So they take the kids skating.

Once every three weeks they walk over to the arena and all these kids whip around on the ice have way too much fun. They ask for any parents who are brave enough to come along and help supervise. Last time I fell once and Ben fell lots. He clung to the boards and was very disappointed that he was not an expect skater after an hour. This week he fell much less and went around holding onto a pylon. All in all he's making great progress!

We love visiting the ROM!

Me: Go stand by the cannon so I can take your picture.
Ben: But Mummy! I'm not allowed to do that! Can't you see there's a chain around it?!
Me: It's okay.
Ben: really?
Me: Yes.
Ben: Are you sure?

March break day trip to Niagara Falls

We went to the butterfly conservatory, rode on the skywheel and went down to the falls. the weather was great

September camping, so many milestones!

This trip was so amazing in so many ways! We all had a blast. The weather was completely perfect and we had something new and exciting to do every day. From taking a hike along the Bruce Trail, to sitting in a canoe, to just chilling on the shores of Cypress Lake Ben was a joy and a wonderful companion. He has the makings of a true outdoors men. This trip was chalked full of first for him and they were all great!


First sight of a wind turbines on the drive up!


First time in a canoe! We saw a water snake who Andrew picked up of the end of his paddle so that Ben could have a better look. Thereafter whenever we saw an animal Ban demanded Andrew pick it up on his paddle.


First time staying up to see the moon! We tried to wake him after he had already fallen a sleep one night but it just wasn't happening, so the next night we decided to keep him awake until it was dark enough to see the big beautiful full moon, and a night time camp fire. It was really special.


First open air fire! Also the first time eating food cooked over a fire.


First smore! He like the chocolate and the marshmallow. The gram cracker? Not so much.


First time sleeping in tent! (For Ben not Andrew, but I didn't have a picture of Ben in the tent!)


First time in a hammock! He loved it so much. It was great for us too because he was completely contained and required almost no supervision. Occasionally he would demand a new book.


Longest ever car trip! We were planning to stop many more times on the way up for bathroom breaks and to stretch our legs. But we only had to stop once! He was a really pleasure in the car on the way up. On the way back, however, after only about an hour on the road he threw up all over the place. (It was a rental car *sigh*) But nobody's perfect right?


Longest ever hike! He didn't really need a lift but I was willing to indulge since we were walking for such a long time. The funny thing is, after the first long walk, and then playing for hours in the rocks by the Georgian Bay, he didn't even ask for a lift on the walk home! He ran most of the way back.

All in all it was a pretty perfect trip.

Beach, Niagara Falls, Centerville, and other summer adventures

So it's been a while since I last updated. It's because we've been so busy having fun! There have been some amazing quotes (which will be posted in a later entry), some adventures, lots of rain, and lots of fun in the summer sun.......

First of all, let me just say that we are very pleased that the strike is over and that garbage pick up has resumed as of last week. Here is the sign we left out to show them how we felt about their return.



We have been visiting cherry beach regularly, and yes we do go in the water, and no we've not turned green or grown any extra appendages.


It's a great destination for young Benjamin seeing as he so enjoys digging, playing construction site, and going in the water.


Ben took his very first trip to Niagara Falls and he really liked the falls despite the fact that we got rained out and probably spent more time driving to and from than actually at the falls.




Also since you can't actually park at the falls we had to catch a shuttle bus called a "people mover" from the parking lot to the falls and back. Ben enjoyed the people mover and had a long conversation with a nice Grandma from Little Rock Arkansas. His favorite part of the trip? The gift shop of course!

Our soccer games have moved to a new (better?) location which just happens to be right under the subway bridge where it crosses the DVP.

It's pretty loud when the trains go over, but Ben loves to see them. Our first game there was rained out, and Ben had a misadventure with some fire ants whose nest he uncovered (see the rocks in the grass there?), infact, most of the team experienced some kind of insect bites. When they are not late start games Ben really enjoys coming to cheer our team on (Red).

And last but not least, we've been to Centerville on Center Island twice since the strike ended and ferry service resumed.




They will be extending our 2009 season passes into 2010 due to the extended park closure. I took Ben there on Tuesday and the line up to catch the ferry was the longest I've ever seen it.



And you'll never guess what happened! Go on guess.....Oh. I didn't think you'd guess right so quickly.
The thing is, we actually got much, much more rain last summer. Anyways it was still fun, especially since we brought appropriate rain gear.


Benjamin did not, however, believe me that they were closing the park due to the down pour. Which is why he looks so sad in that picture. He actually really enjoyed all the puddles and thought it was pretty cool taking the ferry back in the rain.