Things we like to do...

As summer draws closer to its end, and we get ready to head back to Edmonton, I thought I should post about the things we have enjoyed doing this summer in Fort McMurray.

 First of all there are great parks. Since we have to drive no matter what to get to a park, we have been trying out different one's all summer. There hasn't been one that we haven't liked and we've been to at least 10! In Edmonton we live down the street from a two year old elementary school that doesn't have a playground yet because they have to raise money and playgrounds are expensive. Here in Fort Mac, they just get a bunch of hefty donations from all the oil companies and other wealthy companies, and the communities are full of awesome parks and the schools have at least 3 different play structures.

Next, we love MacDonald Island. 

Here's Macy excited to be there, and mostly excited about the wristband she gets.

I've mentioned it before, but really, I can't express how great it it. Beside's the pool and water park

there are two full size ice arenas, a leisure ice, a curling rink, two fieldhouse's, and indoor track, a climbing wall, raquetball and squash courts, a fitness center, a weight room, childcare, a great indoor playground, plus the public library, and a few food vendors. It is so great. Last week we went to library for a free magic show. We go to the library once a week for their programs, books, and wide selection of DVDs and Blu-rays. I go there to work out, and we love to go swimming as a family. I will really, really miss this place.

A quick picture in the aquatic center, just before they confiscated my camera.

Lastly, we love the HUB. It is a free family resource center where Macy and I drop-in and play with their toys (they have great toys, lots of big riding toys, and kitchen's), make friends, and attend their fun programs (from reading, to music, to art and sensory, and best of all, 'get up and go' - they have mats, and slides, and a mini-trampoline, and Macy loves it all!). All for free! All summer I've meant to bring my camera to take some pictures, but I never did. We went at least once, sometimes twice a week. Again, we will really, really miss it.

We are excited to be heading home, but I'm glad I took the time to remember all the fun things we've done this summer.

Growing Up!

It seems like now that she's 2 she's all grown up and ready to take on the world! Doesn't this look like a first day of school picture, on her bike and ready to roll? Macy has changed so much this summer. She talks all the time and I can understand most of it. Her imagination has taken off and I love to watch her play pretend. She is getting a little bossy though, and is probably a little spoiled. We'll have to work on that. As always, she is lots of fun and we love her!

Interplay

Last weekend we went to Interplay, a street performers style festival. It was a lot of fun, and FREE! They had a kid section with a bouncy castle that Macy LOVED! They had some fun kid shows, (one with a hoola-hooper who was pretty amazing), music, balloon animals, and face painting. I wasn't sure how Macy would do with the face painting so when she sat down I told the girl something small and quick, as I didn't think Macy would stay still. The artist said she knew just what to do and came up with this. It was so beautiful!

These were the best pictures I could get.

She's really into clapping lately.

We met up with the Crawford's and had a fun time together. Unfortunately I realized that my camera didn't have the chip in it, so I got three pictures taken on the internal memory, but can't find a way to get them off the camera. Oh well. We bought some mini donuts that were so fresh and warm. Chris was busy working that weekend, but managed to get away for an hour to visit us. It was great to see him.

Softball

Chris and I played on his company's softball team this year, the 'AEthletics'. I've always wanted to play on a summer league baseball team. It was fun to get out and play a couple nights a week. I think our team peaked about mid-season though, good thing they had Chris, as he was one of the few big hitters. The season's over  and I'm glad we played, plus we get to keep the sweet jersey's! Oh, and turns out I went to junior high with one of the guys on our team, small world.

5 years!

It's so hard to get a picture of just us, and even harder to get a nice one. This was the best. We celebrated our anniversary August 4th. It was Macy's birthday party, so we didn't do much else, but Chris did get me a Fruit and Nut chocolate bar. It was delicious.

Birthdays

We celebrated Chris' 27th Birthday last Tuesday. He worked, but we had presents ready for him when he came home and one of his favorite meals, chicken enchiladas.

Macy has really gotten into opening gifts and was eager to help her Dad! It is busy with all our birthdays close together, but nice too. Now we don't have to worry about them again until next year!

Party Time

Saturday we celebrated Macy's birthday with some friends and food. We started the party at the Borealis Splash Park. Of course the day where you want it to be sunny and hot it is cool and windy. Luckily by 3:30 the clouds were parting and the sun was shining, so we could enjoy the water. Plus, it wasn't busy at all!

I love this spray park, it is one of the best in Fort McMurray, and probably Edmonton too.

After the park we, our family along with our friends the Crawford's and the River's, came back to our place for dinner and cake. We had beef on a bun with chips, cesar salad, veggies, and grapes. We visited, blew bubbles, played with our toys, sang, and ate delicious chocolate cake with vanilla icing. Macy even scored an awesome Bubble Maker machine that blows tons of bubbles. It was a huge hit.

 Macy was too distracted by everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to look at the camera.

Macy loves balloons, so we got some helium filled ones. There were 5, one popped, and the other two went home with some of our guests.

It was great to celebrate Macy and we're so glad our friends could come too!

Box Fun

Are we looking at a future Olympic medalist in weightlifting here....who knows?

Riding her trike!

Happy, happy birthday, Macy dear!

Today we have had some fun celebrating Miss Macy's 2nd Birthday! We had a pretty casual morning, we went to Macdonald Island and played around their playground. Macy got her wrist brand which she now insists on getting, even when she doesn't need it. Chris was able to come home for lunch and presents. 

Macy opened lots of gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Cutts, and probably her favorite was the hand-me-down purse that Grandma gave her. She remembered it right away and was talking about Grandma and Grandpa non-stop. Especially when she saw it was filled with Grandma treats like fruit snacks and apple sauce. She has one more gift left to open from Uncle James and Aunt Jamie and us (mostly from James, its a belated gift from her birth). Since she doesn't read yet, I'll tell you what it is, a RadioFlyer Trike, the kind where the parent can push and steer until the kid is old enough to ride on their own. I'm very excited for it. I think Macy will love it.

After gifts was lunch, cheese quesidillas (Macy's favorite) and fruit salad. We sang to her and had some cake and then Chris had to go back to work.

 

We have so many birthday around the same time that we opted for just one cupcake and then a fancy piece of cake for us all to share. Macy loved her cupcake, especially the icing. But who could blame her, it is the best part!

After nap we are heading over to a friends for the afternoon and then will have a relaxing evening at home with Dad. Happy Birthday Macy! We love you and are excited for a new year full of adventure and fun!