ONE Already?!!

Happy Birthday to my smart and beautiful niece, Jill!  Love you, xoxo

 

 

Shopping

You didn't think we went to Syracuse simply for the zoo, did you?

Caelan and I taking a quick break from shopping on the carousel at Destiny, U.S.A. (formerly Carousel Mall)

Zoo Zoo Zoo

We were lucky enough to visit two different zoos this summer.  Earlier in August we spent two days at the Toronto Zoo and this week we visited the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse.  The zoo in Syracuse is much smaller, only some 700 animals on 43 acres compared to over 5000 animals on 710 acres in Toronto. We still thoroughly enjoyed our day.  In Syracuse, most of the exhibits are indoors so it's a bit tricky to get decent pics through the glass but I think it was easier for Caelan to spot the animals.

 

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Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Tigers were too far away for a good picture - the nerve of them!  Have I ever mentioned how much I'd like a zoom lens for my camera?!?!

We did see bears too, unfortunately no picture though and not because they were too far away.  The opposite actually, they were snuggled up right against the glass of the enclosure and resembled a great big black ball of fur!  Didn't make for a great photo!

 

 

 

 

That was one big octopus.  First time we went by he was all cozied up, hiding in the rocks.

 

 

There were lots of elephants, even a tiny baby one! 

 

 

Caelan and I paused here for a bit to watch the sea turtles and caymans.

 

 

This was a fabulous idea, one that I think the Toronto Zoo should adopt for those hot summer days.  There were hoses set up at intervals to mist the guests.  You could avoid them if you wanted or stand under them until you were soaked.  Your choice!

 

 

 

This was posted at several locations throughout the zoo.  It reads:

 

Avoid serious injury and disturbance to the animals... Please do not place your children or your stroller on the top rail!  Thank you for your cooperation.

 

In this particular location we're in the tree tops looking down on the animals (I think it was the fox). We were high.   I've seen signs asking not to put your children on the fence or rails before but to actually lift your stroller up and balance it on this rail?!?!?  Really?  Sometime I wonder...

 

 

Upper Canada Village continued

All the kids hanging out waiting for Dad to finish talking to the Blacksmith...

Like father like son, right Grampa?

(and yes we have an extra kid with us, family friend Allison)

 

The girls stopping for tea time in the children's activity centre



Allison, Caelan and Darcy putting on a puppet show

 

Here piggy, piggy...

 

Ryland made a new friend with this belly rub

 

Damian and Ronan checking out the pump station

 

Caelan striking a pose for me

 

Damian picking some apples for snack

 

 

 

 

Upper Canada Village

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mont Cascades

A great friend invited the girls and I to a fun filled day at Mont Cascades.

Today was a perfect day! Overcast and no line ups anywhere!!

The girls overcame any fears they might have had and went down all the slides.

Every. Single. One.

 

Behind them is their favourite ride, Tornado Alley

 

Magic Carpet ride

  

 

That's Darcy falling out of the Vortex

(we thought it should be named the Toilet Bowl)

 

These are the only two slides I wouldn't go on...

I don't see the need to volunteer for extreme wedgies!!

 

 

 

Make it all go away!

 

When life just becomes too much for the little man...

long car rides

naturally lead to foot phone calls...

 

 

and who else would he be talking to on his foot phone,

other than big sister Darcy in the back seat!

Bubbles in the backyard!

Tried to get Caelan blowing bubbles the traditional way while blocking his trache but it was very frustrating for him.  Using this bubble blower is a lot more fun and rewarding!

 

 

 

At first Ronan wasn't sure what to think about the bubbles, but he was all smiles before long.

 

Where my girls? ooh man!

 

The girls have been at Nana and Grampsy's this week.

We've all missed them, but Caelan especially misses his big sisters.

There in for some serious loving/playing when they get home!!

xoxo

trampoline

Cami is lucky enough to have a trampoline that everyone had fun bouncing on last weekend.

 

Caelan helping Ronan with his first bounce

 

 Darcy mid-boing

 

Darcy catching Caelan catching some air from Ry's bounces

Two thirds of the CHEO Trio, just missing birthday boy Cami!

Logan, Caelan (who just had to be beside Logan) and Darcy

 

 

 

Grouchy??

Our little Oscar the Grouch, being not so grouchy...

 

 

 

 

Despite the smiles above, the statement on the sleeper is true. 

Consider yourself warned.

New discovery

 

Ronan found his tongue!

(He's working on his raspberries)

Camping Round Two

For the August long weekend we headed to Quinte Isle Campground for our second attempt at camping with the tent trailer.  I would venture to say that every time gets a bit easier but it might have something to do with Ronan either sleeping or staying happy longer so that both Damian and I are able to set up.  The girls also helped keep Caelan busy playing which was a huge help too!

 

 

 

Ronan was sleeping nicely in his chair for this set up, until I went to get the camera to prove it.  I came back to this.  

 

At least he was all smiles!

 

 

FIVE?!?!

How is it possible that Caelan is almost five years old?!?  Where has the time gone?

Why am I looking ahead?  Well, yesterday we celebrated the first of the CHEO Trio's fifth birthdays.

Little man Campbell ain't so little anymore!!

Campbell truly is an amazing little boy, so happy and full of smiles.  We were honoured to celebrate this special day with him.