July is, of course, a month that starts out with a bang with Canada Day and July 4th. It is also my mother’s birthday and full on summer activity. We went to the Zoo, entered in the County Fair, and I even made a Dragon. July is always a busy month.

This July we had family come to visit. Nana and Baba drove up with the cousins. So there was lots to do with them. 

Beach trips.

Baking and ice cream making.

Visits to the park.

It had been a while since all the kids were together. 

We were invited to a birthday party at a park!

Of course there was LOTS of time to get to know Neko-chan better. Seriously I am in love. And so you will be inundated with pictures of fluffy amazingness. I just wish you could feel her through the pictures. SO SOFT!!!

We visited with Cousin Robbie. Still a family favourite. Echo even got to sit on his bike! He wears all the safety equipment in this helmet optional state.

Of course we watched some soccer games.

Aidan

And walked to the YMCA … A LOT. Ken had a business trip in July and the YMCA being so close was a life saver.

Emanuel and Echo even won a colouring contest

Trinity and Emanuel have continued in their Karate adventure. 

We even saw some produce from our garden.

Found a Canadian penny on a walk!!

Bought ice cream from a passing ice cream truck.. a first for all of us!

I found time for Tim Hortons… of course!

Ken and I joined forces to create a lovely chalkboard in the front entry. He does an amazing job with ideas I come up with!

We even managed to squeak in school!

And did I mention I am obsessed with my chinchilla? Cuz…

It was a great July!

Our youngest is a full on school age kid now! Where has the time gone? Yup, Miss Echo is officially 7 as of Sunday, August 13th. My Friday the 13th baby.

We actually had a rather fun weekend for her. Saturday was a trip to the Science Museum to see the Pixar exhibit (not that she enjoyed that all that much, so many other things to see). We went with our homeschool buds. It was fun. Expensive (the exhibit was an add on, which was annoying since we got memberships to AVOID that), but there was things to see and do that we hadn’t seen or done before.

It was nice to get out and run around and enjoy ourselves before heading back.

Before that we had spent an hour at the YMCA to swim and play.

Saturday NIGHT we had cousin Robbie over. Which is always exciting for the whole family. He is a family favourite after all.

Sunday morning we slept in a little… well some of us did. Before packing up Echo and going to take pictures out by the local library. We were going to do it at the flower beds but people were busy weeding so we improvised.

After pictures it was picking up the much anticipated cake! Then preparing everyone to head out the the birthday girl’s restaurant of choice – a McDonald’s with a play area. This was a total homeschool buds weekend as they joined us too.

Since it was a rainy day we had to table the beach plan and instead head over to our house for cake and presents.

After all that fun it was off to the YMCA for her swim lesson. Add in calls from Grandma and Nana and Baba and I think little miss had an absolute blast.

To top it off – she lost her first tooth!!! It was quite the milestone weekend!!!

Now sit back and enjoy the science museum images!

Echo and Nate

February is NEVER a calm month. We start off running with birthdays – Emanuel on the 3rd, the twins on the 5th, their Nana on the 7th. Then it is right onto Valentines’ Day. Luckily this year Chinese New Year was in January, but we still seem to rush right through February year after year. As an additional plus, February marks the beginning of a membership at the Science Museum.

Of course first things first… the twins are TEENS! And lovely Emanuel 11… where did the time go? You can read a recount on these special moments HERE.

We spent lots of time at the YMCA, in the pool, in classes…

At club.

Trying out Yoga!

There was indoor soccer to watch – our godson Anthony.

We even managed a dinner out.

We decorated t-shirts.

By Gavin

Emanuel, Zander

Trinity

Echo

There was plenty of homeschool completions to celebrate.

We even had a Flat Stanley visitor.

The choir sang.

We crafted.

Had dinner with the Schwartz family.

We even managed to start some painting around the house. First room tackled – Emanuel’s!

Enjoyed our Pizza Hut reading program reward.

It was a chilly, busy, love filled month. Just like February always is with this not so little family!