Reunited...And It Feels So Good

Plenty to report from a jam-packed, party-heavy weekend, but it will have to wait as sleep is the main priority for all house habitants. Meg and Olan arrived Friday night and it is great to see these two cousins together again. They have loads of fun as playmates and are enjoying being housemates yet again. Mornings at the breakfast table, afternoons in the park, evenings in the bath, they are overjoyed. Princess and pirate pals forever!

Prescription: R&R

Isabelle was home sick from school on Friday and spent her early morning cozying up in bed with some comfort television on Kids CBC. Oliver was also hanging out in the bedroom and quickly became mesmerized by the bright colours and fast motion that is animated television. Not to worry, he doesn't see it enough to get hooked!


Isabelle, on the other hand, was just content to be entertained while she noshed on some toast with cream cheese. A nice way to start a day of feeling a little under the weather Rest up bud, your big party awaits!

Busy Times, Indeed

Lots going on around here these days as we prepare not only for the surprise arrival of Meghan and Olan, but also for the big Pirate Adventure on the Rideau for Isabelle and her band of buccaneers. The ship is booked, the loot bags are packed, and the outfits are ready for their debut. Look out, Pirate Pete, we'll be gunning for you!

Hanging out in Rockcliffe Park watching the hot air balloons take off from Gatineau. A great spot to see them inflate and take to the skies. Last year we went to the actual site of the balloon fest and Isabelle spent more time picking grass than watching them blow up and take off. This year we saved our money and stayed on this side of the river. Same result. She preferred to run around the park and make cursory glances at the balloons. As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water...


Flight of the Bumblebee


Isabelle visits the site of her Mom and Dad's wedding. A little warmer this time around! Plus, on the way home from school today, she mentioned that she was having a wedding at our house. When pressed for details, she said that she was getting married to Logan and Olan, and that she was wearing her red dress. I'm sure her parents are quite happy to wait for this blessed event, and we also hope she learns that there should only be one groom!


Let's not forget Oliver, who is such a bright light each and every day. He loves to laugh and smile, is a real pro on the jolly jumper and exersaucer, and has also been very patient as all the party planning keeps Mom shopping and running errands. Such a fabulous little dude. We couldn't ask for a better baby. And check it out, he is sitting up like a superstar!

Captain Logan Turns Three!

Big celebrations on the stormy seas today as one of Isabelle's best pals Logan commemorated his upcoming birthday with a full-fledged pirate bash. The big day isn't until the 22nd, but with vacation plans upcoming, today was the party and it was blessed with awesome weather to be outdoors. Logan and Isabelle share a love of pirate tales and paraphernalia, so the place was kitted out with banners, flags, plates, napkins, you name it, all in line with the seafaring theme. The kids enjoyed bashing balloons with their swords, seeking out hidden treasure, whacking the pinata, and munching on a traditional pirate feast: pizza! Oliver was just happy to be outside and watch the kids go through the paces. We headed inside to partake in Logan's wicked pirate ship cake (to be seen in pics from Isabelle-fest next week), open some great loot bags and watch the birthday boy enjoy his well-deserved presents. We are positive his parents (and their ears) will love the drum set Isabelle got him! Happy 3rd, dude, Isabelle looks forward to being by your side at each and every party as the years go by!

Practicing their battle skills, just in case


Refueled buccaneers


No pizza for me, thanks!


Walk softly and carry a big stick


Pirate Dad and Swashbuckling Son


Partying is old hat to me!


Oliver and Mommy schmooze with other partygoers


Some cake with that icing?

Growing Boy

Oliver visited Dr. Chan today for his 6 month checkup and, as always, was a big hit with both the doctor and his nurse. He weighed in at 15 lbs, 9 oz, so about a pound heavier than last month's visit. We are happy to report that he is moving up the percentile scales for weight and height nicely. He also toughed his way through two big needle pokes, one in each leg, just one quick shriek and then no more tears! Zen little guy, always calm, cool and collected. He has the green light to start varying his diet, so in addition to loads of milk and the recent forays into rice cereal and bananas, he is ready for some sweet potatoes, blueberries and broccoli. Good news all around as we enjoy the wicked Ottawa weather of late and get geared up for a long weekend filled with fun and festivities, including Logan's birthday bash!

