Mom's Post on Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Muskoka - So today started out a bit cloudy and overcast so we decided to take a trip down memory lane. First we had to stop in Bala at Don's Bakery to place an order for the world's best brownies. I'll pick them up Saturday when we get A from camp. If I don't order them in advance then they'll be wiped out before I get there!! We went and wandered around Port Carling which was always one of my favourite places to visit when I was younger. It's pretty much the same, different store names, ridiculous prices but generally the same vibe. From there we headed to my happy place ... Dyson Lake. This is by far my favourite place in the world. I grew up here and spent the best summers of my life here. It was a super sad day when my parents decided to sell it. In fact it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. It all looked pretty much the same, not many changes up there. We parked at Paton's and headed down to the dock where were greeted by Mary Jane. It was really nice to see her and get caught up on how all the Paton's were doing. We ended up spending the afternoon there and reminiscing. This included taking J out to the rock to do some jumping. The broken collarbone does not slow him down. We jumped off the rock a few times then swam back to the dock to dry off. Dwayne returned from a golf game and we caught up with him as well. Then it was time to go, I walked the path past the old cottage and over to Neil & Dianne's. We stopped in there and again caught up and reminisced for a few minutes. After that we head d out and walked down to the docks at Cleveland's House. It still looks the same but is starting to show its age a bit. Stopped at the Corner Store in Minett for ice cream and then headed back to the cottage. I'm now having a glass of wine on the deck and realizing how much I miss the cottage life. On a brighter note, it's only three more days till I get to pick up A from camp and hear all about her adventures.

Mom's Post on Sunday, July 24, 2016

This is the snake skin from the snake we saw. I forgot to post it with last nights blog.

Mom's Post on Saturday, July 23, 2016

Sheardown Cottage So I'll admit, I made the kids write their blog last night and I skipped a night ... 😜. We headed up to the Sheardown cottage yesterday. We arrived and parked our portable cottage (aka the trailer). As soon as we were set up the kids were immediately in the water swimming and playing on the magic mat with C. Even J with his broken collar bone managed to have fun on it. We decided to head into Bracebridge for dinner and had a fantastic Mexican dinner at El Pueblito. When we got back to the cottage Laura and the girls had arrived. Of course this meant it was time to swim again ... All the kids were out in the water having a blast. We saw a large snake (what is it with me and snakes this summer?) It was actually kind of cool because it was shedding its skin and we took the skin and hung it in a tree to dry. Then they came in to watch Zootopia. This morning we got up and you'll never guess what we did ... Yup - we went swimming!! It was hot and all of us were in the water for quite some time. Yes, even me - multiple times!! The kids were finally water logged and got out and went back up to the cottage to hang out. Matt and Darren went for a tour on the seadoos and Laura and I enjoyed some peace and quiet in the water - kid free! We had lunch and then headed to camp. We stopped for ice cream in Port Sandfield and watched the boats and the ducks for a bit. We were a bit early so stopped in Rosseau and walked around for a bit. Then it was time ... We headed for camp to drop A off. There was lots of excitement and music when we arrived, they even had a free bbq for family. We took A to her cabin and met her counsellors and picked out her bunk bed and got her set up. We took a guided tour of the camp and A saw where all her activities were. Then it was time to say goodbye. It was teary (both her and me) and she had a hard time letting us go. I had to walk away while she cried and my heart was breaking. But I know she's going to have a blast and won't want to come home Saturday. I think it was hard for J too. He got to see the camp and the cabin he would've been in (he broke his collar bone on the weekend playing soccer) and all the excitement. But at least he knows what it looks like and he can expect for next year. Anyway, J and V are back in the water for their before bed swim. Night all ...

JR's Post on Saturday, July 23, 2016

Cottage Blog: Today we woke up and everyone was already up in the cottage so we joined them for some waffles. They were good. After that we went for a walk to the plastic moose. We took a picture of the moose and then we headed back and went for a long swim, it was refreshing. We had burgers for lunch with chips and cantaloupe, then we were all heading to camp to drop off A, C and S. We stopped for ice cream in Port Sandfield it was good. We arrived at Camp and were greeted by a lot of councillors, once we parked C and I went to find the cabin that C was staying in, then we found mom and dad so we could have dinner. I had a sausage it was ok, then a councillor took us for a tour around the camp. Finally it was time to say goodbye to A, C and S. A had a hard time saying goodbye. I'm going to miss her 😎😎 I think she'll do fine once she talks to people. Talk tomorrow. ✌🏽✌🏽✌🏽✌🏽✌🏽

