When you feel like you’re being pulled under by chaos, it may be best to go with the flow. We’re still at the hubby’s parents for our annual summer vacation – and T is having a blast with his grandparents and vice versa. While T has made so many gains since last summer, his useContinue reading “Rushing Rivers Lead to Calm Waters”
Category Archives: summer
Crab Semetary
A child’s ability to find fun and enjoyment is as limitless as their imagination. The calming breezy saltwater bay ushered in the next wave of our family summer vacation. After a short visit from T’s aunt and cousin, we headed off early Friday morning on a 16-hour drive for our annual visit with T’s grandparents,Continue reading “Crab Semetary”
Summer in the City
Sometimes, you only need to look at your own backyard to find lots to enjoy. The big day finally arrived: T’s cousin A’s big summer visit. He’d only been counting down since they last saw each other at Christmas. After spending the weekend cleaning, I sat down Sunday afternoon to enjoy a cup of tea,Continue reading “Summer in the City”
Exploring Flowerpot Island and the Grotto at Beautiful Tobermory
We kicked off T’s summer with a camping weekend filled with nature at beautiful Tobermory. The highlight was Flowerpot Island at Fathom Five National Park, known for its rock formations, scenic caves and lighthouse. Our ferry ride to the Island on Sunday morning started with a tour of sunken shipwrecks along the Tobermory coast. TContinue reading “Exploring Flowerpot Island and the Grotto at Beautiful Tobermory”
Ignite the Night and Let It Shine
We started T’s summer with fireworks. On Canada Day last Friday – T’s first day of summer break – we headed off early morning to Tobermory for our first camping trip since 2018. Once we got past city traffic and into the country, the scenery was beautiful, including plentiful fields of golden yellow canola. IContinue reading “Ignite the Night and Let It Shine”
The Power of Anticipation
After starting his countdown right after Christmas, the big day is finally near. T had a blast spending Christmas in New Brunswick with his cousin. When we got home, he asked how many more days till her visit this July. During a recent bedtime, I told him that it was 45 days until she visitedContinue reading “The Power of Anticipation”
Dreaming of Camping Adventures
A dear friend asked me for campsite suggestions and it took me down a road of happy memories. I started camping at 21 when a friend invited me. We camped together almost every summer for nearly 20 years with the hubby and his partner. I never camped as a child and it was an experienceContinue reading “Dreaming of Camping Adventures”
Why Struggle is Good for Kids
“The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow.” I reflected on this Robert Tew quote after a lifeguard at the public pool called us out after he noticed T struggling in the water. The outdoor pool has been our savior the last two summers. We are there every other dayContinue reading “Why Struggle is Good for Kids”
Childhood Summers and the Call of the Wild
We hiked along Nigadoo Falls and found an off-the-beaten-path swim spot with a gorgeous backdrop of jagged rocks, tall evergreens, a river current and cliff jumpers. It was a wonderful and refreshing way to spend a Friday afternoon, sharing this cozy private freshwater bowl with a dozen locals. With his lifejacket on, T explored theContinue reading “Childhood Summers and the Call of the Wild”
Reunions with Grandparents!
After a year of separation, T reunited with his grandparents from both sides of the family. Two weekends ago, we spent a Saturday with my uncle’s family, our Aunt and Ma – going on a nature walk and ending the day with a delicious bbq prepared by my aunt and cousin. It was Ma’s firstContinue reading “Reunions with Grandparents!”
Soaring to New Heights at Canada’s Wonderland
T visited his first amusement park last weekend and went on his first big kid rides! Canada’s Wonderland is like the Canadian version of Six Flags amusement parks – with big rollercoasters, spinning rides and a Snoopy-themed kids area. The hubby and I have gone many times as kids and together as adults. But thisContinue reading “Soaring to New Heights at Canada’s Wonderland”
Exploring the 1000 Islands
If a photo is worth a thousand words, a great friendship is worth a thousand memories. The hubby, T and I went on a weekend roadtrip with a good friend, one whom I’ve known for over 25 years, since I was 14. We went to explore the Thousand Islands in Gananoque, a three-hour drive fromContinue reading “Exploring the 1000 Islands”
Castles in the Sand
A day at the beach reminded me that childhood flies by like sand rushing through an hourglass. A colleague once told me, when the hubby and I first adopted T, to enjoy T’s childhood because it will go by quickly. I recently noticed that T has been staying in his bed throughout the night withoutContinue reading “Castles in the Sand”
Beach Day at Home
The best laid plans did not go as planned – and it ended up just fine. Our City got a scorching weekend, our first real taste of summer, with two sunny days in the 30s. I had planned for the family to go to the Bluffs, one of our favourite parts of the City, withContinue reading “Beach Day at Home”
Resting Like Royalty
As Canada celebrates Victoria Day long weekend, the two queens in T’s life are focused on recharging. The hubby worked on the garden today. I didn’t even pretend to help. I love gardens, especially ones I don’t have to tend to! Instead, T and I went for a nice long hike at Rouge Park, anContinue reading “Resting Like Royalty”
Dreaming Of Summer Roadtrips
For our first roadtrip with an 18-months-old T, we naively thought we’d do a 15-hour overnight drive to New Brunswick. After a day at work, we headed off at 8 pm. That was how the hubby and I used to roll. We did the long drive to his parents’ cottage overnight, taking turns, drinking lotsContinue reading “Dreaming Of Summer Roadtrips”
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
It’s the first Fall weekend and we enjoyed a Saturday afternoon hike at Rouge Urban National Park, a wonderful oasis nearby our home. We were blessed with a last blast of summer weather, so we all wore t-shirts and shorts with the added benefit of no bugs or sweltering heat. It seems like everyone inContinue reading “Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn”
Playing With the Older Kids
A pair of older kids have formed an unlikely group for T to play with after school. Four weeks ago, our end of day routine became one hour of play at the playground next to his day camp, which is now his after school program. It’s a nice playground and even big enough for meContinue reading “Playing With the Older Kids”
Happy Meals and Summer Memories
Summer fly, winters walk. T got an extra week of vacation this year but it’s time to head back to school this week. This has been a strange challenging summer. I’m thankful my family stayed safe and got to make the most of it and explored the beauty of Ontario. I know this was aContinue reading “Happy Meals and Summer Memories”
Nature and the Passage of Time
Trees tell the story of time. Standing on the rocky Georgian Bay shore scanning the tree line, I see hints of red, yellow and orange. The autumn chill is in the air. Labour Day is the last blast of summer vacation before school starts. This year, school is starting a week late to give schoolsContinue reading “Nature and the Passage of Time”