{18 Months}

God made the world with its towering trees, 
majestic mountains and restless seas, 
then paused and said, ‘It needs one more thing.’
Someone to laugh and dance and sing, 
to walk in the woods and gather flowers, 
to commune with nature in quiet hours.
So God made little girls
with laughing eyes and bouncing curls, 
with joyful hearts, and beautiful smiles, 
enchanting ways and feminine wiles.
And when He’d completed the task He’d begun, 
he was pleased and proud of the job He’d done.
For the world when seen through a little girl’s eyes
greatly resembles paradise. 
Morgan Doe

A year and a half. Where did the time go? 

{Long Weekend} The Beach!

This past long weekend was an easy-going, laid-back kind of weekend for us. We spent some time on all three days at three different beaches! Saturday was spent in the Peterborough area; we did some shopping in the morning, went to Burleigh Falls for lunch (so gorgeous, by the way!) and spent all afternoon at Lakefield's public beach. We liked the beach so much on Saturday that we went back (to Bobcaygeon beach) on Sunday after church and spent Monday at Balsam Lake. We didn't take a ton of pictures because we were spending more time watching Brynn loving the beach and water (and trying paddle boarding for the first time!). Hope you had an enjoyable weekend too!

{17 Months}

Life with Brynn lately can be summed up in the lyrics to Walk of the Earth's song "Rule the World":

I say yeah yeah yeah, they say no no no

They say slow slow slow, I say go go go

They say no way, oh, I say I'll rule the world 

I say I rule the world

In every sense she has become a picture perfect precocious toddler. She is stubborn, helpful, funny, giggly, smart and silly. She climbs, runs, yells, talks, jumps, wiggles, screams and makes faces. When we heard WOTE's new song we both burst out laughing because of how perfectly it fit Brynn. Here's to sticky fingers, climbing on the table, and a perfectly combined outfit of pyjamas, helmet and rubber boots!

The fundamental job of a toddler is to rule the universe.- Lawrence Kutner

{Dad & Daughter Time} Camping at Red Pine Lake

In a repeat of last year, James took Brynn camping at Red Pine Lake with our friends Dan and Lisa and another couple and their son. It was a last minute decision and I had to work, so the weekend turned out to be some quality daddy/daughter time. It did make me happy to hear she went around saying, "Mom, mom, mom" though ;)! Here are some pictures from their weekend together.

James was so busy running after this precocious kid all weekend that he didn't take pictures of anyone else or the scenery! It warms my heart to know that I have a husband who is such a great dad that not only is he able, but is also willing to take our daughter on a trip to the backwoods all by his lonesome. Here's to many more daddy/daughter weekends!

{MacLean's Berry Farm} Strawberry Picking!

Brynn had her first (and second, and third...) taste of strawberry picking today. We headed over to MacLean's Berry Farm, just south of Buckhorn. It was a fun morning of picking, although really, if we are honest, probably more of eating! We had a rough start because B decided she liked the ride to the field so much she didn't want to leave the wagon, but once she had that first taste of strawberry goodness, we were good to go!

I know it is pretty much considered a "right of passage" for every parent to take their kid strawberry picking, and now I know why!

"One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste."- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

{Father's Day Weekend} Arrowhead Provincial Park

In lieu of a gift this Father's Day, Brynn and I took James camping for the weekend! Since camping basically makes James the happiest person alive, we thought it would be a good trade.

The weather was fantastic on Saturday- enough that we even got to go swimming at the beach (in June!). We did some biking and hiking, and enjoyed a dinner cooked over the fire. Sunday was a bit wetter (and a lot buggier), but we escaped the swarms with a beautiful bike right to the Big Bend lookout.

To be honest, I think we would both choose watching B as our favourite part of the trip (my, how interests change after kids!). We were pretty lenient with her exploring, since the campground was quite empty and we had loads of time on our hands. She did manage to run into the lake, fully clothed, at full tilt, even though we were watching, but it didn't seem to scar her, so we're good, right?

Ah, camping outfits...

we received this one-piece rain suit in the mail on Friday- just in time!

Arrowhead was a beautiful park. They have lots of walking and biking trails that we didn't get to do- we forgot our backpack carrier and they were a bit rough for the bike trailer- but we would recommend this park in a heart beat!. There are over 400 sites and the lake is beautiful. Plus, the Big East River is gorgeous and would make for some lovely canoeing! You can rent canoes, kayaks and paddle boards, too.

I've never been camping in June before, but if you have proper outdoor wear (read: bug nets and long sleeves) it can be really enjoyable and must less crowded than July or August! We might have to make this a year tradition- who knows!

“Whatever form it takes, camping is earthy, soul enriching and character building, and there can be few such satisfying moments as having your tent pitched and the smoke rising from your campfire as the golden sun sets on the horizon--even if it's just for a fleeting moment before the rain spoils everything.” ― Pippa Middleton, Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends