Fun photo shoot with 6 or fewer children

Toronto Island Annual Trip

 Every year now (3 or 4 years in a row now?) we have gone to Toronto Island with the same friends, who graciously guide us there, and provide extra care.  Without them I wouldn't dare venture into the city in unfamiliar territory.  The kids look forward to it immensely-not just for the beach and ferry ride, but also for the great company!

Lovely sandy beaches!  We had to move a beach over 'cause the one we started on had high e-coli levels.  A 10 minute walk to the nearest public washroom!

 There was no breakwater here, so it felt like the ocean with the waves crashing in!

 Evelyn didn't care where we were.  Nap time was still a priority!

 Every time the kids went into the water for a swim, the life guard went into his rowboat and paddled close by.  (It wasn't just for us though-he did it for the other group that went swimming. ;)

 Cool and clean!  So nice and refreshing.

 Nap time at the beach-only Evelyn slept, but Jennifer got a few minutes refresher.  She was more cheerful for having done it.

 What an enormous lake!  It is absolutely amazing to me, thinking that Lake Ontario is tiny compared to the ocean.  Amazing!

 Cuddle time!

 Fun in the sand!  The only tool we brought was an ice cream pail I'd taken watermelon in.  But it worked.

 On the walk back to the ferry Jennifer fell asleep, almost buried in all our bags!

We went a second time this year, with family.  But I forgot my camera. :o

Blog Backlog 4

I think this shall be the last installment for the day.  But I've made a dent in the pile of 230 some odd pics at least. :)

Melanie loves to play house.  Fortunately her brothers are quite accommodating (although Nathan tends to be busy with something like Lego if she plays house too often).  This time Daniel and Matthew are joining in her game.  She can even get Jennifer to cooperate in her house games if she plays it right. ;)

 I like to give a basket of laundry to fold and put away when the kids get into mischief.  It's an easy brainless punishment for me, 'cause there always seems to be a basket sitting there waiting on the couch.  We just have to not mind our clothes being very wrinkled, and turning up in the wrong places.

We wanted to go to Toronto Island for our annual trip with friends-but it was postponed after a very stormy morning.  To ease the disappointment I pulled out the paints.  

The kids were very good with keeping the mess to such a minimum that it was almost a painless fun time-I might even try doing it again sooner rather than later!  (After a trip to a good art store to get some more white paint...and any other colours we may need....if that ever happens...maybe when my blog is caught up...;)

Evelyn has to wait a year or two 'til she can try.  But she's looking pretty content waiting her turn!

blog backlog 3

 Breakfast time cereal box excitement.

Cute baby in chair.  She can't escape the bright flashes so easily. :)

 More stories.

 

 Counters are not recommended safe places, especially for children who are "busy".  Note the knife block in the back corner within easy reach!  :o

 I'm trying to take parenting pointers from my little sister.  But I'm not sure just how to do things...so I'm just giving her food to teeth on instead. :o

Such a cute baby that she can even make an ugly green chair look half decent. :)

blog backlog 2

 Lego creation

 Helper for the lego creation

Evelyn looking at "her" pillow.  Melanie got too many compliments, so I'm not sure she will be able to part with it after all her labours.  We shall see...

More forced "school" reading.  His comprehension appears to be lacking though. :(

Impolite boy

Crazy horse rider

 Crazy horse rider helper

 Doesn't he look guilty of something?  If only Evelyn could tell me what he was up to. ;)

Evelyn likes to pull out her soother herself.  She teeths on it some (when she has teeth I'll have to put a stop to that-or better yet, sooner than that!)

She can even put it back in herself-but not always the right way. ;)