Time Outside is Time Well-Spent

We've been having lots of BBQs lately - YUM! So while Gary has been BBQing, Calder's been outside playing, and after prepping everything, I bring Easton outside. Before he could crawl, I would set him down on a blanket, now I just have to carry him around. :)

We also try to go to the park when we can...Calder loves to swing. Well, he loves being ON the swing and being PUSHED. By Me. I am trying to teach him HOW to swing - how to pump his legs, but he only half-heartedly tries and then says he can't. I am going to keep trying, because otherwise he would have me push him in the swing for 30 minutes, easy.

Here are a few pictures from this past week, and our time outside. Because time outside is time well-spent. No toys, computers, video games...just sun (hopefully), fun (hopefully lol) and family.

Our August so far: Friends, Fun and a Fracture

August has sped by so quickly I can't believe it! Next week I am headed back to work to prepare for the first week back at school. To be honest, I am sad to be going back to work - but, I have enjoyed my time immensely with Calder this summer. I feel very blessed to have a career that I like that also affords me so much vacation time so that I may spend it with my son.

August so far has gone by so fast that I barely know where the days have gone. Sometimes a few days a week Calder and I will head to the community centre and I will go to a fitness class while Calder plays with cars at the daycare centre, his favourite activity. We go grocery shopping together, walk the dog, watch Dora on TV and have lots of fun.

Although we've had a lot of rain this summer, we've still managed to spend some time out in our newly-fenced yard. Here's a few pics of one of our times out there this month:

My friend Carrie and her daughters Jaden and Amaya came for a visit one day (we usually see them a few times a week - for the gym, the playground, the Zoo) and here are some pics of Calder playing with Jaden (he loves her)!



Calder had tons of fun one day as what I like to call him "Mr. Bucket Head". I just had to post these because they're funny!

Calder and I also attended my Cousin Erica's baby shower this month. I don't quite know if Calder grasps the idea of how a baby is in a Mommy's tummy, although, after the shower, he did point to my belly and say "Baby". Um, not quite.

If I do say so myself (and I know I am biased, I am Calder's parent) - but he did a pretty good job at the shower!!

You know I always add a few "just because he's cute pictures".

Just when I was starting to have a personal pity party about our summer, my friend Hang invites herself, her husband Esha and son Ashur over for a BBQ, bringing along some yummy steaks! It was so nice to finally have some company over - and to just be with friends. I really had a great time Hang, thanks!! Calder also had a fun time with Ashur - although Calder was intent on keeping Ashur's Thomas the Train toy! Here are a few pics of Calder and Ashur - I think they will be great friends!

Gary had the day off today, a beautiful day and we ended up going to Port Perry for the day. We had a great time - Calder loved seeing Lake Scugog and playing in the playground there and we had a lovely lunch together at the Piano Cafe. We took some time walking on Queen Street, their downtown, and Calder took a break and played with a train set at a children's store. We had some ice cream and popcorn, too - before we decided to leave. Calder passed out in the car holding popcorn.

After that, Gary and I drove around the area and beyond, looking at some of the gorgeous houses, properties and scenery. When we got back home we relaxed for a bit before we went on a family walk to the park. While Gary walked the dog, Calder played on the playground. Lately he's learned how to climb UP the slide like he sees all the older boys do. Although it doesn't make me completely comfortable, I let him do it - and while I normally stand on the side of the double slide he is usually on, today I wasn't -and quick as a wink, Calder fell off the slide. He fell off backwards and I tried to catch him, but he slipped out of my grasp and he fell on his left slide. Gary and I soon realized that he was hurt badly when he wouldn't stop crying after 10 minutes - totally unlike Calder. And he was favouring his left arm. When he started to say his arm hurt (and pointing to it) that's when we left to go to the hospital. When all is said and done, Calder has a small buckle fracture just above his wrist. He has a soft cast now to accomodate any swelling that might occur and has an appointment at the Fracture Clinic next week. He'll be in the cast for 2-4 weeks - for the first day of school!!

I'm having quite a bit of Mommy Guilt for not being there to catch him, not being on the right side, not being able to hold on to him, for letting him climb up the slide in the first place. I know it was an accident, but I can't help it.

But, Calder seems to be fine now - and here are some pictures to show you he is adjusting just fine!

Our Summer so far...

These pictures don't even begin to cover the number of pictures taken (Thank God for Digital cameras, otherwise I would be poor for all the developing I would have to do) and it doesn't even cover what we have done so far this summer, either. In addition to all of this, we have had two visits from Calder's Grandma, a visit from his Auntie Colleen, and a trip to the Zoo. Yesterday we went to the Lake and had a fun time throwing rocks in the water. :)

I apologize in advance for the weird spacing in this blog - no matter how much I try to fix it, it keeps changing back to large and weird spacing.

This is a picture of Calder sitting sooo nicely for me!! This was taken during a visit from his Avo and Grandpa - Gary cooked a Portuguese meal for us - Barbequed Sardines - yummy! :)

Calder and his Avo

Calder and Grandpa

Calder goes through phases of liking toys. Recently, he began to like this piano again and I often find myself bringing it down to the Family room, as per Calder's request "Bing"(his word for 'bring').
Calder wanted to try on my Sunglasses. What a cutie!! I think he's going to have a big head - they actually fit him quite well! :)

A great shot of Calder and his Daddy

Just a picture of my cutie.

Ask Calder to say 'cheese' for the camera, and this is what you sometimes get.

Calder and his Daddy recently took a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame while Mommy got some much-appreciated and much-needed time with her sister. Calder had a blast, until, according to Gary, he saw all the goalie masks...he was a little scared of them. Oh well, he's not going to be a Goalie anyway, he'll be a Captain! :) Here is a picture of Calder and Gary in front of the Stanley Cup.

Here's a picture of the Calder Trophy - there is also the Calder cup...yes, Calder's namesake, even though I found the name in a Baby Name book. :p I don't care where it came from, I love Calder's name!!

Here's Calder pointing to his Future Team's Jersey - the Leafs!
Here's a Jersey that Gary was a bit astonished to find - Portugal!

On the way home, a moment of reflection on the Go Train.

Calder loves travelling on the Go train.

A picture of my baby and I. I love him so much it hurts.

Calder loves rice crackers - he is fanatical for them - "Cacker" he calls them.

Tonight Gary and I had a yummy Steak BBQ - our 2nd one in 2 years, I think we were due. Gary was in the mood for MEAT!


Calder sat pretty nicely at the table although he didn't eat any of the food. Well, he tried it, but he quickly spit it out. *sigh*

Gary throwing Calder way up high - Calder loved it.

We got a little pool for Calder today, since he seems to love water so much. He's come a long way from going to the washroom in the bath when he was just born. ;)

I hope everyone's having a wonderful summer. I may not be going away, or even leaving my city that much, but I am enjoying every minute that I do not have to work, and every minute that I get to spend with my son, no matter what we do!!