Country Girl's Dorm Room: August 2010

August Hamilton Visit

Time for another visit with my not-so-little nieces and my sister, Allie. This time the girls weren't in school so we could go see and do lots of things! The weather was perfect for the week, not too too hot but at the same time still feeling like Summer. When I got off the train, I was greeted by two running girls, racing towards me! Talk about a warm welcome. Allie had packed a lunch so we had a pick-nick in a lovely park in The Beach which also had an "awesome" park as the girls were describing it. This park was pretty awesome though- it had a wooden maze, a pirate ship, slides galore; everything to make a kid (or a big kid) feel like playing.

Our next outing was to Valens Beach with Allie's friend Laura who brought her two kids Lily and Peter. Heading out early was definitely a good thing. We arrived and there was barely anybody there! We got a great spot under a tree to hang out, keep on eye on the small humans and also have our lunch. The girls had a great time, swimming and running in the grass. The fresh air gave us all a calm buzz.

I also had the pleasure of seeing both Morgan and Ella at Karate class. Morgan had her first green belt class as well while I was there, she was so focused on her new techniques. Both she and Ella and made Allie and me so proud!

Paige also had another soccer game while I was there. This was her last, so it was extra special. Paige really showed off what she could do and proved that she is going to be awesome when she starts Winter soccer this year! I couldn't help cheering her on every time she came near the ball and showed the rest of the players that she was not backing down! After the game, Laura and her family came over to Allie's and we had a great night chatting away about randomness, and enjoying eachother's company into the wee hours of the morning.

Allie took advantage of the great weather and planned a few outdoor events. We went for a hike in Dundas Valley, taking along Paige's friend Lily. The girls were such troupers hiking the whole time even running up and down hills. Everyone took turns walking the dogs also. Another day we headed out to the woods of the RBC to hand feed chickadees. This was so awesome, because all you have to do is hold out your hand with some feed on it and they come to you. Ella found this a little hard because no matter how much she wanted them to land on her hand, when they did it was a bit of a shock. Still, all the girls get to feed the chipmunk!

But for sure the piece de resistance was our day outing to the CNE for the opening day of Toronto's Ex! The whole week I was there the girls were so looking forward to going on the GO train to get to the Ex, and all the things that they were going to see while there, and of course the cotton candy they were going to eat! I couldn't believe all the rides, games and exhibitors they had there. No matter what you thought was fun they catered to you. They had crafts, animals, clothes, cleaning products, and other events like watching teddy bears going down a zip-line and a dog show. All the girls had a great time and love their rice-in-a-bottle necklaces Allie bought for them, and Allie loves the map that Mum bought her...

Allie and I also found some time for ourselves and went to go see Eat Pray Love. Both of us have read the book so felt we should see the movie (naturally). I loved the book and I loved the movie, it spoke to me and Allie and I are ready to book our tickets to Bali any day now!

Such an awesome visit!! I left feeling big love for my family, and looking forward to the next visit!!