Cottage time - so good!

We LOVED the first trip to the cottage this summer - no one wanted to leave! It is just so so great being up there; all day long the kids are occupied and find things to do up at the cottage or down by the river. The kids spent a lot of time fishing (with Steve or Gramps), and, as usual, there was lots of boating, SUPing (a new thing! so fun...), swimming, frog catching, games, volleyball, hammock time (with Archie comics) and eating (YUM). We feel very spoiled when we are there, as Grandma comes with meals planned and goodies galore, and it is just so nice to feel like we're on vacation. I'll let the pictures do the talking here, as I'm short on time - we had an early dinner so that Hendrik and Steve could leave on time for baseball, and I'll take Alana to soccer here shortly (Jordan gets to tag along). I'm coaching, so I can't be late! We are soaking up every minute of summer vacation here, but starting to think about back to school which means making sure everyone has shoes that fit, lunch boxes that will work etc. We're planning on making it back up to the Crowe (cottage) one more time before the reality of September and school and work hit. Yay for summer!!

Our trip to beautiful BC!

Well, after what feels like years of not travelling, we went somewhere! Encouraged by Steve's sister's family's trip out here (more on that later), we took a trip to BC! We found some great deals on flights (Flair Airlines out of Kitchener) and flew direct to Victoria, landing early enough to spend a good part of day one on Thetis Island. The kids were such good travellers (there were some very early mornings involved) and we had the BEST time on the island... what a little piece of paradise. We spent mornings  exploring the rocks and beaches, discovering many low-tide creatures and treasures, and also took a few boat trips - out in the rowboat or in the tin boat to Seal Island to say hi to the sunbathing seals. Afternoon activities included walks and explores around the island, swimming, and Archie time; my parents kept the massive collection of Archie comics we had at the cottage when we were kids (Sakinaw Lake), and they loved putting a dent in the collection. Of course we also had some amazing meals and the best company - after over two years, it was so good to see my parents in person and for the kids to spend some time with them. 

After four nights on Thetis we made our way to Ucluelet and Tofino for some camping, beach time and surfing, and there were definitely some memorable moments. Because we booked our trip with just a few weeks notice, it was next to impossible to find accommodations in Tofino, and so with an opening at a campground in Ucluelet (20kms south of Long Beach) we decided to borrow a six-person tent from my parents and camp! (We also figured it might be our only camping experience of the summer - provincial parks / campgrounds are booked solid here in Ontario.) Anyways, our site was teeny tiny and there was hardly any privacy at all (the website was definitely misleading), but we figured there was enough space to camp and really, we were only going to be there to sleep (and there were no other options)! We set up and went to Wikaninnish Beach where everyone had fun running the wide open spaces and playing in the chilly water. We had some incredible pizza in Ucluelet (Abbondanza Pizza - so good!) before settling in for the night, and what a night it was. There were noisy generators running all night, loud neighbours, barking dogs and people honking their horns and yelling at a BEAR that ran through the campsite in the middle of the night. A bear! The kids slept well but Steve and I didn't - we were both looking for hotel rooms at 5:00am, but no luck. The good news is that despite the sleepless night, we had an amazing day at Long Beach (and a good sleep the next night). We rented wetsuits, boogie boards and one surfboard and most of the crew was in the water for five or six hours (!!). Hendrik and Alana got up on the big surfboard, and could not get enough... they had so much fun! Steve was with them in the water, poaching some tips from the lessons that were happening just next to them; the kids did such a good job and had so much fun - this was definitely a highlight of the trip! Jordan was in the water for a while too, playing on the boogie board and in the shallow surf, but the two of us spent most of the day wandering the beach, collecting little jellyfish blobs, and drawing in the sand. We ate dinner in Tofino and after a short wander around the town (and a stop at the playground) we drove back down to Ucluelet for another night 'o' camping. I think everyone was beached out, so we spent the morning en route to my parents' place in Comox, stopping in Coombs (referred to as "goats of the rooftown" by Jordan) to see my friend Hanno from high school (it was great to see him!!). 

See here for this map and beach descriptions (this is a good post too!)

We spent two nights / a day and a half in Comox, and here are some of the things we did: my mom and Alana and I explored downtown Courtenay, the boys had some beach time (finding crabs, throwing rocks), we spent an afternoon at Nymph Falls, had dinner at the park (food trucks!) and played at the playground, watched some Olympics, ate sushi, and visited with my Aunt Zella and her partner Chris. 

Apart from the time we spent on Thetis, it feels like we did a lot on this trip, and if we could do it again we'd definitely spend another day (at least) in Tofino, we'd stay on the beach somewhere, and do more in the National Park. There are just so many places to stop and see, that you could spend months exploring the island and its lesser known hotspots. (We stopped in Cathedral Grove - not lesser known - for a short walk and there were SO many people... after four days on Thetis we were sort of shocked to see so many people in one place!) I'm already planning our next trip out West - fingers crossed it can happen next summer! 

