Summer Recap

Ah, time to look back on our summer - full of fun!

We kicked off the summer with a t-ball tournament in Stoney Creek. 

(Last time those pants were white!)

Canada Day waffles.

The first of many meals on the golf club patio.  We met Dave on Canada Day for lunch. 

E and I took in a Blue Jays game with tickets in the lower bowl behind home plate.

We got a new car!

We dropped Q off at camp and E went to a friend's cottage for a week. 

Dave and I went to see Dave Matthews Band at Budweiser Stage.

E and I picked up Q from camp and enjoyed some lunch in Bala on our way home.

We went to the second t-ball tournament in Mississauga. 

The kids and I went to PEI and my mom came over to hang out with us for the week. We stayed at my friend Cindy's cottage.

Third t-ball tournament, this time in Ancaster for the August long weekend.  

We fit in some go-karts too!

I golfed 18 holes with E.

The four of us got out for 9 holes.

E golfed with his buddies at Scarlett Woods.

We golfed with my dad.

Q went to golf camp.

The last tournament of the summer was in Dundas.  Q got player of the game.

I dropped E off at camp for the last week of summer. 

Our long weekend featured a Blue Jays game and a bike ride to the lake.

This year was the first year we did not go camping. We love camping but with Q on the Rep T-ball team with several tournament weekends, camping slipped down in priority.  Another difference this year is that Q only played one sport, t-ball, and E didn’t play any organized sports, but he did get out golfing. I joined the golf club as a “learn to golf” member and got out several times and met lots of ladies.  I was working from home all summer, and that meant no bike rides to the office, but I did enjoy working in the backyard before it got too hot. We had a very hot summer with very little rain, my favourite type of weather. I tended to prioritize sleep and golf this summer instead of working out on a regular basis. However I did get out for a run once a week either on a Friday or Saturday morning, even when I was on holiday :) so that was a good habit to keep up.

Second Half of March Break

Yesterday I did a recap of the first part of our March Break - skiing in Quebec.  As I said in that post, the second part of our plans did not happen, and although I usually hate cancelling plans for weather, it was the best decision. We were able to save some of our vacation days and be productive at home.  One would think we also saved money but see Saturday's happenings, haha. For my own personal record keeping, I wanted to tell you what we got up to instead.

Wednesday - Dave and I both worked from home, and I did all of the laundry.  We thought about sending Q to the YMCA but instead decided he could sleep in and have a slow day at home. At this point we were still considering going up to the ski race, but found out we could cancel the hotel with only a small penalty, and also withdraw from the race without penalty, so we did just that.  

Thursday - We both went into the office and left a list of things for the kids to do that day.  In addition to getting dressed and eating breakfast, they needed to fold their laundry, tidy their rooms, practice their music, and walk up to No Frills to buy a few things.  I had put yoghurt on the list and E asked what kind so I sent him this.  They also got some pizza for their lunch.  We were very proud of them for getting their list done, and still having lots of time for movies and video games.  

I also had a surprise visit with Natasha, a fellow Canadian blogger. She was in the city for March Break and I messaged to find out what their plans were and they ended up being right downstairs from my office, so I popped down to say hello. 

Friday - We worked from home again.  It was Pi Day so at lunch the boys and I walked up the street to get some ingredients for pie and picked up a few other things.  Q requested apple pie and E said coconut cream. I had never made coconut cream pie from scratch before, but it turned out so well. 

Saturday - The new season of F1 got underway with the Australian GP Quali.  We had recorded it from overnight and watched it when we got up.  We also went to Corbett's ski shop in Oakville so Dave could check out some new ski boots with the end of season sales.  We were successful, he got his boots, three of us got new poles, and I got a new vest/sweater and socks (see no money saved!). I also went for a run when I got home, first run of the season, a little tough, but good to get out there.  It was so warm I was in a tank top by the end of it.

Sunday - We watched the F1 race, so much excitement!! I think this is going to be an amazing season. I got groceries, dropped off some parcels that were returns, we played Catan, Dave sorted out his clothes, and I started a puzzle.  I wanted to get outside, but it rained pretty much all day so we didn't venture out. We were happy with our decision to stay home, bless the dear souls that did go out for the ski race!

2024 - Year in Review

Looking back at 2024. I usually try to limit each month to one or two photos, but some months were so busy they needed more!  We packed in a lot of fun this year. 

 January

We had some fresh snow on New Year's Day for a walk in High Park.

Q officially started his ski racing career in the U8 group.

February

Ski racing continued.

We celebrated Valentine’s Day with lunch at the golf club.

Dave went to Miami with some old friends.

Our living room got put back together with some new furniture and rug.

March 

Skiddadle race, costumes encouraged so Pikachu hitched a ride on Q’s helmet.

We went to Mt. Tremblant for March Brea with friends. 

We celebrated Dave’s birthday

And we celebrated Easter.

April

We sort of saw the eclipse.

We went the Leafs game.

And the Blue Jays! This was a Jr. Jays Sunday so the boys got to run the bases.

And Dave went to Scotland to golf with some guys from his club.

May

The construction on our street finally wrapped up after three years!! 

E started baseball and I was his coach!

Q started t-ball with Dave as his coach.

Dave went golfing in Alabama, gator warning!

The boys and I caught a Blue Jays game for the long weekend in May.

Dave and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Le Banane on Ossington. 

 

June

I went to Newfounland, climbed Signal Hill and saw some puffins on a boat tour.

I celebrated my birthday - Starbucks birthday drink procured, but waiting out the rain.

Q had his first t-ball tournament and they won!! This was also Father’s Day :)

We kicked off summer camping at Killbear Provincial Park.

July

The kids were at camp for two weeks so we took advantage to go out for dinner with friends…

…and go golfing. 

We were happy to see them when we picked them up from camp.

Dave and E both got a lot of golf in.

August

We spent a cottage weekend with friends in Collingwood.

And then headed to Nova Scotia. 

We explored our city. 

I went to Timmins for a work party.

And we had another cottage weekend with friends in Muskoka.

September

Back to school - Grade 8 for E and Grade 3 for Q

Dave’s Mens Night golf team won the season.

We celebrated Q’s 8th birthday.

October

The boys participated in cross country.

We went on a Thanksgiving weekend bike ride on the Toronto Islands.

We celebrated E’s 13th birthday.

E played at an open mic night, organized by his music teacher.  He did a medley of classic rock/90s rock.

We saw Come From Away.

And we celebrated Halloween.

November

We visited New York City

We went to a Toronto Marlies hockey game with friends.

And we started celebrating Christmas. 

December

We hosted our Christmas party

And did all of the Christmas things.