Demolition Derby

This past weekend we took the kids to visit family about 4 hours away from home. We had beautiful weather on Sunday so we took the kids to a demolition derby about 30 minutes from where we were staying. We had never been to one before, and it was pretty neat. It was a little loud for Mackenzie so he wore earplugs, but the rest of us didn’t mind the noise.

At one point, this blue car (above) backed itself up onto the car behind it. It was pretty crazy what these cars were able to do! And the damage they caused!

One car had us ducking for cover (from dirt!) – check it out!
(Luckily I didn’t have my knitting out yet).

Bubbles

Recently I got a good deal on a Gazillion Bubble Machine from Walmart. Quentin absolutely loves bubbles, so I thought it would be fun – and it is! The only downfall is that it takes 6 AA batteries.

Another downfall is that I found that it worked better with the small thing of bubbles it came with. I’m hoping I won’t have to spend on the refill package. I tried using these bubbles after, and it wasn’t so great. The bubbles weren’t going as strong and as high out of the machine with the 2nd type of bubbles I used. I want to try my own soap concoction the next time and see what that does.

Regardless, it was a lot of fun, and we’ll for sure use this machine again. The kids had fun chasing and popping bubbles.

KOA Camping

Last weekend we decided to take the kids camping. We were originally planning to stay close to home (not too far from Montreal) but it was pouring rain in Quebec, so we decided to drive away from the rain, and ended up at the KOA in Mallorytown, Ontario. Above left, Sean worked hard to help us set up the tents, and above right, is our camp site with our 2 tents.

The kids had a blast roasting marshmallows over the campfire.

Quentin was my tent-mate. Everyone else slept in the other tent.

The kids spent one full day by the pool. They loved it.

They had fun jumping in the water, and making new friends. (Sean is Mr. Popular!)

The new friends they made got them to help search for frogs at the pond in the campground. With my help (they needed long arms) they caught a frog. We put him gently back in the pond after, don’t worry! I think I might need to get my boys some fishing nets!

The property at the Mallorytown KOA is really nice. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. I definitely recommend this campground and we hope to make it back there sometime maybe this summer, we’ll see how the summer goes, and how the weather holds up. Mallorytown is about 15 minutes past Brockville, Ontario, which is about 2 hours from the west island of Montreal.

Quentin my cutie, relaxing in a camping chair surfing the apps on his iPod. He’s too funny. KOA’s offer free wifi service and this allowed him to have endless hours of Caillou (ick!) and Elmo videos on Youtube during relax time.

Proud Moment

Sean learned after about 2 weeks of working on it – to ride his bike without training wheels! We never put training wheels on his new bike (which he got for his 6th birthday this past December). He was so proud of himself when he finally got it. He still needs some help “getting started” but he’s got it! And even figured out how to turn around and go back the other way! It’s just like riding a bike!

Robyn Day Camp

Sean was home for an entire week and a half before kindergarten started on August 29th. At the same time, his best friend was done summer camp and his mom couldn't take off work to stay home with him, so we watched him for the 7 work days between camp and school starting. (Above the boys were doing some water color painting in a book I picked up for them).

As an activity, I took the boys to the grocery store, so we could recycle the cans and bottles of soda. Here in Quebec, you have to pay a .05 cent deposit per bottle or can when you buy soda. When you're done with them, you can bring them back and get your deposit back (incentive to recycle). Since we had a huge pile up of bottles and cans and Jamie wanted them out of the garage, I told the boys, if they helped me recycle them, they could take the money and pick out something from the dollar store. (Sean picked out a pirate costume set, and a ball was picked out for Sean's friend and also for Mackenzie who was at daycare that day, but they didn't want Mack to feel left out). 

On another day, while I was doing work at home, the boys did a make your own face sticker book, and they had fun making silly faces in the book. It kept them busy so I could do some work.

Half the week Mack got to stay home from Daycare and hang out with the boys. We did spend a bit of time at my parents pool. We also had a playdate on another day at the pool with a set of siblings (below), the boy was in Sean's class at daycare and his sister was in Mack's class (she actually just switched daycares for pre-K).

