We headed to the Zahara's cottage that Darryl's parents had rented for the first week of September. We headed up for the Labour Day weekend to meet with the rest of the family. I was a little anxious, the outdoors is NOT my the thing and the idea of no air conditioning worried me. I don't always do so great in the heat with 20 people in the small cottage and 9 kids 6 and under, but this year was really a lot of fun. Carter was the youngest, so there was no babies around that needed to be nursed or watched 24/7, so the kids could play and run and explore and they loved it so much.
Carter was made for cottage life. He loved it. He got to be outside all day, drive Grandpa's boat, there was always lots of food and candy, and plenty of time to explore. He was so cute, and sometimes hard to keep track of because he loved the freedom. The older boys were really cute about including him too. I love that my kids have so many great cousins.
Chloé's favourite part, hands down was riding on the tube with Uncle Matt and Olivia. She was so brave, I couldn't believe it. She kept giving Grandpa the thumbs up to go faster,they were flying, I just couldn't believe it was my kid. I really under estimate her sometimes. She loved swimming in the lake with Ava too. Matt and Sarah's friends came with their kids and Chlo really loved their two older girls. They enjoyed the sun, lip gloss and trampolining together.
You can go to a candy store across the lake if you hitch a ride on Grandpa's boat. This was one of the kid's favourite things to do, Darryl's mom also has a tradtion of opening "Nana's Candy Store" when things get chilly or the sun goes away for a little bit. The kids can "buy" chocolate bars and candies too, and they just love lining up and choosing what they'd like to buy.
It's no secret in the family that the cottage is not my ideal getaway, but my favourite thing about it has to be (other than eating Bonnie's fabulous cooking every meal of the day) is after the kids go to sleep, and we all get to talk and play games like we did before the kids were all born. We have good discussions, laugh, eat more good fun, and just enjoy each other's company in a way that you can't throughout the day when managing all the chaos. Darryl and all the boys got to golf this year too, which I know he would say was his favourite part. As much work as is with a big group like that, the fun times are always what sticks out in my mind, and having kids old enough to enjoy and remember makes me enjoy myself that much more. We go home and Chlo talked of nothing else for 3 days.
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