Story-telling – ALLYSON ELL PHOTOGRAPHY

June 30, 2016July 20, 2016

Letter to my Littles | June 2016

Welcome to another installment of my letters to my littles – a glimpse of our life with two busy boys!

Dear Caleb and Liam,

June has been one of the busiest months we have had yet! It’s hard to believe the year is already half over.

This month we celebrated your 11th birthday Caleb. You had your birthday party planned for months – dinner at Japanese Village followed by a sleepover with some friends. Dinner was fabulous! (Liam you spent the night at your buddy Owen’s house and had fun there). Caleb, I believe “sleep-over” is a loose term. I think you all went to sleep around 3am. I’m not totally sure, as I fell asleep long before you all did.

We have reached the end of another school year, and what a busy one it’s been. This last month especially has been filled with field trips, fun days and so much volunteer time at the school. (I’m tired – but you are both worth it). Caleb you finished grade five, and also finished your time in elementary school. It’s a bittersweet – you have been there for 6 years. I know you are ready to move on to middle school. I’m not sure my mama heart is ready for you to move on though. Liam you got kicked out of kindergarten. You finished your year with a pool party! It was quite a send off for you and your big kindergarten year.

You also had your year end wrap up with Beavers and Cubs. Caleb you have jumped up from Cubs to Scouts, and are excited for the new adventures that await you in the fall.

The last thing you got to do with Cubs was the year end trip to the Horne Lake caves. You loved it. Dad said you went rappelling down the advanced side!

While you and dad were at the caves, Liam and I went went to Navy Days. We got to see so many things on the navel base. You loved it Liam.

We celebrated father’s day with lots of homemade presents for daddy.

As a family we have been trying to take advantage of the nice weather. Summer is finally here! We went to Beach Food Friday at Esquimalt Lagoon. We had burgers and poutine, followed by a fire with our new fire bowl. It was so much fun. We will definitely be doing this again.

We wrapped up June with a camping trip with some of my work friends up at Living Forest Campground. You were both thrilled to find out some classmates were there at the same time. You both got along really well with Cohen and Noah too. Caleb you and Cohen had fun going off on your own to fish or explore. Liam, you and Noah created a new game “crazy birds” – which translates to: let go crazy and throw around everything we can see. Our tent broke while we were camping and there may have been a few falls from the hammock, but it was a really fun trip and great way to kick off our summer.

I’m looking forward to all the adventures that await us in the next couple of months.

I love you both – my 6th grader and my 1st grader…ugh!!

Love,
Mom
XOXO

May 31, 2016June 1, 2016

Letter to my Littles | May 2016

Welcome to another installment of my letters to my littles – a glimpse of our life with two busy boys!

Dear Caleb and Liam,

This month has been both fast and slow. Mostly because we spent two weeks living elsewhere while our home underwent some major renovations. Remember that flood we had over spring break? Everything got repaired this month and we also worked on home improvements while that was going on – painting the whole house (which is still in progress – but your mama has officially put paint on almost every wall of this house) and getting an updated kitchen, which your dad has worked very hard on (with a little help from grandpa and Uncle Dave).

Living in the hotel was fun for the first little while, but also was exhausting. We did have a great pool to splash in and a wonderful patio.

We returned back to the house daily to work on things and you both got used to just roaming the neighbourhood and spending hours outside with your friends. We had Domino’s pizza on speed dial, and managed to have a few construction picnics on the bare subfloor while we watched paint dry.

Liam, you were thrilled that I let you ride your bike through the house. This is the only time you will be allowed to do that!

We also left our mark behind the refrigerator. A little piece of history that someone else will find one day!

We celebrated Mother’s day – and you both gave me to best little gifts. My favorite though, was our photos together.

Both of you showed off your wonderful work at the school Spring Showcase of Learning. Liam, you gave a beautiful little performance of Anancy the Spider with your class. Caleb you showed handwriting samples that are better than your dad’s! We are so proud of both of you!

You both also went to camp this month. Caleb you participated in the Scouts Spring Challenge. I heard all sorts of stories about you using a handsaw and building things. You hiked in and tented with the scouts, and I know you will do great with them next year, as you move up from cubs to scouts. Liam you and Dad did the big Beaver camp together and you got to canoe for the first time. I’m so glad you both get to experience these fun times with you dad.

