Kelso

Another hike, another 7km. Declan didn't enjoy today's tree park as much since there wasn't much to look at. We still had a good time but I'm going to have to look into some more interesting things for us to check out.

Broden's mom texted me this evening. She let me know that when putting his little sister Roz to bed tonight she asked if she could marry Declan. Her Mommy said yes she could but she has to ask Declan about it. 

I mentioned it to Declan when it was his bedtime and he said "But I'm going to be an adult before her."  Guess he's going to prefer older women.

SK

Well the end of the summer came and went so fast.

We headed up to Minden for our cottage week. Declan and Chelsey had a great time hanging out all week. On the nicest days we all floated in the lake and Declan was brave enough to float briefly in the water with just swimming wings on. Next year....well I hope next year...swimming on his own!

After our cottage week there were a few days that I had off and could hang out with the kid. We visited three different "tree parks" to go hiking: Mountsberg, Mount Nemo and Hilton Falls. 

On the last day of summer break Declan met up with his BFF Broden at the park. They looked for sticks, small branches and made a "fort". We were pretty excited to hear that Broden's little sister would be in Declan's class this year.

Then it was over, summer break is officially done and The Muffin Man started Senior Kindergarten. Declan picked out what shirt he wanted to wear on his first day. After getting dressed however he had to finish the Lego he was building: A Lego "time machine". He told me it could go to "Dinosaur World, the world before phones, Stuffyland, that's just messed up and marbleworld. That's where all the good stuff is." Then off we were. He is back again with Mrs. Wigood (his favourite) and Mrs. Stumm. The hat he made for first day of school had lots of purple on it because it's "Mrs. Wigood's favourite colour."

When Daddy picked Declan up the Y Program ladies said he'd been a great helper for Roz (Broden's little sister) all day. He even gave her a hug when it was time to go. After school her Mommy asked if she'd made any friends today and she kept talking about Declan. ❤️ Made me so proud.

Wet Hiking

Saturday morning Declan decided he'd like for us to go to a "Tree Park". Fantastic! So off to Crawford Lake we went. We started by visiting the native exhibit. Three Longhouses that were part of Iroquoian settlements. We sat in on a session learning about the people who lived there 600 years ago. 

When the leader asked if anyone had been down to the Lake yet Declan said "No. This is just the start of our journey." He cracks me up. When he asked why nobody lives in the Longhouses now the leader explained that people have learned new technology that have us living easier today. Declan then told her "My Mommy and Daddy say it was better to live a long time ago." I added "Not 600 years ago."

Next we headed down to the Lake. We walked the entire boardwalk path. We saw butterflies (Declan's favourite insect), dragonflies, birds and a frog. It was a great little adventure walk. Not good enough for Declan however who insisted we then go on a proper trail.

I insisted we go for lunch first to get some food energy which he agreed to. Around 2pm we were back at the trails and we'd picked the yellow path because it had the only marked look-out. A 2.4 km trail. The first third and we arrived at the look-out. A valley full of trees and some turkey vultures was nice to see but Declan had a look and quickly was ready to keep hiking. With about 1.5 km still to go the trail got a little more difficult with inclines and numerous rocks. It turned dark and we could hear thunder. Declan didn't like it but I assured him that thunder wouldn't hurt him. Then a little rain started which we could handle but then the skies opened up and down came torrential rain. I had to tuck my phone and watch into the middle of my backpack to try and keep it safe. Declan was starting to cry and said he wanted to go home. I had to tell him that I couldn't just make that happen so we'd have to keep walking through the rain but we wouldn't get hurt. The thunder got louder and the path became a combination of running water and two inch deep puddles. The rain really came hard. The both of us were soaked right through and I'll admit that while I did everything I could to assure Declan there was nothing to worry about I was nervous about being so far out in the trails in this condition. With about 10 minutes left of our trail the rain got lighter. I tried to make the situation fun for Declan by saying "splash, splash, splash" as we stepped through the puddles. Literally as we came to the end of the trail the sun was back out and the sky turned back to bright blue. A family was just starting their hike and starred at us as we exited the trail soaked right through to our undergarments "having fun?" they asked. "Absolutely!" I replied. As we walked to the car Declan says "that was the best adventure ever!" so I gave him a high five. 

Then we talked about the importance of my checking the weather on my phone before doing that again.

More Travel

The Muffin Man had a tough return to being home and back at Summer Camp. Maybe it was the week away but he got really attached and doesn't want to be away from me. Drop offs in the morning which are typically pretty seamless are now drawn out with "I don't want you to leave" sprinkled in.

Declan told me that he'd made a wish that we would hug every day and his wish came true. Really sweet.

Now this evening when it was bedtime we talked about how I'd see him in the morning but then I'd be gone for a couple days on a work trip. This was not well received. Tears flowed. I reminded him that I would be here in the morning when he woke up but then he said "But I want you to come home so I can hug you later day too." Ugh. So sweet but tomorrow morning is going to be hard.

So thankful for this little monkey. We are really lucky and while it is tough being away at the same time he's the motivation to keep at it every day to protect our life.

Week Away

Declan spent the entire week at Grandma and Grandpa's in Ottawa. 

He was really excited about being there and getting to spend so much time with his cousins but the goodbye was tough. It didn't last long after we'd left but when we were leaving there were many tears. He is after all just a little boy. We sure were proud of him each day. He'd have a morning call with Daddy and evening calls with us both and he'd tell us about his day. He was a good boy for Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Marissa, his stubbornness around food being the only real challenge. A week full with crafts, pool, splash pad, parks, museum, mini golf and movie...followed up with La Machine when we got to Ottawa at the end of the week and a late night running around with Holden. 

It's no wonder Declan crashed for nearly two hours of the ride home.

Tonight when I checked in on him before coming to bed I just stared at him. His freckles, his little hands and just how peaceful he is. He really is just the coolest person I've ever known.

Vacay

Camp week two was great. Declan made another good friend named Ansan. Talks about him every day. Sure hope he's there for the other three weeks Declan is in camp this summer.

Sunday started one of my weeks of summer vacation. Declan, Daddy and I visited trails at Limehouse.

On Monday Declan and I hiked at Rattlesnake Point. Declan kept suggesting more trails which resulted in our hiking for 2 1/2 hours. Who knew this kid had it in him. Then it was a haircut and groceries just because it has to get done.

Today we hit the park and the splash pad. Funny how Mr. Popular runs into kids he knows everywhere. Saw Harriff and Abby from his class and made a little friend named Emma. Then late this afternoon Declan's school BFF came over for 1 1/2 hrs to hang out. They were super excited to see each other. Declan was happy to show off his house and the boys played with water balloons in the back yard and got soaked. Good times. Really enjoying my days with the Muffin Man.

Summer 2017

Summer camp is off to a good start. The Muffin Man easily makes new friends and while shy at first he's found his voice. By the end of the first week he was up on stage with another day-camper dancing the "whip nay nay" in the talent show. Tuesday and Thursday's they bus to the wading pool. So glad Declan's getting out so much this summer. Finally little kid has a tan. 

Last weekend was also spent outdoors as we went camping at Fanshaw Conservation Area with Chelsey (and her family of course).

I'm sure I've already said this numerous times but I'll say it again "I wish I was five."