Berry Pickin'

This week my big (but not really so big) boy has been at a gymnastics half day camp. I must say, it has felt a little strange going about my afternoon without him, and knowing he isn't just spending his time with family. Comments like "I want to stay at gymnastics camp forever", lead me to believe he is having a good time... but I do have a hard time with the answers "I don't know." and "I can't remember.", when I'm asking him how his afternoon was while we are still standing in the gymnastics centre! Do the vague responses really start at 4 years old?!

Today little brother, baby sister and I filled those day-camp afternoon hours with a visit to a nearby berry farm. While little brother devoured handfuls of raspberries, he also managed to put a few in the basket that he so loved carrying about.

I rarely have an opportunity to watch him experience something on his own, and he was so very into this little experience. It was such a pleasure to watch my, usually quite boisterous, little guy taking his sweet time, gently "filling" his basket with berries, with a whole lot of sampling along the way. Those amazing little chubby fingers that still look so "baby" to me, carefully plucking each raspberry from it's stem. He's growing so fast, and always moving so fast, it's hard to get a good look at him some times.

And then there's my little lady. Our favourite spectator. Just hanging out. More alert by the day, seemingly soaking up everything around her. Sweet baby bliss :)

 XO

{This Moment}

{This moment} is inspired by Soulemama, and beautifully done by so many. It reveals a moment from our week that is special enough to stand alone, without need for expression, or explanation.

xo

Mont Tremblant, Quebec

Just over an hour and a half drive from Ottawa, Mt. Tremblant is the perfect summer day trip. 

The lower chair lift is free up to the village. Once in the village, you can take the cable car to the top,  walk around, enjoy a little picnic, and then back down to the village for a run around the splash pad. 

The hubby and I took turns cruising down the mountain on go karts with our boys. I went up with our 2 year old for the ride, and waiting in line I had MAJOR anxiety. I was watching someone try and figure out these cars, and they just could not get it. It made me panic. 

Why did I bring him all the way up here? He's too little. What an idiot! What if I crash? What if I lose control? Blah, blah, blah... It was awesome - the driving, not the anxiety. 

I had complete control over the speed, and it was very simple to manage. 

Not an inexpensive experience but, fun nonetheless.

Of course, all of this has to end with ice cream. Soft serve. Chocolate dip. Done.

Pink Lake, Gatineau Park

A gorgeous walk about a half hour's drive from our home is the Pink Lake trail in Gatineau, Quebec. A 2.5km walk, it is one of many trails in the park. I started the hike with a touch of whining (it has a lot of stairs) but, seeing as my 2 year old and not yet 4 year old were having no problems, I kind of had to buck up. I suppose I am a poor teacher of patience at times... On that note, this was pretty soon after giving birth so I do get to do some complaining, don't I?? You'll note the long sleeves - definitely not recent. Yikes, has it ever been hot and humid!

Mer Bleue

"Mer Bleue is one of the largest bogs in Southern Ontario..." and has an incredibly beautiful 1.2km long boardwalk trail which is fairly close to where we live.

There are a huge number of natural areas in and around Ottawa that we are so excited to explore! 

Nothing beats free when you're looking for something to do. 

XO

Fire Craft!

So my biggest boy has a love-hate thing going with fire. He backed into a fire ring while camping last summer, burned his leg, and has been fascinated and terrified of fire ever since, adopting the name "fireboy" pretty soon after his experience. Does this theme/story sound somewhat familiar?...

Anyway, so I've been having some fun browsing for fire-related crafts. Pinterest is so great for finding ideas for crafting with kids - it is where I originally found this little idea.

We gave it a try, and they loved it. My younger son (deemed waterboy by his big brother) was a little miffed with this crafty plan. When I told them what we were going to do he said "No fireboy, I'm wawaboy!", but in the end he decided it was okay for him to build a fire too.

Love how this turned out!

xo

4 Years!

4 years old today. Wow. How you have grown!
I love your sweetness, your seriousness, and your wonderful silliness. 

You have a very special heart. A caring disposition much older than your 4 years. 

A climber, and a jumper, with incredible energy, and agility, I love to watch you run and play though, I admit, your courage scares me sometimes.

I'm so proud of the boy you are, and can't wait to see all that you are capable of. 

My little fireboy. 

Happy 4th Birthday sweet Levi!

You changed our lives completely, and I am so incredibly thankful.

XO