Summer in Montreal

This Passe-Partout song keeps playing in my head "L'été c'est fait pour jouer". If you're from around here, you'll know what I mean.

Just this past week I was fortunate to participate in many summer activities in and around Montreal.

Hansel and Gretel

On Tuesday, there was an outdoor theatre show at the park just in front of our house, so of course I went to check it out!

Food truck! 

On Wednesday I spend the day at my friend's cottage near St. Jérôme. It was so calm and peaceful (such a great idea to go on a weekday!) and we really enjoyed watching our dogs play together! I was proud of Taco for coming back to me each time I called him and not running off wildly!

On Thursday after a doctor's appointment where I was told everything was looking great for baby's arrival (just a month to go!) I went to the Botanical Gardens with another friend. They have an exhibit right now called Mosaïcultures, which are basically plant sculptures from around the world. It is extremely beautiful and powerful and I highly recommend you go! Here are a few pictures:

We were able to plant a small plant and be a part of the solar system exhibit!

Solar system coming together slowly but surely.

Friday was our 3rd wedding anniversary. My husband surprised me with flowers and chocolates and we went out for a great dinner at a restaurant called 'Les Enfants Terribles'. It is on Nun's Island overlooking the Saint Laurence river and the food is really good!

My good friend Melanie did my makeup!

On Saturday, we headed to the Jazz Festival. Despite the terrible heat and my slower-than-slow walking abilities, we enjoyed a few bands and watching the kids play in the fountains. Next year we'll have our own kid to watch so we won't seem so creepy!

An amazing high school jazz band

The Just for Laughs Festival is coming up next, so maybe that's where we'll be next weekend!

Visiting New Jersey

We've been to New Jersey twice in two months now because we just can't resist our adorable nephews. The older one (M) turned two on Friday, so we celebrated his birthday. The younger one (L) is just 6 weeks old and is helping us (hopefully) practice baby stuff. This weekend was quite eventful! Here is what we did.

First of all, our drive down. The GPS says it takes 5 hours, but that is a lie, it takes 7 hours including stops, and no we didn't stop for two hours. We were driving along one of my favourite parts of the drive where there are lots of trees and hills and lakes and the scenery is just lovely when all of a sudden a wild turkey (or "turkey wild" if you prefer) ran across the road! The poor thing did not survive to tell of how it flew for a few seconds over our car, and I do hope some animal ate it so that it didn't die in vain. Later we stopped for a bathroom break and ice cream and my husband tells me to "Look at the nuns". I turned to look in that general direction and there was a van full of nuns! It was hilarious just because it was so out of the ordinary and made me think of Sister Act.

Saturday morning we had a lovely breakfast of French Toast with fruit and bacon and maple syrup. I played with M with his new train set aka 'choo choo' and just relaxed and enjoyed family time. The men (my husband and brother-in-law) got carried away while buying groceries and then we had another feast of bread and cheese and different cold cuts for lunch. We decided to go to the zoo in the afternoon to celebrate M's birthday. We had fun riding the carousel, going on a train ride and watching the sea lions, which became the new word of the day. It was scorching hot and humid though, so after an hour or so we were ready to head home where we had our third amazing meal of the day! Salmon on the BBQ with potatoes and asparagus, followed by birthday cake of course. Everything was delicious!

We got up and ready for church on Sunday, which went smoothly. We relaxed in the afternoon and then went to a really good Greek restaurant for dinner. My sister-in-law and I went for a swim after dinner that was so nice and relaxing for my pregnant body.

We woke up to a torrential downpour on Monday (Happy Canada Day!) so our departure was a bit delayed, but we were OK on the drive back and nothing eventful happened.

Here are a few pictures of the damage done by the wild turkey: