upper canada village

K has been wanting to go to Upper Canada Village since we moved. While his sister, Auntie K was visiting...

we took her and the kiddies to Morrisburg to check it out.

And then, since we were so close to Cornwall, I convinced K that we needed to go to Auntie Em's Scrapbooking, because I have heard such great things about it. The shop did not disappoint. I picked up some great trim, paper and a border punch, and will go back anytime I am in the area.

That night, we left the kiddies behind for some grown-up time, had dinner at The Fish Market in the Byward Market and took The Haunted Walk tour in downtown Ottawa {so not my type of thing - but K loved it}! The highlight of the tour is the former Old Carlton County Jail which has been turned into a hostel. Scary.

elton john and billy joel

Live. In person. At Scotiabank Place.

Face 2 Face. Dueling pianos.

It was such a fabulous concert. I loved it. They may be old, but they still rock!

Monique and I had a great time at the concert on Monday. I went to the show mostly to see Elton John {saw him in Calgary before and loved it} again, but ended up thinking that it was Billy Joel that put on the best show. He is great in concert - a fabulous entertainer and so funny. I still love Elton, he just didn't play as many of my favorites this time, as he did at his last show.

You just cannot beat hearing legends like Elton John and Billy Joel live. So much fun. I am still singing thier songs in my head...

You can read more about the show here.

auntie k came to town

and we had fun doing things, like taking the kiddies to my favorite little village Merrickville. {Are you sensing a pattern here - if you are not from Ottawa and you come and visit us, we take you to Merrickville. OK?}

We introduced my sister in law to the chip truck. Or in this case it is more like a chip stand - no wheels involved. What is it with Ottawa-ians {what do you call people from Ottawa exactly} and chip trucks? Don't get me wrong...the chips are fabulous, I have discovered, but before I moved here, I would not have considered eating food that was sold from the side of a truck.

Anyway, I wanted to eat at this chip stand just because I love the name...

and the chips {ie: they were called fries in my previous life} were fabulous. Bonus.

We went in a few of the shops, but mostly we wanted to spend the day outside with the kiddies, enjoying the sun. We had fun exploring by the canal...

until we came across our first...

snake, sunning itself on the rocks {it took off into the water when Auntie K screamed}. After the second, and third, and fourth and fifth snake, Auntie K decided our adventure was over!

We watched a boat that we thought was too big, pass through the Rideau Canal locks. {I am posting these photos for Burke because I hear he likes locks {???} but I don't think he reads my blog, so pass it on Shar. Then maybe he will be more likely to let you buy your dream home in Merrickville}...

{raising the deck of the boat}

{stopping traffic}

{the road swings. wheeeee!}

{and then bon voyage cruisers}

making friends

{Miss S with the cat from Village Metalsmiths in Merrickville}

let's plaaaaay ball!

I was so excited for the kiddies to start ball.
T-ball and soccer.
Both kiddies.
Same team.
{Miss S is playing with the big kids - they let her in even though she isn't 3 yet}
So much fun.

Here are the lil' sluggers...

{E and the other Miss S are on the team too}

I took Miss S shopping last week to get her a 'real baseball glove'. It is pink and purple and sparkly. And we bought a pink baseball too. Of course.

Go Team!

look who showed up at skating...

Spartacat. The Senators mascot, Sparty. Or as Miss S calls him...Smarty.

My kiddies have always had a love-hate relationship with mascots.

They love them from afar.

Hate them when they get too close.

This is huge progress...

{The fact that Miss S is skating on her own without the assistance of a big orange pylon is also huge progress. Go Miss S, Go!}

Maybe soon we will attempt a trip to Disneyland.

Mickey Mouse, here we come!

canadian tulip festival

While Sharlene was here, we checked out the tulips that were part of the Canadian Tulip Festival at Commissioner's Park by Dow's Lake. {Read about the history of the festival here - the first festival was held in 1953}.

So pretty...

Cheers!