Big sis always protecting L'il O


Oliver the Jumping Bean

Party People in the House

Isabelle and Logan are officially in party mode as yesterday marked the first of 3 successive weekends of celebratory birthday festivities. Logan-palooza is set for this coming Saturday and Captain Isabelle's Sail of the Seven Seas follows the week after, but yesterday it was party time for their classmate Julia. For each of them, it was their first classmate invite, so a rite of passage of sorts, as many of these sugar-fueled, toddler-crazy, pinata-bashing, cake-devouring adventures are surely in their future. But it was nice to experience the first and they had a great time rocking the house, as did rookie partygoer Oliver! One down, two more big bashes to go! Stay tuned to the blog for the red carpet coverage!

Sizing up for "a big shot", as Isabelle recapped on the way home


Cake frenzy


Party on, dudes!

Happy Ruby Anniversary, Gran & Grandpa!

Congratulations on 40 years of marriage to Gran and Grandpa, a model by which all couples would be well-advised to follow. So much love between the two of them with much more left to share with friends, family, and three awesome grandchildren. Such an occasion could not go unnoticed and despite Garth's cantankerous ramblings throughout the month that nothing seemed to be going on to commemorate the event, his three daughters served him crow pie a la mode as they threw the biggest Ruby Red bash that Bedford has ever seen last Saturday. Weeks upon weeks of planning, emailing, shopping and more preceded this surprise event and it certainly did not disappoint. With live music blaring from the backyard, a signature pomtini drink, ruby red decorations adorning all that the eye can see, and friends and family all on hand, they could not have asked for a better way to honour 40 years together. Topping it all off was the vintage VW van sitting in the driveway. As many of you know, Gran and Grandpa drove across Europe in one of these for a year after their wedding, and being able to arrange for one as the first thing they saw upon arrival was incredible. Really completed the party package. A great time was had by all, especially the little ones. Dressed in ravishing red themselves, they threatened to steal the show from their grandparents but were simply happy enough to test out some drinks, rock out to real live musicians, and of course, be adored by all partygoers. 40 years is quite an accomplishment, Gran and Grandpa, all the best to you as you start your second 40!

I love this picture Meg took. I can't believe it was shot in 2009. The clothes and the porch make it look like something out of the roaring 20s. Absolutely priceless.


The much-anticipated arrival


Friends and family greet the guests of honour


Chilling out by the vintage VW


Grandpa and his favourite grand-daughter


Groupies checking out the band


Testing out the non-alcoholic version of the pomtini


Give me just one sip, Auntie Mer!


Party pals


Mommy's little party dude


Cuddling cousins


Uncle G and Olan kicking back


Ruby red delicious dessert


No one will notice!


40 years of wedded bliss!

BFFs

Olan and Isabelle. Born a month and a day apart. Separated by over a thousand kilometres. Reunited a week ago for the first time since Florida. Bestest pals ever.

Chilling in their I and O Muskoka chairs. Xmas gift from Grandpa and Mer in 2007. Wicked to see them both used again!


Shortly after this picture was taken, Isabelle was dying to show her Mom her casting skills. She casted so vigorously that she tossed herself off the dock and into the lake. She is such a mermaid that it didn't faze her in the least. Amazing.


A couple of clowns at play. Elmo and the princess painting the town red. Is there anything more fun for kids than playing dressup?


Best of friends both in and out of the water. They are always aware of where each other is no matter what the situation. Gotta have your partner in crime close by in case any hijinks need planning!


Olan shows Isabelle the ropes around Sherbrooke Lake. He's an old hand, of course. The cottage has become his second home and he is an eager tour guide to all who visit.


Olan is totally impervious to the Isabelle staredown. Having a snack is one of the best defenses. Lord knows she tries this on her parents, her classmates, and other relatives to varying degrees of success.


Even best pals have arguments from time to time. Here they do a good job of harnessing the road rage during a traffic dispute. Good thing their parents make them wear helmets even at 3 miles an hour!


The dynamic duo check out the living version of that night's dinner. Olan is braver than Isabelle, who felt she still needed to keep her helmet on in case one of the lobsters got loose.


On the way from the zoo to the cottage, the two of them passed out. Isabelle went down first and Olan kept trying to get her to sing a song anyway. We passed him a book so he wouldn't wake her up and he was so exhausted that he just stared at the cover, not turning one page, until he finally succumbed. A rare shot of them in total peace and quiet.


King and Queen taking their royal chariot back to the floating dock with Grandpa manning the paddles. The crowns, the outfits, the lifejackets, the wand. What a classic shot to capture. Nice job, Meg!


What better way to cap off a day at the lake with Smores, the tastiest, messiest treat ever invented? And to share it with a best friend just makes it that much better. Can't wait to see you again, Olan!


Thanks again to Meg, not only for many of the photos, but for Olan himself.