Home

As great a vacations are there is definitely something about returning to the familiarity of home. (although staying with Trevor's parents is kinda like a second home!)  Home we are after a grueling 16 hour drive last Tuesday, and are trying gallantly to remember we even had a holiday as we've been catapulted back into our ever-busy life.  

Traveling with a nearly 1 1/2 year old is an adventure.

When Sawyer wasn't sleeping, eating or enthralled by a DVD he was hollering.  The hollering occurred approximately 90% of the time.   He chose to yell

"AAAAAAH!"

at the top of his lungs periodically for no other reason other than to see how well his lungs work.

The are operating in tip-top shape.

The remaining holler sessions alternated from whiny wimper-like complaints to complete and utter displeasure yells. Translating would have resulted in something like this:

"Mom, I'm getting kinda tired of my carseat,"

to

"Get me out of this @#%^&* seat now!"

I nearly left him on the side of the road to hitch a ride with some other unsuspecting soul who would be lured by his incredible cuteness.

Anyway.  I'm cured of any desire for long-distance driving for awhile.

Vacating

We have temporarily vacated our home and province and trekked out west.  Already half-way through our holiday we are having a geat time.

What I have learned:

A 14 hour drive with a 16 month old is not pleasant.  Try as I might to entertain him Sawyer complained loudly for a good portion of the drive.

 I can't wait for the journey home.

A sippy cup does not fair well after being throw off of a seventh story balcony and landing on concrete.  Sawyer spontaneously decided to engage in that experiment while we were enjoying an ocean view from said balcony.

My kids can sleep in (7:40) if you run them ragged enough during the day!

Vacations are not for sleeping if you are an adult with kids.  Catch-up evenings with old, dear friends take care of any thoughts of going to bed at a timely hour, then the kids ensure mornings come well before your eyes want them to.  

But it's all worth it!

Humidity can made 18 degrees Celsius feel much warmer.

Jogging is easier at lower altitudes.

Sierra holds a mini-golf club like a hockey stick and the number of strokes is of no concern as long as the ball goes in the hole.

Sawyer loves watching fish of many varieties in large fish-tanks.  He squealed and pointed and was totally enthralled during our outing to the Vancouver Aquarium. 

 (We thought he would be bored and just want to run!)

I've known this for a long time but with each visit I am reminded of how special and fortunate it is to have a great relationship with Trevor's parents - my in-laws.  Their love for our children and us is very evident.

Talk to you on the other side - with pictures!

The Good, The Bad, and The Frustrating.

The Good:

You know what I discovered two weeks ago?

McDonald's Iced Coffee with Vanilla flavouring.

Mmmmmm!

Perfectly refreshing on a hot summer day.

Aa - and, they are only $1 during the summer.

I may or may not have a new addiction and may or may not be constantly on the hunt for loonies so that I can satisfy my craving.

The Bad:

  My allergies are causing me to want to ban the existence of hay forever.  So what if cows and horses have nothing to eat in winter?  I'm dying here people!  And allergy pills make me feel sluggish and dopey.

The Frustrating:

We leave for vacation in less than three days.  The vacation part is exciting but getting there is stressing me to the max!  It is noon on day one of three to prepare and all I've accomplished is one complete load of laundry.  Not only do I have to pack our entire house up (with kids there is no such thing as packing simply!) but we also have guests from out of town coming for supper and the night tonight, tomorrow is golf, and Thursday evening I work.

(I know, I know, I can hear you all saying:   "Really?  You're all in a snit about not having enoug time time to get ready and yet you still golf!"  But, but, but... I've paid for it and can't miss it. )

On top of that I gots kids during the day that have a way of severely hindering fast, efficient accomplishment of tasks.  I am feeling a wee bit frazzled as I sit and eat lunch while being on the computer so I don't feel guilty about being on the computer.

The Good Part II:

This all being said a mere three hours ago, a lot has happened since then.  My dad took Sierra, Sawyer is napping and I went to town on the state of my house and my laundry.   I've forgotten how much can be accomplished without kids around!  

I think I might make it.