THE GOODS BLOG: Erika's Precious Little Life ~ September Edition
Like I said last month, this summer felt never-ending! I'm truly looking forward to a (somewhat) quieter fall and Archie being back in school and all of the routines. Summer was awesome but I swear that it lasted for six months and I'm exhausted!! But I'm also super pleased with how much fun we had! We lived this summer to the absolute fullest! When I last left you we were in Ontario and this continued into August. After our time in Tobermory we drove down to London to meet up with Tim's entire family. We always do a family get together with them in the summer and we've been keeping it simple in London for the past few years because of the challenges with Tim's parents. We spent two nights at Tim's sister Angela's house in London with everyone and it was a wonderful time! It helps that we really do all enjoy each other and the kids adore being together. Tim and his siblings were able to go to visit their dad but unfortunately he can't leave his assisted living home anymore.
After that we drove back to Toronto, met up with my family, and caught a flight to Montreal! My family decided that they wanted to do a trip together to Montreal (where my parents are from) and it was convienient that we were already out east! So it all worked! We spent four nights all together at an awesome Airbnb apartment in Mile End - the neighbourhood that we used to live in. Mile End will forever be such a special place in my heart! We ate TONS of food and I was most excited about getting to go to Le Violon, a Michelin-recognized very big deal restaurant in Canada these days. We did plenty of activities like the SOS Labyrinthe, walking around in Old Montreal and Mile End, and yes, more eating.
After that we parted ways with my family and the three of us drove to a town called Philipsburg in the Eastern Townships. We stayed at a super cute bed & breakfast called Le Champlain B&B for two nights which was right on Lake Champlain. While there we got to visit uplå, North America's largest outdoor trampoline park.
The USA border into Vermont was also (literally) five minutes away so we popped down for a little day trip to Burlington as well! (YES, we listened to Noah Kahan the whole time.) I needed to load up on Trader Joe's (obviously!) and did you know that they have the world's tallest filing cabinet there? Ha ha!
We were away for 19 days, traveled to seven different places, and made so many memories! The most incredible summer vacation that we all loved so much!! There was only a few days at home before it was FRINGE TIME!!! This is my favourite time of the year in Edmonton and I love it so, so, so much. I saw 25 shows in total this year - a new record, lived on the Fringe grounds practically every day, spent a ton of time at KidsFringe with Archie... It's the best. I loved every minute! It's 11 of my most favourite days every summer.
Then Tim ran in the Servus Edmonton Marathon! This was his first FULL marathon (42.2kms)! He did it with Mary and Jonny (the three of them have been training for months). He finished the marathon in 4:27, which he was very happy with. I'm so proud of all of his effort and Mary's too! They're amazing! I could never!
Then we drove to Mulhurst Bay (about an hour south of Edmonton) to go camping for two nights at the Pigeon Lake Concert Series! This was a really cute festival where we got to enjoy some tent camping, see a bunch of bands that we really like, and take part in the fun activites that they had going on there. One last summer adventure before we pack it all in!
We also fit in one last beach day at Wabamun Lake (about an hour west of Edmonton) and attended our friend Crystal's fun birthday party!
And that was the summer!!! There was never a dull moment, that's for sure! I loved all of the fun things that we got to do and I know for sure that we made the most of these fleeting summer months. Feeling very content and satisfied and fulfilled. I hope that you all had incredible summers as well! Life with Archie: Some more of Archie's highlights from our family summer vacation include; making the best memories with all of his cousins, eating the best-ever poutine, bouncing his heart out on the biggest trampolines, and taking his 86th flight. It was all the best and I know that he made a ton of new core memories!
Archie built a Rocket Game at the latest Kids Workshop at Home Depot - which we attended in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec because we didn't want to miss it! He also made a Human-Human Fruit at a LEGO free-build event back at home.
Archie attended a week-long Pedalheads Trail Rider Camp and it taught him a whole bunch of skills! I think that he really enjoyed getting to "off-road" with his bike!
He also attended another program at the library; Taco Time in the Kitchen, where we got to cook and prepare all of the ingredients to make tacos together!
We also fit in as much cooking time at home as we could! Archie's food is so good! His dishes this month were; Salmon Poke Bowls with Sushi Rice, Cheesy Ramen Noodles, and Ramen Soup with Tofu. Amazing! He also did some baking; Chocolate-Caramel Mug Cake and Ice Cream Cake Pops!
We fit in some friend hang-outs when we could!!
Archie enjoyed tent camping at the Pigeon Lake Concert Series and was very excited that he got to meet The Blue Stones! They are the first band that Archie ever said were "his favourite" so it was pretty cool that he got to see them play live and then also meet them after the show!
And finally, Archie's programs have started up for the fall! This time he's doing: Jr. Rock Band at Backbeat ~ He is still playing piano (we now own a keyboard at home) and he loves getting to play with a band! He's with other kids playing different instruments together and they're gonna jam!
Phew! And now it's September!! We survived and thrived all summer long! I am looking forward to quiet days and to getting my own life back on the rails. Archie's first day of school is on September 1st, which is always very exciting. He's in Grade 4 this year! We will be driving to Regina this month so that we can participate in our annual family tradition of running in the Queen City Marathon! This year Tim and my brother are doing the FULL marathon! (Yep, Tim is doing another one, like a crazy person.) Archie is running in the 3K Mini Marathon for 8-10 year olds... AND I'M RUNNING in the Night Owl 5K!!! I am not a runner and I dislike running but I'm tired of everyone getting a medal but me!!! Make no mistake, I will be running out of spite! Looking forward to some Regina family time and hopefully I'll be able to make some friend hang out plans too! I'm also excited to be seeing the musical & Juliet in Edmonton when it comes here on tour at the end of the month. Definitely a calmer month compared to what we've been living lately! THIS MONTH’S SHOUT-OUTS!: September 6th is Zena Domanski's 51st wedding anniversary!
Wishing you a romantic day to celebrate the two of you! <3 September 10th is Sarah Tasker's 15th wedding anniversary!
Wishing you a romantic day to celebrate the two of you! <3 September 17th is Sarah Tasker’s 44th birthday!
We officially haven't seen each other in way too long!!! I'm super sad that we've missed each other for the past two summers! You're a lifelong fixture in my life and I'm always amazed that we've held on to such a wonderful friendship for quite literally our entire lives. It's so meaningful! I hope that you get totally spoiled on your special day and know that I love you for always! <3
September 19th is Rachelle Helston's 4th wedding anniversary!
Wishing you a romantic day to celebrate the two of you! <3
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