Just in time June!

Oh hi there! Writing a blog has been on my list of things to do for a few weeks now, so here's hoping I can get this started, finished and posted in one shot. So many things happen (EVERY DAY) so I'll probably miss some updates, but hopefully I hit the main menu items. Everyone is giddy with anticipation for the school year to be officially over (Monday afternoon), but we do have one more day to go. I should say that I have one more day to go as the kids, with asynchronous learning, have checked out. I have my last day at Clara Brenton as the grade 6-8 French teacher, and while I'll miss the kids, it will be so nice to have a break! I can apply for permanent jobs in the next week or two, so fingers crossed that I get a gig I feel good about.

I celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago and it was so special! The kids made beautiful cards, there was cake and lemon meringue pie (from Sandra and Bruce), some great gifts (a homemade tortilla press, martini shaker, gardening gloves, and more), and a fantastic birthday dinner (lasagna - yum). I also enjoyed a dinner on a patio with some friends which was such a treat; draft beer, fresh air, friends, good food, it was awesome and I can't wait for the next get-together. 

Things have started to open up a little bit here which is great for so many reasons! Hendrik tried out for and made the Tecumseh's select baseball team - he's had several practices and is working hard and enjoying himself... yay! The other kids start activities within the next few weeks, with Alana playing soccer and Jordan starting Little Sluggers. With the restrictions easing, we're trying to think about how to travel and what we can do to fill our days at home (thank goodness for the pool!). Hopefully we can find time to plan and get ideas figured out SOON... 

Our house renos are on hold for now, due to the cost and delay of materials. We will solidify ideas, order materials, and do a few fix-ups before next spring's to-do. The front stairs is the latest DIY project, and they look amazing - we just need to figure out what goes on top (unicorns? gargoyles? troll heads?). We are getting the glass in the front door replaced as it was accidentally smashed on Friday in a door slam (yikes). The slam explosion resulted in a few cuts on Hendrik's hand - which resulted in a trip to the hospital and eight stitches in his left hand. He was a total trooper about it all, with enough self-inflicted guilt and understanding of why slamming doors isn't a good idea (among other things) - talk about natural consequences! In other house news, as of September, we are getting new neighbours! Our neighbours listed their house on Thursday morning and sold it on Friday evening - fast! We don't know anything about who is moving in, but don't think there will be little kids (the newbies are paying to move the play structure)... but we'll see. 

Crafts! Sharks and ocean creatures are still popular with everyone

I'm sure there's more to write about but I should get this posted before I hit another road block (kids! work! jobs!). Happy happy summer to everyone!

Another birthday... time is flying!

And the little is another year older - not so much wiser, yet (I don't think). Here are a few pics from the big day and small party (our family + Liz):

We asked him the usual birthday questions, and he answered with specifics at first... but it soon evolved into "I like them all!" What's your favourite number? All the numbers! It was entertaining. 

What's your favourite colour? Orange
What's your favourite book? Any book (Though I'll say that he is loving Jerry Pallotta's Alphabet books right now... we have so many of them!)
Favourite TV show? Octonauts
Favourite movie? Trains (This is a DVD that he gets out of the library that shows different kids of trains moving across different landscapes - it's called Lots and Lots of Big Trains)
What's your favourite sport? every sport
Who's your best friend? Thomas 
What's your favourite candy? All the candy (OBVIOUSLY)
Favourite food? Waffles
What's your favourite toy / stuffy? Baby
What's your favourite video game? (Don't think we had this question for bigs at 5 years old)
Plants vs Zombies

We started the day with presents... yay! Hendrik gave him a pile of books (the Boy vs Beast series is a favourite - early chapter books, good for read alouds), Alana gave him an alphabet book and a bin of sea animals, we gave him a new two-wheel scooter with light up wheels and a Lego set (a hit), Grandma and Grandpa O gave him pool toys (fun for all) and Grandma and Gramps sent him playdoh and a set of walkie talkies (fun for everyone too!). After an early dinner (waffles and fruit salad with whipping cream and custard - !) Liz came over for cake and a backyard tour of all of the different gardens people have been (sort of) growing. She gave Jordan a gift that practically sent his eyeballs flying from their sockets - candy. He was so happy! He also received some great cards (including a multi-pager from Hendrik - see below) and gifts from extended family. I'm sure there's more to say about his day, but I'm drawing a blank. Bah!

