Feeding the Birds

One of Caleb and Sophie's favourite things to do is feed the ducks and geese by the lake.  

Don't you love Sophie's skirt?  I got it from Color Dynamic. I absolutely love it.  It is definitely one of my favourite pieces of clothing that Sophie has.   I just wish she would wear it more often.  Apparently, even though it twirls, it's not a princess dress.  I love it though so I am thinking matching twirly skirts for Christmas would be super cute.  Sophie does like to match so I bet she would wear it then.  Anyhow, back to the birds!  Silas was there too....I was just trying to keep him from running towards the geese.  He does not understand why he can't run up and pet the birds.

Or why I won't let him go swimming.

I'm pretty sure he's wondering why we're even by the lake if he can't play in the water.  Always a fun time walking by the water.  If only there weren't so many mosquitos.  Then, it would be perfect.

Hours of Fun

This is how my kids spend most of the summer-

Sophie starts asking to turn on the hose before the snow is even melted.  Both her and Silas stay entertained for hours if they are playing with the water.  Caleb will sometimes join them but lately he is not as interested.  He has been busy playing 'Jedi Training' with some of the neighbour kids.  Maybe our little pool is just too little for him?

Last year, it was Sophie and Caleb fighting for the hose.  This year it is Sophie and Silas.  Sophie loves spraying herself.  Perhaps because she is not allowed to spray her little brother?  Silas doesn't mind getting his face wet but he likes it to be on his terms.  He will put his head in the water at the pool or dump water on his head with a bucket but he does not like it when someone else sprays him.  And he will let you know.

Silas just got a new swim diaper and I LOVE it!!!  Isn't it the cutest thing ever??  Of course now Caleb wants swimming trunks with dragons on them too.

I love summer.  I love how the water really tired them out and keeps them so busy.  And I love how they play so nicely together.  Mostly.

Nothing says summer like...

...ice cream from the ice cream stand.

Silas was so excited to get his own cone.  Often, I try to share with him but lately sharing means that I don't get very much.  Silas is a sweet-loving kid.  He loves ice cream.  And cake.  And chocolate.  He's a lot like Sophie.  She once told me that she only likes cookies, candy and cake.

So happy.  So proud of himself.  And sporting a new beard that matches his Daddy's!

Zoo Fashion

Here is Sophie-all dressed up for the zoo.

Perfect outfit...don't you think?  I used to try to get her to change into something a little more comfortable but I've given up.  On her dayhome days, I did get her to bring a regular sundress in addition to the princess dress that she often insisted on bringing.  It took her nearly a half hour to choose this outfit and she was so proud of it.  Sophie also did a great job on keeping us track.  She kept checking the map to make sure we were going the right way.  

Getting yearly passes has definitely been worth it.  The kids love just stopping in when we have an extra hour or two.  And then it doesn't matter if we don't see everything.  Because we can always come back.

New Experiences

Silas doesn't like loud noises.  He's scared of the vacuum and screams when the neighbours' dog barks at him so I thought for sure he would be scared of the fireworks.  But he surprised me.  He nursed through about half of it (that seemed to be the theme of Canada Day :D) and then sat on my lap for the rest.  Toddlers are definitely unpredictable at times.  Just when I think I have Silas figured out...he has to prove me wrong.

Happy Canada Day!

For the past few years, we've gone to the parade on Canada Day.  The kids love it.  Caleb missed this year.  He was invited to a birthday party and told me that he could miss the parade this year.  I brought Sophie and Silas anyhow.  

Having a snack and waiting for the parade to start

Mmm...

Happy Canada Day!

I was curious to see what Silas thought of the parade.  He can be quite sensitive to loud noises and is not usually a fan of new people or mascots.  As it turns out, Silas' parade experience was very similar to last year.  He nursed through most of it.