AR's Post on Saturday, July 23, 2016

Sheardown Cottage: Today we woke up and had some "Lego my Egos" then we got ready to go to Laura's cottage. We got on the road and first me and J watched J's earth keepers video from school. Then we watched Barbie's The Princess and the Popstar. Then I chose to watch Cat in the Hat. After we watched that, we stopped for lunch at the En Route, we got Pizza Pizza. 🍕🍕 It was yummy, then we kept driving and me and J started making iMovie's. Then when got to the cottage, C was the only one there cause his dad was out sea-doing. While mom and dad were putting up the trailer, C showed me and J around the cottage. After mom and dad were all done we went SWIMMING. They have a mat that you can float on and the boys kept pushing me off and saying one way ticket. C says when he pushes me I don't yell like S does. Then after that we went for dinner at el Pueblito. The rice was good but that's the only thing!When we got back Laura and S and V were there, after they had dinner we went for another swim. It was fun! After that S and V had to go to bed so we watched Zootopia, but V kept getting out of bed while S slept peaceful. Oh yeah, tomorrow I'm going to Summer camp it gonna be fun and you guys are gonna hear about it. I'm doing ropes course, swim beach, Kraken waterslide and arts and crafts. That all today, PEACE OUT ✌!

JR's Post on Friday, July 22, 2016

Sheardown Cottage - Today once we woke up we had waffles for breakfast and headed off to see C, S and V's cottage. They have a magic mat, paddle board and even kayaks. Once we arrived we got settled and went swimming. The water is so warm! I just tanned on the magic mat. Then we took C and the whole family to La Pueblito in Bracebridge for some Mexican food - it was good!! We got back and noticed that C's mom arrived with S and V. We went for one more swim, then watched Zootopia. After that we called it a night - talk tomorrow, bye!

Mom's Post on Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Awenda Blog Tuesday Today I woke up and looked outside. It looked gloomy and overcast. We got up and had custom pancakes - chocolate chip, chocolate/peanut butter/butterscotch chip, blueberry and plain!! Then packed up for the beach. We went to the same spot as yesterday as the kids didn't want to try a different spot. They liked climbing on and jumping off the rocks and wanted to do it again. It was HOT and sunny at the beach!! I even went in 5-6 times (and by in, I mean past my ankles and actually swam). The water was chilly but but very refreshing. We swam out to the big rocks and the kids jumped off and played in the water. We took a break and sat on "Rectangle Rock" and enjoyed the sun. As we were sitting enjoying the scenery we saw a big water snake swim by. I'm really glad I saw him swim by from above because had I been in the water it would've been a very different story!! 😳 Don't worry, I calmly assured the kids that he was harmless and more afraid of us than we were of him!!! I could've stayed at the beach all day but we decided to come back to our campsite for a little siesta before dinner. I managed to snag the hammock and read my book for a bit. We made pizzas for dinner that were delicious!! Then we headed back to the beach for sunset. It was still pretty warm at the beach and again the kids were in the water like little fish. Matt went and checked out beaches 2-4 and when he came back reported that we were in fact on the best beach!! We took some nice sunset pics then returned to our campsite for a campfire, s'mores and bed. Sadly, it is time to return to the real world tomorrow and head home ... Till next time!! Awenda - stayed in Wolf Campsite, site 209 - not my favourite site. Biggest most densely populated campsite area in Awenda, lots of cars and people going by, not much privacy. Site was spacious, shady and did have two picnic tables which was handy. #256 looks like a good site for next time. Beach #1 was amazing and we loved it!!!

AR's Post on Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Awenda Blog Tuesday Today we woke up and had pancakes, they were yummy - mmmmm! Then we got packed to go to the beach and of course I lounged in the HAMMOCK! Then when we got to the beach are tunnel was GONE, 😞 someone destroyed IT. AHHHHH, then we went for ROUND 1! We got in the water and went to the big rock and jumped off a few times, then we came back and judges chilled then we went for ROUND 2! We went in with mom to the big rock and jumped off but of course mom didn't do it 🙄. Then we came back in and chilled then ROUND 3. We went out to anchor rock and jumped off it, mom got some nice pictures except dad blocked a very good one of me. Then I used the rocks to come back and J fell and hurt his foot, poor him. We came back to our camp site and chilled for about 1 hour 30 minutes. Went to the beach again and it was COLD 😰! When we came back we had a campfire and roasted marshmallows then went to bed that's all ROBERTSON #4 OUT!🤘🏻

