Friday Favourites

For this edition of Friday Favourites, I am sharing photos from one of our favourite days of the summer (so far!) - on Wednesday we went to Canada's Wonderland and it was a very successful day.  We took E here last year and he enjoyed most of the rides (with the exception of the big coasters that he is still just a bit too short to go on) but this year we thought we should bring Q.  He is over 36 inches tall so he can go on all of the kids rides and there are a lot of them.  

We bought our tickets at Costco, saving a few dollars on each one (Q was free!), and on Wednesday we packed up our lunches, sunscreen, water, and hats for a day at the park.  We did pack a bag with swimsuits and towels but forgot it at home! I was so annoyed that we did this, but it all worked out in the end.  The boys were wearing thin shorts that worked as swimsuits, and Dave just took one for the team and wore his shorts on the slides (you couldn't tell they weren't swim trunks, and he tolerated having no change of clothes).  I did not get to go on the slides this time (I didn't feel like buying one of the bikinis they had for sale at the shop) but I still went in the wading pool and was able to take a bunch of photos.  

So besides #swimsuitfail2019 we were ready.

We got there before it opened, around 9:30.  They let you into the park, just not into the rides, and so we could get the kids' height bracelets and take a few photos. 

Q would not look at the camera, he was interested in the waterfalls. 

Our first stop was Vortex, and we were on the ride at 10:03.  This doesn't have a long line first thing in the morning so both Dave and I were able to go on with E without waiting.  

Again, Q not interested in a photo.

Canada's Wonderland has Parent Swap (like Disney) so we used that for Thunder Run.  It didn't really work out for any other rides because we split up later so Q wasn't just sitting around, but it is a great option and I don't think many people know about it.

After Thunder Run, E and I went to find a bathroom and the Spinovator was right next to that, so we went on that ride.   Meanwhile Dave and Q were checking out the kids area.

Even though these are smaller rides, E was happy to go on them with Q. 

Then Dave and E left to go on Dragon Fyre, and Q and I stayed in the kids area.

A quick hug for Charlie Brown.

Obligatory ride on the swans, although at the end Q was saying "Go faster", so clearly he's more of a thrill rider. 

This one, Flying Eagles, was pretty fast and high, but fun. 

Our eyes match our respective shirts. 

Then we went out to the car to have our picnic lunch.  This worked out well as it was a little break from the crowds, no need to stand in line to get food, and we saved some money and ate some healthier food.  (But don't worry, we had some treats later on.)

After we went back into the park, Dave and E went on The Fly while Q and I headed to the water park.  As I said above, we didn't have our suits, but we decided to see what we could accomplish. First Q wanted some candy and then we just sat in the shade while he ate that and he played with some toys.  

First I tried just getting Q to go into the splash pad area but he really just wanted to go to on the slides.

After a few runs on the kiddie slides and some wading pool time, I managed to convince Q to leave so then E and Dave went on a few of the big slides.   Q and I watched the Yukon Striker go by a few times, and he kept saying "again!".  

Beer and chips for the win.

We went on the Flying Canoes and then I saw it was almost 5:00 so we went over to see the Charlie Brown Block Party.  It was cute, but Q didn't really care that much so we left. 

Meanwhile...

A few more rides over in Planet Snoopy.  It was the perfect time of day, there were very short lines so we did a lot. 

Q was big enough for the bumper cars so the boys went on that.  I don't think Q actually turned the wheel, it was pretty hard to turn, but he got around and he had a great time. 

We got some chicken fingers for supper, but Q just wanted an ice cream so we said sure, and he was pretty happy about that. 

After we ate, I took E over to my favourite ride, White Water Canyon.  

And then over to my second favourite ride, Flight Deck (formerly known as Top Gun); E was tall enough for this one this year.  

While we were doing these rides, Dave and Q went on Flying Canoe again and then to play at the Maple Park Treehouse where Dave said Q was having the time of his life running around.  He was able to pry him away and we met at the front gate ready to go home.  I only wish we'd had time for Swing of the Century and Backlot Stunt Coaster.

Driving away after a successful day.

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci.

10 on the 10th

Today's 10 on the 10th (or 8th in my case) link up is 10 ways to be a good friend.  I don't have a large group of girlfriends that I hang out with a lot, I tend to have smaller groups from various stages of my life, and Dave and I have a number of couple friends.

1. Make plans.  You have to make an effort to see people, so see if you can meet up for lunch, coffee, a drink, or movie.  It doesn't have to be a big thing but catch up in person when you can.

2. And stick to them.  Make your meet ups with friends a priority because when you start cancelling plans and pushing them out, you may end up losing touch. 

3. Send texts every once in awhile (I'm not a phone talker). If your friends live far away, you can still check in every once in awhile.  

4. Listen.  Sometimes you don't need to ask a lot of questions, your friends will tell you what they need to tell you and you just need to be there to listen and lend moral support.   

5. Don't expect too much.  We are in a busy season of our lives and even though I said you should make plans and stick to them, don't worry about getting together all of the time.  It's about quality, not quantity.  There will be a time when our kids need us less and then we will spend more time with our friends. 

6. Take their advice. Your friends know you and can see things in different ways than you can. 

7. Make new memories, don't just rely on the old ones.  This is self explanatory.  If you only ever spend time talking about the "good old days", then your friendship may not make it.  

8. Include their spouse and kids in invitations.  It's nice if you can find synergies with your families so it means more time to spend together. 

9. Travel. This is not always easy and it doesn't work with everyone, but if you can make a short trip work every once in awhile, it is fun, and adds to #7.

