As mentioned before – we love going to the park with Claire & Rhys!

We live in a third floor condo so we are at the park 2 to 3 times a day which affords Claire & Rhys lots of outdoor time. Finding new parks is a great thing. With school out the park closest to us is insanely busy and with Jimmy alone during the week with two rambunctious toddlers sometimes too many people makes it hard to make sure both kids stay safe. So, on a very busy and warm afternoon Jimmy went to a new park which was absolutely perfect for toddlers. Claire & Rhys were able to climb up the stairs and go down the slide all by themselves.

Our babies sure are growing up quickly.

Claire laughing at her brother who just slid off the end of the slide 🙂 – he was okay no ouchies…

In honor of Canada’s 144th birthday, our good friends Faye & Niels (and daughters Charlotte & Malia)  invited us to their Canada Day BBQ.

They have a lovely home close to us that has big front and back yard that is great for busy little toddlers like Claire & Rhys.

Claire had a bit of a fever either from the immunizations or from more teething. Although she wasn’t feeling her best she managed to have as much fun as Rhys who was the only little boy present and Oh Wow! is he ever a little flirt 🙂

When we arrived there was a bouncy castle on the front lawn – fun!

Two weekends ago we made a last minute trip to Parksville so I could attend one of my dearest friends stagette. This was going to be one of my first trips away from the kids but the week prior to my departure was miserable for all of us. Claire & Rhys had their 18 month immunizations on the Monday and they were really sick for most of the week which meant lousy sleep for all of us. It would have been so difficult for Jimmy to be alone dealing with two screaming babies in the middle of the night so we decided it was best if we all went to Parksville and rented a cabin. I could attend the stagette and still be available to help Jimmy for bath time and bedtime.

Our cabin was close to the beach entrance so while I was off celebrating with the girls Jimmy bravely ventured out onto the sand and had some fun with Claire & Rhys. The trip was a great success and as a bonus the kids slept through the night 🙂

We love looking at pictures of Claire and Rhys when they were little babies. We marvel at how much they have grown in such a  short time- It’s amazing!

Jimmy noticed some similar photos that we had of Claire as a baby compared to Claire as a toddler. They are pretty neat 🙂

 

 

Claire and Rhys really are the best of friends. It’s hard not to be when they have been together every single day of their lives. Pretty neat for them to have each other – a constant play-mate, a co-conspirator against Mom and Dad, someone to giggle with while falling asleep, and so much more…..

Don’t get us wrong though, they do have their ‘not-so-friendly’ moments like all siblings do 😉

Some cute friend moments captured by Jimmy…

High Fives…

Jimmy grew up in the James Bay area of Victoria. It is such a cute and quaint area. Lots of old houses on small lots near the ocean and Beacon Hill park. We rented a little bungalow 1 block from the ocean. A way better option and the same cost as a suite in one of the hotels.

We have learned that when travelling with two toddlers a full kitchen and a separate room is an absolute necessity. We have room to play, the babies maintain their schedules (including finally sleeping through some but not all nights!) and we save some money by cooking every meal.

We had a great time in James Bay including visiting old friends, taking lots of walks, finding new playgrounds and of course our main reason for staying here was to be close to the breakwater which holds a very special place in our hearts.

Claire & Rhys enjoying the local playgrounds:

From the ferry in Swartz Bay we made our way to Sooke to visit auntie Wendy, uncle Chris and cousin Senna.

It was a beautiful warm and slightly overcast day. When we arrived the babes were still napping so we rolled the windows down in the van and we all napped in the driveway listening to birds chirping and the wind rustling the leaves. It really is a serene and beautiful piece of land that they live. We enjoy the slower pace of life in Sooke and the fun times our families share. Thanks for having us over!

Claire & Rhys really enjoyed the chickens and roosters, the trails through the woods, the ability to wander aimlessly in the yard, the pretty vegetable garden, the wooden swing, the adjacent river, Tessa the dog and of course their cousin Senna…

Jimmy hosts a skateboard contest every year in Victoria. This year was his 8th year and he hopes to continue hosting to year 10. We left for the island last Thursday and had a great four days with friends and family.

The ferry ride to the island was great. Windy but warm weather. There is a little play area for the kids which makes the 1.5 hour sail go very quick. We had some fun walking the outer deck especially Claire who really liked the wind in her hair 🙂

The ride to Sooke was quiet….Claire & Rhys had so much fun on the ferry that they slept pretty much the whole way there.