I can’t wait until the house is back and order and we can resume our regular routines again. Although – things are changing quickly anyway – it’s almost summer! Already!

Here is this month’s family film – all about the areas you both run freely through.

I love you both,
Mama

XO XO

April 30, 2016May 3, 2016

Letter to my Littles | April 2016

Welcome to another installment of my letters to my littles – a glimpse of our life with two busy boys!

Dear Caleb and Liam,

It’s been another fun and busy (and slightly stressful) month. We celebrated two birthdays – mine and and Liam’s! Mine was spent picking out a new kitchen at Ikea and chasing you both around Science World. The day trip to Vancouver was fun, but exhausting!

Caleb you learned a very hard lesson about being responsible for your things. You left behind a small backpack at Ikea with a book, your iPod charger, your Nintendo DS and a few games, and $25. We called the Ikea security desk several times but these seem to be gone forever. Sorry Caleb – a tough life lesson for sure.

But we did end up with a new family pet – a unicorn named Agnes!

Liam, your birthday celebrations were much more fun. In addition to all the cakes you had with family, you had all your friends help you celebrate with a big Lego party. Every person you invited came. This also meant that we now own every Lego set in existence! You are such a well loved little boy. It’s hard to believe you are 6 already. Thank you for filling our lives with so much joy. I love your zest for life. The other day I found you lying on the front lawn professing your love of Spring time! Then later you told me you often have trouble falling asleep at night and waking in the morning. You said that you thought you were nocturnal and that maybe you should become a bat. Seriously. You crack me up!

Your new cousin Ethan was born the day before your birthday Liam. He is the cutest little baby! You are both smitten with him. Me too!

Caleb you went with your best buddy Bryson to BrickCan in Vancouver for his birthday. It’s shocking how much you have grown up that you are now leaving the island on trips without us! You are both so well loved by your friends. In fact, everyday the doorbell rings with neighbourhood kids asking you to come outside and play. It warms my heart to see how much others enjoy your company.

Thanks for all you patience as we start our big renovation project. I can’t wait to cook and bake with you both in our new kitchen!

And here’s this month’s video – all about you Liam and all your birthday Lego!

I love you both,
Mama

XO XO

March 31, 2016March 31, 2016

Letters to my Littles | March 2016

Welcome to another installment of my letters to my littles – a glimpse of our life with two busy boys!

Dear Caleb and Liam,

March has completely flown by so quickly! This was the month I left you all to spend a few days with some fantastic photography friends. (But you two hardly missed me). Thanks to the inspiration and renewed energy I got from that trip I took a million pictures this month. So this letter has a lot of images (fair warning!) March was also the month of the world’s looooooooooongest spring break ever.

We did a lot of fun things! During my time off with you we went and explored some beaches. We hike the Pike Road trail of East Sooke Park and had some fun in the tide pools of Iron Mine Bay. Caleb you were like a mountain goat climbing up to the top of a rock. You were so good at helping your brother and I up too. The view was amazing!

We also had a Beacon Hill park day with the goats at the petting zoo. (Those photos will have to wait a little as I shot them on my film camera). We had peacocks circling our car that day too.

We then had another day at East Sooke Park with dad. It was fun to run through the shore line, try to build castles and have you both creating things in the sand. We ended that day with dinner at My Chosen Cafe.

Unfortunately when we got home we found out our washing machine had flooded the house. That’s a whole other big story. But it is also the reason Spring Break kind of went down hill from there. Dad didn’t get to do as much fun stuff with you both as he wanted to during his time off with you.

We did manage to get a few hours in Sidney to explore the aquarium and the park.

We also did a day trip to Salt Spring Island. Although you both weren’t sure at first, you did like looking around at the Salt Spring Market and Ruckle Park. You both loved the sheep farm, the taco truck and the toy store!

We also found some time to just relax at our local beach spot, dig in the sand, climb the logs and fly the kite.

So all in all, it was a pretty fun spring break despite the chaos in the house.

