Beating the Heat

It rains and people complain, the sun shines and people complain.  The year round extreme weather conditions of Alberta seem to shock people time after time!  
My solution to a few days in a row of +30... SPLASH PARK!  They really are the best.  One of the perks of being a teacher is visiting places like this in the middle of the week in the middle of the day.  Though I wouldn't say it's quiet, it's probably a lot tamer than on the weekends!  Our latest splashy adventure included a wonderful teacher friend of mine and her nephew.  Sam and Andreas hit it off at once... they had a fabulous day playing in the sun and water!

We met at the park at Eau Claire.  This is one intense teeter-totter!

Two handsome faces snuggled in their towels after playing in the cool water.  We had lots of snack/towel breaks!

My cool dude lovin' the water!

We went for a little walk to the amazing playground in Prince's Island Park.  The boys took hands like they've been life long friends.  It's like a little boy version of how Yanna took me under her wing!

Speaking of wings... here were many many geese snacking of the lunch of silly down town folks that throw them bits.  Both boys were a little overwhelmed with the number of birds but braved it for a photo opp!

Slide race!

Two little monkeys climbing at the park!

Not too long into our play at the park, they boys needed to seek relief from the sun and hid under the playground.  They had the right idea... it was HOT!  We headed back to splash a bit more before grabbing a smoothie and heading home.

My tip to you folks: If the high temperature is getting you down, grab a towel and head to the nearest splash park.  Even if you don't have kids, there are enough roaming about that you could easily fit right in!  Love love love the summer sun!

Summer Lovin'

It has been a wonderful first week off of work.  Sam and I have got up to all sorts of adventures.  We had an amazing visit with some very special friends from my childhood.  I thought I'd just be seeing my girlfriend (and her three boys) for a visit before she headed back to Lebanon.  I was SOOOO excited to see her finally after a busy spring and not having time to get to see her.  On arrival, I found out two more of our friends were joining us and with their children that brought the kid total up to 9!  I loved seeing their 'babies' and seeing the familiar features they share with their moms.  I loved watching all of them play (even though Sam mostly just played near them).  I love that all four of us have a baby born in the same year.  And most of all, I loved seeing my friends be moms.  Though we are all so different and have ended up with very different lives, I believe they are some of the most beautiful women (in and out) and I feel blessed to have them in my life.  I wish it was more often, but feel so grateful that no matter how many years pass, they are still loving and caring women.  Such a great day.
Another really fabulous day was spent with Logan and Lindsay at the splash park in Airdrie.  The new park opened up on July 1st.  Though its a little smaller than we hoped and there are still the odd glitches that are being worked out, it's a great place to play and have close to home.  

We got there around 11 and there was a malfunction with the water... that is, there was none.  It was sort of nice because the kids just ran around and played on the structures.  As Lindsay put it so well "I think they enjoy this park more without the splash!"

Mom of the year just photographing her 3 year old hanging upside down over concrete... errrr... oooops.

And now add water!  For the most part it was all about coming very close to the water and then screaming and running. Logan watches on as Sam gets 'dangerously' close to getting soaked!

One happy splash park go-er!

Sam runs the gaunlet!  Not too sure about this idea on the first trip through.

LOVED it on the second try!

Quick break for a summer time picnic.  Lots of finger foods wonderful for eating on a sunny day.

Back to avoiding the sprinklers!  These two really are best friends.  It becomes more and more obvious each time we spend time together.  The lovey-dovey moment that happened on this adventure was when I was talking to Sam while he stood in front of me.  Logan stood by him and rubbed his chest.  Neither blinked an eye on this act... they just love each other.  Sorry Uncle Bill, I think it was love at first sight!

I even gave it a go.   That water is COLD!

After a good old play in the water, we hit the playground next to it and this was the last stop.  A saucer swing, made for two. <3

On the weekend Sam and I took an outrageously long nap... it really was a win win situation.  One - we had a freaking AMAZING extra three hours of sleep in the middle of the day while Shaun got a bunch of yard stuff done.  Two - we were able to stay up late and see the 100 year celebration fireworks that were happening for Stampede.  They had them in 5 locations around Calgary and we chose to go to COP to enjoy them there.  Unfortunately, Canada Olympic Park was under construction and things got a little crowded.  Fortunately, I am always in a rush to be extremely early for things and we got a prime spot.
The lighting was a little tough because we were close to the building and there was lights behind us.  The firework show was incredible and we were VERY VERY close to the action.  The photos don't even begin to capture how incredible they were.

My handsome boys waiting for the show.

Love

My little man watching in amazement.

Not the best photo, but a bunch of the fireworks popped in the shape of 100s.  SOOOO COOL!

Canada Day Parade

A little family tradition is to take in the Airdrie Rodeo parade that happens on Canada Day.  It's so nice to see Sam understanding it more and more each year.  He is also much more aware of the free candy and that his waving affects how much candy he will receive.  

I realize this photo is over edited, but it was such a cool moment on our walk to the parade.  Sam was busy pointing out fountains and butterflies and bridges.  We were almost to our spot when we saw this beautiful rainbow in the sky.  It hadn't rained this morning, so it was a little random and absolutely necessary to get a family photo with.  The original shot doesn't show the rainbow very well so I adjusted colours until it was easier to see.

Our favorite spot to watch the parade is also right beside the Farrell's favorite spot.  This year was no different.  Sam's good friends Payton and Avery joined us curb side to take in the action.

This year we were extra lucky because Auntie Lindsay and Logan came to sit with us.  Lindsay plopped Logan down beside Sam on the curb and the next thing we knew, he was giving her a little snuggle.  This went on for sort of a long time (maybe a couple minutes).  SOOOOO cute!  They definitely love love love each other.

