the lighthouse in our corner of canada

The last week of summer is here. Next Tuesday morning Henry and Walter head back to school ... but this week ... Sam is off work and we are busy and not-so-busy enjoying this last week of summer. (In which a whole 'nother blog post may be needed to say as to how very much I am ready for school! For all the fun we've had, I'm just.so.tired ...) But today we planned to finally get to Fort Rodd Hill and the Fisgard Lighthouse which is really just across the bay from where we live in Esquimalt. Nothing is ever easy though, is it?, as Sam had all the kids outside to have Henry practice biking solo again. But then as I was getting ready there were screams galore and first Felix came in with a bee sting and then Walter only 5 minutes later with 2 more stings ... and then another sting to Sam as he was fighting off the enemy. Sigh ... what a disaster. But then we were finally off and made the short drive over to these National Historic Sites. We explored the artillery fort, picnicked, and then found ourselves suddenly climbing a few stairs up to the amazing vista of the ocean and lighthouse below and beyond us. Even the boys just stopped and said "Wow!". Yes exactly, it was really, really gorgeous. Walking out to the lighthouse and then exploring in and around that was the best part. It was a picture perfect setting and a gloriously sunny day. So much history in that lighthouse and so much beauty in where it has stood sentry for 154 years. We'll certainly be back again. To visit, to explore more, to take more pictures and to show off to others. I am so very thankful we live close to the ocean and it's still exciting to come across a gem such as this so close by.

third time doing 3 days

We are all back together again. Henry and Walter just came home this afternoon after 5 days at Nana and Grandad's house and as I write this everyone is snug asleep in their own beds again. This past weekend had been booked for Felix's potty training time for months now! (Yes, we "booked" it as it really had to be planned well around trips away and other summer commitments. And so Sam could organize to take the older boys out of the house for that time. Oh yes, I take this very seriously!) I'm so glad to be on the other side of this now. I'll admit it had been stressing me out as I was worried how my much more stubborn, much more emotional Felix would take to this. Henry and Walter were just so compliant, truly! Then the first morning I woke up so, so sick … I assumed it was just stress but then discovered it was not when Felix started throwing up a few days later, ugh! But for both of us, amazingly, it was a short-lived bug. I threw up once and felt fine; Felix threw up three times then slept til lunch and he was right as rain. At least he was warning me ahead of time and then puking into the toilet like a champ! That was Day 3 … when I thought I could relax a bit … but no, I just had to shadow him for a different reason, good grief. As as for the potty training he.was.a.rock.star. Like a Boss, I tell ya. I stuck to the method closely as I did with Henry and Walter and after three peeing-down-the-legs accidents, which horrified him greatly, he got it and was telling me he had to pee. Every time. Rock star. When it was the right time I surprised him with the Cars "good job" stickers, some new Dusty the Plane underwear and a new fire truck the second day to encourage and reward him. We also called Daddy right after the big exciting moments … he was so, so proud of himself. The photo below is of his very first good job sticker and he had just finished yelling "I peed in the potty!!!". Encouragement and confidence helped too in getting him to poop in the potty and now to wake up dry too. Seriously, I could not be happier.

It's funny, though, living in that bubble world entirely focused on his every move. No other kids, no other responsibilities, no other attentions. I heard that it was really, really hot outside but I had no idea! And I can't neglect to say how totally fun it really was to have this extended one-on-one time with him. I loved it and he just ate it up. I don't know how many dozens of times he said to me "Watch this, Mum" and I did. Every time. I just sat and watched as he twirled or jumped or showed off his killer dance moves. We read way too many books, played with all the guys from Cars and Planes, had just me and him dance parties, watered the garden, ate together quietly and happily, and I let him help me make our green drinks from start to finish. I wasn't rushed, I wasn't frustrated, I wasn't in control, I just really honestly enjoyed letting him handle everything and make the smoothie. I know he missed his brothers so much but it was a special time for he and I, I'll always cherish these days alone with each potty training boy.