We also celebrated Easter! We glittered the eggs this year. Fun while we were doing it, but messy as we are trying to eat the eggs. On Easter morning you were both thrilled by items the Easter Bunny left. When you opened up some gummy bunnies Liam, you exclaimed “These are just like the ones we used to find at great grandma’s house”. I’m so glad you remembered her. Easter egg hunting at great-grandpa and great-grandma’s was definitely not the same without poh-poh. This is the last of the hard holidays. You two are both so sweet to me still whenever I get sad.

I’ve put together another little family film. This is all about our Spring Break adventures. I’m so glad to have these fun little snippets of our life together.

I love you always,
Mama

XO XO

December 31, 2015February 28, 2016

Letter to my Littles | December

Welcome to my monthly Letter to my Littles. After you enjoy my letter please continue on through our blog circle to see what my wonderful friend Christine has written to her littles here . Keep reading through the circle – it’s a wonderful glimpse of motherhood from various corners of the world.

Dear Caleb and Liam,

Another year has come to an end. 2015 has been a roller coaster year of highs and lows. It has also been a year of milestones for the both of you. I am so glad that I documented this year through photos and letters to you both. I hope that one day you look back on these memories and can appreciate not only having tangible memories of your childhood, but also the memories of your childhood through my eyes.

December was once again a busy holiday month for us. We once again did our 25 days of Christmas – pulling an activity out of our advent calendar each day. Jack the Elf was back again too! (and he was up to some mischief again this year!) I love how magical the Christmas season is for the both of you. The joy in your eyes, and reliving childhood magic through you both, makes it my favorite time of year.

This year I had the honor of photographing your school pancake breakfast with Santa. I had such a fun time being there to watch you both with Santa. In fact this year we had multiple Santa encounters. Liam I believe you got to see Santa 5 times in the same week – but each time was special for you. Each time you smiled hard.

We also did our Christmas light drive – three times in fact, our gingerbread house building, our card making day and lots of Christmas crafts. You both helped me with baking too. Caleb, I loved how you and I talked about traditions and how many of the things we do, you are excited to one day do with the children you will have. Liam, I love that you remembered so much of last year and you made sure we did certain things: reindeer pancakes, outdoor ice skating, and making gifts for your teachers. You are both learning to cherish our times together, and I am so glad these are memories that you both will always hold dear.

This was the first Christmas without Poh-Poh. It was sad not to have her there to hug us all and celebrate Christmas Eve with. But I am so happy we got to spend it with all the rest of the family. While Christmas Eve will never be the same without her – we are all remembering her in the best of ways. I love that the two of you honor her memory so well, and have helped great-grandpa to find joy too.

Santa definitely spoiled you both. So did all of your family! You both are so lucky to be loved by so many people. I’m glad that once again you both went shopping and bought gifts for children you don’t know, but were happy to give a Christmas to. Your generosity is part of why others are so generous with you.

Caleb, it only took you a few days, but you managed to complete the Millenium Falcon that your Grandma and Aunts and Uncles bought you. You finished on the day we went and saw the new Star Wars movie – Liam you were so very excited to see this – probably more than the rest of us. I’m glad we have that memory too!

Thank you boys for making what could have been a hard and sad holiday time into one full of love, joy and glee. I can;t wait to see what the new year brings for our family.

I love you both,
Mama

XO XO

November 30, 2015February 28, 2016

Letters to my Littles | November

Welcome to my monthly Letter to my Littles. After you enjoy my letter please continue on through our blog circle to see what my wonderful friend Allie has written to her littles here. Keep reading through the circle – it’s a wonderful glimpse of motherhood from various corners of the world.

Dear Caleb and Liam,

It’s hard to believe that we are reaching the end of the year already. It’s been such a big year of big events for our family. In November we managed to slow down just a little before we ramp it up again for the holidays.

We took some time to get family photos done and I am super happy we did this. It’s wonderful to be in the photo with you boys! Thank you to Jesse for these images.

I very proud of both of you boys. This year you both marched in our community Remembrance Day parade and stood at the ceremony. We missed seeing great-grandpa who also marched with the veterans in the bigger parade. But we will go and be with him next year.

Liam you have had some important milestones in your life – you have started to read. It’s very impressive to hear your list of site words growing and to hear you read short books.

You have also been on your very first overnight camping trip with the Beaver Scouts. You got to spend the night at the Nature House in Goldstream Park. Unfortunately you forgot to bring your jacket on a very cold and rainy day. I had to rely on a new friend to drive it out to you. (This did prompt the final purchase of a second vehicle.)

