Summer fun

We fenced in our backyard this spring and got a castle and a swing set for the kids to play on and a comfy set of furniture for the parents to relax on. It has been great having a fenced yard so I can safely take all 3 kids out to play when I am by myself.

We got a blow up pool this summer which gave the kids hours of amusement. It was particularily popular at their 3rd birthday party. It met an unfortunate end when it ended up at our neighbours house (two down and across the road) during a large wind storm.

Tony and Vinnie, our horses, are very popular around here. The kids love going out to help feed them. We have been getting 50 pound bags of carrots lately and Anna and Alex have great fun throwing those out to the horses. They also love (Evan too) raking and using the hay fork to clean up the hay in the barn.

The water tables and mixer that Anna and Alex got for their 2nd birthday were once again well used this summer. Evan loved them too. All 3 of them spent many many hours playing in the water with toys, splashing and having fun.

We got the chance to get to the shore a few times this summer and the kids loved walking in the water and throwing rocks. The Bay of Fundy is a bit too cold to do much swimming though. Next summer we will take a trip to the sandy beaches on the South Shore.

We all love berries and we have managed to pick lots this summer. Blackberries by the shore, blueberries at Mount Uniacke Park and cranberries in our back yard. Yum Yum!

We have gotten the chance to visit with friends this summer. One of the twins best friends is our neighbour. She is a hoot, and loves playing with them and her younger brothers and sisters.

We have spent many days doing crafts and art activities this summer too. Playdough, coloring, drawing, water colors, fingerpainting, playing with glue, scissors and stickers. We have had loads of fun. I try to do some arts and crafts every couple of days with the kids. They love it.

The kids love music. They have a load of different instruments including a walk on piano mat, real guitars, recorders,xylophones,drums, whistles,tambourines etc. While visiting Grammy Olga they had a chance to spend an hour or so playing with a drum teacher. They loved listening to her play and trying some stuff out for themselves.

Pony rides at Grammy Olga's were a big highlight this summer!

Getting outside to play in the woods and in wide open spaces where it is safe to run and run is always a favorite. This was at the bottom of Casey's field, after a long hike up almost to the top and a slow walk back down the steep hills.

We got a chance to go to the exhibition this summer too. It was a load of fun seeing things from the kids perspective. They loved the little kid rides, seeing all the animals, eating the greasy food and watching the shows in the ring.

Hiking

One of our favorite things to do as a family is to go for hikes in the woods.  We live close to a large park with trails through the woods and around the lake, and have explored much of it.  We also go for walks around home or at some of our friends houses.  I think everyone in our family needs to spend time outdoors and in the woods to be happy.

Upates (long overdue)

 Alex turned 3 in July.  He has magically become a "big" boy lately.  I have found such a change in both he and in Anna since they turned 3.  He still finds sharing hard, and likes to get his way when it comes to toys, BUT he is very empathetic and feels great concern for other people.  If someone is hurt, he is the first to ask if they are okay.   We have been hiking a lot lately, which Alex loves.  He is often out in the lead for most of the hike, stopping to let the rest of us catch up.    He has soooooo much energy and loves to be active.

 Miss Anna also turned 3 in July.  She is so grown up acting some times, although we also have moments when she seems like she is more 13 than 3 (not in a good way).  Anna loves art (they both do) and has created some beautiful crafts, drawings and paintings lately.  Stickers are a big favorite.  Anna also loves animals.  She loves "her" cat Mandy, and the various dogs she gets to spend time with.  She also seems to love horses.  She always wants to go feed our horses and she loved riding Baldur through the woods at Grammy's house.

Little Evan is not so little any more.  He is 11 months old!  At 9 months Evan started taking a few steps and at 10 months he was walking like a pro.  He toddles everywhere now and has basically given  up on crawling.  He also is able to climb onto furniture now, which is scary.  He is a big, solid boy and has  out grown many of his clothes.  He now wears mostly size 18 and 24 month clothes .  Pretty soon he and Alex will be able to share outfits.  Evan loves to eat, never really eating baby food, and eats pretty much everything the rest of the family eats.  He isn't picky and will scream if the twins get something to eat and he doesn't.  Apples (peeled) and yogurt are 2 favorites, although he is a big lasagna fan too.  Evan still loves to nurse, and breastfeeding is going well.  I am so happy that I am able to do that for him.  We have no plans to stop any time soon.  I am still using cloth diapers for Evan, which is great.  I have never bought one disposable for him!