On one of the nice (non-rainy) Saturday afternoons we took the kids to St. Catharine's to view the Welland Canal. We went to Lock 3 where they have the observation. It was nice that we made it just as a ship was coming into the Lock. After explaining how the process works and watching the ship go through the lock we then took our bikes and biked along the path so we could watch the boat go under the lift bridge and then into the next lock
Left: The "gate" closing to lock the ship and water within it.
Right: Watching the ship rise
Left: Watching the ship go under the lift bridge
Right: Stretching our legs while waiting for the boat to get positioned into Lock4
Our timing was good. We made it home just as it began to pour rain (again). The girls didn't completely understand the whole Lock Process (especially Rebecca) but they still had an enjoyable time watching the ships ... and Matthew loved the ships!!
On another day we went to visit Aunt Jess's mom's house and work. She took us to see the horses that she works with at the boarding place next to their house. The kids were pretty thrilled with this. I'm not sure I can remember if the girls have ever gotten up close to a horse before and fed or petted it. They certainly enjoy this ... seeing as every girls dream is to have their own horse :)
Rebecca just didn't dare keep her hand near the horse long enough to let it eat her carrot, she was a tad bit to scared. Marietta tried but I think she would get a bit nervous once the horse would try pick up the carrot and pull her hand away too quickly ... making the horse drop the carrot to the ground.
After a tour of the barns, a visit to the horses out in the fields and a bit of lessons on horse mannerism we went back to Aunt Jess's parents for a swim. It was not a very warm day (again) or a sunny day, but when the kids see an opportunity to go in a pool that's deeper then theirs they are not going to turn it down. It was cold getting in but once in it wasn't so bad. Matthew loved to jump in off the ladder and didn't want to come out ... even though he was shivering like crazy. The girls stayed in surprisingly long considering the weather.
On another day we went off to Gainsborough Park/School again ... this time we met some friends there ... and it was actually a nice warm sunny day. After a picnic lunch at the park and a bit more playing we then headed over to our house so the kids could swim. It's amazing what a difference a bit of water makes for the kids when it comes to playing. If there were a splash pad or wading pool at Gainsborough Park/School the kids would have been much more active and busy. Without the water they seemed a bit lost ... as if they had played enough. Water just seems to break of the playing and keeps them entertained much longer. Regardless they had fun ... and afterwards they got their water at home ... and a couple freezies to go with it.
We also went to visit Aunt Val and Grandpa's work. They both work at the same place. Aunt Val works in the office and Grandpa does deliveries. We stopped by one afternoon for a little bit to see what the place looks like. Since Grandpa loves to talk about his work it was neat to get a bit of a visual idea of what he was talking about ... even though we've seen many pictures, it's just not the same as seeing it yourself
We got a picture of Aunt Val by the waterfall in the Atrium, but we forgot to get a picture of her at her actual desk
We did get a picture of one of the trucks like Grandpa drives and had a chance to walk through the coolers and see all the flowers ready to be shipped. Aunt Val also took us on a little tour through one of the greenhouses to get a bit of a visual idea oh what they do.
The girls (and mommy) really enjoyed seeing this place that they so often hear Grandpa talk about.
And last ... but not least ... Marietta out taking Thumper for a walk (technically Thumper usually takes Marietta for a walk, or run would be more like it). She wasn't very faithful at this job, but Thumper sure enjoyed it when she did. Last year Thumper hated the harness and was able to wiggle out of it, she would also try bite if you attempted to put it on her ... so we packed it away. We decided to try it again this summer and altho she doesn't much like having it put on, once it is on she likes to go for her walks and enjoy the great outdoors ... and there was lots to explore at the cottage!
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