Liam, you have also gotten increasingly silly… some days you drive us all bananas!

Caleb, while your brother was at camp we had a Men in Black movie marathon. It’s fun to watch you growing up and starting to enjoy the things that I liked at your age. You recently got your grade five grad hoodie. When you put it on you suddenly looked so much older.

We still been trying to spend as much time as we can outside. The days are now shorter and it’s dark when we get home from work. So weekends are outside in the sun whenever possible. The doorbell is constantly being rung by all the neighbourhood boys asking if your two can come out to play. I love that you have so many friends nearby.

The month has ended with us having a split weekend again. Caleb, you and Dad were at Cub Camp while Liam and I watched the Santa parade and got some Christmas shopping done.

It’s funny how we end up splitting up in order to spend time together. But I am looking forward to the next month and our annual 25 days of Christmas. Spending time together each day doing something special is what makes the holidays magical for me.

Love,
Mama

XO XO

October 28, 2015February 28, 2016

Letters to my Littles | October

Dear Caleb and Liam,

It’s hard to believe it is already October. We’ve had a very busy month. You are both fully into the school routine now. During our recent parent-teacher interviews, both of your teachers had only positive things to say about both of you. Caleb, two of your teachers have recommended you for a role as a peer counselor. Liam, you are starting to move ahead with your phonics program into sight reading – your teacher says she will keep challenging you, even if you move ahead of the class!

Caleb you and I participated in the Run for the Cure for Breast Cancer this year. I am so proud of how much you are enjoying getting physically active and helping with good causes.

You both participated in Scouts Apple Day this year – you rocked the Tim Horton’s drive-thru, and got lots of donations. Liam you are so proud of the badge you got for this! Caleb you are now a sixer – a leader in your cub den.

In addition to all our weekly busyness, I had a little get away to San Antonio, Texas for a photography conference. It was wonderful to spend a few days with my photography friends getting inspired. But I sure missed you two and your dad. Liam you were so excited to get a cowboy hat!

I returned home, after some lengthy delays, on Thanksgiving Sunday. Between being really overtired, really missing your great-grandmother this year, and being happy to hug you both again, I was really emotionally overwhelmed.

So I decided I wanted us to each write down what we were thankful for this Thanksgiving. No one look at each other’s answers. We all wrote our own – even you Liam. You only had to ask me how to spell “friends”. Caleb, the maturity of your response really made me realize how much you are growing up and how much of the world you now understand.

Caleb you currently completed a project at school on democratic reform. You had to present to the fourth graders, and then the grade 4 and 5 classes got to vote in a mock election. You have been so intrigued by the federal elections. It was great to see you so excited in politics and current affairs. You made me pay more attention so that I could made an educated vote on your behalf. It really is amazing how mature you are. I can’t get over how fast you are growing up.

We went on our annual pumpkin patch trip in search of the best pumpkins. I love that these traditions have become so important to you both. The two of you chatted about last year’s trip and last year’s memories as you walked through the patch together. I hope you will always remember some of these fun times that are interspersed among our too busy work/school days.

As the days get colder, I know our morning walks to school are going to get a little wetter, colder and harder on the spirits. But I love that we have ten minutes every morning together to walk, talk and enjoy the pretty forest that surrounds us. I cherish these days, as I know they will pass quickly.

Thanks for making more memories with me this month boys. I love you both.

As an added bonus to your letter, here is a little video I made of our pumpkin patch trip. I kind of love it!!

pumpkin patch 2015 from Allyson Louie Ell on Vimeo.

Love,
Mama
XO XO

September 30, 2015February 28, 2016

Letters to my Littles | September

Welcome to my monthly Letter to my Littles. After you enjoy my letter please continue on through our blog circle to see what my wonderful friend Christine has written to her littles here. Keep reading through the circle – it’s a wonderful glimpse of motherhood from various corners of the world.

Dear Caleb and Liam,

How has the summer ended and fall begun already? We finished our summer with a fantastic adventure and dream vacation, and then headed right into the school year. It is a milestone year for both of you. Caleb you are in your final year of elementary school, and ready to rock grade five. You are a lunch monitor this year and a leader at the school. Liam you are on the other side of things. This is your first year at the school and you are finally in Kindergarten. (You’ve been waiting two years to get yourself into the big school!)

