to watch her age on her own terms,Continue reading “The Dance of Life”
First Sleepover
A cotton candy sunset on the beach was the backdrop to a memorable first for our boy. Our three-week family vacation is flying by. We are creating happy memories while navigating super trying moments. Last Sunday, the end of week two, T was reunited with his cousin A, who was visiting for the week. AsContinue reading “First Sleepover”