Day Three at Riverwood

What sweet memories of the A Team's wedding, and Turtlestack's fireside readings swirl around the Playner Mill each time I pass it by. It might look cold and empty now, but it is bursting with the warmest memories.
After we visited the Playner Mill we continued on our walk to the Swimming Hole, but stopped to look back and snap a pic of the scene behind us. You can see the Playner Mill on the Right, the Old Barn in the middle and the Farmhouse on the left way back in the distance.
Just a few more pictures of the Friendship Bench, Willow Tree and surrounding area..
...then it is time to make tracks down Southwood Trail.
Blue skies and sunshine graced us each step along the way, but cold winds assaulted us out on the open fields, so soon it was time to head back to the farmhouse to warm up.
More to come tomorrow.

Second Day at Riverwood

Ahh, now that is much better. We woke up on the second day at Riverwood to blue skies and sunshine - Gloryoski! Time for a walk. The first two pics below are the views from the back door. The first one looking left, the second one looking right. Beautiful huh?

Below, we are setting off across the fields to the Playner Mill, then down to the swimming hole. The snow had enough icy crust to make it easy to walk without snowshoes on this day. It sure was cold though.
The swimming hole looks rather chilly doesn't it? You can just see the back of the Friendship Bench peeking out from beneath the snow is this picture, so the snow is still pretty thick.
The river had lots of ice on it, but we didn't chance a walk along it this year. March is a bit too late for me to venture out on the river ice.
We made our way back to the farmhouse via Pine Fort Hill. The old pine fort ain't what it used to be, but the remaining structure made a nice frame for this pic of the old house.
I was a beautiful day for a walk, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Stay tuned for more Riverwood Beauty tomorrow.

For Sare and Joon

Jinu bringing a smile to Nana's face.
Grauntie weaving her magic and rocking Jinu to sleep.
Yep, the magic worked.



Not for long though. Jinu was soon wide awake and ready to play.

Trying on Mommy's boots for size.

Enough of that, time to relax and check out the mobile.

Walk in the Woods with Jinu

Look at the reaction we got from Jinu when we told him it was time for a snowy walk with Mommy, Grandpa and Grauntie.
Nana and Gruncle confer on what Jinu needs to wear on his walk.
After many layers of clothes were added to his tiny frame, Jinu was ready to be loaded into the snuggly.
It was a bit bright at first...
...but Jinu soon relaxed in Mommy's arms and slept soundly for most of the walk.
Grandpa Treebeard took lots of pictures while leading us through the woods on this wintry day full of sunshine.
Grauntie (Grandma-auntie) took lots of pictures too.
What sweet memories we made on this snowy walk in the woods. Thanks for sharing the weekend with us Sare, Jinu, Treebeard and Turtlestack.

Grandpa and the Girl

Heartwarming isn't it? Grandpa and the Girl going for a walk.

First Day at Riverwood

As you can see, our first day at Riverwood was a rather damp, dreary one.
This was a misty morning indeed...
...but the day did have its own beauty.
The sunshine made an appearance later in the week, and we had lots of snow for wintry walks in the woods. Lots more pictures to follow. Stay tuned.

A little chat with Grandpa and Sis.

CB is awake more and more these days and is so responsive to voice and movement, so he seems to enjoy his "chats" with big Sis and Grandpa. Smudge is quite taken with him and wants him to join her on the floor for some play time.
CB seems to be asking Grandpa when he can get up and do just that.
Soon CB, soon!

Double Duty

I think CB loves the sound of Grandpa's voice. He seems to be listening intently here as Grandpa hums and soothes him.
A Grandpa's work is never done though, and sometimes he even has to do double duty. While humming to CB, he has to stop and let Smudge play with his shoes.
What special times these are. Sweet, sweet, sweet.

Finger Magic

The Conductor

CB loves to look at the mobile in his playpen as it spins and plays music.
It seemed to me the other day that he was trying to "conduct" the choir of animals instead of just watch it whirl and spin. Can't you almost hear him saying-

Watch me closely now, and open wide when you start to sing. Ready now, one, two three- let's all start together on four.
I want the music to come from here. Right inside your heart. Let it soar.
Sing with gusto. One and, two and, three and.......here comes the ending. Get ready for it...
...and.....cut!
Bravo!

Ikea Trip

Mommy and Grandma and the two kids set off for a trip in to Ottawa last week, and as you can see from the picture above it was a major ordeal to get everyone ready to go out the door a the same time. We had to get Daddy to help too.
CB slept most of the day away and was as good as gold during the whole trip. Smudge on the other hand wanted to shop with the girls. She enjoyed sitting in the shopping cart helping Mommy check out all the cool stuff at Ikea.
Touching whatever she could on the way by...
...and was itching to get out of the cart as we neared the door.
Oh what neat places to run and explore. Let me down, let me down, let me down!

Smiles with our morning coffee

Smudge was here for a sleep over last night, and we got this video of her helping Grandpa enjoy his morning coffee.

She thinks it is a hoot, and we think the morning smiles are wonderful.

Just after we finished our coffee we set out for a walk in the sunshine, and then it was home again so Smudge could have a nap before going back to her house. She woke up from her nap in a bit of a state, and started throwing up everywhere. Groan! We spent a worried few hours rocking her and soothing her while she burned up with fever and continued to throw up. Within half and hour of having Gravol and Tylenol she was bouncing around the house once again and has seemed fine every since. Sure gave Grandma and Grandpa a few gray hairs this morning though.

We just heard from Mommy that Smudge is still feeling OK and is eating and drinking just fine, so whatever it was, it has passed. Thank goodness. I have just about finished washing the vomit encrusted sheets, blankets, jackets, onsies, sweaters and other assorted things Smudge threw up on this morning. Sheesh, it got everywhere and I think I can still smell vomit up here. Sigh!

At least she is feeling better now and is home safe and sound with Mommy and Daddy. Grandma is going to bed early tonight to recover from the trauma.

A birthday party of sorts

CB reached the one month mark this week and he seems quite happy about that. Here he is telling Grandpa and Smudge all about he journey so far.
Smudge thought she would show him how to celebrate and have a party in grand style. Throw some blocks all over the floor, sit down in the middle of them and have some fun.
Happy One Month Birthday CB