Another exciting thing that has happened this month, is that Island Parent magazine contacted me to use one of my photos for their September issue. Caleb -it was a photo of you! I was trying to keep it a surprise for you to suddenly see as we walked past the magazine rack. But while we were in Florida I kept getting Facebook messages and shots of the magazine cover so I had to tell you early. It was a whole week later that we finally got to see it in person!

They also gave me a quarter page ad, so of course Liam I had you and daddy end up in the magazine too.

September means that we are back to swimming lessons – Swim Kids 5 and Red Snapper. Caleb you are in your final year of cub scouts. Daddy is a cub leader again. Liam you are now a Beaver and so excited to finally get to officially join into Scouting. Daddy is now also officially a Beaver leader too.

You both are trying to squeeze in as much of the end of summer as you can. Until today Caleb, you were still wearing shorts everyday. And both of you are still outside as much as possible. Lately you have both been obsessed with finding insects and bugs with your friends. Recently you ended up relocating a slug that you and the neighbourhood boys named Yo Sluggity. Caleb you are reading all the time and Liam your imagination takes flight more often than not. It’s a good well rounded mix. Now I just need to get you to stop fighting so much with each other!

The finally hooray for September is another milestone of mine that you have both been a part of. Back on January 1, 2013 I started taking a photo everyday – with my big camera and my iphone camera. This photo a day project was documented here on my blog as well as Instagram. Well, I haven’t been very good at editing and sharing pictures from the big camera as much as I wanted. But I am still taking a photo everyday – sometimes with both the big camera and the iphone, sometimes just with the iphone and sometimes with the point and shoot. But every day I have gotten a photo – and 95% of the time one of you has been in it. This last Sunday I took photo number 1000! It’s hard to believe I have been taking a photo everyday for 1000 days! I know you both have had times were you really didn’t want to take a picture. But you are both also really good at coming up with ideas and asking me what the “photo of the day” will be. So thank you both for keeping me inspired and helping me to document our days.

I’m so glad that this was photo 1000…

Here’s to our next 1000 days and the wonderful journeys those days will take us.

Love,
Mom

XO XO

September 25, 2015February 28, 2016

A Dream Vacation | Part 3 – Universal Studios

Disclaimer – this is a long, image heavy post. Photos are my own taken with a Canon 5d mk iii, Fuju x100t, or iphone5.

As we headed back to our hotel after a long last day at the Disney World theme parks, Caleb began talking about how much fun he had, and how much he was going to miss our vacation. As we sped along the highway he asked “Are we going home tomorrow”? So we decided to tell him the truth… nope, not going home – we were going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. Huge cheers from half of the backseat of the rental car. The other side of the backseat was snoring and missed the announcement!

We spent Thursday at both Universal Studios theme parks – Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. This part of our trip was also all done with our airmiles. (Trust me when I say that I did a lot of shopping at airmiles sponsors and even today feel compelled to go in and buy extra stuff to get the bonus miles!) We had a few very specific things we wanted to see: Minions and the Wizarding World. Having the park hopper tickets for these parks was definitely worth it.

We started with Universal Florida first, and of course our first stop was the minions mayhem ride. It was so much fun. OF course after exiting the rides we had a chance to meet a few of them. Liam had fulfilled another thing on his bucket list… hug a minion – check!

After meeting Bob and Stuart, we had a chance to meet Shrek and Donkey. Donkey really does talk a lot! When he found out we were Canadian he gave the kids heck for not bringing him any maple syrup for his waffles! Here’s the video:

After the Shrek 4D adventure, we then headed off towards Diagon Alley – stopping first for the popular London phonebooth pose, and to chat with the knight bus driver.

Diagon Alley was amazing. We literally walked right into this magical wizarding world, exactly as you imagine it from the books and movies.

Of course the first stop was for a few glasses of Butter Beer. It was super hot out, and these wonderful concoctions were delicious!

We had a quick chat with one of the Gringott’s bankers, then Adam and Caleb rode the Escape from Gringott’s ride. Universal Studios has a fantastic parent swap program. Liam (who did not meet the height restrictions) and I got to tour inside Gringott’s with the other ride goers, then we got place in the waiting room right next door to where people are seated on the ride. As soon as Adam and Caleb got off I could have jumped onto the next empty ride car with Caleb, but once on that ride was enough for him.

