July 30-31

With 2 days until we say good bye to the cousins it was the best choice to have a final half day for the week with the kids on the 30th… And then embrace the cousin time!

On my suggestion on the 31st we packed up EVERYONE and headed to our now favourite beach. One last dip in the lakes for the cousins before they head to the coast. Not to mention a perfect opportunity for an outing (on a budget) with all 7 kids for Nana ans Baba. Not the warm beaches of Mexico but the kids had a blast.

We packed a picnic lunch… Lots of towels and toys and made much of the day of it!

I even got some crafting in!

Gabbi and Nana even caught a fish!!!!

With so much outside time they all settled into computers and fun inside.

We also were able to gift Zachary and Gabbi with a very special scrapbook the kids made up for them. Each page full of memories and special messages. And that was that.

Time for the kids to say good bye. Where did the month go??? I can report quite happily that after over 4 days they and their cats successfully made it to Florida in one piece! We shall certainly miss their company! But we wish them the best!

July 27-29

Middle of the week… sunny day and the morning schoolwork accomplished, when friends call we jump up and head to the park. Renee and her boys had invited us out to enjoy the park and the connected lake with its pseudo splash park set up. Sort of a little waterfall and such set up for kids to play with.

It is so lovely to have the opportunity to up and spent quality time with a friend. Doubly so when our kids get on so well.

Our afternoon was spent picking up the amazing Aidan and bringing the kids back to the house.

We ended the evening with a movie. The kids did amazing watching Jack the Giant Killer all the way through!

We spent much of the next day outside in the backyard.

With the end of our overnight visit finding us at a small park with a geocache called Riverdale Park where we met up with Darcy and Alex. Every overnighter we get in with Aidan is so much fun! I really hope we can eventually have Alex over again!

We ended our week with another big conclusion – Gavin finished his journal! Time to move onto titles, dates and 7 or more sentences!

Trinity completed her review book for the year. She was so utterly proud.

We ended our day with the yard work. The whole family out in the sun giving the yard a tidy. What a perfect way to end the week! Time to face the weekend AND creeping up on the big goodbye. The cousins are off on the 1st of August. Where has the time gone??

July 18-20

A wee bit of schoolwork, just half a day… is all we need to earn a special treat on a decent summer day.

Now for the treat… going to the beach with some of our favourite beach buddies – Renee, Nathan, Evan and Jeffrey. We simply do not get bored of this lovely beach.

Even Jeffrey got in on a little sand… not for a lack of our trying to keep his grabby fingers out of it. He is growing up so quickly!

Every time we drive there and back we pass some amazing gates… I had to share a quick picture of them!

On Saturday we grew our ranks by one… Aidan came for a sleepover. He is definitely a welcome addition.

The girls got a special mailing from Gammie… pretty dress up bits they were more than willing to share between them. Sadly I think TRINITY walks better in heels than I do!!!

We ended our Saturday with a movie in the livingroom… and popcorn of course!!

Sunday was the final installment of our VBS… the kids all came together (some in their special shirts) and sang a song for the congregation. We stuck around for the song but had plans after that with Aidan. It seems like our summer has zipped by. Sundays have been so tied up with cousins leaving and friends needing us that we have not made it to church like I would have liked.

After singing we packed everyone up with a picnic and sunscreen and headed out to the beach. First stopping at the park…

It was even windy enough to fly kites!!! Clearance find at Walmart at the end of last season.

Of course the main attraction was the beach and lake itself.

Aidan is a blast to have with the kids. They took turns being covered with sand and everything.

Definitely wore them out.

And with Aidan being a fellow Lego lover, he was a great help in building the new Mixels sent from Gammie.

Throw in creativity and some time in the sunroom and I think we showed Aidan a fun sleepover! He definitely is a family favourite!!!

And some extra photos to enjoy!