We're hanging on to week-day routines of school and accountability and doing our best (- hanging on). There are only four more weeks of school and we're not quite in countdown mode yet, but we'll be there soon I'm sure. The kids have been great with online school, and most of my classes are still going well, though attendance is starting to thin out. It's all good! The kids have been loving the pool, Steve has been putting in some time to revamp the front hallway (it looks amazing), and we are really enjoying the warmer weather. There isn't much to say about the bigger renovation that is due to happen at some point in the near-ish future - we still have to figure out permits, finishes and a timeline with our contractor. It'll happen! I'm sure there's more to write about but I should get this posted! Happy almost summer...

It's MAAAaaaaay!

oh hi!

Even though we have no extra-curriculars and nothing to leave the house for after school / work every day, life feels busy (here in Ontario we're STILL in a stay at home order - until the 20th I think). There are very few spare moments of peaceful do-whatever-you-want - instead I'm on-call 24/7 for snacks, playtime, complaints, dispute resolution etc. But...there is some good in this! Working from home means more relaxed mornings, coffee and water whenever I want it, not wearing shoes, no yard duty (and recess fun with my own kids), and not dealing with swearing and throwing and behavioural challenges from grade 8s that don't want to learn French... this is good! But I don't love that my kids are parked in front of their computers for most of the school day every day, or that we're managing their schedules and ours (and Jordan's - his school is on hiatus too). More time together is good, but going to school in-person is better for everyone.

I need to post a "before" - and a before before!

what a nice tidy living room. this is real life!

In the last month we've had a few beautiful days, with warm temps giving me false hope of an early summer. Steve opened the pool, but with low lows at night we haven't fired up the heater - though the bigs did brave the cold water on one of those hot sunny days. We're trying to spend as much time as possible outside, playing hockey or basketball, jumping on the trampoline, walking the 'hood and playing random games across the street or on the trampoline ("blind old doggy" and "fetch doggy" have been some faves... I'll leave them up to your imagination, ha!). Another at-home challenge has been carving out time for Steve to tackle the front hall - he has done an incredible job transforming a smaller closet into a much bigger one with room for everyone's STUFF. We've been using the back door that comes into the kitchen, so there are piles of shoes and coats and masks all over the place... in the kitchen (which is obviously not ideal). And on these home notes, we are sort of making progress with the home reno. Steve submitted plans to the city last week and now we're waiting to hear back. We're thinking we'll have to submit a site plan of sorts (we don't have a survey), so that might set us back a little longer... not that we're in any rush! It will be nice to have a bigger kitchen and a functional bathroom on the second floor. I'm sure there's more to write about but I'm going to dig through my photos and get some of those posted too. Happy Spring everyone!

We've been doing LOTS of painting... fun :)

A helping with demo

I think they're bird-watching here... adorbs

H's turn to bust stuff up

When I see the three of them cooperating like this my heart wants to burst!! 

Before J fell in the river ... ha!

Steve also made this Murphy bed... he's amazing!!

Spring, Easter & Sunshine

Hurray, it's a long weekend! And I've made a list that I'm trying to make my way through. It's Easter Sunday and after an exciting Easter egg hunt, a "bun" (bike-run) with Alana, and lots of chocolate and candy, we made it out to the city's free disc golf course (for the second time since it opened). It's a super fun thing to do - with the fam and/or with friends (I look forward to that ONE day). Everyone is able to participate, even Jordan; he brags about how well he does on the 16th hole - super cute. I can't remember if I posted pics from the last time we went so I'll have to look back and get some up here if I didn't! 

Another hurray for the arrival of Spring - yay! The last few days have been chilly but I think it was just Winter releasing its grip for good (or for six months or however long it is!). I need to put all of the winter goods away and free up some space in the front hall. With all of this stay-at-home time on our hands - and thanks to regular life and the accumulation and creation of stuff - there is lots to go through, especially with the prospect of a renovation coming up in the near-ish future. We had initially planned to convert our attic to a master bedroom first (to give all of the kids their own rooms) but are switching gears to tackle the main floor first. It will be a big job; our sinking addition will be replaced, and most functional spaces on the main floor will be updated or moved (bathroom, kitchen, laundry). I'll keep you updated with plans and a timeline - at the moment, we're waiting to get a survey done and prepping for permits.

Ontario entered a pseudo-lockdown a few days ago, so the sports that the kids started are on hold again (boooo!). Jordan and Hendrik were doing ball hockey and Hendrik was doing some indoor baseball clinics; Alana is signed up for soccer, but that isn't slated to start until May... fingers crossed outdoor activities can resume by then! The kids are all doing well at school and work is same old same old (same old challenging grade 8s, ha!); it's all good. Steve made a murphy bed in the guest room and it has cleared up so much space in there - we're thinking we'll make it an office space and put the kids' desks in there too (after the reno). It is so beautiful outside so I'm going to get out and enjoy the sun, with my book maybe. I've read some good ones lately (The Girl with Seven Names, Big Sky, and I'm currently reading The Vanishing Half), and want to make the most of this extra long weekend time. Happy Spring everyone!