Summer

Fall used to be my favourite time of year. Until I had kids. Now I'm all about summer. The kids and I have spent hundreds (literally) of hours outside since Elsa decided to bring back summer. I can count on one hand the number of days we didn't leave the house in the last 4-5 months, and I think it's something like two.

This summer we discovered how many absolutely fabulous parks are in Edmonton. We explored 20 different parks this summer, and most of those only walking distance or less than 10 minute drive from our house. We found some new favs, and visited some old ones. Basically every summery day here included several hours at the splash pad or playground.

Isaac became particularly skilled at riding his strider bike. He can rip around and coast with perfect balance like no one's business. If it's him and I going for a walk, I always wear my running shoes. He found a new love for swings, and always made sure he got soaking wet at the spray park.

Mia practiced her monkey skills all summer. That girl climbs things that big brother won't even climb. Her new favourite trick is standing up on the swing while it's in motion, which promptly ends swing time. She also loves slides, and hanging on monkey bars or flying foxes. She was pretty crazy about the water too, as long as it wasn't in her face. She ingested her fair share of sand this summer, and couldn't be happier than when she was covered head to toe in it.

Other adventures...
-granny and momma completing the Rocky Mountain Women's Half Marathon (21k) in May

I ran back so I could cross the finish line with my mum. She rocks!

-ward campout which ended with Mia initiating the domino effect of crying babies, and momma and Mia sleeping in the van at 2am. Isaac and daddy got to sleeping in the tent, but only ended up getting four hours of shut eye. Isaac bravely rode on the zip line all by himself.

-seeing the rocket launch at the science center and playing at the spray park on Canada day

-going to the dinosaur exhibit at the science center and terrifying Isaac
-climbing Fisher Peak, and being nearly blown over by the wind

-houseboating on Lake Koocanusa, grandma and grandpa & aunties and uncles, where there was plenty of swimming, jumping, log rolling, sand digging, water sliding, hot tubbing, and board gaming to be had! Isaac stayed up until it was dark on the last day so he could have a glow stick light sabre fight.

 

-spending a week and a half with granny and grampy jumping on their trampoline, playing in the sprinkler, going to the playground and water park, having water fights, visiting the zoo, and trying not to die of heat stroke!

-momma and daddy having a child free week to spend together (first time in 3 years!)
-hiking down to the river valley to throw rocks

 

All in all an extraordinary amount of time spent together outside, seeing new places, trying new things, and  enjoying this beautiful world that our Heavenly Father has created.