Summer Fun and Big Changes

This summer has flown by so fast!  I really enjoyed being able to spend each day, all day with Avery.  He's at such a great age right now and I love him so much.  We didn't take any big trips or vacations, but we had fun each day.  Here are some of the things we did this summer:

Went for lots of walks!  Here's Avery walking along the path at the Shipyards.

And here he is, under a willow tree, watching the ducks

Spent lots of time swinging!

Ate at the Chip Truck at the park!

Visited Brock and Marianne at the cottage they rented

Lots of swimming!  Sometimes naked. 

More swimming.  Indoors at the YMCA with Grandma.

Went strawberry picking (eating) with Grandma

Ate ice cream at the Early Years Centre picnic

Got some new wheels.  A smart trike.

Also got the bike trailer hooked up.

Swinging with Mom at one of the many parks we visited.

At the Splash Pad.

Eating a cupcake for Mom's birthday!

More swimming.  At the beach.

Swingin' with the Maitland girls.  These are the daughters of a friend of mine.
Avery is, age-wise, in the middle.  We tried to get together once a week. 

Avery and his little friend Laura. 

Watching Elvis at A&W with Grandpa.

At the Elvis Classic Car Parade.

The Elvii kept throwing teddy bears to Avery.  Here he is with his swag.

Helping Grandpa blow out his birthday candles.

Visiting "GG" - Great Grandma Orr!

Visiting with Grammy and Grampy at their campsite.

Practicing walking at the campsite.

So there is some of the fun things we did.  We got out of the house at least once a day to have some fun.  Avery likes going to the Early Years Centre to play and have Circle Time.  He also likes going to the library to play with their toys and books.   And, he really loves shopping!  He likes to sit in the cart and go around looking at everything and reading the signs.  I think the grocery store and Walmart are his favourite stores to go to.

And now for the changes...
Many of you know that my parents are retired and, prior coming to Collingwood to support me with Avery, live in Texas during the fall and winter.  They were very kind to come and spend 18 months with me throughout the last part of my pregnancy and this time with Avery.  Now they've decided to travel again.  They are making their way out West to visit my brother and his family in Tofino - who will be giving them a new grandson any day now! Then they will continue on to Texas.  To say that we will miss them is a huge understatement!  Avery is used to seeing his Grandma and Grandpa every day and he adores them.  My Mom can make him laugh like no one else can. We have plans to keep in touch via Skype.  We've been skyping with Noel's mom and Avery seems to enjoy it.

The trailer that my parents bought to travel with. 

Avery, testing out the trailer with Grandpa.  Not a lot of headroom up there in the sleeping quarters! 

And my parents' departure leads us to the next big change - daycare.  My Mom had been looking after Avery for me when I went back to work in September and my Dad helped out as well.  Avery has never been left with anyone other than family.  But now he will be attending a daycare facility.  We had a home day care set up but it didn't work out, so we were lucky that he moved up the waiting list at this place and was given a spot.  For awhile it was tense because his spot was in the Toddler Room and Avery wasn't toddling at all at the time!  But then they managed to shift things around and find him a spot in the Infant Room, which goes up to 18 months.  We've been there once to visit and Avery seemed happy there.  He was babbling and rolling around on the ground and enjoyed playing with the  vehicles and was fascinated by a little blond girl.  In the infant room he can sleep and eat on his own schedule and they go for walks in one of those triple strollers.  So I think it will be a good place for him, until he gets more comfortable with his walking.  It's just stressful to have to leave him there at all, when obviously I would prefer to be at home taking care of him.  But I feel good about this place.  And the food sounds amazing - much better than anything I make for him!  ;)
The last (hopefully) big change is that Noel has a new job.  In Sudbury.  He was really feeling unfulfilled in his previous job and the opportunity arouse to be the Head Carpenter at the Sudbury Theatre Centre.  He is really excited to be working in Theatre again and using his talents and knowledge.  The downside, of course, is that he will have to stay up there during the week.  So Avery, Shelby and I will be on our own.  It will be lonely without Noel around, especially since my parents are leaving too, but it will be worth it if he is happier.
So if anyone has been feeling like we've been out of communication for awhile, all of this is why.  It's been a very busy and stressful time for me lately so I haven't been writing blog posts or posting photos, etc.
Here's hoping that everything works out for the best and that these changes are good for all of us!