Bedtime story

All but Evelyn were captivated by this story (Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey) about a storm passing through.  After all, we were by the sea not that long ago (even saw a lobster boat!) and we just had a storm pass through.  A great book for nature lovers!

Hot air and Hot air balloons

Despite her bad attitude, we still love Evelyn.  After all, she's cute.  And being the youngest, we sort of expect her to act a bit spoiled sometimes.   She is getting a bit spoiled though.  Even I, the ever biased mother, noticed.

While the older three were arguing over who was it, and what game to play next with the neighbour boy, the three youngest were peacefully playing on the driveway.

 Daniel designed hot air balloons.

 Enough for everyone, and extra besides!  I think every time he made one for himself he'd go and make another for Jennifer on "her side" of the driveway.

 Such an artist. ;)

He even made room for a bed in the basket, so Jennifer could lay down in her balloon.
By the house he had a thing for gas drawn, as well as some other equipment he felt was necessary.

Sweet

Sugar and spice
and all short tempered and sour.

Gearing up

We got some gear at MEC again, and stopped for lunch downtown too.  The fries were so fresh we saw them getting cut. Delicious!

Mystery SS

 Last Sunday I opened up a new package of chocolate, and found a surprise! 

It was signed SS,
and it didn't say anything about winning a tour of Willy Wonka's factory
and I wasn't sure if it was safe to eat

but we haven't seemed to had indigestion from it yet.

Swimming lessons

 This year we had to do swimming lessons with the city instead of with church girls, as our holiday plans clashed with their timing.  I wasn't keen on it, but it worked out quite nicely.  I picked a pool we could walk to, and it has a lovely park at the back where I can even see through the windows to see if my kids are in their lessons or not!  We were scheduled from 8:30 AM til 10:30, so we were busy most of the morning.  We watched for some of the time, but 2 hours every day 5 days in a row, then 2 hours 4 days the next week is a bit too much watching for active children.   So, we played and swam and watched.

I'd been especially worried about Daniel getting lessons, as it was his first year doing lessons, and he's also been afraid of water since he once went in too deep and ended up floating away on his back...but after the first two lessons he went in eagerly!  He especially liked to splash his instructors.  I'm not so sure what he thought about getting splashed back!  He was pretty pleased with himself at how well he did. :)

Some of us only played and watched.

PEI fireworks

 So, apparently, PEI had the most expensive fireworks in Canada for Canada Day this year?

 We parked at Phil's bros and walked to downtown, where by island standards, it was crowded for parking.

 We were there plenty on time, and even found some flags (aka lost/garbage) to use.

 Philip went off to get chairs ALL the way back at the cars. While the rest of our beautiful family posed beautifully.

 Stanley has sailboats behind him, very appropriate.  Maybe one year he'll take me sailing. ;)

 Waiting some more.

 And there they are! 

And 11 minutes later they were gone.
Ka BOOM

Prince Edward Island and sandy beaches

 Just about ready to go.  See how both girls have a doll and books!

Naptime at Opa and Oma's.

Bringing the beach home gave the kids something fun to do outside!

But, I think, they like going to the beach even better.

This was at the docks watching some of the boats go in and out while Daddy was off having coffee with somebody downtown.

 Another beach, but not so clean.  Still fun to explore.