A week at a cottage

Our week's vacation this year was spent from Aug. 16-23 at a quiet little cottage on Lake Bernard in the town of Sundridge -- the same lake and town we were at last year, but a different cottage. Last year's cottage was really nice, but the lake access was by dock only and this year we wanted a beach so that Austin could play in the sand and wade into the water.

The place we found had a large beach area and the water was shallow enough for Austin to walk out about 100 ft. But the cottage itself, although very cute, was a little more rustic and much smaller than we had anticipated.

It was a two-bedroom with a screened in porch and our plan had been to set up the playpen for Alex in our room. But when we got there, we discovered that both bedrooms were so tiny that they barely fit the double bed and dressers. So Alex, spent her nights sleeping in the kitchen and every morning we'd put the playpen away and she'd take her naps on the double bed in our room. Once we got used to the sleeping arrangements, the cottage didn't seem so small -- especially when we could send Austin out to play on the porch.

Considering the weather this summer, we were really lucky. We had just one rainy afternoon, which we spent playing with playdoh and other new crafts that I had brought along in case of rain. The rest of the days were sunny and beautiful -- although one day was a little too cold for swimming in the morning (it was only about 8C that morning). So, we packed the kids up and drove to North Bay (45 minutes north) for a few hours to ride the carousels and mini train, have some lunch and play in a park.

Alex and mom on the miniature train

On another day, we packed up both kids and went to nearby Mikisew Provincial Park for a hike. I wore Alex in the front pack and Ryan wore Austin in the backpack for a 2.3 km 'moderate' hike. About partway through, it didn't seem to be too challenging so Austin hiked by himself for awhile, before tiring and getting back in the backpack. The hike was a perfect distance with the two kids -- and was really nice except for the fact that some parts were a little flooded from all the rain over the last few weeks.
The four of us on our hike (Alex is all wrapped up in a bug net).

The rest of our days were spent playing in the sand, swimming in the lake -- of which Austin did every day and Alex went two or three times. She was a little unsure about swimming, but she seemed to like it -- she didn't scream anyway. And Austin loved going out in the paddle boat and canoe with Ryan.

Daddy burying Austin in the sand.

This property also housed a family of the world's friendliest ducks. Every day, the eight ducks would waddle right up to the door, asking for food. Austin loved feeding them bread -- as well as chasing them around the beach.

One morning, we also went to the nearby petting farm and fed the goats.