Keeping ourselves busy

What a great morning we had yesterday at the water splash pad behind McKinney arena. The kids ran and played for 2 hours then relaxed and had a little lunch before we headed home for a nice nap.

(Having a little picnic lunch with Jordan & Mikaela)
It is really starting to feel like the summer is coming to an end though and I'm trying to jam everything into these last 2 weeks.
This morning we went to the Oshawa Library to watch a childs musician perform. We grabbed tickets for the show next Wednesday as well.

(Vanessa refused to sit down and danced and ran around through the whole show- she is becoming my "busy child". That's a pretty scary thought given how busy Ty is...)

I was so worried I wouldn't know what to to do with the kids now that Ty is not at summer camp but there is so much to do in our area. It has been so much fun.

All about Ty

This week has been a big one for Ty. He was at summer camp every morning for the last time this summer and did not cry once when I dropped him off. He didn't even have his cousins or anyone he knew there to reassure him so I was so proud of him for sucking it up even though I knew he was nervous.
We've spent most afternoons in my parents pool - loving the great weather! Ty has mastered "the dive". We were swimming with my girlfriend and her 2 boys on Tuesday and she was diving in so Ty decided that he would like to try that. I was shocked that he actually kept his head down and dove right in.After a couple days of practice he is a real pro. That same day my girlfriends boys were continually calling out Ty's name and all of a sudden Vanessa joined in calling "T-y!" It was so sweet. Since then she has called his name out a few times but I don't think she can just say it- she has to yell it. Ty was pretty impressed with his baby sister.
Finally - and most impressive to me- one afternoon Ty asked me to show him how to spell his name. I wrote it down in big letters on a piece of paper and this was his first attempt to copy it...

I know it's an easy name but I'm still so proud of my little man. He is becoming such a big boy- especially this past month since he turned 3. I love being there for all of his accomplishments but at the same time can't help but feel he is growing up much too fast. I'm going to be a wreck in September when I have to drop him off at Montesorri school the first week. I know he's going to love it but I feel like I'm going to be missing out on so much of his day. I really don't know how working mothers do it. I am so thankful to have been able to stay home with him.

A much appreciated week at the cottage

Every year for the past 20 years my parents and their best friends from high school rent 5 cottages in a row up in Buckhorn. I call these people Aunt & Uncle and will often refer to their kids as my cousins although none of us are actually related. As a kid I loved going up, as a teenager I begged my parents not to make me go and now as an adult I love that I can bring my own kids up. This year was our 20th anniversary of being up at these cottages so my mom compiled 20 years worth of pictures of all of us at the cottage to enjoy. It was so neat to see some of us up there as little kids and now our own kids are that age. Where has the time gone??

We are now back and 3 days of laundry and cleaning later I am finally feeling settled and somewhat organized. What an amazing week at the cottage we had though. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather and the kids were awesome- sleeping well at night - napping well and playing well with the other kids. It was so relaxing. Iain was able to get some fishing and golfing in while my mom and I did a little shoe shopping in town and just relaxed by the water with close family friends. It was really hard to come home on Saturday. Sunday we were still in vacation mode so to end our time off we BBQ'ed fresh Salmon and enjoyed a bottle of wine on the deck while the kids played in the back yard. A perfect end to our vacation.

Now we are back to the grind. Iain is back to work and Ty is back to summer camp while Vanessa and I have been busy trying to get our house back in order. I can't believe we have to start thinking about September already. I'm not ready!! Here are some pictures of us at the cottage... (Waiting for the men to finish golfing- Makenna, Easton, Vanessa & Ty)

(The kids loved being near the water)

More Cottage pictures

(Somehow we managed to get all of the kids contained on one deck- it didn't last long though)
(Ty loved showing off his dance moves to an audience)
(Roller blading and giving Vanessa a ride - everyone wins)
( Ethan, Carter & Ty playing with the turtle they found - they put in back in the water shortly after and we scrubbed their hands)

(Ty loved playing with Mr. Potato Head- he actually sat and did this a few times)

(Vanessa didn't mind wearing her lifejacket at all and really enjoyed the couple of boat rides we took her on)

(All packed up and ready to head home an awesome week in Buckhorn)