We then headed to Ollivanders to gets some wands for our little wizards. Caleb got picked from our group and had his wand chosen for him my Ollivander himself. Or I guess, the wand chose him after a few unsuccessful wands!

The wands came with maps and special spells. As we wandered Diagon Alley (and later Hogmeade), there were special spots the boys could stand at and do spells. As they point their wants and wave them, things would happen: water pour out of cauldrons, dancing skeletons, lights flickering etc. It was great interactive fun. We then took a break for lunch at The Leaky Cauldron.

After wandering through Knockturn Alley, the Weasley’s shop, and a few other fun Diagon Alley stores, we headed for the Hogwarts Express. It was a very fun train ride.

We were now in Hogsmeade! The boys and I wandered while Adam rode the Hogwarts Express a few more times to retrieve a few missing wand boxes and maps that got left at the Leaky Cauldron. Oops! We grabbed a few more butter beers from the Three Broomsticks and then headed to Hogwarts. Again they let us too short and too scared non-riders all the way through so we could experience the inside of the school. Adam went on the ride, while the kids and I waited in the air conditioning!

Crossing into Hogsmeade on the Hogwart’s Express is also how you get from one theme park to the other. Hogwarts is part of the Universal Adventure theme park. So we spent the rest of the afternoon going through Dr. Seuss Land and part of Marvel World.

Adam got to ride the Hulk coaster, the boys met Spiderman and we all rode the Spiderman ride together. The kids wanted to jump back on and do it a second time! We then crossed back over to the Universal Florida park – missing the parade but getting prime spots to watch the 100 years of movies evening light and water show. It was wonderful – but still not as amazing as those Disney Frozen fireworks!

As per usual – Liam ended the night like this. He passed out at the food court in the Universal City Walk.

Friday morning we packed up the hotel room, and grabbed some Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast. Then we spent a few hours at Downtown Disney getting a few last souvenirs, and a last family vacation selfie.

We got to experience a torrential downpour on our way to the airport. We have never seen rain like that before. And the thunder and lightening was directly above us. This closed the airport down for an hour, so all flights we delayed. But after a long wait (and also a sick Liam), we made it home by 2am.

It was a wonderful trip – with incredible memories. I love the time I got to spend with my little family. Thanks for letting me share our time with you!

Part one of our trip can be seen here – and part two here.

September 15, 2015February 28, 2016

A Dream Vacation | Part 2 – Disney

Disclaimer – this is a long, image heavy post. Photos are either my own taken with a Canon 5d mk iii, Fuju x100t, iphone5 or from photos purchased from photographers with the Disney Memory Maker Photo Pass.

Welcome to part two of our vacation…

Sunday morning we woke up early to eat a super quick breakfast before disembarking. Our ship had reached Port Canaveral, Florida (after a slightly rocky night) – and our luggage was already leaving the ship. We took the last few minutes in our cabin to tell the kids the next surprise in the dream vacation… we were on our way to Disney World! It was pouring rain as we rode the shuttle bus back to the Orlando airport where we picked up our rental car. We got to our hotel, unloaded the suitcases, then headed out for lunch at Olive Garden and to pick-up a few essentials from our favorite places Target and Trader Joes. After unloading our essentials, we waited out a thunderstorm, then hit up Downtown Disney.
Of course the kids bee-lined it for the Lego store. We had a 40 minute wait for our table at the T-Rex Cafe, and all of that time was spent inside the Lego store. Then we had the world’s loudest dinner sitting next to two baby woolly mammoths, and watching asteroids hit the very life-like dinosaurs every ten minutes or so. Surprisingly enough, the Brachiosaurous bruchetta was some of the best bruschetta I’ve ever had!

We then had to stop and shop inside the largest World of Disney store. Liam promptly picked out the mouse ears he wanted for this trip. Disney + Superheroes = Very Happy Liam! All the running around also meant he was a very tired Liam. So yes, the last part of our Downtown Disney trip was a little like this.