JR's Post on Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Awenda Blog Tuesday. Today once we got up we had a delicious breakfast of pancakes and bacon then started to prepare for the beach. This time we only stayed for four and a half hours but it was still awesome. We swam out to the jumping rock and did some jumps then we found our way back to shore for some lunch. We had a peanut butter and Nutella sandwich with salt vinegar chips it was good. By the time we came back it was already dinner. We had make your own pizzas and I had pepperoni and cheese. We went back to the beach after dinner for a late swim now we're having a campfire talk tomorrow bye 😜👋🏽👋🏽👋🏽😜

Mom's Post on Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Mom Awenda Blog (Monday) Today we had a slow start. The kids slept in and A was the last one to wake up. She's usually our early bird but she's rivalling her brother for sleeping in on this trip. We had breakfast, then chilled for a bit and then we headed for the beach. The beach was really nice and had lots of rocks for the kids to climb on in the water. Although, it was a bit overcast the sun would pop out and it was HOT! Of course the kids were in the water immediately exploring the rocks. I managed to read a good chunk of my book - yay!! The water was beautiful and I even went in to explore the rocks. I got some great pics of the kids too. After the beach we came back to our site and relaxed for a bit, I even managed to finish my book. We lit the fire and made Pudgie Pies with the pie irons. We made two cheese and bacon pies and I had bacon, egg and cheese ... Yum! 'A' stuck with hotdogs and s'mores. We sat around the campfire and talked and listened to music while I "forced" the children to write their blog ... Meanest mom ever!! Mozzies are starting to come out so we'll sit a few more minutes then into the camper for some cards and games. It'll be back to the beach again tomorrow ...

AR's Post on Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Awenda Blog - Monday Today we got up and I was the last one UP, surprising right? We had breakfast then we got ready to go to the beach. We got all our stuff ready while I lounged in the hammock! 👍🏻 Then when we got to the beach, the water was mouth watering. We got in and we swam to this really big rock and that was only round one. 🦀🦀 Then for round 2 we went in and got to the rock pretty quick cause we knew our way. We got out and me and Jack started making a tunnel with the sand, we hope it's still there tomorrow if we're lucky. Then we had round 3 and I brought my goggles, it was so cool then we came back in to shore and packed up and went back to the trailer. We made Pudgie pies and I had a wiener then ate my chocolate bar and had a s'more 🍫. Then mom forced me to write my blog - ugh! So I'm writing it right now and later we're going to play games. That's all today! PEACE OUT ✌🏻️

JR's Post on Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Awenda Blog (Monday) Today we woke up and we read and had breakfast. Then we planned what we were going to do and we decided to go to the beach. We stayed at the beach for five and a half hours but it was fun. We were jumping off rocks into water that was seven and a half feet deep, so we could dive and do big jumps. We came back and just relaxed until we made Pudgie pies for dinner. I made a grilled cheese Pudgie pie with bacon it was delicious 👌🏽👌🏽. Now we're having a campfire with s'mores and later on we will play cards and maybe have Ju-jubes. When I talk to you tomorrow it will be only 13 days till my birthday! 🎉🎉🎉

Mom's Post on Monday, July 11, 2016

Awenda Provincial Park - Today we had to leave Lake Manitou and the wonderful hospitality if the Gammage family. Our plan was to get up and head out but we just couldn't pull ourselves away. It was a beautiful sunny morning and the lake was calm. The kids got up late and went for a swim. Again, they were out on the kayaks and paddle boards. They were also snorkelling and hunting for crayfish, clams and minnows. We had a great breakfast and Matt went for a paddle while I sat on the dock and enjoyed the scenery. Then finally we had to accept that it was time to go. We packed up the trailer, said goodbye to our friends and headed out around lunchtime. We made it past the swing bridge and we were off the island. We decided to drive through Sudbury and revisit some of our old stomping grounds. It has really changed and we had a hard time remembering which apartment building Matt had lived in. We drive through the Laurentian University campus and again there were a lot of changes. My beautiful view of Lake Ramsey and the UC parking lot was completely blocked by a new building they squeezed in. After that we stopped for groceries and had a picnic lunch in the parking lot of the grocery store. At this point we realized we hadn't made much progress towards our destination and got back in the car and headed to Awenda Provincial Park which is near Midland. We arrived around six o'clock and got set up. It was roasted weinies and pizza leftovers for dinner, some s'mores and then off to bed. Let's see what tomorrow brings ...

