Happy 10th Birthday Emily!

Little sis wrapping presents

and making a card for big sis

What a big and beautiful day we had yesterday, celebrating Emily's 10th birthday! She woke up to a treat for breakfast and presents from her family. The main gift had been on her wishlist for a long time: a desk and chair for her room.

Looking good, guys!

I didn't get a picture of her completed desk setup (will do later!), because Emily's busy day was just beginning. Instead of a big party with friends, Emily decided to invite just her best friend for a whole day of fun: swimming, playing, eating, painting, and a sleepover! Luckily Jessi also got to invite her best friend to join in the festivities.

All set for a swim at Artillery Park

After the swim the girls were ready for some Daddy-baked, Mommy-iced, marble cupcakes!

Improvising: 9+1=10, right?

A quick gift-opening session with K

The only planned activity, requested specifically by Emily, was painting the girls' new nightstands. It turned out to be a complex and messy procedure, but after the second coat of paint today they are lookin great!

Otherwise the girls just played away with their besties until dinner time. The longest playdate for sure!

This was the girls' first sleepover ever, so there was a lot of excitement in the air!

It was also Emily's friend K's first sleepover. She was a bit anxious about it and ended up going home around 10:20pm -- totally understandable! Jessi's friend stayed the night and the kids all had a reasonable night's sleep.

Today we updated Emily's growth chart. She is just 5" shorter than me! It won't be long now...

Happy birthday my dear, sweet Emily!

You are wonderful, inside and out xox.

Date Night!

Yesterday Steve and I enjoyed an afternoon/evening out, a sort of belated anniversary celebration. It came about because Steve's piano teacher was performing in a Music in the Countryside fundraising event --  a trio with piano, violin, and cello -- and we decided we wanted to see it! And since the show ended at 5pm, it made sense to follow it up with dinner to turn it into an official date.

We dropped the girls off at my parents' and snapped a few pictures before heading out. It was like a typical Sunday dinner for them, complete with their cousins and treats, just minus their parents. Sounds like they all had a great time!

11 years, my dear ♥

Enjoying the scenic route

The recital was held in a converted  barn in the Napanee area; very cute and country.

Steve's teacher, M

Bravo!

I didn't manage to get a picture of the entire trio in action, but the music was really lovely. Steve and I especially enjoyed watching M perform on the piano.

Our top restaurant pick (Days on Front) was closed on Sunday, so we went with our second choice: AquaTerra in downtown Kingston. The food and service (and company, of course!) were fantastic.

Harbour view

Thanks for the date night, Steve! xo

Kitchener in August

Morning at Grammy's

Looking up directions the old-fashioned way

Giant toad living in Grammy's flower bed

We packed up our things and left Grammy and John's on our third day in Cambridge. We weren't going far though, just the next town over: Kitchener. Steve and Emily went rock climbing at Grand River Rocks with Steve's friend Aaron while Jessi and I visited the Butterfly Conservatory (Jessi just can't get enough!).

A Thorny Devil

Thumbs up despite the hot/humid interior

We spent the rest of the day hanging out with Aaron and his family, meeting their new baby and touring the new house.

We slept at Aaron's and woke up the next morning ready for a busy day: more climbing (this time at a kid-friendly gym called Go Bananas!), a walk with their dog Dexter, and our drive back home with a pit stop in Toronto.

Jessi with 2-year-old Andrea and baby Paige

Learning to do tricks with Dexter

Happy to be on Baby Duty

Our nature walk with Aaron's dog Dexter was pretty hot and weedy, but it sure made Dexter happy!

Happy dog!

Auntie Kirtie and Uncle Kenny have lived in the bustling city of Toronto for years, but we had never gone to visit them! The addition of two kittens to their family made for a good reason to pop in a say hello.

K & K's apartment building

Meeting Copper and Penny ♥

Thanks K & K!

That's it for our August travel adventures! We made it home around 8:00pm and were so happy to greet our guinea pigs after four days away (they were well taken care of by our friends/owners of Creamsicle).