One More Last Day

Today Declan said goodbye to Ella. Another little one that Declan has know for three years. When I got home today he told me that he "said goodbye to Ella". 

New rules now at Kelly's since he's the oldest. Now Kelly will get Declan to go upstairs and wake the little ones, he'll be expected to be her little helper. Little one needs a diaper, Declan will get it. As the new oldest he will learn how to help with the younger kids. It's perfect. A good change for him and a great opportunity for him to learn a little selflessness.

Last Day

While many kids were off to their first day of school today the Muffin Man was having a last day. This was the last day for Declan and his friend "Lexy" to hang out together at Kelly's.

The two of them have been together at Kelly's for a month shy of three years. 

I can still remember over a year ago when they used to run into Kelly's kitchen and make Monkey and Alexis's stuffy kiss.

I'm going to miss seeing the sweet hugs she would insist upon each morning as they have been just so sweet together. Alexis is now at full-time kindergarten and Even once Declan goes to school we don't live near them so they won't attend the same school together. It's the end of an era. I hope he still talks about having lots of fun the days he's at Kelly's.

Labour Day Swim

After Declan's nap he and I visited Auntie T's to see everyone and go for a swim. Declan was excited to visit but wasn't really wanting in the water. Got his wings/vest on and guided him in behind me and reminded him that he can touch the bottom in the shallow end. He didn't want to let go of me to start and he didn't feel safe with anyone else. That was until Auntie T got in the pool. He felt safe with her right away. Slowly I moved from holding both his hands to just one, then let go of both but stayed close and eventually moving far enough away to test his comfort. He did good. Threw a volleyball in the pool with everyone getting splashed in the face repeatedly.  Tried to get him to float on his belly and back which he was just too nervous. He did pretty good though. Easier to get him into a pool with a shallow end than a lake.

Clams

When Declan was collecting all of the "Chompers" on the beach we found a few closed clams complete with clam inside. Having left them on the beach for a while a couple started to come out of their shells a little. I picked one up to show Declan what it looked like. He watched as it pulled its body back inside and squirted water at him. Declan got excited and yelled "it's like Slugterra Mommy!!"

Morning in Restoule, Own Bed Tonight

Enjoyed our last full day at the cottage. The little ones got in lots of running around time. After dinner Abi and Chelsey were on the beach, Declan in a Muskoka chair on the deck. Daddy was a little further down the deck and Daniella and Mike were on the Deck watching the kids down on the beach. (I was in the shower...missed all the action). Adults could hear an unusual sound of what seemed to be a huge waterfall fast approaching. Mike and Daniella yelled to Abi and Chelsey to run back to the cottage. Just as they started to run the skies opened up and sheets of rain poured down on the lot of them. While Abi and Chelsey got soaked Declan leapt  from the chair and heart pounding rain to the sliding door. Luckily Daddy ran just as fast to meet him and pulled him inside. It's the cutest thing listening to Declan tell me about his rain adventure and how fast he was. Then 5 minutes later it stopped. Literally just dumped water all over so we were thankful we'd already cleaned up the beach, dock, yard and deck about two hours earlier.

Couple hours later after Declan went to bed we heard some fireworks being let off a few cottages away. This morning when Declan sat up in bed the first thing he said was "the fireworks scared me." I was surprised he knew what the sound was and then felt bad that I didn't know he'd been awake to hear them. Poor guy.

So we packed it all up and were on our way by 10am. Heading home early to miss all the traffic. Declan was looking forward to seeing all of his toys at home. This evening when putting Declan to bed he asked me to tell him a story. I told him about a little boy named Declan who had fun with his friend at the cottage.

Next was his turn. He told us about a little boy at the cottage who ran around and around and then had food and ate a bear paw and has snacks with Chelsey and played and played.

Sounds like he had a fun week. My heart is full.

Cottage Adventures

Well something we've come to learn is that while the cottage has been a ton of fun for Declan, as well as having another little kid around its way too many days out of his regular environment and routines.

There's been far more tears and arguing mixed with lots of fun. Declan does sing when's he's happy so there's been a lot of songs too. Spent time looking for "Chompers" along the beach and Daddy and Declan has a water gun fight. 

Beach time led to this however:

Got up to the cottage and sat Declan down to remove his water shoes before heading inside the cottage. We keep a dishcloth by the back door for brushing off sand and then grab a wipe or two in order the make sure we're not bringing in the entire beach. Brushed off the sand then using a whipe noticed a leech was in between Declan's toes. I didn't react but I called for Daddy to come assist (no idea how to remove it). While waiting Declan says "There's something sticky on me." Daddy came to the rescue and got it off. Lucky it mustn't have been on for long as there was no blood when removed and no noticeable mark on the Muffin Man. He survived. I'm still weirded out.

The Cottage

Having lots of fun with my mini-me at the cottage. We searched for shells in the water, he learned about fishing from Molly, he's had snacks and friend play with Chelsey and overall just been fun.

There have also new tantrums and trouble learning to share but he's an only child so this is how he needs to learn.

Getting a good nights sleep so we can get back at it in the morning!