Halloween in Ottawa

This was our first Halloween in Ottawa. We weren't sure what to expect as we live in a really nice neighbourhood, but it's a mix of families with kids as well as young couples and older couples with grown children (or no children). We're also on a small side street off of a somewhat busier street, so we didn't know if lots of kids would make it down our street or not.

We'd arranged with two of Alex's friends (and their parents) to come over for the afternoon and dinner before the three boys could go out trick or treating. It worked out really well - the boys always have so much fun together, and they were all dressed in Star Wars themed outfits. Alex was Darth Vader, his friend Mackenzie was Anakin Skywalker (who is actually Darth Vader, but before he becomes completely evil and takes the name Darth Vader, and has to wear a special mask due to a traumatic facial burn). Ale'x friend, Adleywas Luke Skywalker (who is actually Anakin/Darth Vader's son).

All three boys looked amazing and they had a great time getting lots of candy and treats.

Here's some pictures of the kids in their costumes as well as some pictures from our trip to pick up a few pumpkins.

Darth Vader with his light saber



Luke Skywalker



Anakin Skywalker

All three boys ready for battle

Alex trying to do a 'mean' face

Ready for Candy

Our neighbour was Princess Leia (she's Luke's sister and Darth/Anakin's daughter)

At the end of the night, we didn't have that many kids at all - but we did find a fun street for trick-or-treating on, and Alex and his friends had a great time.

Dad's 80th Birthday and Thanksgiving!

My father recently turned 80 years old! His birthday coincides with Thanksgiving every year, so we all got together for the long weekend - Jenny, Kian, Steve, Kathy, Jennifer and Sarah came from Toronto. Mary came from Montreal and we drove down from Ottawa. We also had a family friend, John Legros come to have dinner with us one of the nights.

We decided to focus on a fun family weekend for the birthday celebrations - it's hard to buy presents for the old guy, plus big parties are complicated at this time of year. I volunteered to organize a bunch of games that everyone could play - I used the idea from the game show "Minute to Win It" which has contestants do different types of tasks using everyday household objects. For example, one task was for one person to stack 6 metal 'nuts' (as in nuts and bolts) on top of one another using a chopstick instead of their fingers. Another game was for people to try to figure out the correct order of a set of empty coke cans that I'd put pennies into (5, 10, 15, 20, etc. pennies in each). They could compare the weight, shake the cans, etc., and try to put them in order from smallest number of pennies up to the largest. That game was a big hit.

The kids and some of the grownups also got to go to the Pumpkin Patch to do a big corn maze, and a few brave souls (Jennifer, Mary and Chris) also ventured out to Fort Fright at Fort Henry.

In addition to the fun games, great food and general silliness, we also got to hang out a lot, enjoy the great weather and relax.

My father also has a tradition of swimming in the lake on his birthday every year. As the lake is pretty darned cold at this time of year, the swim is usually pretty quick, but he did it this year again! It was fun to watch, and we actually got some great pictures and a cool video of him doing his annual swim on the day before his actual birthday.

Hope you enjoy the pictures and the video.

Alex and Kian on the hay ride

The rest of the gang enjoying the ride

Aunt Mary, Kian and Alex

Alex and Grandpa working in the pond

Sarah and Alex hanging out in the sunshine

The happy crew making pizzas for everyone

Aunt Mary enjoying the warm weather

Bob ready to dunk himself in the cold lake

He survived the very cold swim!

Bob got a bizarre "Spongebob" cake for his 80th birthday

One of the fun games - sorry for the quality of the pic

Alex playing the Pennies in the Coke Cans game.

Here's a video of our Dad doing his annual "polar bear" swim on the day before his 80th birthday.

Fall Fair in Richmond

We decided to go have some fun at the annual Richmond Fall Fair. We'd never been before, so we weren't sure what to expect, but it was lots of fun.

Alex got to go on a bunch of different rides and we played some midway games. We also some some neat displays and shows, including a fun trampoline show that had Alex totally amazed.

Unfortunately the day ended on a bad note when Alex got stung by a wasp for the first time ever just before we left. Thankfully he didn't have any type of reaction, but it hurt like crazy so we had to get him something to ease the pain.

Alex and Chris watching the trampoline show

First Day of Grade 1

Well it's official... my baby boy is officially a little boy now. He's started Grade 1 here in Ottawa and seems to be settling in very well. Chris and I both had some major pangs when we took Alex in for his first day and got to see him settled into his new class (with real desks!) and meet his new teacher, but we know that it's all part of growing up. I just wish the baby, toddler and little kid stages lasted a lot longer - and maybe we can just skip him being 14-17?

Here's some pictures from his first day.

Alex in front of his school telling us he's going into "Grade 1"

Alex and his friend at their new desks.

The great new teacher.

Happy kid after he took the bus home.

Ice Cream Fun!

What's a hot summer day without some yummy ice cream? Alex and Strider both loved this treat, as you can see by the pictures.

Fun in Minden!

We just got back last night from four amazing days at my sister's cottage near Haliburton (closer to Minden actually). Kathy and her family had rented a lovely cottage right on the water for a few weeks and they'd invited up different people to come visit. We were their first visitors, along with two of Jennifer's friends.

The weather was incredible - sunny skies, hot days and cool nights. The place was beautiful, with a great dock for jumping into the lake, nice views and lots of peace and relaxation.

Alex had so much fun with Sarah and also with Jennifer and her two friends, Bella and Diane. Steve made some wonderful meals and we all had a great time together.

Strider went to "Dogs at Camp" (http://www.dogsatcamp.com/)  while we were away and had an unbelievable time as well. Here's some pictures of our time at the cottage as well as Strider's time at the dog camp.

Steve took Alex and Sarah out for a canoe ride soon after we got to the cottage. Alex loved it but it looks like he gave up on the actual paddling by the time they returned.

We had a cute little dog come to visit us on our first evening at the cottage. All the kids loved the dog, especially Bella and Alex.

Alex had fun in the inner tube. I'm going to try to post a fun video of him in the tube as well as he loved it when Chris would let the tube float out a bit and the quickly pull him back towards the dock... our version of going 'tubing' I guess.

 

MVI_5433, originally uploaded by jr_jewel.

Video Link

Alex, Sarah, Jennifer, Bella and Diane went fishing at the end of the dock with Steve helping out. They caught quite a few fish but let them all go. Alex was both excited and a bit "freaked out" as he later told us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The water was really great to swim in - very cold to get into but quite comfortable once you were in. I got a bit of a burn on the last afternoon as I didn't put on sunblock but it was still very enjoyable and was nice and cooling. 

 

 

 

The older girls worked on some art projects while enjoying the nice weather. Sarah and Alex went to check things out a bit. 

 

As usual, Steve made some great meals for everyone!

 

The girls did a fun 'mask' night while we were watching a movie - the bugs were too bad to be outside after dark.

 

 STRIDER AT CAMP:

Strider and his new friends loved the little pool. Strider is the big one in the middle of everyone else.

Strider loved going swimming too. He's the one in the middle of the other two labs. 

Strider seemed to love this little dog. They had fun chasing after sticks and playing tug of war. I would assume Strider would usually win due to sheer brute force.

Strider and his friends seemed to really love camp. He was so exhausted (but happy) when we brought him home.