Fabulous!

Absolutely Fabulous!

I totally understand the concept of vacationing! It is wonderful! It helps that we met up with fantastic friends, had a great place, with a big backyard for the kids, good food (we were able to cook for ourselves), hikes, nasty bugs, moose and fireworks!

We started off our grand adventure by stopping in Fredericton to celebrate Canada Day. There was NO WAY I was going to miss our first year back. So we celebrated our Nation’s birthday, Becca rode a horse for the first time, got a temporary tattoo, popped a balloon, sang Oh Canada and jumped in puddles. The kids became hot, tired and celebrated out so we jumped back in the car and headed to Bangor. We found a hotel with a pool, swam & read stories till everyone passed out.

The next day we hit Target *drool*. Surprisingly, the prices were only slightly better than what we could find in Canada (prices are totally up in the US eeks!), but it is the funky stuff that allures me there. We found the cutest plastic plates (reusable!) for Becca’s birthday party next weekend!

We met up with our friends and totally slipped into our groove. Becca and her pal started playing like they had not been separated for a year. It was amazing to watch. They are such a cool pair. Becca has never played so well with another child. They just seem to read each other so well, respect each other and play without conflict (mostly, I mean they are KIDS). As for two families merging together … it worked out GREAT! You just never can tell with these situations if there will be uncomfortable things. Slight annoyances that grow. Nope we had a amazing couple days.

Mosquitoes suck. Pardon the pun. One particular hike, it was raining, and they were swarming us. We were searching for Moose. We did not see any Moose, but I am covered from head to toe with bites! Later Holly spotted a Moose on the side of the road.

It was the most perfect first real vacation (that did not include tents, ahh yes we splurged on suites with a kitchen). My husband was amazing and I am so grateful that he made sure that this could happen. I miss my friends so dearly. One never expects to find soul mates when moving as much as we have yet, I have been so so lucky. J had a nice break from the grind and is eager to return to his lab to continue setting it up and his research. He received news that his first paper was accepted!! A professor with a published paper, I am so proud of him (even when he grumbles that it wasn’t that big of a deal). I threatened that we would host tea parties EVERY time he publishes if he does not start patting himself on the back a little.

Now I must focus on preparing for Becca’s special day. One turns four but once and I am determined to make it as special as I can for her.

How was your week? Celebrations? I will catch up (I hope) and visit you all soon.

Have fun with more Wordless Wednesday.

I have eluded that we are heading out for a fabulous mini-vacation to meet up with friends in Maine. We are heading out this week (we have someone looking after the cat in the apartment so I feel confident in stating so). I am beyond excited! I have missed Holly so much this past year, I can hardly wait to see her and her family!

This weekend I have worked so hard to prepare for the trip. With two kids in tow, organization is totally key. I also wanted J to be able to relax, as this will be his only break this summer from developing his lab and being all professor. I baked muffins and cookies for the road. I finished up some projects (see Holly you are not the only one leaving it till the last minute!). We went shopping for road trip goodies. Now I have to clean the apartment and do that last minute shopping and packing.

We did take the time this weekend to go treasure hunting (aka garage sale shopping!) Becca scored a backpack full of goodies that she paid for with her own money, we also found an old truck for Ethan and a night stand for Becca (that needs to be painted! I can hardly wait to come up with something wonderful). Then we found the most amazing thing … that I will share with you after Becca receives it for her birthday!!

I hope to blog a little on the road, but chances are slim that it will be frequent. Have a wonderful week. Happy Canada Day to all Canadians … Happy Fourth of July to all you Americans (hehe we get to celebrate both holidays!) For everyone else have a rocking week! Big plans for the holidays/week?

ps For a little Canadian humour click to listen –>Proud-to-be-Canadian

So I thought I was being all witty yesterday with my Lemon reference. Yeah turns out I am just a big MIMIC, because Damselfly already used that incredible wit earlier this week. When I finally caught up on blogs last night and read her fabulous bathroom renovation post I was mortified. So embarrassing.

I went swimming the other night. My endurance was freaking unreal. This running has really changed my body. Now if I could just stay away from the snack food just a little more, and keep at it, I may just start feeling better about my body.

Sadly, I chose shopping over running last night. I needed to find some supplies for Becca’s birthday, before our vacation. Why can there not be just a few more hours in each day? I will be running tonight, no matter what!

I am not getting enough sleep. I try to go to bed earlier, but with all that I am trying to do, I find myself talking to J late, then we do not get to bed early enough. Hopefully our vacation will provide enough time that we get sick of each other and no longer need to talk so much (joking!)

I am so exited. This is our first real vacation. We are not touring the region because we will be moving, we are not delivering anything or visiting the folks. I hope to do a whole lot of nothing, with a side of nothing and nothing. With a little hiking, swimming, touring … but mostly just kick back, enjoy our friends, the scenery and NOTHING.

I am still buried in my to do list. I have emails to respond to, cleaning of the house, washing, packing, organizing. Becca and i have appointments for haircuts this afternoon. She is all Cousin ITT with her hair dangling in her face all the time. It drives me bonkers. However last summer, the bangs drove me crazy. I am more bafffled by her hair than my own.

What are your plans for the weekend? Are you uber busy or kicking back?

Hello Again! So sorry to have slipped away. I was off enjoying company with my Grandmother and Dad. We had such a lovely visit. It was marvelous.

I have to admit that this was the first visit (with any family really) that I did not feel like that shy, broken 7 year old girl I once was. I felt like an adult, with a family of my own. That I was sharing my world (which in fact I was). Did you ever feel that way with your parents/family? Like you finally were grown up?

We were so busy! We toured about Halifax with a vengeance the first few days. Then slowed our pace over the weekend, chilling out at home, watching the children play and chatting. My 86 year old Grandmother rocked the touring, playing and socializing! It was so fantastic to see her with the kids and enjoying our new home town!

The children were so lovely. Becca immediately ran to my Dad & Grandma and hugged them. Ethan a little shy at first, completely warmed up to both of them. He most of all, enjoyed performing for them. He would hide under blankets, dance, and chatter away. It was so beautiful watching him interact with them both. I do believe that Ethan is going to be a little lost today without them!

I miss my Dad and Grandma already. I had the opportunity to show off my newly found culinary skills, my crafts and share my world with them both. My Dad will be returning in the Fall for another visit, so I will have to hold out till then. Gosh, seeing my children with their Grandparents (and Great Grandmother!) brings me such joy. That connection to history and family is so amazing.

Now I have a mere week, to tidy up, play, reorganize and prepare for our trip to Maine! I am absoluting buzzing about that trip too. Life is grand.