Forest Museum

A fun day at the Forsest Museum with all seven littles. They love going there to ride the train and play at the playground. I am always so thrilled when I can get all seven of them together as it only happens a few times throughout the year.

It is such a wonderful spot in our community and a great place for families. The kids never seem to tire of going there. 

We took lunch and just relaxed and visited while the kids played. Of course it is a busy time with 7 kids all under the age of 8. 

Even though it has changed over the years it is wonderful to bring my grandchildren to a place where I came as a child and my children came as children. Three generations of riding the train and looking at the old logging equipment. 

Sometimes we walk back through the forest but mostly we ride the train! It's such a scenic little trip through the forest and over the trestle on the lake. 

Each child brings their own personal gifts to our gatherings and I can't imagine not having them all there no matter how hectic it may get. I may be a bit prejudice but I do feel that they are all very special little individuals and I love having them all close by on the island. 

 

Lizard Lake

 Our first family camp this year was at Lizard Lake on the way to Port Refrew. 

It's a great place to camp with kids. Once again we lucked out and arrived early enough to grab a group site. It's a nice, quiet place where we can let the kids all run around and not have to worry too much. 

The Cole family came for the first night with the rest arriving on the Friday. The weather was fantastic although it was in the midst of a huge heat wave. Thankfully it was cooler out there than it was in town. 

Patiently waiting for his cousins to arrive and the real fun to begin! Which it did! 

The lake is great for swimming and anything else. The kids had brought their canoe and paddle board so we were able to explore the rest of the lake this year. The boys love to catch the lizards and then let them go. 

We all went swimming in the mornings and then spent the afternoon hanging around the campsite. The kids also went swimming in the evening. The little ones had so much fun being together and playing. I managed to go out in the canoe with Adam and the boys. It was a bit scary when they leaned over to see the lizards!

Mom and Dad were even able to come down to the lake and watch the kids swim this year so that was just great. The love being around the great grandkids and see them all having fun. 

I had brought lots of paper and felts so much time was spent in the shade with the older kids making their own little books. 

The hit with the little ones was of course the bubble machine.

Meals as always are shared affairs and we enjoyed some really great breakfasts and dinners. It's great having Mom and Dad there along with their camper as it makes washing up really easy. 

We tried to do an afternoon hike but the heat was just too much so we only made it part way this year. The kids were really good sports about it all. 

It was an awesome weekend and I am so thankful that my kids all get along and that the littles are so close in age that they love to play together and enjoy the same interests. 

Evening time is a time where lots of stories are read before the little ones get tucked in. Sometimes it does take a while before they all settle down.

Hopefully we will go again in the fall!

Littles Galore

Covid life continues on and its been a long winter for so many people. We haven't been able to gather as a family for months now and the kids haven’t been together since August of last year.  

So this past weekend with the youngest grandchild turning one we decided to bend the rules a little.

All the kids and the grandkids came up to Comox and gathered for the afternoon to celebrate the big day. 

It was so good to see all the kids together playing and having fun. We spent a good portion of the time outdoors on the swings or playing ball. 

Later in the afternoon after we had had cake we all walked down to the beach to explore. It was very cold n windy do we didn’t stay very long. 

Coming back the kids played downstairs n then we had pizza for dinner before the two families headed for home. 

What we did was wrong we know but we were very careful in the weeks before and again now. It’s important to stay healthy n keep everyone physically safe. It’s also important to take care of ourselves mentally. 

In the eyes of many people gathering with your family is not Covid safe but I’m so glad we did. The little ones need to have fun and see each other. Sharing in laughter is good for the soul.