Paparazzi Patriot

As many of you remember, Isabelle made her print media debut last November when she graced the cover of the Gatineau daily newspaper, Le Droit, sporting her Remembrance Day ensemble at the cenotaph.  Just 7 months later, she has caught the eye of her adoring public yet again, as she appears on the front page of the local Kanata paper, a picture perfect Canadian celebrating a sunny Canada Day at the Walter Baker Centre. Isabelle has yet to meet a camera she doesn't like, so why were we surprised to see her get stopped by a photographer for a snapshot, who then asked us for her name and age and promised he would send the pic to our neighbourhood paper. Just like when we knew her picture was taken for Le Droit, we went to the website to see if she made it in and lo and behold again, she is on the cover! Poor girl will wonder as she grows older why she just isn't in the paper all the time, and who can blame her with her stellar track record. I guess she just has a knack for being in the right place at the right time (with the right clothes!) to pull in the paparazzi. Stay tuned, who knows when she will make the news again?



Road Trip!

Isabelle ended her first week at her new daycare with an all-day field trip unlike any she has ever experienced. The kindergarten group loaded into a big school bus and headed south of Ottawa to the Osgoode Medieval Festival, a wicked day full of everything little kids love, including princesses, knights, warriors and even weapons! Isabelle and her new mates, many of them dressed in the appropriate attire (naturally, Isabelle chose to be a princess), had a grand old time making their way around the grounds. The details are still a bit fuzzy, as neither her Mom or Dad were in attendance, but Isabelle talked about seeing REAL knights in action, so she was suitably impressed. She even had her special daypass signed by one of the princesses on duty today. On the way home, she found an empty seat on the bus, curled up and slept the entire way back to the daycare. Poor little pooped princess was spent from all the excitement. The daycare has been awesome the first week, we even received a detailed email today summarizing the entire week Oliver and his new friends spent in the preschool room, both of us were so impressed to see such a dedication to keeping us so well informed. Now if we can just keep both kids away from another fever, week 2 should be just as exciting!

Evel Knievel in Action

We've told you before about Oliver and his proficiency with a plasma car. Just take him to any local Chapters and see what happens when he gets a hold of one. He zooms around at full speed and is in complete control, navigating curves and obstacles like an old pro. You can see other parents watch him in amazement, one even told us last week that we should sign him up for Nascar. With the great weather, he has started using the one at home as well. In fact, he has discovered the hill on the bike path along the canal. Once we verify that no bikes are coming in either direction, here's what he does with it:

Our little daredevil. If he wasn't such an expert driver, we would be much more worried. Who are we kidding, we are still worried. Sometimes the boy is a hothouse flower, upset by the slightest thing and afraid of his own shadow. Get him on a car and he is hell bent for leather.

Back in Blogness!

Sorry we have been out of commission for the past month due to computer problems but we are pleased to report we are officially back in action. Buckle up because we have been had a busy month with a fun 50th anniversary party, a big wedding, Canada Day of course and even a new daycare for these two ruffians. So keep an eye on this space as we fill you in all that has been going on. We'll have to work in getting caught up while still reporting on new activities as they happen. Welcome back, everyone!

Canada Day in Pictures

Canada Day in Ottawa was awesome this year. We all wore the red and white proudly and celebrated the awesome country we live in. Needless to say, Ottawa offered a whole manner of things to keep us busy on July 1, so we did just that!  Happy 144th Birthday, Canada!



In Kanata, they had music, play areas and a midway to keep little ones happy all day long. We met up with Logan and his parents to check things out. The weather cooperated and we had an awesome start to the day. The hardest part was getting the kids to finally stop going on rides and have some lunch!

Oliver takes the choo-choo for a spin all by himself, the brave little one. He loved riding the rails and waving to all his fans.

Carousel-riding Canadians horsing around and around. Oliver has never met a carousel he didn't like.

Omnipresent at all these events is the giant slide. Isabelle and Logan don't look too excited to go down, do they? This ride has a 30 minute wait for 5 seconds of enjoyment, but the kids don't seem to mind!

Down they go! Isabelle is a veteran at these, never shying away no matter how high it is.

Off to the boats, where everyone was having a blast, can't you tell?  Watch out at the cottage, Isabelle might think she can drive a boat as easily as she handled this ride!  And Oliver just loved having the wind in his blonde locks. He even sat next to someone with the same hairdo!

Keep your eyes ahead of you, lady! You've got a long way to go to master the boating skills of your Mom and your Grandpa!

What could hit the spot better on a hot summer day that a Sno-Cone? Oliver got his first taste of one, and we are quite certan it won't be his last.

Two great Moms (and one about to be a Mom for a 2nd time) chill out from the steaming temperatures by stepping into the water park. It's great to spend Canada Day with such super friends.

The Canadian cutie takes a second to rest. Yet another print photographer snapped her picture just before this. She's going to start wondering why she isn't in the paper every week!

Rides, games, snacks and all out fun can really take their toll on a little dude. He was crashed out within minutes of getting back in the car to go home.

