Showtime on Sparks Street

If you were in downtown Ottawa yesterday, you could have seen a skateboarding busker jump through a flaming star. Don't try this at home, especially if your name is Oliver or Isabelle.

The annual Sparks Street Buskerfest was in town, a great spectacle of street performers, bouncy castles and all things kid-friendly. This crew of festival goers was all in as soon as they arrived. Within minutes of hitting the street, they were watching The Fire Guy perform his death-defying show of juggling, eating fire, and making everyone laugh their heads off. He was awesome. Meanwhile, Oliver shuffled off and snagged a balloon animal, prompting Isabelle and Logan to follow suit shortly afterwards.

As we bided our time for the next show, we had lunch and hung out in the shade, then happened upon a face painter. Oliver was napping and even if he was awake, he would have wanted nothing to do with her, but Isabelle and Logan queued up for their turn. Meanwhile, the remaining busker viewers were gathered to see Bendy Em, a contortionist that we saw last year and loved. She didn't disappoint again this year, as her crowd participation antics had everyone in stitches. Still amazing how she can twist and bend so easily, even stuffing herself in a tiny box no bigger than the ones Oliver's diapers come in!

As we wound down by visiting the bouncy castles and the giant slide, Buskerfest 2011 came to an end for us. Isabelle had actually been twice as her school took her the previous day too! It's an event we always enjoy and have now been able to share with both sets of grandparents over the past 2 years. It's outdoors, family friendly, relatively inexpensive and never fails to disappoint. Seems foolproof in our eyes. Can't wait to see what they have in store for us next year!

How do they learn to do this stuff?

Lunch break with Logan

Why not juggle fire and champagne, plus balance on a skateboard on a tube?

Face painting fans show off their fancy designs

Looks like those yoga classes paid off!

I'm getting in here anyway, why not bring a basketball too?!

16 inches on each side. Amazing.

No less than 5x she went down this slide. It never gets boring!

Chilling out in the heat with a nice cool beverage

The Constant Gardener

Isabelle and Oliver clearly have caught the gardening bug. Like many horticultural hobbiests years ahead of them in age, they woke up Saturday morning and got straight to work on Mommy's front garden. They were primarily focused on weeding and watering, which for Oliver also meant watering himself! He stares right at the spout of his spray bottle and squeezes the trigger, soaking his face in the process. It's hilarious to see in person, especially the face he makes when it happens. He can do this 5 times in a row and still seem so surprised. Isabelle is an old pro at this weekend pastime, snagging every last weed and being extremely possessive about her gardening gloves and other tools of the trade. She is such a hard worker! They both had an absolute blast, it was so much fun to see them get so excited, and it helped that no one cared how messy they were either! It was such a great way to start the day, working hard around the house, getting some sun and having fun along the way. Let's hope they keep this up every weekend and maybe next year they can adopt the garden as their own project from start to finish. Wishful thinking on our part!

Oliver sports his new Winnipeg Jets shirt and rocks the gardening gloves

A winning team works together

Stand clear if you see this guy with a hose. Amateur trigger finger!

Her mother's daughter. A break for some Starbucks!

Will my feet grow faster if I do this?

The weary landscapers yuk it up on the front steps

Isabelle fashioned her own seat to make the job easier

Ever the posing queen. Don't you just love our garden?

Hanging Out

It's been awesome to have Gran and Grandpa here visiting the past few days. So much to do, so much to see! The weather has been perfect so far and we took advantage of a quiet weekday to head over the bridge to Lac Leamy on the Quebec side, a nice little treasure that has a great beach and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon in the sun and shade, especially since there were very few others in attendance! Isabelle discovered some monkeybars that were just the right height for her and was focused on seeing how far she could get. With some tips from her Grandpa on how to get better grip by getting sand all over her hands, she was ready and did an awesome job. She is so close to getting all the way to the end! Although clouding over, it was still a great day to be outside and active. Every day is hard to top, as yesterday was jam-packed as well. We started with brunch at the Marche (Isabelle's fav!), then we met Logan at the movies to see Winnie the Pooh (all 3 kids loved it!), then home for a BBQ and a nice surprise for Grandpa, Uncle Phil was there to allow him to take the Porsche 911 for a spin! He thoroughly enjoyed, although seemed disappointed he didn't take it over 120! We entertained new baby Kayla and Logan and their parents, plus parents-to-be Matt and Rhiannon too, followed by the traditional Sunday trip for gelato. Always a packed agenda when people visit, and none of us would have it any other way. Someday things will cool down and we will wonder where everybody went! For now, we are having fun and the kids are loving that people other than Mom and Dad is around all day long!