AR's Post on Monday, July 11, 2016

Today, first we woke up and I did my blog from yesterday then I went outside and played. We went swimming. I used a kayak and paddled around for awhile, then I got my snorkel and and looked for minnows, clams and crayfish. 🏊🏻 Then we got out and had breakfast, it was yummy. Then we played on the trampoline and then we all sat in the hammock and Mrs. Gammage took some photos of all of us sitting in the hammock. Then we put down the trailer and attached it to the car and that was our morning at Manitoulin Island.......... It took us 4 hours to drive to Awenda so we stopped to get groceries, then we got lunch. I got little Caesars, guess what they don't sell pieces of pizza, only pizzas so I bought a whole and actually ATE IT🍕! Then we drove and drove and drove till we finally got to Awenda, when we got all set up we had a fire and roasted weinies then we roasted s'mores yummy that's all today. PEACE OUT 🤘🏻

JR's Post on Sunday, July 10, 2016

Today once we got up we realized that it was our last day on Manitoulin Island so we had to make it work. We had a giant breakfast and went for an early swim, the water was brisk & chilly. E, B and I caught two crayfish but no minnows. Then I decided to go snorkelling to try and catch some minnows, so I chose to bring a frog net but I didn't have any luck catching one, maybe next time? Before you know it it's time to leave. So we waved out the window and said goodbye, maybe we will go to see them again in August. We stopped in Sudbury for groceries and lunch but we were still two and a half hours away from the camp site so Ava and I watched a movie. Finally, we arrived and we got all set up with the trailer and now we're going to have a campfire 🔥🔥. Talk to you tomorrow, bye! 👋🏽👋🏽👋🏽

AR's Post on Sunday, July 10, 2016

Today, well first we ate breakfast then we went Kagawan and walked to Bridal Veil Falls and some kid caught a crayfish and it was COOL 😎. Then we went in the maze and tried to find our way, there's no ENDING then we played giant chess. Then we went to the chocolate shop, it was yummy but don't ask me cause I didn't get anything! Then we drove to the boats and looked at them they were pretty Awesome! Then we went and got ice cream, I got rolo ice cream it was yummy 🍦. We came back and went swimming. I had a kayak, I had a HUMAN MOTOR! B was my human motor, it was cool then it started to rain so we all went inside then we had a campfire and that's all today BYE BYES 😋😛

Mom's Post on Saturday, July 9, 2016

Manitoulin Island - It really doesn't get better than this. Another beautiful day on Lake Manitou. The weather was very undecided today ... Sun, rain, hot, cold but we made the best of it. The kids were in the water as soon as they got up. Kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling... The they blew bubbles and drove Wellie mad. I'm not sure what she thinks the bubbles might do but she protected us from every last one! After that we headed to Kegawan and went for a hike to Bridal Veil Falls which was beautiful. We stopped to play a giant game of chess and then hit the chocolate shop for a sweet treat. From there we drove to Little Current and walked along the docks watching the swing bridge and all the big boats coming in. Our reward was a stop at the ice cream shop for a treat/lunch. Ice cream cones count as lunch - right? When we got back to the cottage the sun was out and it was back in the water again. This time they threw some snorkelling in as well. Then it rained, then the sun came out and then it rained and then the sun came out ... 🙄 Come on Mother Nature make up your mind!! We made mini pizzas on the bbq for dinner which was a big hit all around. Then it was Wellington time again ... Poor dog will be exhausted!! Ball throwing, bubble blowing and lots of ear scratching. Of course the kids went back in the water again!! Then it was time for a camp fire and s'more cones, some trampoline wrestling and then bed. It's going to be really hard to leave tomorrow but we're off on our next adventure to Awenda Provincial Park. Night all!

JR's Post on Saturday, July 9, 2016

Today once we woke up we had breakfast and went for an early swim, the water was cool but it didn't stop us from going in. We dried of just as it started to rain so we decided to take a tour around the island we stopped at Bridal Veil falls in Kagawan after that we stopped at a chocolate shoppe for a yummy treat, I got rock candy. When we got back to the cottage we went swimming 🏊🏽🏊🏽because it was Blazing hot and it cooled us right off. Once dinner time arrived we had a make your own pizza 🍕. I put pepperoni, cheese and chicken on my pizza it was delicious 👌🏽. After dinner we went for another trip to the water for a swim I went on the kayak and went far out and when I docked that I took a turn on the paddle board and I followed daddy around the shoreline. We came back and dried off so we could have a campfire we had s'mores cones they we fantastic, so gooey and mushy. I hope tomorrow will be just as good as today 👋🏽👋🏽👋🏽😜😜😜😊😊😊

