Halloween funtivities!

Our Halloween started with the WISE's Pumpkin walk. This is always a fun event! The kids picked out some costumes from the bin and away we went. This year we had a lion, princess and a dog join the walk. There was a nice little story and a bonfire and a concession full of sweet treats, savoury soup, and hot apple cider.


A couple days before Halloween, I found these awesome costumes at Winners on clearance. It took some time but I eventually convinced the girls to wear these on Halloween night. I also wanted Theodore to join in the party so I proceeded to make him a simple felt bread/toast costume.

Trick-or-treating was a lot of fun. We went to my parents neighbourhood and received lots of yummy treats!

TRICK OR TREAT!

Harry Potter Festival

Today we took the kids to a local event in Edmonton called the Festival of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was the second year the Festival took place. Justin and I went last year by ourselves but we had such a good time and I was really impressed by how family friendly the event was so I wanted to bring the whole fam this year!

Despite the chilly weather, we had a lot of fun. There was free crafts to make, we had some Harry Potter themed beverages and there was a lot a wizard-y shopping. I even dressed the kids up and we took part in a  family photo shoot.

I made a Pygmy Puff for Lily's costume

Pumpkin harvest

Our humble garden provided us with a few goodies this summer. We didn’t plant as much as last year but we did grow peas, carrots, green onions, tomatoes and some herbs.

 But the most challenging one has been the pumpkin. We had started four pumpkin plants from seed before we left for Disney and when we got back we planted all of them in the garden bed. But none were taking so we figured they must be overcrowded so we took two plants out. The third one died but the fourth was flourishing- blossoming many flowers and bulbs but the bulbs would die as well. It was a very frustrating experience! 

But one day I went out, and one bulb had flourished and so for the whole summer I focused on this one bulb. I cut away any shoots and leaves that would grow so to help the plant retain its energy on the flourishing bulb. And it worked. Because of the early snowfall, I was contemplating whether I should harvest it early then usually or try to continue to grow. It felt like a big decision! I didn’t want the cold to kill it because I had already put a lot of work and it was so close to harvest time it just needed a few more weeks. So I took a chance. I kept it warm with bark chips and covered it every night with this makeshift greenhouse thing I made out of a garbage bag. I would uncover it during the day hoping that it could soak in any sunny rays that would hit it.  I continued to water it and sure enough the snow did melt and we got a few more weeks of warmer weather. Like with all plants, and with lots of water, sunshine and love we had grown a pumpkin! It’s not a very big pumpkin but it is ours and I’m  excited to make a pie out of it! I finally harvested it and now we wait for it ripen before we roast a purée it :)

Cozy toes and squishy pumpkins

Something about fall makes me want to wear fluffy socks, sip apple cider and crochet all day!

Although the “all day” part is not really feasible, I do enjoy my quiet moments to myself. 

This week I’ve been crocheting pumpkins. There is a "hipster" black and white one for a table's centrepiece and some cute little pumpkins that I plan on giving to my family and friends around Thanksgiving. I basically designed the pattern myself and my favourite part is the cinnamon stick stem. I added an drop of cinnamon and a drop of orange essential oil to give it extra spiciness!

Back to school

Fall has begun and I’m not going to lie... it’s been a bit of a struggle getting back into the school routine! Ella is continuing her second year of kindergarten, (senior kindergarten) and Lily is so excited to join her this year as she is in the Wondergarden which is the preschool program. She goes two mornings a week.

Snow in September!

September has brought many changes including a “lovely” dump of snow! ❄️⛄️ Of course the kids are so excited so they enjoyed playing in it before it melts away! Theo especially seems to love the magical substance!

As odd as it is to see the white stuff right now, it sure is beautiful and gets me excited for Christmas 😊

Summer Vacation!

We just got back from our little family vacation and it was awesome!

The Royal Tyrrell Museum

We went again to Drumheeller and is now  turning into an annual tradition. It was Canada Day and I have never seen that museum so busy!! We had to park in the overflow parking which wasn't very convenient with three littles but we made due. The girls had fun though! It's always a good time for us. :)

Camping at Syringa Provincial Park

We went for the day, stayed overnight and then embarked the next morning for our second destination: Syringa Provincial Park. This is where the Boisvert's went tent camping for the very first time! Justin thrives on this stuff-- he had the most fun prepping he meals and the equipment for this "grand" event. But woo weee packing for a young family is not easy and does not come light... Our van was FULL!

The drive from the museum to Syringa was long but the kids are pretty good travellers. The scenery was beautiful and got more and more stunning as we got deeper and deeper into the Kootenays.

The campground was gorgeous and well equipped for us. Our site had a picnic table, overlooked the lake and it was close to flushing toilets. (that was my camping jurisdiction haha). There was a field and park close as well which was located near the shore of the lake. The kids loved exploring the world around them. Theo's favourite part was selling "hi" to the ground squirrels that burrowed in the nearby field. We waded in the lake and Ella enjoyed digging in the sand finding the gooey clay that was deep under the water. We collected rocks and went for hikes. We ate delicious meals that was prepared beforehand by my dear husband. Justin and I usually wake up before the kids and one of my favourite parts about camping is the cool crisp air in the morning, and the birds chirping in the trees above breaking the still silence all around.

The Boisvert's stay with the van Bruggen's

After our camping excursion, we set off again up to Nelson, BC to visit my sister's family! This was the part  I was looking forward to the most- and it did not disappoint! 

Over the course of the weekend, they took us on some lovely hikes, and they made us some nice meals. We spent the day the Nelson, we went to the beach, had some lunch, went on a cute trolley ride and on the way back to their home, she took me home the scenic way and I. Fell. In. Love. 

It was a beautiful, amazing lovely time. I love my sister and her family oh so much and it was sad when we had to leave. :(