The next morning we had to wake up our kids to go to the Magic Kingdom. Like, literally, we dragged them out of bed. Then we found out why the Park Hopper tickets are not really recommended for Disney World. Getting to the Magic Kingdom is an experience in itself: park in the lot, shuttle from the lot to the ticket gate, go through security, catch a ferry, bus or monorail – then you finally get to Main Street! Try hopping parks when you have to go through all that! While on the ferry over, I realized I forgot to switch my camera battery and only had 15% battery life left. (Photographer fail!… But through some very carefully planned photo timing, I made that battery last!)

(These next two photos were taken with Liam on my shoulders watching the “Wishes” Show. Due to the height of the construction fencing Liam couldn’t see – so I gave him a boost. Then, while keeping one hand on him, I would focus the camera and hold it still, and he’d hit the shutter button. I think we did pretty good together!)

We rode all our favorites and a few new ones. Liam and Caleb did their first little coasters, then Caleb rode a few bigger ones with Adam. We did get a little rained out and the park closed the outdoor rides for a few hours while a thunderstorm was happening. But it was a fun day. That night 3 of the 4 of us got to watch the classic Main Street Electrical Parade. Liam fell asleep during the fireworks before the parade!

The next day we let the kids sleep in a little bit, then we went to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This was my favorite park. The safari ride was amazing. They also have a great program for kids called Wilderness Explorers. Just like Russell from the movie UP, our kids became Wilderness Explorers and had a handbook filled with activities to complete. These activities ranged from identifying animal tracks, to knowing five characteristics of gorillas, to learning about deforestation. Each activity earned them a badge (sticker) in their handbook. It was a great way to keep the learning interactive and fun.

I did use my 135 1.4L lens to get most of the animal safari shots. It was a ridiculous lens to drag along on this trip for one day of use. But I am glad that I did it. It was a bit of a feat trying to keep my gear dry on the Kali River Rapids – but that ride was so much fun. Adam also rode on Everest. We saw the Bugs Life show, under the Tree of Life, and watched Nemo the Musical. We ended our day at Animal Kingdom watching the Lion King Show. It was incredible. The kids got picked from the audience to participate in one of the final numbers.

Since Animal Kingdom closes at 5:00 we left and actually managed to park hop to Epcot. Park hopping does required shuttling back to our car, driving to EPCOT, and thankfully we were parked close enough we did not have to shuttle to the entrance gate. But it was still about 6:00 when we got in! We did a whirl wind Epcot experience, and even split up a little to do a few separate rides. Adam went on the test track, and we did Nemo. We also did Spaceship Earth and Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure. The kids loved this interactive adventure game. We met a few characters along the way too. We then watched the fireworks performance – and Liam stayed awake for it this time!

Wednesday was our last Walt Disney World day and we spent it at Hollywood Studios. During the summer, there is a really big emphasis on the “Frozen” summer here. It’s really hard to, um, let it go! Despite that we still had lots of fun. This was the hottest day yet. We took the boys on Star Tours, which they loved, and Liam got to battle Darth Vader – something he has wanted to do, since Caleb did it in Disneyland in 2013. The kids met Phineas and Ferb. We saw some amazing shows, although we only got to see about half of the park. The night ended with a Frozen Summer dance party with DJ Chill, and fireworks that summerized the storyline of Frozen. Even Adam was impressed and agrees these were the best fireworks we saw in all the theme parks. In true Disney magic, at the end of the fireworks, Princess Elsa made it snow in Florida. My two Canadian kids thought it was great! We closed out the park!

And of course our last Disney day couldn’t have ended without Liam falling asleep on the shuttle tram back to the car.He missed out on the announcement of our third surprise for the last part of our dream vacation. To be continued…

Part three of our dream vacation continues here.

(If you missed it, part one of our dream vacation can be found here!)

August 25, 2015February 28, 2016

Letters to my Littles | August

Welcome to my monthly Letter to my Littles. After you enjoy my letter please continue on through our blog circle to see what my wonderful friend Melissa has written to her littles here. Keep reading through the circle – it’s a wonderful glimpse of motherhood from various corners of the world.

Dear Caleb and Liam,

August was another month full of adventures in the sunshine. And the adventures are continuing!!

We went up to Tracy’s cabin on Shawnigan Lake. You were both water babies this year. Aside from eating, you two were permanently in the water!

