Welcome back!!

We were so thrilled to have our friends Betsy and Marc make their way back to Calgary!!  Canada hosted the Women's World Cup this June/July, and so Betsy and Marc travelled first to Winnipeg to cheer on the U.S. team for a few days and then headed west to see us.  So glad they did!!  We enjoyed a good ole bbq the night they arrived, complete with S'mores cake.  Doesn't look as polished as I hoped, but sure tasted yummy!  (And thanks to our guests for the torching lesson!)

 

The next day, Sunday June 14, I took Betsy and Marc to Canmore for a quick day trip.  We walked around Quarry Lake for some pretty views, then back downtown to stroll along Main Street and have lunch.  A quick trip indeed, but even a few hours in the mountains are worth it to me, especially with good friends!

That evening, the adults got to sneak out for some fun.  I'd been wanting to try Una Pizza+Wine, and it did not disappoint.  After dinner, we introduced Betsy and Marc to bowling Calgary style...5 pin.  Marc was the big winner, but I'm pretty sure that we all had some serious fun!

On Monday, it was back to "normal" a bit...Greg went to work and the kids were back at school.  Dropped Betsy and Marc off on 17th Avenue for the morning to grab some coffee, check out the cute shops, etc.  We laid low that afternoon and enjoyed an Indian feast for dinner.  Huge thanks to my fellow chef.  Wish we could prep dinner together all the time!  :)

It was time for Betsy and Marc to head back home on Tuesday.  We had big plans to enjoy some pannenkoeken before the trip to the airport, but apparently, the restaurant is now closed on Tuesdays.  Ugh...big disappointment!!  So, plan B was Belmont Diner in Marda Loop, and a good Plan B it was.  Betsy and Marc enjoyed the little diner vibe and tasty breakfast.  Goodbye to our dear friends, and best of luck with the new house and the big move to Michigan.  Love you! 

Cooking, Biking, and Fighting Crime

For Christmas, Greg had surprised me with a gift certificate to The Cookbook Co. Cooks store here in Calgary.  They have an amazing store and also offer cooking classes, so I invited some friends to join me for a Ladies Night Out on June 4.  We had so much fun together sipping and chopping and laughing!!  Can't wait to do it again soon! 

 

We got an early taste of summer heat and sunshine the first weekend in June, so we took the kids to North Glenmore Park for a picnic and some bike ride time.  Greg and I are going to need to start bringing our bikes along as well, because the kids are riding so fast that we have to run hard to keep up!

Just a silly picture of my little sheriff... 

Late May Days

It's only the end of May, but corn-on-the-cob season is in full effect at our home.  Got the kids in on the action.  Takes me back to my childhood of sitting on the deck with Dad and shucking and shucking and shucking.  :) 

 

There also happens to be a birthday in our home at the end of May...mine!  Happy 37th to me!

Ben's scouting time came to an end for the year.  Families were invited to their last meeting to watch the kids "swim up" from Beavers to Cubs.  Enjoyed a cook-out afterwards.  It's been a full and fun year!

Speaking of Scouts fun, now that Ben has graduated into Cubs, he and Greg attended Cub-o-Rama camp the last weekend of May.  This year, the camp had a 'knights' theme, so the kids had a great time creating their costumes, battling with swords, and launching catapults.  And of course, the camping and hot dogs and hot chocolate were fantastic too!

 

 

Wild Kratts LIVE

Nathalie and a few of her friends played 'hookey' from school on Friday, May 22 to go see the Wild Kratts LIVE!  Not sure who was more excited...the kids or moms!  :)  Took the train downtown to the Children's Festival, got faces painted, learned about and visited the bison, then went to the show.  Chris and Martin and their creature power suits did not disappoint!  We enjoyed a picnic in the park and then rode the train home.  Awesome morning!! 

 

New York, New York!

I had big plans for May long weekend (celebrating Victoria Day on May 18 in Canada).  Greg graciously accepted Mr. Mom duties from Friday through Monday so I could fly to New York and visit my dear friend Krista, her hubby Mike, and meet baby Oscar!  I arrived in the evening on Friday, May 15th and after a brief visit with the boys, Krista and I headed out for some wine and pizza and catching up.  So excited to be here!!  

 

Woke up on Saturday morning for what was supposed to be some fun with the family and Luke the dog at Prospect Park.  We barely got around the corner from their apartment, and the rain began.  Here is picture of baby O getting sprinkled as we decide whether to tough it out or retreat.  The sprinkles turned into heavy rain, and so we made our way back to the apartment for playtime and coffee and NY bagels and chatting and napping (Oscar).  :)

 

Take 2 on our attempts to leave the house on Saturday.  The rain had cleared by late morning, and so we walked to the subway on our way to the West Village.  Walked past Barclays Center, rode the subway, and found a spot to enjoy a late lunch.  While lunch was delicious, the best part was definitely the smiles on these two handsome gents afterwards...

After lunch, we walked to the High Line.  For those who don't know (as I didn't), the High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan's West Side.  The trains stopped running in 1980, and then the planning began for how to preserve and reuse this space.  It was really impressive and a beautiful retreat in a city that is known for it's hustle and bustle.  Food and drinks, musicians, artists, and lots of people just out and about enjoying the gorgeous (and warm) spring day.

At this point, after lunch and a walk, if I were Oscar, I would be ready for naptime in the stroller.  Not this kid!!  He doesn't nap in his stroller...too much to see and do.  Ha!  Sounds like he is NY, through and through!  We continued to walk through the city and see the sights...Madison Square Garden and on to the Brooklyn Bridge!  Great views of the city and skyline.  Subway ride back home, snuggles and bedtime for Oscar, and then sushi and wine and chatting for the adults.  Mike called it a night, and then it was lots of talking and laughing and staying up WAY too late for us gals.  What a great day!!

 

Poor Mike wasn't feeling well on Sunday (understatement).  After a quick bite for Oscar, Krista and I took him and Luke to the dog park for some playtime.  My first dog park experience...whoa, that's a lot of dogs!!  :)  We stopped by the coffee shop on the way home and spent time with Krista's sister, Melissa (always Missy to me).  So good to see her!!  Back to the apartment for morning naptime, then out again for a birthday party for Oscar's nanny-share buddy.  Back to the apartment for afternoon naptime, and Krista and I met Missy at a nearby bar for some drinks and snacks.  So fun to spend time with these sisters!!  My only regret...wish I had taken more pix!!!  :(

I knew I would be leaving bright and early on Monday morning, so I said my goodbyes to Oscar on Sunday night.  I don't know how old he will be the next time I get to see him, but I'm guessing that snuggles will be out of the question, so I felt really lucky that we bonded enough that I could hold him and give him his bottle before bed.  What a happy, smart, and sweet boy.  Feeling so, so grateful for this time.  And leaving Krista on Monday morning was just as hard.  It was a truly short time together, but it felt so rich in connection and friendship.  Krista and Mike, thank you so much for your hospitality and generosity.  Looking very forward to my next visit!!  :)

 

My trip home on Monday was a bit eventful, as my flight to Toronto was cancelled.  Greg was able to work some magic and I was re-routed through Dallas then on to Calgary.  Got home much later than expected, but HOME at last!!  While I was away, Greg treated the kids to a zoo outing, where Ben loved showing off his knowledge from Zoo School.  Kite flying on a windy day, bike riding at the park, ice cream cones, and a trip to the "chicken nugget store" (a.k.a. Wendy's).  Well done, Dad!!