And let's shout it from the mountaintops … No More Diapers! 5 and 3/4 years and I am so done with that. Felix, you did it. We did it. I kinda think we're both pretty awesome.

waffles and ice cream

I'm home today alone with Felix on Day 2 (awesome Day 2!) of the 3 Day Potty Training Method … more on that later … but wanted to quickly get up a post on our short trip up to Courtenay this week. Just me and all the little men. Two years ago I did the same thing with all the kids and last year just Henry and Walter went up to stay with Jim and Joy while Sam and I celebrated our 10th anniversary at a hotel nearby. So we can certainly say it's a summer tradition now, our yearly sojourn to the Tanskys. 11 year old Amy and 14 year old Jeremy were amazing and kind and giving as usual, playing with the boys endlessly and just being the cool big kids that Henry especially looks up to. I've known both of them since they were born and they are some of my fave kids, no kidding. Of course every year we get over to the Taylor family's dairy farm (Joy is Taylor-born) which I love to do myself … visit this whole family that I've known since my 16th birthday. Jeremy took each of the boys out on a quad ride - oh my, they loved that! - and they all came back with hats off, hair sticking up and big, big smiles. There was big curious cows, small licking calves, hay lofts to climb up into and huge tractors to practice on. The rest of our stay was spent sneaking blackberries from the corner bush, jumping endlessly on their trampoline, chasing and being chased by Amy and Jeremy around the back yard, building Lego, going to a newly built playground and water park, catching dozens of small crabs at Goose Spit Beach and one still-in-its-shell clam, and Henry obsessively reading The 100 Most Deadliest Things on the Planet book. He pretty much described every page to us, ha! And of course, the real tradition, waffles with ice cream for our last breakfast, yum. It was one of Henry's first questions to Joy when we arrived! Joy and I watched movies both nights once the littles were asleep and even went for a dinner out, just her and I, so there was treats and summer relaxing for everyone. Another great visit, another batch of memorable photos. Next summer we'll have to bring Sam up too next year so all the boys can go fishing, right? Perhaps a new tradition?

summer list

This year I created a Summer Bucket List and it's been a lot of fun, as well as a good reminder to actually do the things we mentioned back in the spring. For as well intentioned as I may be … my mind is like a sieve these days and years and so a list is imperative. Today we crossed another item off … yes, water balloon basketball! And I must say, Sam got into it more than I ever imagined! The balloons were ready, the boys were determined, Dad got soaked, Felix got excited, and Walter claimed bragging rights with his total of 97 points. Definitely worth the wait.

five nights at veranda beach

This year we chose to do one main summer holiday trip … and then added on a visit to my parents afterwards. We are trying to limit our costs going across on the ferries and also simply we were not wanting to travel too far! The idea has been floating around a bit for a number of years, in vague wishful tones, to holiday together with Jeff & Shendah and Eli & Allison. And then just after Christmas we talked about it seriously and started making plans … the search was on for the best location and the best venue. The Island or the Okanagan? A hotel or a cabin? Suddenly one night I remembered a place I had bookmarked years ago, Veranda Beach, just 5 minutes across the US border on Lake Osoyoos. It's a 1950's style beachfront resort with colourful cottages lining the movie set styled streets. Allison said after it was like driving into The Truman Show or Pleasantville and no kidding, it was exactly like that! Our group of 13 needed as much room as we could get so we chose a 4 bedroom beachfront cottage, in fact the red one that seems to appear on all their promotional billboards along the highway. The best part was just letting that porch door slam behind you and there was the beach and lake … worth every extra penny!

The 7 boys, Henry, Walter, Felix, Ronin, Angus, and twins Mylo and Ari, range from 1 to almost 6 but they had a great time all together. And Henry certainly wasn't ignoring the little guys as he was constantly helping out, talking to, and playing with "the babies" whenever he could. Their days were filled with bike riding, playing soccer, building sandcastles, swimming at the beach and the pool, finding whatever they could for their bug jars, having a big scavenger hunt with Sam and Jeff, throwing water balloons at Sam, bubbles, watching movies, sleeping in bunk beds, walking to the playground, s'mores (first time ever for our three!), and did I mention the beach? For the parents there was still early mornings and pushing food during meals and crying kids and hungry kids and they-will-not-stop-giggling-and-fall-asleep-kids but we did it together. And we did it while sipping on some pretty heavy duty margaritas once all the kids were finally asleep! Sam, Jeff and Eli have been friends for 22 years and it's great to see their boys now playing together, the next generation of friends.

Veranda Beach, you were pretty spectacular. Thank you for having the hottest day when we arrived and for raining as we left. We couldn't have timed it any better.