Liam- August is the very first month you haven’t been in daycare. After over 2 1/2 years at Magoo’s you have said goodbye, as you move on to Kindergarten. A few weeks ago we threw together a little goodbye to daycare party for you. You have been so sad that you are the only one from your daycare going to your school – all your buddies are going to other schools. So we wanted to cheer you up with some help from a few extra special guests. (Special thanks to Heroes Inc. for donating their time and talents to make both of you happy. Deadpool is still thrilled you are his favorite superhero, Caleb!)

Mom and dad have been working most of the summer – and feeling like we have been missing out on summer fun with you both. So we have spent lots of nights wandering in town enjoying the touristy things – like Darth Fiddler, the breakwater, Beacon Drive-in ice cream and the buskers. Liam you even got to be part of a busker’s show – and earned $5 which was promptly spent on a minion balloon.

(above photo taken by Caleb!)

We also took you up to the forestry museum to ride the trains and have some fun. I had to bribe you with cotton candy to get a photo with both of you. But it was worth it!

We love all the time we can capture with you, and the memories that we make in those moments we manage to steal away with you. Some times it is exhausting for all of us – but it is totally worth it.

We are so excited for the next few weeks and the surprises we have in store for you. We hope that you enjoy the extra fun family time we have planned before the school year starts. I still can’t believe I will have a 5th grader and a kindergartener. You two have grown up way too fast!! Cheers to our adventures as we wrap up summer!

Love,
Mama

XO XO

July 25, 2015February 28, 2016

Letters to my Littles | July

Welcome to my monthly Letter to my Littles. After you enjoy my letter please continue on through our blog circle to see what my wonderful friend Christine has written to her littles here. Keep reading through the circle – it’s a wonderful glimpse of motherhood from various corners of the world.

Dear Caleb and Liam,

Summer is here and in full swing. The sunshine is bringing us all smiles again, and we are all embracing life a little more fully.

Our days have been jam packed. Caleb you are enjoying a variety of summer camps – you have learned computer coding, customized your own computer game app, created your own animated comic and spent a week doing canoeing, forest games and beach yoga. And your summer is only half done. Liam you are finishing your last month of daycare ever. It’s bittersweet to see you leave the place that cared for you from over 2 1/2 years.

You are both in an accelerated session of swim lessons twice a week. But you have also learned to love the outdoor pool near us. It’s great to have such a fun place to enjoy time with you.

We’ve been enjoying lots of summer fun with friends and family too. Your dad has mastered the art of s’mores dip. With all the forest fires happening around the province, it’s nice to have a safe (non-campfire) version of our favorite summer food. We did it for dessert during one of our beach BBQ hang outs with Austin and his parents. It was another great night together with them at the lagoon. Not to mention the light that night was perfect!

While we haven’t made it to the petting zoo in town for a while, you are both loving the goats at My Chosen Cafe. You are both learning to wait patiently for dinner and our family meals out are going smoother.

I had such a blast with you a few weeks ago Caleb. We ran our first 5k together, and did a Color Vibe run with one of my work friends and her son. You, Cohen and Victoria kicked my butt at running. But the dance party and the experience was so much fun. Liam, you didn’t run this year, but you still got yourself so dirty. Next year we are going to do this as a family!

Liam, you have been practicing your skills for kindergarten. You are so quirky these days. During the super hot weather you decided you weren’t wearing shirts anymore. You are so good at persisting with tasks. You are definitely kindergarten ready.

You two love being outside after dinner playing with the neighbourhood kids. It brings back memories of my childhood. We’ve had a few late bedtimes as a result – but I remember late bedtimes were one of my favorite things about summer days when I was your ages.

We’ve also kept up with our Sunday dinners, just the way Poh-Poh wanted it. We recently did a picnic at the park – it was nice to see your great-grandpa smiling.

It’s still hard to be working all day – and feeling like I am missing out on your summer days – but we are certainly making up the family time in the evenings and weekends. Our summer is only half over, but the next month of summer promises to be even better. Your dad and I have a few surprises for you both before kindergarten and grade 5 start. We are one month away from an adventure of a lifetime… but shhh…. you two still don’t know yet!

I love you both – thanks for bringing sunshine and joy to me!

Love,
Mama
XO XO