The bikers

Before the kids went to the park with Buppa the other day they got all ready to ride their bikes for a while, but had to wait patiently at the end of the driveway for Buppa to be ready to watch them closely.
What a cute pair.

The ride home

I am getting ready for my bike ride home after a morning of babysitting, and both munchkins want to come out to the front of the house to say good-bye. I walk home during the winter months and it takes me 40-50 minutes depending on the weather. During the summer months I enjoy the bike ride and I am home in 15 minutes. That's so much nicer on a hot day.
On this day, Smudge wants a ride on Amma's bike. It is quite the feat to get her up on the seat...
and holding onto the handle bars.
She doesn't like it up there at all, and soon wants down.
What a hoot trying to get her off the bike...
while trying to hold the bike upright, and she is all arms and legs catching on everything.
Next it is JJ's turn. He is easier to get into the seat and seems quite comfy up there.
He is quite willing to go for a ride even though he can hardly reach the handle bars.
So we take a spin around in a wide circle on the road while sister watches.
Then it is time for both kids to get down, ring the bell a few more times...
before Amma waves goodbye...
and sets off for the ride home. The kids run along side me part way down the street...
waving and yelling the whole way.
They soon have to go back and stand with Buppa, but they wave and yell good-bye until I am out of sight when I go around the corner at the end of the street. They yell, and I wave over and over again. What a circus it must seem to the neighbours if they happen to be looking out their front doors.

Soul food

Soul food indeed. After a busy week with the kids, it was nice to enjoy a relaxing bike ride to the park and sit by the water for a spell this past weekend.
Onward and forward into the new week.

Guardians

These gals sure make it hard to get in and out the door these days.
What is it with cats always being on the wrong side of the door?

Lunch at Amma and Buppa`s

No words are necessary....enjoy.

Wildflower walk with Buppa

There is a wooded area right behind the kid's house, and Buppa often takes the munchkins for a walk through the woods to the park in the afternoon. The kids love exploring all along the walk.and Buppa loves to take pictures.

Big Event

Yes, every week the kids get very excited about a big event that happens on our street. Even before they have breakfast they wait patiently out on the front lawn for the jolly visitor to arrive. We rush around getting dressed shortly after I arrive, then we head out the front door to take up our places. The kids sit by the tree on the front lawn so they can get a clear view of the street, and be alerted to the visitors arrival long before he reaches our front door...
and I sit on the rocker on the front porch keeping a close eye on the action. What is the big event you ask?
The arrival of the recycling truck. The kids stand as close as they dare to the noisy truck, and watch the visitor go through his paces. On this day the nice man let each kid through a tin into the bin...
and then he helped JJ carry the blue box up the house, while Smudge managed her box all by herself. The kids were thrilled that they got such special attention, and I think the garbage man got a kick out of it too.
After the tuck left, the kids went across the street and carried the neighbour's blue box up to their house for them.
These two sure make me smile. Hope they bring a smile to your day too.

Meeting Mommy at work for lunch

Smudge only has two more weeks before she is in school full time, so we thought we should make a special outing to Mommy's work, and meet her there for lunch before school starts.

Mommy was all smiles when we got to her office, and had big hugs ready for the kids.
The munchkins stood still long enough for a hug...
then wanted to explore Mommy's desk...
and play with the adding machine.
Soon it was time to head down to the dining room for lunch, and the munchkins were rather awed by the whole experience. They walked quietly, and held on tight to Mommy and Buppa's hands.
We found our reserved table in the dining room and got ourselves settled in.
Smudge looks really pleased doesn't she?
JJ was thrilled too.
We had sippy-cups with apple juice in them for the kids, but Smudge thought the water in the stemmed glass tasted much better. She didn't spill a drop.
We sorted out plates, spoons and glasses...
and then waited patiently for our food.
MMMMM, this is delicious soup, and we even get it served to us in beautiful china dishes, on linen table cloths. Wow!
After lunch it was time to help the receptionist at the front desk. Hmm, not much going on there.
We soon let the receptionist get back to work...
and took an elevator ride to the top floor, so the kids could dash down the hall and get rid of some energy before the ride home.
One last twirl at the end of the hall....
a peek out of the window...
and it was time to return to the main floor to say good bye to Mommy.
What a fun day, and what wonderful memories we made.

Coffee in the park

It was a beautiful day for a bike ride yesterday, so we dusted off the bikes, stopped at Tim's for a thermos of coffee and set off for our favorite bench in the park.
What a treat to sit under this tree, sip delicious coffee, watch the geese and boats on the water and just glory in the day.

Let's go to the park

OK, let's get ready and go. First of all we have to -

Pack a bag with - juice, snacks, water, diapers, wash cloths, sunscreen, bug spray, and camera.
Lather on sunscreen and bug spray
Make sure Smudge goes potty and JJ has a fresh diaper
Find wagons, bikes, helmets, sun hats and myriad other things for the trip...and... we are ready to set off. (Actually, I'm ready for a nap by this time) I start off pulling the wagon with JJ and all our gear in it...
but Buppa soon takes over.
Smudge and I lag behind and I help her keep her balance and get on and off the sidewalk as needed.

We arrive at the park and JJ heads right for the big slide. He zooms down without any hesitation...
and is soon up to his elbows in sand.
Smudge takes a little more time to contemplate her decent on the big slide...
but soon is zooming down the slide too, and climbing up the monkey bars without any fear.
I think she is wondering why Amma looks so worried.
"I won't fall Amma. Relax!"

She didn't, but neither did I!