And Logan then decide to return the love and cuddle Sammy back.  This took no prompting or pleading, this was 100% them.  I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it with my own eyes!

It was a great parade... lots of tractors, horses, cowboys, floats, RCMP and so much more.

It is quite a long parade, especially for two particularly cute kiddos who scored big on the candy.  Soon enough their attention was averted from the parade to the mound a treats on their blanket.  This is a little mini meeting about which candy belongs to who.  Soooo cute!

We also had a BBQ and a long play with our friends.  As we were getting ready to go to the fireworks a CRAZY rain storm hit.  It was like something out of a movie!  We thought for sure the fireworks would be canceled so we let our overtired boy head up to bed.  Just as Shaun was coming back down from saying good night, we heard the popping of fireworks in the distance.  DANG!  I guess we'll just have to find some different ones to see this summer.
Happy birthday Canada... I'm soooo grateful for the country I live in and all that it gives me and my family.

Daddy Day

Life has been insanely busy the past couple months.  I had all these things I wanted to blog, all these photos that I wanted to post but also so little time and so little energy.  So today, my second days of holidays, I'm back at it.  I want to catch up and then document my summer before life gets busy again in the fall.
We had a great weekend in June celebrating Sam's dad.  Shaun is such a wonderful Dad and Sam adores him.  Though they sometimes fight like brothers, Sam and Shaun get up to 'guy' fun that mom just doesn't understand (and wants nothing to do with!)  So, thank you Shaun for being the dad that every little boy deserves!  We love you.

These black and white photos were for Shaun's fathers day gift.  We did some pictures and then Sam painted three frames with red/black/white.  It turned out really cute.  Our dayhome family also did the same craft for father's day... so Shaun got two very similar gifts.  Great minds!

We went to the Bearspaw Farmer's Market on Father's Day.  It's a nice market with more of a country feel than most markets around Calgary.  We found this really fun spiral cut potato on a stick.  Really cool idea, but lacked in flavour.   Pretty fun though!  

Lots of fun picking dandelions and blowing the seeds... make millions of wishes Sammy!

My beautiful boys.  Can't even describe how much I love these two.

Little impromptu photo shoot.  I'm lucky to have two guys that tolerate a quick photo opt!   And why wouldn't they, look how handsome they are!

I can only expect so much!!!  LOVE YOU GUYS!

A West Ed Adventure

For Mother's Day, Shaun booked us a fun weekend away.  We decided that our perfect weekend would be last weekend and it would be spent seeing the sights of West Edmonton Mall.  It's been a long time since either of us had been there, and Sam was en route to his first time ever.  We had so much fun!  Some interesting/helpful tidbits:
1) If staying at the mall, some room deals include passes to the waterpark... so worth it to get them this way as the part is quite expensive.
2) At the waterpark you can call ahead and book a cabana.  It's a private little room for $45 to store your things.  It also has a private bathroom.  This was great for us because we used the potty a couple times (it was closer than the change room) and it was easy to grab my camera.  Also a really great way to sneak snacks in!!! :)
3) Anyone with a toddler would totally get their money worth going to the kids play place.  It's 4 tickets for the child (adults are free and tickets are $1.49 each).  The kid gets a stamp to go in and out all day.  Closed in, safe and there is a height maximum so you don't have to worry about your little one getting run over.
4) The sea lion show does a dress rehearsal at 10am.  Very easy to see and no crowds to try to push past.
5) Getting to any area right at opening is the least stressful.  As the day goes on, the mall gets busier and busier and fuller and fuller.

First stop... kiddie pool!

Building up his bravery for later in the day!

SPLASH

Daddy and Sam try out a big slide.

Sam did this one once with me and then the rest of the times he went down all by himself!  At first he pretended to drive a car down and at the end he was laying down and riding it like a pro! 

Peek!

Shaun tried out all the crazy slides including this pink one!

Wave pool

Trying to keep Sam from going under while he fought for his independence was very difficult.  He wanted to do it all on his own but the waves were very strong.

This wave go the best of Shaun!

Waiting for Dad to come down this crazy yellow one.

Funny face!

There's Shaun!

After the pool we went and drove the pirate ship.  Big highlight for this little matey!

We tried out a couple of the rides at Galaxyland.  Sam was too short for most and this airplane one was one that fit him.    Just had to get him in and then leave him to fly it on his own.

Pretty skeptical of the whole thing (maybe it was the super creepy, overly nice, sort of homeless looking man that was running this ride.)

The other ride Sam could do alone... brrrap!

Love this boy!

We were having no fun at all!!!

Cheers!  Tony Romas is a great place to take a kid!  We went to the one on Bourbon Street.  Great meal, super helpful.  Perfect supper!

Day 2 started with breakfast and then hitting up the playplace the SECOND it opened.  SOOOO MUCH FUN!

I gave it my best try but apparently it was not made for someone mommy-sized.  Thank goodness I bailed on it before I got spotted or stuck!

Squeeeeezed under.

Who says this place is just for toddlers!?!?  This bouncy house was soooo much fun!

This is a picture from under the rope ladder.  This ladder hurt my feet sooo much.  Kids are made of steel, no joke.

Sam liked to push me down the slide...

... and then turn to his daddy to laugh about it.

Here we are waiting for Dad to come down the slide... funny faces!

This slide was right at the entrance of the playplace where all the other parents just sat to watch.  Cute when Sam came flying out but slightly embarrassing when I came launching out and landed on my bum on that mat.  We got shot a few disapproving looks, but it didn't really slow us down.

I recommend this adventure to anyone with toddlers.  The mall has everything you'd need without having to load up to change activities.  The drive was painless with a quick pitstop on Gasoline Alley in Red Deer both ways.  So much fun!  I think it will need to be a new family tradition!