Perfect spot for a picnic

A valiant effort takes Isabelle to the 2nd last rung!

 Mid-life crisis vehicle in full swing

"I love baby Kayla. I just love her."

Don't give her my toy, Isabelle!

Relaxing on the font porch, best way to spend a Sunday night.

Hold off on that for a few more years, dude!

Never met a cone that she wouldn't devour.

Him neither.

The Elgin Street crew caps off a great day

  

Storytime with Grandpa

Bedtime for Belle



Oliver the Conqueror Takes Orleans!

Yesterday afternoon we split from the grandparents and went in separate directions, each to visit friends. While Gran and Grandpa were up at the lakehouse in Quebec, we set our sails East for Orleans to meet up with Isabelle's friend Alex, her sister Ludi and her parents, as well as Matt and Rhiannon. We had an awesome time visiting the park and splash pad across the street from their house, with lot of room to roam and have fun while the adults kept watch. Oliver found a stroller at the house that he liked and insisted on bringing it to the park as well. Back at the house, we had a great dinner of make-your-own pizza and salad, topped with fruit kabobs and s'mores for dessert. The 4 kids all had an awesome time exploring the backyard, playing well together and even letting the adults have an actual conversation without having to exit to address child concerns or answer a pressing need or question. Along the way, Oliver located a viking helmet that was the perfect accessory for his blonde flowing locks, as well as a piano where he could make tons of noise and no one appeared to be stopping him. Isabelle, meanwhile was having fun with Alex's bin of Barbies and telling stories about the princesses. Unfortunately, the night had to come to an end and much later then these 2 are used to, so we headed home for some much-needed sleep. Oliver didnt agree, though, as it still took him an hour to conk out after getting home. Maybe things will be back to normal soon, it's hard being a kid with all these parties to go to and entertaining to do!

Pizza prep in full swing. Isabelle unwilling to wait!

Ludi appears unimpressed with Oliver's toppings

Sampling the s'mores

Brother and sister duet tickling the ivories

Oliver takes over the keys, look out Jerry Lee Lewis!

Gone Fishin' with Gran and Grandpa

Two little kids (and 2 big parents) are so happy to report that Gran and Grandpa have arrived in Ottawa. After bath last night, Oliver and Isabelle heard a voice from downstairs and discovered that the wait was over. Since they woke up yesterday morning, they knew that after school they would get the chance to see their visitors arrive. After a night of yard play and sprinkler time with the neighbourhood kids, they got their wish. We all lounged on the front porch, with treats and snacks of course, and chatted the night away. We all have lots of catching up to do so we will make the most of the upcoming days. This morning was a great start, as Isabelle and Oliver out their new fishing rods to the test in the front yard, a hobby Isabelle truly enjoys, especially since hours later she was still casting down the basement stairs! We spent the day together shopping and eating, before splitting up and heading in separate ways to spend time with friends tonight. We will reunite tomorrow for a special Sunday capped by a BBQ with more friends to end the weekend. It's going to be a great few days with Gran and Grandpa, Isabelle and Oliver will be so excited to wake up every day. Already, even after a couple of months away, they have both picked up right where they left off. Lots of fun still to be had!

Fisherman in training

Snackin' and relaxin' with Gran

Goofing around with Grandpa

Mighty Oaks Grow From Little Acorns

Isabelle and Oliver love, love, love their new daycare. It has by far exceeded our expectations, which were lofty to begin with. We've been trying to get both of them here since last summer and finally got the word that they were both ready for enrollment. This place has it all, regular visits from a music teacher, an art teacher, a singing coach, and a curriculum filled with enjoyment and exploration, plus regular field trips to hammer those learnings home with practical knowledge. The food is all organic, in fact Isabelle on her 3rd day ate quinoa soup, a food she wouldn't even look at if she were at our dinner table. We are lucky to have them in a great place with energetic, dedicated and motivated teachers that do all they can to make the place special for the kids.