One of the days, I got a letter from Jamie for Sean and a letter from my friend to bring the boys into the USA for the day. Along with my mother, we went to Plattsburgh, New York. I had a list of things I wanted to look for while in the USA. We don't have Target yet (not until 2013 I don't think, but it's coming!) and I like some of the products at Walmart USA over our Walmart here. I was on the hunt for shoes for Sean for Kindergarten, (I got him 2 pairs for the price of 1 pair at home!) and also on my list was 3 matching polo shirts for the boys for an event we have in October. The only place I could find 3 matching polos (in sizes 2t for Quentin, size 5 for Mackenzie and size 6 for Sean) was at Tommy Hilfiger. And with Tommy Hilfiger comes a hefty price. I picked them up anyhow, only because I had 30 days to return them. (At 75$ (with tax) for the 3 shirts, they went back since I found some nice ones by Faded Glory (for $4.97 each!) at Walmart in Plattsburgh). The image above was taken by this mechanical ball thing in the mall in Plattsburgh, which I used to LOVE watching when I was a little girl and our family would take day trips to Plattsburgh. I do have to say that going to the USA isn't what it used to be.... but sometimes you can still find a great deal. We just got Victoria Secret, Target is coming to Quebec in the next year or so, and our first Michaels is opening up September 15th! Who needs to cross the border anymore? I do have friends that go often to grocery shop in the USA, but for me, with the price of gas, it's not worth it).

Lastly, during the week that we had a visitor hanging out with us, I took the boys to review a new art studio that is opening up not too far from our house. We got to check out a mini-workshop in exchange for a review. I am working on that blog post, so stay tuned for that later on this week. It was an awesome experience and I cannot wait to talk about it!

It was a busy and tiring week, but we had a lot of fun. I look forward to running Robyn Day Camp 2013 next summer in between regular summer camp and school starting.

Target Practice

Over the weekend, I decided that we should try this activity, which I linked yesterday. I ran out to get water balloons as soon as I had finished preparing my link love post (those are prepared in advance!) So during Quentin's nap time (one day he'll get to participate in fun activities like this too), we headed outside and the boys were surprised with this activity.

The boys had a fabulous time throwing the balloons at the target. They even tried to get me. They weren't too successful. Though, I managed to get Sean once. Mackenzie kept running & screaming, so I stopped trying to get him, since I was afraid Quentin would wake up from the screaming. That kid's got lungs!

I wasn't too impressed with these cheap (dollar store) water balloons, they took forever to fill with the cheap (crappy) filler tool that was provided. When we do this activity again, which I'm sure we will, I'll definitely invest in a better quality kit. They boys had such a good time, I would absolutely consider doing this activity again & soon.

ps - I'm afraid of balloon, but regular balloons with just air in them, popping. I had one popped in my face as a child and have been afraid of them since. I scream like a little school girl when balloons are popped too closely. However, these little water balloons, filled with water, don't make the same popping sound when popped, so I was totally okay with them. Maybe it's one step closer to getting over my fear of balloons?

Goji Pop

Someone recently recommended to me Goji Pop.
(Was it you? I can't remember who?)
So the last time I was at the mall, I ran over to David's Teas.
(My new fave tea place).

Came home, and prepared some in the kettle.

Poured over ice, and have been addicted to it since.

:: Summer bliss ::

Day 12 :: Sunset

Today is day 12 of the 30 Day Photography Challenge, and the challenge is Sunset. I think this time of the day is one of my favourite times of the day. So peaceful & calm.

How to Spend a weekend Outside

This is how you spend the weekend outside:

Put the baby in the exersaucer while you garden.

Go to a friends house for a BBQ.

Have summertime snacks.

Play in water and scare all the other kids away from you (since you have control of the hose).

Play games with other children!

Enjoy time with loved ones.

Crash on someone else's couch and watch the Canucks play in the playoffs.
(After a long day outside!)

Go watch daddy's softball game outside.
Hit around the ball with daddy when his team is up to bat.

That's how we spent last weekend, let's hope we can spend this upcoming weekend outside too!

08.01.10

Today we finally made it out to Jamie’s Ball game.
We’ve been trying to get to a game all summer, but it just hasn’t happened.

Jamie actually played a double header today. In between games, Sean got to go on the field for a bit and hit a few balls. He had fun. Jamie was glad we finally made it out to a game.

We stayed until Jamie was up at bat again in the 2nd game, and then headed to pick up my grandmother who lives in the area, and then headed to my parents house.

The bump and I spent the entire rest of the afternoon in the pool.

My fish Sean kept jumping into the pool over and over again. He loves the diving board.

And Mackie loves playing basketball.

Or lounging in one of the floats.

We celebrated my parent’s 31st wedding anniversary tonight, (it’s on Thursday) with some chocolate cake. Mack’s fave. No disturbing this kid while he’s eating his cake.

If you collect Pampers.ca or .com points, here is a freebie for August: AUG2010FACEBOOK - I believe it’s for 10 free points. ENJOY!

After a bit of an emotional weekend, I will pick back up my knitting tomorrow. Not sure what I’ll work on. I’m debating frogging the newborn girl cap. Maybe since it’s a wee tiny size, I'll just finish it and then add it to the gift pile. We’ll see how I feel. I will also go back to the de-cluttering tomorrow. My mind wasn’t there this past weekend to do any, so I’ll get back to it tomorrow.

Wow, it’s August already?! Unbelievable.