Montreal Jazz Festival

Yesterday we went to the Montreal Jazz Festival. It is a pretty big deal and runs from June 25th to July 6th. I was shocked to see such big name artists Stevie Wonder (who performed last year), Lionel Ritchie, Lauryn Hill, Brian Setzer and many others. http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/default-en.aspx

Yesterday was the perfect day to be outside and enjoy great music. The area where the festival is located has streets blocked off, many different stages and places to sit and relax. At any given time, there a multiple shows going on and the atmosphere is wonderful! I would go again this year just to hear more great music while sitting in the sunshine. Plus it is very family friendly, with a large play area for kids, splash pad and even a specific diaper changing area. We had the perfect Sunday!

This is just a sample of some of the music we heard. This band was great! I think they are Montreal Dixie, but we can't totally figure out if it was them or not, but whoever it was, I would listen to them again.

Inaugural Fire in Canada

So when Lori comes to visit, we always break out the fire pit. It is one of the traditions of her visits. I think they only times we haven't had a raging fire is when there has been snow on the ground and I am sure that if it wasn't too cold out, we would have the fire pit going then too! It is one of our favorite things to do - sit in a lounge chair with our margaritas and talk about whatever random topics come up! Last week we decided that it was the perfect night for a fire, so we gathered some wood and lit the fire pit. Only this time we were without margaritas...no tequila in the house, DARN!! It was nice to be out on a perfect evening enjoying the company of a great friend. I am sure that before she leaves, we will be having a few more fires!

Presents and Silliness

Last week Arabella was surprised when two "care" packages from the States arrived for her! Grampie and Heather sent her a box full of beautiful summer outfits and 2 new pairs of shoes...she loved the shoes and kept pulling them out and would say "WOW" at the top of her lungs! I just love her enthusiasm and wonder at the small things. She even had fun popping the bubble wrap, I guess it is the little things that amuse her the most.







Auntie Vivi sent Arabella the cutest ladybug umbrella and some art supplies (which she tore right into). She loved walking around the yard with her new umbrella and is looking forward to using her new art supplies on a rainy day...which hopefully won't be anytime soon.





She is such a lucky little girl to have such wonderful family and friends (who are more like family than friends) who care so much about her. Thanks Grampie, Heather and Auntie Vivi!

As for her silliness, she was going crazy blowing bubbles and wearing mine and Auntie Lori's shoes around the house. Oh, and yes, I think we have created a Barbie monster...she got her first one last week! She had fun picking it out and I guess Barbies are not so bad, I loved mine and still have them.

St. Jean Baptiste Day

Yesterday was St. Jean Baptiste Day in Quebec which meant that Jay had a extra day off this week. We were planning on having Arabella's 2 year photos done yesterday, but the weather was not cooperating so we are rescheduling them. Bummer since I was really looking forward to having her get them done. So we decided to pack up and head to Funtropolis - an indoor play park that is off the island. It was pretty busy, but that did not stop any of us from having a great time! It had been about 6 months since I had been there with Arabella and what a difference that time made. She was able to climb all over everything and even entered the ball area where foam balls drop from the ceiling and are shot out of air cannons. She loved it!! Needless to say, at the end of the day we were all worn out!


Auntie Lori trying her hand at the candy crane!

Arabella and Jay shooting a ball cannon.

Balls falling from the sky.

Flippin

I was able to get a few videos of Arabella on the bars at Le Petite Gym during a make-up class she took this week. I still can't get over how strong she is!

Hello Summer

To celebrate the first true day of Summer, we spent a lot of time outside. In fact, the only time we were in the house was early this morning and then for nap time this afternoon! It was absolutely beautiful here, sunny and warm with the perfect slight breeze.

This morning, Arabella and I had a play date with the Wee Wiggles. We met at a park in Saint-Lazare, which is off the island of Montreal, and had a very fun morning. Arabella spent time playing in the sand with her friends and climbing all over the playground equipment. She loved riding on the merry-go-round (if that is what it is called) with her friend Christina and she even tried out a very high slide. This child of mine has no fear and that scares me! After a fun morning of playing, they enjoyed some lunch in the shade and then we left to come home for nap time.







After Arabella's shorter than normal nap, we headed to the pool with Auntie Lori. Arabella was so excited about going to the pool, she would barely stand still so I could get more sunscreen and her bathing suit on her. We spent over 2 hours at the pool and Arabella loved every minute of it, as usual. She even flirted with one of the lifeguards in the Baby pool, it was very cute. I know we will probably be at the pool every day and that is fine by me! Arabella is turning into the water baby and I wouldn't have it any other way.









Thank you Mother Nature for a perfect first day of Summer. Please keep the beautiful weather coming!

Happy Father's Day

Today was all about Dad. He got to sleep in, have breakfast made for him, decide what to do today and even got to pick out where he wanted to go for dinner. But Father's Day is also a day to thank Dad for all that he does for our family. I remember in the beginning how scared Jay was, he had no idea what he was in for when we had Arabella. He is helping to raise a beautiful, fearless and smart little girl who loves her Daddy. Jay works hard to provide Arabella and I with a home, food, clothing, all of the basics and even some luxuries. And in order to provide us with these things, he is not always here with us - he spends a lot of time in the car and in the airport, traveling all over and when he would rather be home with us, he is in a hotel room working or spending time with his dealers. He makes these sacrifices so that we are taken care of. And in return we don't always thank him for all everything that he does. You are a great dad who loves to play at the playground with Arabella, she loves to play hide-n-seek with him, they color, read, dance to Lady Gaga and every morning that he is in town, he gets up with her and they eat breakfast at her table in her playroom (so that I can workout). So thank you Jay! We wouldn't be here in Montreal and living this life without you. And even if we don't say it often enough, we love you and I am glad you are Arabella's dad. Happy Father's Day Jay - without you, there would be no Arabella and our family would not be the same.





And thank you Dad for all that you did for our family when I was growing up. You worked long hours but made sure that we were well taken care of. Some of my favorite memories are being at the beach each and every summer and all the fun that we would have. Thank you for all that you do for Arabella. We miss you and love you so much!