Summer is finally here! Going back to work at the end of the school year had it's perks, mostly the knowledge that it was only temporary. But it was also a lot of work- getting to know the students, having them get to know me, preparing for exams and final projects, not to mention the endless amounts of marking.... it was a lot. But it's done! Starting back in September will be so much easier because I will have time to lay the foundation with my classes without having to be ever-conscious of deadlines. But enough about September...
Hooray for summer!!! We are in a heat wave. It was 45 degrees celsius here today (with the humidity) and so we broke out the splash pad! The boys and I have been a bit under the weather and so weren't feeling quite up to going to the actual park (there is a great splash pad at the park in Carp) so we made one of our own.
I'm really looking forward to spending lots of time this summer with the kids. We are heading to Cape Breton, where we have rented a house on the ocean for a week. We are hoping to spend most days exploring different beaches, and we're planning on going whale watching too. Part of me feels like that may end badly (an hour and a half boat ride with the kids...) but who knows when we will get the opportunity again? Then we will be in Ayer's Cliff for another week or so where we will get to play in the pool, hot tub, and beach with Jack and Rory's cousins who are coming to visit from Vancouver!
After we get back, I think we will be starting our kitten search. Sadly, both of our cats (Mugs and Gus) passed away within the last two months (one was 14, the other was 8) and it is the first time in a long time that we are living in a cat-less house. Jack has been quite adamant that we get a new cat (and so have I, if we're being honest...Ben? Less adamant.) Jack has asked, on a number of occasions, "Who will be our cat now?" So after we are back from our holidays, I think it's time to find out. I hope Riley (our 10 year old shepherd / lab mix) is up for it!
I will be posting lots of pictures of our upcoming adventures, so stay tuned!
After our trip to Cape Breton we went to Ayer's Cliff for a week. Ahren and Katherine came out from Vancouver with Mackenzie and Charlie. It was nice for everyone to catch up. We took the kids blueberry and raspberry picking.
Jack
Rory
Mackenzie
We just spent the most wonderful week in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. For those of you who aren't familiar, Cape Breton is an island just off the coast of Nova Scotia. It has very strong celtic roots and most signs on the island are written in both English and Gaelic. The landscape is breathtaking, the culture even more so, and the music is pretty spectacular. After living in New Brunswick for so many years, it seems silly that we have only made it out there now, but better late than never! It made for a long road trip with the two kids (Jack is 3.5, Rory is 14 months)but they did such a good job that we just may do it again. It was probably the best family vacation I have ever been on.
This is a view from the Cabot Trail. The picture doesn't come close to doing it justice.
Jack being Jack.
Watching the lobster boats head out from the deck of our cottage.
I'll take a minute to say something about Port Hood Beach. We were staying in a lovely little house right on the water, and in front of the house was the best beach for little kids I have ever seen. The water was so shallow and so very warm that at times Ben and I commented that it was almost hot. I guess because of the sand bars, the water heats up. This made for hours of fun with both Jack and Rory. Jack spent lots of time playing in the sand and in the water, and Rory could crawl around everywhere and not get his head wet. There were parts that were deeper too, for bigger kids and their parents to take advantage of swimming, but as far as vacationing with toddlers go, it was divine.
Ben and I both enjoyed when the kids went down for their afternoon naps.
If you are looking for a book, might I recommend.... Seriously. It was really good.
Jack getting ready on the boat to go whale watching. (As he was putting on his life jacket he took a moment to share the following with all on board: "This is my lifejacket. It's so if I fall in the water, I will have a life." Smart kid.)
We saw this Grey Seal. She was waving at us. I think she may be on the payroll.
The lighter grey whales are the calves swimming with their moms.
Ben took these pictures. I can't get over how good they are.
Ben doing one of the things he does best.
Exploring. 
This is the "official" picture of Sarah getting her diploma. I got to hand it to her! One of the perks of teaching at the school where your little sister attends...
Hooray for summer!!! We are in a heat wave. It was 45 degrees celsius here today (with the humidity) and so we broke out the splash pad! The boys and I have been a bit under the weather and so weren't feeling quite up to going to the actual park (there is a great splash pad at the park in Carp) so we made one of our own.