On their first day, they loaded into the car as full of angst as their parents were, wondering what awaited them. Oliver, who you would expect to be the most nervous of the bunch, happily marched to his new cubby, saw his new teacher Miss Jen (who he absolutely LOVES and continues to do so weeks later) and started playing in his classroom. Not a tear was shed as he waved goodbye to Isabelle and Daddy. Who said transitions would be difficult? He repeated this performance the next day but the tears finally started flowing on day 3. By now, he has things well in hand and is sleeping and eating well every day, especially with his new Thomas blanket, a necessary purchase after he coveted his neighbour's so much! Oliver's room sends us all an email on Friday afternoons recapping all that they have done that week. It's amazing. They make regular trips to the splash pad, work on projects in the yard, take the bus to the library, and learn all about things like construction and beavers (just 2 of many in-depth topics undertaken). We have seen him grow so much in just a few short weeks here. He is loving it and it shows.

Isabelle, ever the actress, had a little more trouble on her first day. She is old enough to know that first days can be difficult, and certainly played the part as she arrived in the school age room that morning. She cried and clung to her dad and had to be convinced to give the day a shot. It didn't help that she wasn't feeling well either, in fact she came home early with a fever after she seemed so tired during lunch that the teachers set up a cot for her in the corner of the room. She was also getting used to some of the differences from her previous daycare experience. "Hey, Mom, did you know at lunch, you have to get it yourself!?" Apparently she felt she was going to be served for her entire life. "Mom, we had to walk ALL THE WAY to the splash pad!". Walking is not always her favourite activity. After a day or two, she got right into the swing of things and is now one of the centre's biggest fans, just ask her. She looks forward to going and has a great rapport with Miss Joanne, Miss Amanda and Miss Elizabeth, her teachers, plus she has made some new friends that she will be going to big kid's school with this fall. Last week, she went on a city bus field trip to the Art Gallery and Parliament, plus she got to use a sewing machine to make her own beach bag. The learnings are coming fast and furious, sometimes she has so much to tell us she doesn't stop talking the whole way home. She is really in her element here and we are so proud to see her shine. Well done Acorn, two happy kids that are excited to go every day, plus two parents that are thrilled to have them in your care. Great job!

Kayla Arrives!

Even though she was slated to arrive tomorrow, Kayla Zoe Dear decided she had experienced enough of the darkness and felt ready to escape and enjoy the Ottawa sunshine and humidity. At 11:27 this morning, our friends Renee and Shawn welcomed their first daughter into the world! At 8 pounds, 14 ounces, she is happy, healthy and already through her first bath and several breastfeeds. Big brother Logan is pleased to finally meet his little sister, although we all feel he doesn't really know what's in store for the upcoming weeks (and years!). Arriving at the hospital at 1:00 am, the parents (especially Renee) had a tiring night before the big event came just before Noon. We expect that all 3 of them will sleep well tonight, for once Logan will get the least amount of shuteye! Isabelle and Oliver were also thrilled to meet their new playmate, although Oliver kept asking her to wake up and Isabelle spent a chunk of her time chasing Logan and (surprise!) visiting the gift shop. We wish Kayla all the best and we are so excited to have a tiny one in our midst. We will be so lucky to watch her grow up in front of our eyes and expect many outings with this quartet in the future! Welcome, Kayla and congratulations Renee, Shawn and Logan! We love you all!

The centre of attention

Happy Birthday, Kayla Zoe!

Keeping it Cool

The temperatures (and the humidex!) have been steadily rising over the past week, bringing us hot and humid conditions every single day. We knew it was going to be a hot summer, but this is beyond what we have experienced in recent years and there appears to be no end in sight. We are getting a bit of a respite tonight as things have cooled off after a wicked thunderstorm blew through here (and knocked down the Bluesfest main stage as well!), bringing it with it intermittent power outages. Isabelle and Oliver enjoyed the novelty of the candlelit house and especially loved the chance to blow out candles that weren't on a birthday cake.

The patio furniture was put to good use the past few days as the kids have loved eating outside. Normally it's a significant exercise to get them in for dinner, so we stopped trying to convince them. Dinner comes to them and they wouldn't have it any other way.

We also added a kiddie pool to the mix today. Oliver and Isabelle woke up to find it full and ready for playtime first thing this morning. Needless to say, breakfast was an off and on event from that point forward. As any kid would, they loved the chance to cool off anytime they wanted while using the available water to "help" with the gardening. Oliver spends most of his time in the pool pretending he is a crocodile. Isabelle was demanding her goggles, not sure those are necessary in 6 inches of water!

This pool is awesome!

Sibling silliness

Couple of pool noodles hamming it up

Dinner break, no need to come inside!

He looks like such a little schemer

Chilling out after a busy day at the office

Sweet Ontario corn. Nothing beats it!