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.

Hopscotch

This year Sophie has started to really enjoy playing hopscotch.  She is loving it and asks me to draw her  a grid daily.

And of course, whatever Sophie is doing, Silas wants a turn too.

Alternate Mode of Transportation

Who needs a stroller when you have this?  Silas found a new use for his walker.  It is now also a ride on toy.  Until he gets tired.  Then he asks you to push him.

Family Time

We have a pass for the city attractions and it has definitely been worth the money for us.  Even if we only have a couple of hours, we will head off somewhere like the zoo since we've already paid for it.  In the summer I will often go have a picnic at the zoo, visit Lucy, the snakes or the Sea lions (Caleb's request) and the ponies (This is what Sophie always picks) and then head home.  We also are more relaxed when we visit and follow the kids' lead.  It doesn't matter if we don't see everything-we can always come back.

Last weekend, we went to Fort Edmonton.  The kids love it there.  The midway is their favourite but they also really like the fort.

A map and a stick.  What more do you need?  Caleb and Sophie both like walking sticks.  And maps.  We really should start saving them instead of recycling them since they each want a new one each time.

They had a room where the kids can play with some of the toys.  I guess there are 3 of these places but we only made it to one.  Between the train ride, the midway and Sophie looking for 'the boss' and 'the boss' wife' in the fort, we didn't have a lot of time.

Silas LOVED the checkers.  Especially throwing them all on the ground.  One at a time.

The kids had fun and are looking forward to going back.  Sophie is apparently determined to meet the boss at the fort.  And ride the carousel since we ran out time...and tickets.