Grandchildren at the cottage (week 1 - part 1)

There will be multiple posts in this series as I have gone through all the pictures, eliminated about 75% of them and there are still too many.
I picked up Mike, Aimee, Avery and Maya at the Hamilton airport at some unglodly hour on Sunday morning (Swoop must get the worst times). We ate breakfast in Simcoe and they all slept in the car while I grocery shopped at Walmart. They all slept for another hour when I parked by the lake in Port Dover (The cottage was rented and their check out time was 11am). They all slept as I drove to Long Point. After unpacking, Aimee and Mike slept and the kids and I played.
These are pictures from the first week.

Each morning was spent playing in the sand in front of the deck while the adults got their act together. Avery on the left and his cousin (Aimee's sister, Kay's daughter) Jasmine, otherwise known as Jazzy.

Maya is a bit of a "fashionista", very particular about which dress, bathing suit or shoes she is wearing.

Work it girl!

Although the lake is still cold they always wanted to go swimming

We had to drag Avery out periodically

because he was shivering so much.

Maya was very happy running in and out of the waves but not thrilled about the walk out to the sandbar. Mike is carrying another cousin, Jazzy's little sister, Kiara.

At 2 years old, she was happiest being towed around on the flutter board.

Mike had never used the paddleboard before and didn't want Avery anywhere near until he had got the hang of it.

Then it was time for paddleboard rides. Of course Avery jumped off once causing everyone but Maya to fall off. We are not sure how she stayed on but she really didn't like the deeper water. (Photo by Kay)

Aimee had used it before and was a pro but this was Kay's first try.

R&R for Aimee and Jazzy.

The kids weren't the only ones playing in the water

the adults also had some fun.

Out of the water there were castles to be built

and holes to be dug

it was serious business.

Mark, Sarah and Heather came down from Ottawa, picking up Fiona on the way. Yep, that means we had 4 kids under 4, 3 teenagers and 5 adults for a couple of days.

The teens bought some big inflatables with them

but Maya preferred riding the dolphin on the land.

They were usually exhausted enough to go down for a nap but whoever got up first had to play quietly, like building with the Jenga.

I think Jazzy is going to be an engineer.

When Si and Dan arrived (Oh yes that meant there were now 7 adults) they bought Rasta back. He was less than impressed with the house full.

Long post, stay tuned for week 1-part 2.