A Change of Seasons.............

I LOVE Fall and wait expectantly for its arrival every year.  There is just something about the kids returning to school, the cooler weather, those crisp walks in the woods where the leaves crunch under your feet, and all that comfort food that is so unmistakenly Fall.

And Avery is certainly enjoying the changes in season. She loves her little boots, cosy outfits and the colourful Autumn Mums that we placed by the door.  Avery is now 22 months old and is thriving in my Preschool Program. She can sing her ABC's, knows all her colours, shapes, can recognize most of her numbers up to 10 and count from 1-20.  She is certainly a charmer and has us all wrapped around her little finger...........and that is perfectly ok with this mama.

This is the cute face I get when I ask Avery to "smile" for mommy.  Too funny!

Summer Vacation Post

This post is going to be picture loaded but I wanted to capture our memories from the week we spent in the little village of Bayfield this summer. It really was a most magical week and while it already seems a long time ago I know that the memories we created and the family time we spent together will linger over the next months as the weather turns chilly and we settle into our busy Fall schedules.

Our little cottage in the woods

This is where the big kids slept, hung out, spent time reading and napping

So private....our little bit of paradise

Our little beach where we spent lazy afternoons playing with the kids

Evan caught on really quickly and looked forward to his evening paddle on the lake

We all learned how to kayak. So much fun and easier than canoeing

Voted as the "Top Ten Best Sunsets in the World"  

Avery LOVED the water and was a natural beach baby

Avery "smirking" for the camera.....or is she hiding some yummy treats in those cheeks!

My two girls!

Evan enjoyed a couple of fishing days with Adam. His favourite acitvity!

AND NOW A LITTLE TOUR OF THE VILLAGE..........

Everything was so picture perfect, quaint and filled with the nicest people.  The entire week I spent trying to figure out if there was any way we could afford to retire here.  Lol....time will tell I guess. 

First Day of School 2014

Yes, I'm blatently aware that I haven't finished up on my summer vacation photos and now I'm staring September in the face and realizing that I'm hopelessly doomed to ever get them posted.

In my defence it has been a pretty crazy summer!  Crazy in a good sort of way. There were lots of busy days filled with kids, kids and more kids!  Throw a few trips up to Muskoka, a camping trip where Avery felt the need to rise at 5am, a trip to the CNE, a visit from one of my dearest old friends (sorry Colleen.....I don't mean "old".....I actually think we look pretty good!) and you are looking at very little time left for such things as blogging.

But I refuse to let the first day of school escape me without taking (and posting) the kids pics.  They grow up so fast!  Claire headed off to Grade 6 and as usual was up at the crack of dawn, bag packed and looking beautiful as always. Evan headed off to Grade 4!  He was super excited to see his friends and except for a few "butterflies" he was ready to go and looking forward to achieving all the goals he has set for his academics.  Even Avery was excited to enter another year of Preschool with me and has already been busy learning the letters of her name, and mastering all her letters, shapes and colours. It should be a fun year!

I still can't believe it's Grade 6 already!

Brother and Sister Love!

Looking forward to a great year in Grade 4!