The Last Bits of Summer

Here are the last bits of summer, spent at a family cottage in the North Kawarthas.  We were relieved to leave the heat wave in Toronto and escape to the lake at the cottage where we could jump in the water whenever it all got too much.  That is exactly what we did.  There was more than one morning we spent sipping coffee down at the dock while the children waded and splashed in the water before the sun had even hit the beach. I always used to love the water (and still do) but to be honest, between 19 years old and now I haven't spent more than a few minutes at a time in the water, really.  

But this past weekend was really full of swimming.  It was so hot, it was hard not to go in.  Gabriel must have spent the better part of eight hours a day (when he wasn't eating breakfast, or lunch or supper) in the water!  So between Jordan and I who joined him there, we each spent about four hours each day in the water too.  I definitely felt a little bit like a kid again, paddling around, jumping in and out, running in and out of the water splashing, lounging in the floaty.  It was pretty fabulous really!  The water, along with the cousins as great company, and delicious food... well, it was pretty alright, you know?

Even the littlest of cousins dipped his toes in the water.

 There were plenty of boat rides where the kids got to "drive."

 And plenty of relaxation.

Our cousins have a cottage right beside where we were staying and so our children got to spend a lot of time together.  It's pretty neat that we have someone born every year for the past four years.  Many babies to keep each other company!  And hopefully many summer weekends together up at the cottage!

 Another little cousin stopped in for a visit!

The lingering benefit of our trip this summer has been the strong friendship that has remained between Maggie and Gabriel.  They love to play together, (and pester and torture each other).  We love watching them play together, racing around playing "chase" and "steamrolling" each other.  The shrieks of laughter, the giggles... the crying....  (It always ends in tears, doesn't it). 

 

 And here we go, Fall....  Back to the grind!  It already feels like fall here in Toronto again!