Mom's Post on Friday, July 8, 2016

Manitoulin Island - Another great day on Lake Manitou. We started the day in the water, swimming and kayaking (by we I mean the kids). We saw a big raccoon hunting along the shoreline. After breakfast Matt and J went out on the boat with the wake boarders. Matt gave it a try and was doing pretty good until ... the big wipeout - ouch! After that more swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding. For lunch we enjoyed a smorgasbord of munchies. Then the kids and I went fishing with Pip, Paul and the kids. Both kids caught some big fish and thoroughly enjoyed fishing. They are looking forward to going again tomorrow. After fishing we jumped off the boat and went for a swim (again by we I mean the kids swam and the adults supervised). I got some great action shots of the kids doing some pretty fancy jumps. When we got back the kids jumped on the trampoline and then the water guns came out. It all started innocently enough until Paul took a direct hit ... This is when it went "sideways"! The war had begun pitting Paul and Zach against the little people. Innocents were used as shields but in the end I have to say the little people were victorious as two of the four were soaked and both adults were totally soaked. Then the rain came, we hid out under the trees for as long as possible then finally went inside. The kids had dinner and then Matt decided that puddle surfing was a great idea and showed off his mad skills. The kids of course followed suit and even in the rain we found some fun. The rain stopped and the sun came out and after trampolining the kids were back in the water again. The boys went fishing and the rest of us enjoyed the peace and serenity of the evening. Until tomorrow ...

AR's Post on Friday, July 8, 2016

So first we had breakfast, then I had a nap cause my throat was hurting 🤒. Then we saw a FLUFFY RACOON. I went swimming and did stuff. Then we went fishing and I caught 1 and almost 2 fish. My first fish was a rock bass and my other one got away. Then when we came back and actually I can't remember then we had an awesome water fight. We were fighting Paul it was AWESOME 😜😜, then the big storm HIT and we sat inside. Dad belly slided in a puddle it was Funny and awesome and had dinner and then just sat down and Chilled and that's fun BYE BYES.

JR's Post on Friday, July 8, 2016

Today once we woke up we had breakfast then we went for an early swim. When we were kayaking we spotted a big fluffy racoon, it was hunting. We dried off and bounced on the trampoline for a while and after that it was already lunch!!! We had kielbasa and cheese and fruits and vegetables. We went swimming again before it poured rain for a while. The power went out twice and I went through a puddle by belly sliding. I hope tomorrow is just as good talk tomorrow bye 👋🏽👋🏽👋🏽✌🏽️😊

JR's Post on Thursday, July 7, 2016

Today we woke up had breakfast and then hit the road 🛣to Manitoulin island to visit the Gammage's. It took SIX HOURS!!!! It was so long I felt like I was going to puke. We unpacked and I went to watch E and B go tubing. Ewan was fine but Ben almost fell off it was kinda scary 😥😥. Once we docked the boat, Ava and I got our bathing suits on so did mom and dad. Mom and I went first. It was fun but it really hurt my neck. Then Ava and dad went, Ava almost fell off once. We docked again we used the kayaks and paddle boards and played on them until dinner. We had chicken and chips with salad it was good. We went back to the water and jumped off the raft until we started to have a fire. I'll talk to you tomorrow bye👋🏽👋🏽✌🏽✌🏽

AR's Post on Thursday, July 7, 2016

Today we woke up at 7:00 and left at nine. We got to Zach's at 4:00 it's a 5 hour 30 minute drive plus we got lunch 🌭. I'm sick with a sore throat so it really hurts, so I have to have a lot more Vitamin C so my throat will feel better. When we got there we went water tubing its was awesome 😂. Mom did it too 😱!! Then we swam a bit more and played on the trampoline. It was fun then we had a camp fire the..... Wait I'm writing this right when we are starting the campfire, I don't know what's gonna happen next so I guess that's all BYE BYES 😜.

Mom's Post on Thursday, July 7, 2016

Manitoulin Island - After a long drive we arrived at the Gammage cottage. Once we set up the trailer we were off tubing. J and I went first and, although I thought I lost him once, we had a blast getting bounced around. Then Matt and A went next and at one point all I saw were her feet in the air. She loved it too!! After that the kids quickly learned how to kayak and use the paddle boards and they were on the water the rest of the day with E & B. I even tried out a paddle board and took Wellie🐶 for a little ride till she dumped me in the drink!! When the kids weren't in the water, they were jumping on the trampoline or catching frogs. A quick dinner then the kids were back in the water, a camp fire with s'mores and then it was off to bed. No problems falling asleep tonight. Night all!