10. Like their Instagram posts.  This is kind of a silly one but it just means you're keeping up with their lives and what's important to them.  A simple like means you're paying attention.  I know it seems trite but this is the world we live in now. 

Linking up with The Bolin Bunch.

September Resolutions

Some people view the start of a new school like the real start to the year, rather than the calendar year.  Even though I have been out of school for many years I do still feel that way sometimes.  With the weather changing, it feels like we should be buckling down and get serious (before the Christmas holidays start and we go nuts again!).

A few things that I want to improve on as we head into September are:

Eating better - I tend to indulge in lots of summer treats, and I do enjoy it, but I also feel much better when I limiting alcohol, fatty foods, and sugar.  

Bring my lunch 80% of the time.  When the patios are calling in the summer, I tend to eat out more.  Bringing my lunch will also help with the first one of eating better!

Fitting in an extra workout other than my classes.  We are pretty active in the summer but I want to keep that up into the fall even if it means an extra layer of clothes. 

Continuing to ride my bike.  As long as the weather stays pretty warm and dry, there is no reason why I can't keep riding my bike into September.  

Not scrolling so much through social media.  My husband is reading this and rolling his eyes since he doesn't think I'll actually stick to this.  I am always checking Twitter and Onstagram so I can keep up with what is going on but lately the news just seems so bleak, do I really need to know every detail?  

Start thinking about Halloween and Christmas now!  We always have busy Septembers and Octobers with back to school and birthdays, so I want to try and get a head start. 

Weekend Recap

On Friday E and Mom went to the library and then out for lunch.

We ordered some Indian food for supper and then Dave and I went out to meet his cousins for a drink. 

It was a beautiful day on Saturday again.  Mom and I went up the street to do some errands and Dave took the boys for a bike ride to the park.  In the afternoon we got the pool out and got ready for our dinner guests. 

Snacking on some guacamole and chips.

Our friend Cindy and her nieces were visiting from PEI, so they came for supper, along with our other friend Kate.  We had a great night.

On Sunday morning I took Mom to the airport bright and early.  We had an easy morning and then headed to High Park.  Our plan was to have a swim at the pool.  First we had our lunch.

The High Park pool was supposed to open at noon but the lifeguard came out to say they were having mechanical issues and they might be opening at 12:30.  We did hang around until 12:30 but they were not sure when it would open, and by this time Q was getting cranky so we just went home instead.  After Q woke up we went to the Lambton pool instead.  It was way better. 

Snuggled up after swimming.

After we got home we went over to our neighbours for a BBQ.  The kids were having a great time on the trampoline. 

Ice cream sundaes for dessert.  

After we ate we went across the street and sort of crashed the 50th anniversary party our other neighbours were throwing for their parents.  They had a bouncy castle in the front yard so the kids had to try that out, and they had leftover beer so they insisted the adults stay too!  It was a later night than planned but so fun. 

I threw together a huevos rancheros for breakfast on Monday morning. 

We had a lazy morning (although I did walk to get bread and produce), and watched a couple of movies.  We biked down to the lake and visited the playground and splash pad at Amos Waites Park.  It was hot!

After supper the boys had a bath and then made popcorn and watched Detective Pikachu.

I decided to go for a run instead of going to pilates.  We concluded our evening with some TV and snacks. 

Holiday

Hope you're enjoying your holiday Monday today!  We are still enjoying our weekend, be back here tomorrow with a recap.

Friday Favourites

E spent this week with my mom at "Camp Nana" and they got up to lots of fun stuff:

Hockey Hall of Fame

Lunch with me at Movenpick

Indigenous Festival (Recognizing Residential School Survivors)

Art Gallery of Ontario

Lunch with me and my friend Janna at the Trinity Square Cafe

Aladdin

So I don't care for heights, but this was a new reaction.  The window in the office across the hall from me was being changed this week.  I was nowhere near it but I started to get so nervous.  Eventually the workers shut the door and then I was fine.

My bike got stolen this week :( which was pretty disappointing.  I was only able to ride it once this week.  I did get a replacement bike so I'll get back out there again (with stronger lock and special VIP bike parking).  I did snap this photo on the morning of my ride, it really is nicer to ride to work rather than take the subway.

My friend Cindy and her nieces are in town and I met them for supper at King Taps last night. 

Yesterday I celebrated my 5 year blogging anniversary and wrote about why I write this blog.  Check it out.

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci.

Why I...Blog

Today marks 5 years of this blog so this edition of "Why I..." answers why I write this blog.

It's a good record of our lives.  I love going back to see what we were up to at the same time last year.  And it forces me to document our trips and holidays properly.

On that note, it forces me to take photos, and try to remember to take a variety of photos - some of each kid, ones of Dave and me together, and of all four of us.

It allows our family to keep up with what we are doing. I don't like talking on the phone and I usually fall behind in my email correspondence, but I don't feel too bad about that because people can just hop over here and catch up with us.

I like to give advice and talk about myself, but I am conscious of the fact that people don't always want to hear it all.  This way, I can share all of my opinions, and if anyone wants to read about it, they are welcome to do so on their own time, but if they aren't interested, that's fine too!

It challenges me to come up with different things to write about.  I post something each weekday and although some things are a constant, like Weekend Recap, I try to come up with different and engaging topics.

I like connecting with other bloggers - some that I know read my blog too, and others who don't read my blog but who I am inspired by.

I wrote about my tips for starting a blog here.

Thanks for keeping up with me over these past 5 years.  I never know how long I'll keep this up, but I'm here for now!