It's Almost July!!!!

Ok, room and time for a few more current photos. Two of Shelahs charges Julia and Olivia swinging in front of Ted's garden,(I think they're laughing at ME!)Olivia next doing a fine job in her out-door version of Prince and the Pauper at school.
Dawson has been working keenly on his "hack", I'm certain his abilities will wan when he spends more of his "free-time" next year on school work. And, Happy 17th Ted! Have fun in Halifax Liv and Grandma. Happy Summer!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Fathers Day

Fathers Day again, time for that annual trip to he beach. It was very windy this year at "the bend", saw the flesh blown clean off the bones of several people.. ok, a little exaggeration, but it sure kept the number of sun worshipers down on what was otherwise a beautiful morning. The boys are looking pretty buff, I stayed out of this photo so there'd be room.
I wish I could say the renos were complete..theres about five little things left to finally put the kitchen to rest. It is beautiful though, Olivia loves sitting at the new bench seat, well so does Hail and the child care kids for that matter. Still getting used to where to find everything and where to put it away afterward
The Childrens Festival is changing format again this year. Attendance was down so they moved it indoors so weather wouldn't be a factor. That wasn't the problem though.. they festival just wasn't very good. This year they spead it out over five venues, many of those requiring admission to watch performances. Good thinking. Not. Fortunately the kids are amused by colour and activity and there were still some activities for the young ones. If I were king I'd make it a lot better...
Just a couple of days of school left to go. Hail's finishing exams, the boys are just going into exams, Ian and Oliv done on the 28th. Liv will be a day earlier of course with Grandma coming. Everyone is quite happy with the school year ending, I suppose thats a given though.
I'm getting a little giddy looking forward to our trip this summer, it's going to be awsome!
Probably won't get new pics on until the trip, if I only had a laptop to bring so I could add as I go... 

It's the May 24 weekend!!

Blackflies!
I think living in Southern Ontario has spoiled me. Just spent the week in Tomogami where the blackflies were so thick hats and netting were given to all participants in the workshop. Except for the insects and the fact the cell phone doesn't work so good there, it was a good week and a fabulous course. The view and scenery was awesome..saw four moose and one bear!

The pics today are all from the May "2-4" weekend at the cottage in Lanark (outside of Ottawa for those not in the know).The weather forcast was horrible with insect levels rated as high..as high as the expectation of precipitation! Both came to pass, but the kids insisted on going and everyone made the best of it and will have great memories I think.
I like the way the "pond " out front of the cabin looks like an awesome lake!




Now that the kids are getting bigger, the help and support on these trips is great. They built the fires, cleared the grass and scrub from around the pit, brought the water from the spring, even made the coffee on the Coleman! (What a fantastic invention..a coffee machine that sets up on the propane Coleman stove..makes a coffee that tastes just like home!!). Most appreciated though was that the kids all helped pack up and clean on the final day making a four hour project a 1 1/2 hour one, making our gettaway right on schedule.

The big disappointment to coincide with the trip though was the deterioration of of "Larry's" health. After a slow but progressive problem with arthritis and back end/hip problems, Larry lost use of his back end on the trip and had to be carried for most of the weekend. The ultimate "parent" decision was made and he was euthanized on Tuesday. We were so happy that he was able to spend his last few days at the farm he loved to visit so much. A great dog and wonderful family pet for these 12 years, Larry will be sorely missed.

So whats on tap for next month? Soccer for Liv followed by travel with Grandma and Camp, refereeing for Ian followed by camp, lots of homework and study for Dawson followed by camp, work for Hailey and Ted. The home reno's are almost all caught up so more time can be spent puttering in the garden and relaxing..ha! I'm sure we'll find lots more to do.

Everybody play safe. Bye.