My City: Rouge Beach

When most of us think of going to the beach in the city, we think of Ashbridges Bay.  However if you're looking for a less touristy alternative, consider a trip to Rouge Beach.   The beach is located right where the Rouge River meets Lake Ontario.  

Here's our first sandcastle of the year

You can fish in the river too!  See the guy at the bottom corner of the pic?  Wonder if he was able to catch any fish with the loud train overhead.  The kids loved seeing the Via train as well as the Go Train.

They could've spent their whole day digging for tiny stones

Hubby and I enjoyed the view...

While the kids practiced skipping pebbles

Love how they do everything together

It's a nice way to spend a lazy Sunday morning - much more low key than Ashbridges but just as nice.

Rouge Beach is located at 195 Rouge Hills Drive, Toronto.

Cha-cha-changes... Junior Kindergarten & The Royal Ontario Museum

This week I watched my little boy grow up a little bit.  Normally I don't notice the subtle changes until I go back and watch old videos.  This week he really showed me that he's growing up.   Here's what happened:

1.  Junior Kindergarten Visit

On Monday, we went to his school for a pre-junior kindergarten visit.  He wore his little man uniform shirt, a pair of shorts, runners, and his little backpack.  He really did look like a little man.  I was really proud of his ability to hold his own.  I was a little worried what it would be like, as he'll be one of the youngest in his class this September.  This visit was good for both of us... he got to see his class and I get to worry a little less.

Here's what made me smile:  1) He said "hi everyone" to the kids in the class without being prompted  2) He raised his hand to answer a question 3) He stood up in front of the class and read the number "14".   For a kid that has never been in daycare, he was really good!  I was surprised he could sit still for so long because I was getting fidgety.  But when a fly came into the classroom, he got distracted as did all of the other students.

Here's a picture of him finding something on the ground.  His "homework" has been all but forgotten.

2.  Visit to the Royal Ontario Museum with his friends

On Wednesday, we went to the Royal Ontario Museum with his little friend H.   They met at a kids party and then ended up taking some classes together (cooking and numbers) through the Ontario Early Years Centres.  This is the same friend that got this apron for her birthday.  

What really stuck out for me was that he was being "Mr Tour Guide" and telling her about all the cool stuff at the museum.  It was almost like he was showing off what he knew!  He was also really brave about going into the bat cave. -

When Matteo lost his shoe (worst thing that can happen in his world), Joshie stayed behind with his friend at the knights exhibit.  While I was busy hunting down the shoe, he showed her his favourite piece in the European collection (the "Lemon Lime" dish).  

Pals who like dinosaurs:
 

Must dig for bones... Poor Matteo is too short to dig for bones.

3.  Play Time with Little Bro

I hear him saying things like:

• It's not like that.  Do you want me to show you how?
• You get the first one you touch!
• You need to take turns!
• Do you want to play with me?

So yes, my baby is growing up.  I'm totally going to be the Mom that cries on his first day of school. 

Owl Toddler Backpack

 
I started this owl backpack 3 months ago. It's a first birthday gift for little A and it took me way longer than I expected. I guess I'm the kind of person who works better under pressure. I have only made these backpacks for little boys so it was such a pleasure to make something a little more girly.

Although I could probably make this owl gender neutral by changing the colours, I went with pink. I used recycled jersey for the applique... the pink owl was from a cerveza cusqueña t shirt that I got in Peru. I bought it after hubby and I hiked the Inca trail. When I washed it at home, it shrunk to toddler sized proportions. I didn't even get a chance to wear it! I've been waiting for a chance to repurpose it into something else. Given that it was a beer shirt, I didn't want to make a toddler dress out of it.

Too many choices for the piping...

 
It took me forever to sort out where the eyes would go.

But I finally figured it out

Some more pics...

Side shot... no pockets this time

I also made the lining a little different this time.  I decided to sew the lining to the backpack and cover the open seams with bias tape.  To be honest, I'm not sure which method I like better.  This way keeps the lining tight against the bag but I like the seams hidden, not covered. 

Joshie said he wanted this backpack too or if not, then I have to make him one with a dinosaur on it AND an owl.  Oh boy... he is growing up way to fast.   I guess it's time to move him up to the medium sized toddler backpack.

Here it is on my front porch... waiting to be given to little A.

Edited 11/2012 - New pic of the little A

Happy Sewing!