Muskoka

Four years ago beginning of September my husband and I, as newlyweds, explored the area of Muskoka. We fell in love with it, and vowed to return again.  Our wish finally came true this summer. Not only did we return, but we returned with a little package by the name of Benjamin, who had the greatest time ever.  You would think he was a descendant of the fish, by the way he loves water, and playing in it.  Unless of course, you offer him a bath during cartoon time.

I also brought along my mom... 

and my two younger sisters... 

and my brother in law...

and my sister in law...

and my cousin.

Basically it was family vacation.  We rented a small cabin at the Cleveland's House Family Resort.  I love that place. It has so much to do.  Swimming pools, gym, Golf, Tennis, movie night, the beach, canoes...Giant Checkers.. yes Giant checkers...AND just a few mins away is the most amazing bakery ever!  Abbeys Bake House is it's name, and it has the best brownies I have ever had, in life.  I'm dying for one right now, as I am remembering.  

Oh but the best part ever, is the water trampolines. It was the funnest and funniest thing ever. We had an amazing time just trying to push each other up on those things. I love swimming but that just took it to a whole other level.  I will never see the beach the same again.  ( Refer to bottom photo)

I was so sad when it was time to leave.  I wasn't ready to leave just yet, but I had too.  This place has a special place in my heart and I have wonderful memories there. We are definitely going back and this time I am not waiting another four years. 

They also have a water show every night by the Canadian Olympic Water Ski Team. 

Water park: 

Click for Websites, Clevelands House Resort, Abbeys BakeHouse, SWS Ski School

The Act of Bavery

As you know we recently took a trip to African Lion Safari.  Well toward the end of the day we walked by an Obstacle Course.  Of course Benjamin wanted to have a go at it. Unfortunately, he was about an inch too short. He still tried to run in and Of course I held him back.  I saw many older kids there, and I didn't want my son to get hurt by one of them. Benjamin was upset but quickly forgot, or so I thought.  Well Ruben was playing with him at the little kids playground, so I decided this was a good time to walk away for a bit by myself.  Well when I came back they were not at the playground, and well...  This is what happened in the words of my husband.. 
 
"Today I took my son to the playground at the Lion Safari.  There was a sign that said must be this tall to enter. Benji was a couple inches to short so I told him "Your not big enough you can't do it" 
I dragged him away and told him to play at the little kids playground and he was not impressed. He had that look in his eye like "this isnt' challenging enough". 
After a few minutes he made his way back to the big playground and I told him "Your not big enough". 
Anyway I let him go in and the lady at the gate was looking at him like go ahead little boy you wont make it up the first wall. To my surprise he climbed the wall. With a lot of difficulty, but he climbed the wall. He went down the slide made his way through the ball pit, that was up to his chest, got to the next obstacle. He did not know how to climb. He stepped onto the rope ladder and fell off. My heart was pounding in my chest because I thought he would fall off and break a leg. I wanted to go in and pull him out, but I didn't want to tell him he couldn't do it either. He didn't even look over at me, and I knew he didn't want to give up. He wanted to prove he could climb the next wall. He managed to get onto the first step and all the kids were passing by him quickly and he observed how they climbed and he began his climb. He was going so slow, and all the kids were going by him quickly and they were shaking the ladder as they went. I wanted to pull him out, but I didn't want him to think I was holding him back from his goal. To my surprise he cleared rope ladder got to the top. When he got to the top I kept thinking he wont go down the slide its to tall. I should go to the other side to encourage him to slide down. When I got to the other side he had already slid down, and was laughing of joy.  I knew he was laughing at me saying I told you I could do it. He tried to run back to the start of the line and I grabbed him and said "good job you have nothing to prove anymore." 

I am extremely proud of my son.. but also now know that I can't leave those two alone.  haha