This phenomenon doesn't just apply to 2-year old males. Isabelle cozies up with the turtle she won at the midway, a turtle that was mcuh sought after by her brother, causing more than a few sibling arguments!

The traditional Canada Day BBQ at Phil's house. Isabelle was thrilled to chat with all the friends she made back at the Super Bowl party back in February. Plus Phil had potato chips there, so she wasn't going anywhere anytime soon...

Hanging out on the porch with drinks and snacks courtesy of Phil's next door neighbour. They had a ton of fun playing hockey and basketball with their new friend in his backyard while the adults chatted out front.

We capped off the day with a family trip to the main attraction in Ottawa on Canada Day, the fireworks! Armed with snacks, beverages and well-rested kids, we met up with Logan and his Mom and Dad again to see the big show. It was a challenge to time things right and find a good vantage point but we finally settled in just before they starting going off. The kids loved it, even though Isabelle felt they were loud (we were over 1 km away!). What a great way to end an awesome July 1.

Parked on top of the van to see the fireworks go off. The perfect spot. A treat-filled day including staying up and out late. Don't get used to it, kids, Canada Day only comes once a year! Such a fun day.

Party in the Park

With the inaugural day at their new daycare just around the corner, Isabelle and Oliver were invited to their annual park party fundraiser this weekend. Isabelle had other plans, however, as she needed to get her hair done for her big flower girl performance at that evening's wedding, so Oliver and Dad paid a visit for lunch and to see their teachers. Oliver wasn't overly excited to go but his tune sure changed when he pulled up and see a real-life fire truck stationed outside the park! He hustled over to get a closer look and was beside himself. It was like he couldn't believe it was possible to see one this close up.

I like fire trucks, but please get me down!

Most of the time at the park party was spent at the fire truck, Oliver only spent a tertiary amount inside the park, buying a hot dog from his future teacher Miss Jen, but he was always wanting to head back to see the big red truck. The fact that it was about to rain also hindered his experience. Oliver is not a fan of the rain, he cringes at the possibility of it and hates being in it. Good thing we aren't moving to Vancouver anytime soon!

Before long, it was time to go pick up the girls from the salon. We said our goodbyes, with Oliver having not much clue that these people were about to be regulars in his daily life. He clutched his ho dog and headed to the car, ready to take on the rest of a very busy day. Outdoor fun complete, let's get dressed up and head to the wedding!

Ok, let's take this thing for a ride!

Graduation Day

Although Isabelle left Tupper Tots at the end of March, they were nice enough to invite her to matriculate in their annual graduation ceremony celebrating the kids that are off to new destinations this fall. She was beyond thrilled and has looked forward to it for weeks on end. She was so excited to be reunited with her old pals for one last summertime hurrah prior to big kids school. It was also especially nice timing for Isabelle as she and Oliver are in their last week with Nanny Caitlin before joining their new home at Acorn in July. Isabelle has been particularly apprehensive about the move to a new school over the past few days. She is concerned about meeting new friends and new teachers in a new environment. We know she will take it on like a trooper when the time comes but the ceremony today helped her understand that all of her friends will be taking on similar challenges as well.

Smiling graduate

 

Tupper made all the kids wicked shirts with pictures of themselves dressed in grad gowns, such a novel idea that the kids loved.  They had some musical entertainment to start off the grad and then were presented with their diplomas. Parents around the room got all misty-eyed as they envisioned their little ones moving on and maybe even looked far ahead to high school and university grads in the future. Isabelle was a proud graduate and got the chance to share the experience with her best bud Logan, making it even sweeter. We will miss Tupper Tots as we move on, it was always a place of happiness for both kids, but we also know that their new spot will provide them with many new experiences and opportunities to thrive. Congratulations, Isabelle. We are proud of you and your graduating class!

Partner in crime Logan was also one of the honourees

Joan, the engine behind Tupper Tots well-oiled machine

Doing it for Dad

Way back when Mom and Dad first met, Mom woke up really early one Sunday (remember, this is just after they met!) to watch Dad compete in a 5k race called Do it for Dad, which begins and ends at the Carleton campus. Little did either one of them know at the time that several years later, they would both be registered in the 2k version of this race with their son and daughter in tow. As their gift to Dad for this year's Father's Day, that's exactly what they did, and the whole family had an awesome time. Oliver started in the stroller, but soon vocalized his opinion that he wanted no more of that. Let me out on the open road he says! Both of them did an awesome job running through the 2k course. Like most kids, they stopped and started but they were determined to bring it down the homestretch and finish in style. It was a great way to start the day, getting outdoors and active and amongst so many other people for a great cause. After the race ended, Dad went for a nice solo run to Rideau, where he would meet Mom and the kids for a wicked Sunday brunch of waffles and strawberries. The day only gets better as Dad had the chance to take in the Preston street bike races and a superb dinner of fettucini and meatballs. If you asked him, he would say no better Father's Day was had anywhere, especially because he got to spend it with the people that mean the most to him. Happy Father's Day to our dad, all our friends and relatives that are dads and even the dads-to-be, we hope your day was as special as all the days you have made special for us. We love you so much and can't tell you enough how much you are appreciated.

