Sun- day 1. Arrived in Party Sound around 11:30am. Waited for Aunty Allie, Grammie, & cousins to retrieve us after their trip to Walmart in downtown Parry Sound. (Unfortunately, this is one of the only consistent places in town to pick up necessities like diapers and baby wipes.) We made good time from our overnight stop in Mendon, NY. Graham slept all but about an hour in the car. He’s such a good little passenger! This was the second day of our long drive and it took us about 5 hours to reach Parry Sound (after logging 8 hours the day before). We drove through the boarder crossing at Niagra Falls in the early morning hours, then continued  onward along the 407 toll road. Once at the cottage, we unpacked our stuff and ended the night with a paddle in Grampa’s new Weenona canoe. Grampa, Aunty Allie, cousins, and Graham & I paddled up to see Aunty Marion & Uncle Don. It was a great day! We settled into the Little Cabin, where we’ll be staying for the next two weeks, and fell fast asleep cuddled together in bed.

Mon- day 2. I have no cell service for some reason and spent almost an hour with US Cellular trying to fix the problem so we can keep in touch with ‘Dad’/ Jeff. It’s hard not to have a cell phone, but we’re not too sad about it. The screen-free time is nice, and almost unheard of when we’re home in real-time, normal life. Instead of texting and Facebook we look out the window at glissinging waters and green trees across the bay. We listen for loons and distant boats, or the echos of neighbors who are also enjoying their lake time.

After the fog lifted, Grammie & Aunty Allie left to take cousins, Wylder & Mabel, to the Toronto zoo. It’s WAY too soon for us to get back in the car. We’ll wait to hear about the fun they have… and maybe one day Graham will go to the zoo also. Instead, we took advantage of the quiet morning by taking a run with Grampa in town- up past Glen Burney Marina on Grampa’s new running route. Then Grampa took us fishing off the dock. Graham caught three sun fish and boy, did he love it! He held the pole, played with the reel, and splashed the water in the bucket where the fish were temporarily held hostage. After we were done, Grampa slowly tipped the bucket back into the lake and we watched our fish swim under the dock.

Tues- day 3. It was a relaxing lazy Party Sound day. The weather was perfect- sunny and warm. We took advantage by doing absolutely everything we wanted to do- nothing at all. We highlighted this with a midday nap in the hammock (Graham & I) and a little fun in the swing that Grampa has rigged up between two trees near the laundry building. That’s fun too! We swam with Grampa at the beach and Graham tried out one of the circular floaties. He was a little unsure about it at first (as were we) but he settled into the idea of ‘floating’ and played with toys on the mesh at the front, as his little legs dangled into the water below. Later in the day we went with Grampa to Glen Burney Marina to get Allie, Grammie & cousins after their trip to Toronto. Of course, we did another couple miles of running while we were there. (We can’t be totally lazy all day.) Graham snuggles down into his Ergo carrier while I (‘mom’) trot along with Grampa. We had a late dinner and time for beddies knowing that tomorrow brings lots of cousin fun.

Wed- day 4. Graham takes his first (SLOW and brief) Sea Doo ride with mom! We spent a long time at our beach with cousins. Graham is also getting  very talkative! He’s responding to questions with long sentences of jibberish baby talk (but if you stretch your imagination, you can almost make out what he’s saying.) He’s the cutest.❤️

Thur- day 5. Graham spent some time with Grammie and cousins while I went into town with Grampa & Aunty Allie to run and get groceries. I was finally able to check email and get online to fix my phone. Cell service has mysteriously started working. Back at the cottage we went canoeing with Aunty Allie & cousins and spent some more time at the beach. Being at the beach and in the water is more & more enjoyable. Graham is getting more comfortable and gaining confidence.  He  loves to splash with both hands and climb the rocks. (Just as long as he’s not eating the rocks.)

Fri- day 6. Graham learned how to drink a smoothie from a real straw! (Thanks for the smoothie, Aunty Allie.) We took a boat trip to the dump with cousins, Aunty Allie, & Grampa. Graham played at the beach with everyone… climbed the rock, splashed, and played in the sandbox with Mabel.

Sat- day 7. Aunty Allie left to get dad and Uncle Jeff from the Toronto airport. Graham, Grampa, and I are responsible for the groceries and a quick run. We’re looking forward to what we’ve deemed, “Daddy Day”! Once back from our town trip we went next door to a dock party. All the neighbors were there. Graham got to meet a few other boys: Owen, Peter Fletcher’s grandson. Ryder (2) and Jackson (4) who are Sarah and Jay’s boys; (Sarah is Betty’s daughter.) Graham also got to meet the Reeds, Jim Brown, and Katie (Aunty Jen’s old Parry Sound friend) who hadn’t been to the cottage in almost 10 years. We did a bath in the kitchen sink (our second one since arriving).