My beautiful Aidan...as I take your hand, and we walk through the garden of life, may I be ever open to seeing the world through your eyes...full of innocent wonder, delight and joy. As you take my hand, and we walk through the garden of life, may you be ever open to seeing the world through my eyes...full of gratitude, wisdom and peace. May we be blessed on our 'ramblings' together. Love, Nana

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Ahhh....Summer!

Another hot and hazy summer is upon us, and I find myself longing for the crisp, cool days of autumn...my favourite time of year!

Afternoons spent with the little love of my life involve doing anything to keep cool, from splash pads to wading pools; swimming pools to his first love, the beach.  Many days are spent there throwing rocks into the lake, and watching sailboats and seagulls...

An abundance of rocks...

...to throw in the lake!
Today...I thought we'd do something different!  When not thinking about garbage trucks and airplanes, Aidan loves to talk about riding on trains.  And so off we went, Aidan, Nana, Papa and Momma, for a ride on the GO train to Toronto...

Aidan and Papa on the train.

Train rides...

...are such fun!
Since we got off to a late morning start, we decided to visit the 'Old Spaghetti Factory' for lunch.  It's such a great, fun place to eat.  Not too far from the train station, so easy enough for little legs to walk to.  This restaurant opened up in Toronto in 1971.  I had just started my career, fresh out of high school, working at a downtown bank, just a few minutes walk from the restaurant.  Back then the restaurant was quite a novelty, and my co-workers and myself had many lunches there.  So long ago, my daughter wasn't even a 'twinkle in my eye' never mind my little grandson! 

Alas, those days are long gone.  Back in the 70's, maternity leave was extended to six weeks only, and so I made the choice to give up my budding career and be a stay-at-home mum to my little daughter.  Nevertheless, today brought back many memories, and it was a lot of fun to show my beautiful daughter and dear little grandson where Nana used to 'hang out'...

Great spaghetti, Nana!

Yummm!

Love the ice cream too!
The spaghetti was as good as I remember.  The spumoni ice cream, too!  After filling our bellies, we headed back to the train station for our return journey home.  But not before pretending we were tourists...

Downtown Toronto
Once on the train, the events and excitement of the day caught up with one tired little boy...

One tired little boy!
...who is already asking 'when can he go on the train again'!