COSTA RICA -THE LIST

HOSPITALITY

 " Hospitality is the relationship between the guest and the host, or the act or practice of being hospitable. This includes the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers." 

Our Reverend gave a sermon on Hospitality yesterday. I really connected with it. One of the things mentioned though, was not forgetting to be hospitable to strangers. This is something I can work on. I've been told a couple of times that our door is a revolving one and I'm quite happy about that, *chuckle* This some we will work on including strangers. 

A fantastic weekend full of sunshine and pool time. We had friends over on Saturday evening and I'm pretty sure they were all shriveled up like prunes when they left. Yesterday Euan, encouraged by seeing all of his friends over the past month swimming without help, decided to give it a try himself. He was swimming around in his spider-man life jacket alone, jumping off the side of the pool and the diving board and climbing up the ladder, all on his own.  He was so brave and the more he accomplished the more he wanted to push himself to do. We are very proud parents. 

After long days of swimming Steve and I took advantage of our quiet evening's and played some of our favourite board games. It has been a while since we played but it's nice to get back into summer routine. 

GLASTONBURY

I've been following this festival in the news. After a week of downpour Dolly Parton brought the sunshine to Glastonbury. I would have loved to be a part of that audience. I hope by the time the kids are old enough this festival is still going. It is definitely a right of passage. 

What a view!

SUMMER

SUMMER NIGHT

Last night we packed the kids and a picnic to accompany Husband to the RCMP Musical Ride. ( Husband's band played ) We all had a spectacular time. If you are living or visiting Ottawa this week GO- It's free & super kid friendly.

 There are some loud bangs but I have a One & Two year old who were fine with it. Leah and I met at the gate and found a spot right in front at 5:30. Pack a fabulous picnic that others will drool over next to you. Leah and I vowed to do this next year. 

Leah's hubby took Euan to get his face painted. ( he has two girls) so I guess he figured this was his only opportunity. Euan loved it!

Everyone enjoying summer so far?  LLBCxoxoo

CLOSE SOME DOORS

BOOK CLUB WINE CLUB

I met up with Sarah a little early last night before the other girls got to Book Club-Wine Club where we confided in each other that we had not read the book. It gave us time for a lovely little catch up about her recent trip. My excuse- our library didn't have a copy for me to read in time for our meeting last night and Sarah's was she had just returned from her house hunting trip to Italy... Wish that was my excuse!

 The sweet thing about last night was, most of the girls did read the book and gave us the low down on Salt Sugar Fat. They said enough interesting things about it that when it does become available, I definitely plan to have a read through.

Our Book Club- Wine Club was hosted at The Black Thorn in the Byward Market. I had their Golden Beet Salad with fried goat cheese. Sarah had the Lamb and Liz had the Spicy Peach Pizza- both I tried and everything was Delicious! It's a great place to eat and drink.

I found a great book review for you if you are interested HERE

FESTIVAL FRENZY

Festival weekend, late night date night at the Nordik Spa an early family bike ride along the Ottawa Parkway Sunday Bikedays and Sunday afternoon drinking fancy cocktails into the early evening at Danica's Stagette brunch at  Das Lokal .. I am exhausted!

Our calendar is chalk full this month and this Mum is having a hard time keeping up with all the activities we have planned.  I think we made use of almost every free hour this weekend it was super. The Capital had six festivals going on that I know of this week. We stopped by four. Our favourites were  Ribfest & Jazz-fest.  

DON'T LEAVE MY LIFE UTUBE

This made me smile this morning.

ASCOT

Royal Ascot looks in full swing. So many great hats posted on social media. The summer race evenings are the best- enjoys the races this week Brits!

 I will be planning a night out for some friends at the Rideau Carelton Raceway this summer. Nothing is quite this outrageous in Canada. Funny they say North Americans are the outlandish folk. Hmmm....

This was my favourite time of year in England so many reasons to have Champagne, Pimms & Cider. We were just talking about this yesterday, when I hosted the ladies for a pool play date with our kiddies. I think we are going to have to find some reasons to include these things in our summer ladies. 

LLBC xo

FATHER'S DAY

We had a full-on Father's Day weekend. Steve took a trip up to North Bay and was back in time for our little bean's Christening & our Father's Day BBQ and pool party.

It was pretty sentimental to see my little girl in my christening gown. She looked so sweet. I am glad we had it cleaned in England and used it for both of my babies. I'll put it away now and hopefully it can be used to Christen my babies' babies one day.  It was such a lovely sermon and seemed somehow the appropriate day to do it on. One of the best things you can do on Mother's Day or Father's Day is spend time with your children and celebrate being a parent with them. I missed the boat on that, but learned a valuable lesson this year. We have the most precious gift in these children of ours.  I love spending time all together.

The kids gave Steve a couple of books. One of my favourite sounds is listening to my husband read to the children. I think Robert Munsch gave him that and so that was one of the authors we picked for him.

Happy Father's Day Dads! xoxo

NEW

Banksy is brilliant! 

SPARKLE

Working on getting mine back today! 

MASTERPIECE

My Mother in Law's garden is a masterpiece. It's lush, tranquil & full of beauty. She has plants for all of her grandchildren in the front and back garden; a mock orange for Gonnor a Yew tree for Euan & a climbing rose for Romilly. Everyone survived the winter and is coming along nicely. She'll be planting a couple more for Luke & Rowan this summer and if we are lucky some more next summer. Here is a beautiful pano pic I took of her gardens, enjoy! 

ROAD TRIP

We are on our way home from Romilly's birthday weekend in Guelph. It's funny how you'll do anything to keep the kids entertained even happily watch them rip up pancake into smithereens knowing only half will make it to their belly! I know this is a very poor set up but after 3 hours in the car and 3 more ahead I will take the pain that comes with it. They've been troupers and we are very proud parents. I love a good family road trip as long as we have plenty of toys and snacks packed. Happy Monday! xoxo

 

ALL MY LIFE

ROMILLY'S ONE

Today is extra special because you are One. 

We'll eat cake and ice cream and have lots of fun. 

It seems like just yesterday you were brand new and now there are so many things you can do. 

We'll light your first candle and make a big fuss to be sure that you know you are precious to us. 

Today is extra special because you are One and the best thing of all- your life's just begun! 

Happy Birthday sweet lady bug! xoxo

THANKS ANGE

My friend sent a picture she took of my babies & I at tulip festival a few weeks ago. I love it! It was a gorgeous day for a picnic and the tulips were out in full bloom.

I am blessed! LLBC xo

JUNE 1

A pinch and a punch for the first of the month!

 I'm doing the Ottawa Foodie Challenge today... wish me luck please. I plan to share  my foodie adventures with you all week.

Happy June! xo