Is Anthony ready for a Triathlon?

Since last fall, our niece Lauren taught Anthony swimming lessons once a week. It was handy for her to come to our building and take him for a half-hour each week. We really noticed a difference in his confidence since last summer. He now jumps in on his own, with water wings. The best thing is that he is enjoying it!! With the heat wave we have now, we have been in the pool almost every day.


First kiddie trot race for my lil man! We headed downtown Friday evening, after a friend told us her little girl was going in it. Anthony's in the red shirt and he loves to run! But with all the people I wasn't sure if he'd go on his own. His friend is only 3, and she did it, but wanted her mom beside her.
He made it! It was funny, I told him to stop at the big blue thing, and wait for mommy and Ava to get him. He literally stopped right on the finish line. He had fun and told his dad all about it, once we got home. He got a #1 ribbon, and a free kid's meal from Kelsey's.


Trying out his new bike. He's doing pretty good. He asks to go on it, so that is a good thing. Before he just wanted to sit on it. My Dad gave me a picture of myself on my bike around the same age. When I showed Anthony, the first thing he said was "mommy, you aren't wearing a helmet". Haha. He will grow up knowing helmets are normal.

Good ole fashion water fight

We spent a weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's. Anthony enjoyed having a water fight with my Dad. I'm glad Dad was a good sport- even though he didn't remember to put his bathing suit on. Anthony got him pretty good! I think my dad enjoys having a grandson, after raising three girls.


Ava enjoying her brand new lawn chair. Perfect size, and even has a cup holder- sippy cup, that is- still too young for beer.

I like how this picture turned out. We were next to Mom's garden pond. I don't have too many of just Ava and I.

Proudly Canadian

We were invited to join my sister Corey and her husband and 2.5 year old daughter on a Camping Weekend at the Country View Park in Reece's Corners. We stayed in a decent size trailer that Craig's parents own. I love when Canada Day is on a Friday, so Ed is off for a long weekend. My sister had everything organized, from the kiddie pool to stuff to make smores, I hardly brought anything. The first night Craig bbq'd chicken and ribs, and Corey made a delicious potato salad. The dads then took Anthony and Emma on the hayride through the park, and out for ice cream. I was wishing I bought a Canada flag for Anthony to wave. He remembered from last year, and was asking for it. Once the kids settled down for the night, we had a campfire and a few drinks.

Saturday, was another hot day. We took turns napping in the morning, from staying up late. The kids loved playing at the park with the others. The kiddie pool was great fun for little Ava and Emma. Anthony was interacting with his sister and cousin pretty for the most part. Anthony went to the big pool and was showing his dad how he could jump in all by himself. His swimming has improved a lot since last summer. Thanks to his lifeguard cousin Lauren for teaching him.

The most exciting thing of the weekend happened Saturday around 6:45pm, when Ed was ready to take the steaks off the bbq. I was in the trailer finishing the caesar salad, and getting the plates ready to put on the picnic table. Ava was still playing in the kiddie pool, it was still pretty hot out, and she was content in there. All of a sudden the sky turns grey and the wind picked up. We didn't have the radio or tv on, so we had to rely on other campers. It looked like a big storm was coming and fast. We quickly brought the food in to the trailer, while the guys were busy putting all the lawn chairs, toys, games, stroller away, and the awning rolled in.
I was being calm for the kids, but my heart was beating pretty hard for a while. I actual like a good thunderstorm, just not being stuck in a trailer with 3 little kids.

It thundered for a good while and it was windy, but not as bad as some warnings were letting on. Thank God. We had heard reports of possible hail and funnel clouds. Afterwards, the fireworks went off at 10pm as scheduled (not sure why they chose Sat Jul 2 instead). Anthony was tired, but we convinced him to stay up to watch them. This was the first year, he liked them. We had a great weekend, and all the kids were good little campers. We would take them again sometime. Two nights was perfect for us.

Anthony opened his birthday gift from his Auntie, Uncle and Emma. He wanted to wear his new spidey shirt all week. And he loved his spidey goggles and back pack too.

Emma and Anthony with the Dads holding them up for us to see!

During the storm, I think this must be once we realized it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Judging from Corey's face- she gets pretty nervous when it storms.

While we were packing up on Sunday, Ava enjoyed a little pool play. All smiles here:)

O'Shea's Farm Fun

The end of June we visited O'Shea's farm with our playgroup friends. It was about a 25 mins drive outside London. We had a great time, looking at animals, picking strawberries and a picnic with our friends.
Somehow these don't look as cheesy with a cute 14 month olds face. It was natural for her to put her face in the hole. Anthony was the strawberry.

I threw this one in, but it was another day at the wading pool at springbank park. Ava posed like this for a good while.
Strawberry fields. It rained the week before, so we were a little late, but managed to pick some good ones., and eat a bunch.

Final day at Nursery School

June 15th was Anthony's last day at Grosvenor Nursery School. It was a very enjoyable and rewarding year! I'm so glad I registered him while I was off work with Ava. He made a nice card for his teachers and gave them both hugs and one even a big kiss! I hope his JK teacher is as patient and nurturing as these two teachers were. He made some new friends and so did I.

First Piano piece

On Anthony's 4th birthday he performed in the Year end Yamaha Music Concert. We were proud of him for following his teacher Ms. Kate's lead and pushing the right keys at the right time (only two keys). He came a long way from when he started in September. Normally his class has 7 children, but for the concert only Anthony and Zain made it.

He seemed to really blossom as the year went on and looked forward to each class. Grandma Greene gave next year's lessons to him again for his birthday gift.