Picture perfect vacation

Our week at a cottage north of Peterborough was amazing. We did away with as many rules as possible (except for the safety-related ones, of course), and basically did nothing but relax, swim, sunbathe, read, eat, chat, and watch a few movies. The children transformed into true Cottage Creatures. Findley was in feline heaven, with so much space inside and out.

McPie roused himself on the last day and devised an ingenious treasure hunt, with maps, hidden clues, and buried treasure (candy jewels and real money!). The treasure hunt was prefaced with a little Fear Factor action. Apparently, Corona = Ew! Pee! in the mouths of children.

In general, the week was an amazing opportunity to escape every stress of real life, and spend real time with family. McPie's mum, sisters and niece and nephew joined us for the week, so it we finally had a chance to visit unhurried. And happily, good cookin' runs in the family!

Here is a photologue of our cottage life. Excuse the formatting (I'm tired of fiddling).

The first day, the kidlets were eager to sail the stormy seas of Clear Lake in the rowboat. The boys rowed, the girls heckled.

Ready, aye, ready.

Heave!

Will ya look at these jokers?

Land, ho!

The cottage's property was just-unkempt-enough. Rustic but charming. Most importantly, the entrance to the lake was nice, the water was refreshing but not too cold, and the bunkie was stocked with plenty of water toys.

"Tuba mask"

Flotation devices facilitated relaxation, even on the water.

What's a cottage without a hammock? It was a favourite place to relax, and could accomodate multiple occupants.

Boys like to cuddle too.

Mom McPie caught napping

Inside, the cottage was also rustic yet charming. There was no phone, but there was a TV and DVD player. Mostly importantly, there was plenty of space for all of us to spread out.

Indoor shenanigans.

Findley's been known to relax anywhere...

Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of the wildlife - otters in the rocks by the dock, falcons soaring overhead daily, loons floating peacefully past the end of the dock, and the usual frogs, crayfish, and daddy-long-legs that kept the kids amused.

If you imagine you hear a loon calling when you look at these, you wouldn't be far off...