Lazy Summer Days

For the past two weeks we've been trekking to the lake every day for swimming lessons! It's about a half hour walk...on the way there it is all down hill, so on the way back I get quite the workout, with Will in my carrier and the girls in the stroller. 

Felicity has been dying to take swimming lessons, and was so excited when she turned three that she could finally do it!! So I signed her up. Both girls ended up being the only kids in their classes, so it was like private lessons...not sure if this was better or worse for Felicity. For the first week she refused to set foot in the water with the teacher. Wouldn't do a thing. No matter what I did. No bribery works on this girl. So ridiculously stubborn. Finally, by week 2 I went in the water with her, leaving Willy sleeping on the beach ( at a safe distance from me, of course) and that did it! Success!!!!

She loved it. 

Little Willy catching some shut-eye.

Can I tell you how much I love summer?! 

Five Years Too Old

My little girl turned 5 on Saturday. For some reason this seems SO old to me. I'm not sure I'm ready to be the mom of a 5 year old! 

Maria sure was excited though! And we had the best day. It stared out with a new dress to put on, birthday waffles and smoothies,

then she opened a few presents, including her very own guitar.

She received so many phone calls from her aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins.

In the afternoon we went to a wildlife park where we saw lots of animals! Maria's favourite was the cute little baby bunny. 

Then we came home and had chili for supper (per Maria's request) and cake! 

Gosh I love this kid! She was sooo happy all day...I absolutely love the delight that she takes in every little thing. She is the sweetest five year old - the best helper to me, and the best big sister. I love her imagination which entertains the two girls all day long, and her creativity that shines through in her love of all things crafty.  Although she looks more like her daddy, she has more of her mama's personality, which creates a special bond between us because I feel like I always know what she's thinking and can predict her every move. This also means I feel her pain when she's having a hard time. 

 Although it makes me so sad that she's not so little anymore, I am of course so excited to see her grow and learn so many new things this year! I pray that I will be given the graces to be a good mother to her, and to face all the new challenges that lay ahead. I love you Maria!