Jazz in the Park.

Saturday was my first official Saturday not teaching this year. Freedom!

Specifically, I had the sweet freedom to visit the city market while all the vendors still had stock.





I have a very ambitious plan to hold court at the city market each Saturday morning around 10-11 am. I find it a great place to get groceries, run into friends (both planned meetings and random run-ins), people watch, and take photographs.





I don't usually bike to the market when I have the baby. When I'm heading north of the river it's generally much more convenient for me to take the train. I don't have to tow anything or navigate narrow streets with the Madsen. Dexter can't really walk yet so if I put him in a bike seat I would have to carry him everywhere once we got to our destination. Walking and train is still the best. Very leisurely. Super low impact.

Dexter is being SUPER cute these days.

He is a curious little boy so any time we go some place with lots of stuff happening he's all over it. When we arrived at the market we quickly met up with a selection of his aunties. He was being very emphatic while auntie Fella handled him.







It is so convenient to have friends who love baby D and are good with kids. Frees me up so Sable and I can hit the waffle truck.





We saw all these people get whipped cream and sauces drizzled on theirs.





But we opted for plain. Well, you can get them in in vanilla or maple. But we decided not to get the toppings and just try the waffles au natural.

Hands down. The most delicious waffle I have ever consumed.





Elize had ridden the Raleigh up to the market from Riverdale. Now, Riverdale is an idyllic neighbourhood in the valley. It's just gorgeous down there. But in order to get anywhere there is no way out but up. Hills. Everywhere.

Elize is going to be very strong by the end of this summer.





Dexter being charming to his auntie.





This is sort of a Dexter love fest. The light was good and he was just being so very expressive. I couldn't help myself.

I think this picture is very presidential. It's like he's looking off into the distance, imagining a greater future for us all.





And then there is goofy D.

*CHEESE*





After the market scene we walked over to Louise McKinney Park to get a spot on the lawn and enjoy some jazz in the park, one of the many offerings available during Edmonton's International Jazz Festival.

I highly recommend people take in a show here or there. Live music is the best and there are so many venues and varieties of jazz to experience.





We spread out a picnic blanket and the sandals came off. These are Lisa's.





And here is Lisa. I always wanted curly hair when I was young... now I have learned to just work with what the universe has bestowed upon me.





Grass is great for Dexter. Crawling!





Later on my friend Adam came to interview me for the Unknown Studio. The topic was being a working mom who operates from home and what role social media plays in how I communicate and connect with others.





Dexter kept stealing Adam's shades, so we helped out with trying to keep them on baby's face.





After a while my precocious little dude was trying to reciprocate the interview. This time Adam was supposed to answer questions about diaper preferences or something like that.





It was an ideal start to summer vacation. Be warned. You will likely be bombarded with weekly posts about the market. What can I say? I love the market!