Little legs can sure move fast

The first of many races for the Blonde Bullet

Time for a break

The chase is on, who will finish first?

Go Oliver go!

He couldn't have asked for a better start to his day

Isabelle digs deep for the final push to the finish line

 

Way to go, Oliver. You did it for Dad!

Dad's big gift!  (wishful thinking, it's Uncle Phil's!)

Preston Street peleton in full flight

Happy Father's Day, Dad! 

Big Boys Like Big Trucks

For any of you in Ottawa or planning on visiting anytime soon, be prepared for a shock if you head to our neighbourhood businesses on Bank Street. In short, the place has become a war zone. They are completely ripping up the street all the way from the Queensway to Lansdowne, making access to all our favourite shops and eateries (as well as our upcoming daycare!) a little bit difficult. It is slated to be like this all the way until November and needless to say, we are already looking forward to it being done. Oliver, on the other hand, is excited by every trip we make to the construction area. He loves the big trucks, the digging, the dump trucks, everything he sees. I swear we wouldn't even need a babysitter, we could just park him in front of a digger and he would watch it work for hours on end. The workers are all very nice and are happy to have an audience, plus they have done their best to keep stores accessible and cross streets open where they can. It definitely could be worse and hopefully will make a huge difference when it's done and the Lansdowne project will be the final piece to a wicked rejuvenation. Short term pain for long term gain but Oliver disagrees, he says keep the big trucks rolling and digging!

Mommy, big digger!

Girls think it's cool to see these machines at work too

Wicked Times at Westfest

If it's summertime in June, it's time for Westfest. Isabelle has never encountered a street party that she doesn't love so we were certainly not going to disappoint her. Oliver is just getting into the festival scene but has the best of tour guides in his big sister. After the obligatory face painting we headed off in search of bouncy castles and slides, a cornerstone of this event and one that Isabelle never forgets is on the menu. The lines were long but she waited like a trooper and got her chance to have fun. How these kids can wait in such long lines for such a short burst of excitement never fails to amaze us as adults. Isabelle git right into the action while Oliver stayed a spectator until he discovered the horse ride, then you couldn't get him off it. We also loved walking the street with them, checking out the vendors and all the people, stopping on several occasions to reunite with old friends and even Joan from Tupper Tots. We wrapped things up with a platter of food and a spot on a bench to watch the mayhem from the sidelines. It's a great spot for kids and we are not likely to miss it in years to come. Isabelle surely won't let us if she has a say!

Next stop Everest

Foolproof recipe for fun

Good luck getting her out of there

Oliver much prefers to gallop than bounce 

Progress in the Pool

Isabelle continues to impress in the pool. After her stellar 2 week training camp in Florida, she went straight into Preschool E, which is final level she can take until she turns 6! She showed off those newly-honed skills from Florida, impressing her teacher Alex, who gave her high marks and said she was ready for the next level, even though not eligible to take it yet!

Alex commented that Isabelle can easily do all the required skills in this level, and that moving forward to keep signing her up for Preschool E, knowing that the teacher will tailer her portion of the class at the right level to challenge her. We saw real improvements over the past 6 months, even her teacher commented that Isabelle was doing well and that even if she looked to be struggling, she would pull herself out and be able to finish off the task without assistance. She has the Bangay swim gene in spades.



Not surprisingly, Isabelle loves the diving board. Look at the joy on her face as she gets set to give it a spin.

Practice makes perfect so we are not surprised she has progressed so rapidly. She is through her 8th set of lessons in her young life and she will continue to head to the pool and work on her strokes. Brewer Pool has been great for her, they have awesome instructors there that make all the kids feel comfortable. Plus they have a diving board that Isabelle can't stay away from!

Soccer Kicks Off

With the arrival of spring, it's time for Isabelle and all her fans to spend time outdoors, and what better way than to join up with the Glebe Community Centre's spring soccer program. Last year she had a lot of fun, even if many weeks there were few kids that actually chased and kicked soccer balls, preferring to be present for the water breaks and the orange slices. This year everyone is another year older and a little bit better at taking directions from the coaches. They run through some fun drills as a team and the volunteer coaches do a great job of getting everyone involved and interested. Isabelle loves the What Time Is It, Mr Wolf part of the practice most of all. Then once the game begins it is a madhouse, with multiple soccer balls on the field at once. Isabelle was proud to tell her parents she scored 10 goals, a feat that is far less impressive when no one is actually trying to stop you. Above all else, she is having fun with her soccer pals and is enjoying the chance to run around as much as she wants. Poor Oliver has to watch this all from the sidelines. Don't worry, bud, you will make your debut next year!

Running the drills

Giving it her best shot

No, they don't play the national anthem before the game, Belle

Put me in coach, I'm ready to play!