Emily is 12!

We just had a very busy weekend celebrating Emily's 12th birthday! Saturday morning included a treat for breakfast, presents from her family, and updating the growth chart. Emily is now only 1" away from reaching her Mommy! 

New backpack and lunch bag with stuff in every pocket

By mid-morning Emily's two friends showed up for a 7-hour party!! And since Jessi didn't get to have a party for her birthday (lockdown in May), she also got to invite two friends for a belated celebration. The tweens hung out, played and giggled a bunch, ate pizza and treats, and even fit in a swim in the afternoon. I was surprised at how quickly the 7 hours flew by (though not quietly!).

Then on Sunday we hosted my family for more birthday fun. Emily's coolest present was a label maker -- perfect for this organizing, sticker-loving girl! 

Her first label

Showtime

Happy 12th birthday, Emily!

We love you xoxo

Butterflies & Climbing in Cambridge & Kitchener

We just got back from a quick trip to Cambridge/Kitchener. The main events were checking out the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory (for the 8th time!) and climbing at the Grand River Rocks Climbing Gym. The rest of our time was spent catching up with Grammy and John, sharing a few meals, going for walks, and visiting with Steve's friend Aaron. A pretty sweet trip by pandemic standards!

Hanging out at Grammy's

The Butterfly Conservatory continues to please my bug-loving girls. At one point a blue morpho butterfly landed on Emily's head and stayed there for about 5 minutes while we walked around. Very entertaining!

The honeybees are back!

Family portrait in a mirror

The next day we met Aaron and his family for some rock climbing. The girls (especially Jessi) hadn't climbed in so long! They both had a blast despite the heat and masks. 

Now that Jessi is a bit older, she had no qualms about climbing all the way to the top. Way to go! And those auto belays make the descent fun and easy.

Episode 28: The Rock Climbing

A much-needed cooldown by the fan

Afterwards we stopped at Aaron's house to meet his chickens and have a meal before heading back to Kingston.

It'll likely be a while before we head back out for another trip. Fingers crossed that the next ones will be to Saskatoon and Germany!

Baby Robins!

 At the corner of our deck...

Hidden in a planter...

A mother robin built a nest!

July 18th

Over the past few weeks we've had the pleasure of watching baby robins hatch and grow into birds big enough to leave the nest. It took about a month for the mother robin to become an empty nester. And she worked hard during that time! We all enjoying peeking in every day to watch the progress and of course I couldn't help taking pictures. 

July 29th

August 1st

August 3rd

August 6th

August 9th

August 10th

August 11th

I was rarely able to get pictures of the mother as she flew away whenever we got close. Here was the best I could do: a picture from inside the dining room, but not too close, since she would eventually sense us from outside and fly away once we reached the window.

But we had a great view of the babies from the deck!

Between August 6th and August 9th, without seeing it happen, three birds became two. We weren't sure if the one flew away or was eaten, but given that the last two birds flew away within the next couple of days, we assumed it meant they were ready! We just didn't realize how quickly it happens.

  

2nd bird out of the nest

3rd bird out of the nest

And then there were none!

Very cool!