Staycation # 2: a photo journey

Around the same time last year, we had our first stay-at-home vacation. And this last week, we had our second. It was so enjoyable, I am surprised we have only had two...

We played tennis together for the first time this year. We went swimming with both babies. We attended some great tennis matches at the Rogers Cup in Jarry Park. We had some very special out-of-town visitors: baby #2 met her grandfather, aunt, uncle, and cousins from Ontario for the first time.

But perhaps most refreshingly, I got to sleep in almost every morning. Our daughters are early risers, and with both my husband and I off Monday through Friday this last week, I finally caught up on some lost sleep...And what a difference it made...I had not experienced boundless energy in a long time.

Hanging out at the park with her cousins 

Practicing yoga

Reading with her cousin

Cuddling with her cousin

Enjoying her cereal

Yummy, eating mommy's chocolate pudding

Rest for the Weary

Hanging out with her Cambridge cousins

As has now become an annual tradition, we headed to Cambridge (Ontario) for five days at the end of December. Our extended family, including the Baby's grandfather, aunt, uncle and two cousins live there. I had been looking forward to the trip for a few months. The last time Baby #1 had seen her cousins, she was 10 months old, just learning to walk, and cautious in her interactions with others.

We decided to fly, as we have for the last three years. A six hour drive with the baby in tow did not seem alluring. Especially a baby who still doesn't enjoy car rides, but who will behave for approximately 30 minutes. Had we timed the drive to coincide with her two-hour nap, that would still leave us with three plus hours of whining, and likely tears. So off we went to the airport. Unfortunately we ran into delays both ways. Apparently due to the weather in Toronto. On the way there, take-off was delayed for an hour because Pearson Airport had only one runway open. On the way back, there was a 35 minute delay in takeoff. First the plane was "too cold and needed to be warmed up", and then due to "extreme cold weather" there were delays in loading the luggage. Interestingly enough, the weather conditions on both days were quite mild compared to our Montreal weather.

Other than the minor flight delays, we had a fantastic time. I was sure the Baby would enjoy the company of her two cousins, ages 8 and 11. But I did not anticipate the degree of enjoyment. From the moment she set eyes on her cousins, to the moment she bid them adieu, she simply could not get enough of them. So much so, that I am certain she forgot completely about her parents. They played together, sang together, laughed and ate together; over and over again every day of our five-day visit. And so rested her weary parents!

Here are a few photos from our mini-break:

At an indoor playground with her cousins

Sliding with her cousin (out of focus, taken with i-phone)

At the airport in Toronto

Enjoying a treat at Tim Horton's