Father's Day Weekend with the Smiths

It’s been a quieter day hanging around the house after a very eventful past few days.  Although, I should have done more work during the day with the kids, as I have been cramming in lots of chores tonight, and laundry STILL did not get folded.  Each day I leave it, the scarier it becomes, and the harder to tackle.  I know that laundry is one of those chores that most people enjoy MORE than the others.  But, I really like it the least.  Give me a toilet any day over folding!  It has been since Saturday since I did a fold. So, I have a 3 day build up, soon to be 4.  Yikes.  

Anyways, y parents drove from NB to Ottawa on Saturday to visit for the weekend.  My mom works for the Fairmont hotels as a home based sales agent person, and so she gets killer deals on all Fairmont hotel reservations and services and food and the like.  SO, her and dad drove to Montreal and stayed there Friday night in the Voyagers Inn?  I’m not sure if that’s the name.  The Fairmont in Montreal, anyhoo.  On Saturday, they finished their trek into Ottawa to enjoy a few days in the Chateau Laurier.  My brother Josh and his wife, KL, also came up from Toronto for the weekend to visit. 

They all arrived Saturday afternoon at my place and we all caught up, had dinner, got out to the park, and split ways in the earlier evening.  Dave and Josh got out to see the new superman movie in 3D.  Kari-Leigh (who is due in just 2 weeks) went back to her parents place to rest her poor tired pregnant self, mom went back to the hotel to crash early, and Dad came back to my place after dropping her off with Donairs for he and I to watch the Hockey Game.  It was great that Boston won J

Sunday morning, we told Dave to sleep in for a little Father’s Day starter gift, and I tried my best to keep the kids quiet for him.  Three hours later he joined us for some presents, hugs, and cookies, and we packed up for the drive downtown to the hotel for Sunday brunch.  My parents, as well as Josh, KL and her family all gathered to stuff ourselves silly with the most delicious all you can eat brunch buffet.  They had such an amazing and scrumptious assortment of everything, and several chefs on hand whipping up custom omelettes or waffles and serving piping hot lamb off the bone, etc.  It was so yummy!  I couldn’t believe the kids lasted for a little over 2 whole hours in this environment.  But- they were awesome, and with lots of hands to pass kids around to, it was not overwhelming in the least.  All the bacon, fresh fruit, and pastries I kept putting on their plates certainly helped as well.

After lunch we took Robyn up to my parents hotel room, and Grammie stayed with her for a nap, while Dave and I took the kids for a swim.  It’s been since right before Robyn was born that we have gone swimming with the kids, and it’s always exciting to see the changes that 6 months can bring in a young child.  Janna LOVED the water.  She beamed and kicked and squealed non-stop the whole time we swooshed her around, and kept asking “Down please.”  We didn’t have life jackets for them, so obviously declined this request, but she was so fun to play with and watch.  She would jump in off the side and into my arms with the happiest grin imaginable, and  I  felt so good about my decision to put her in swimming lessons this summer.

Jesse was another story.  He was pretty cute and funny too.  But mostly because of his white-knuckled grip he had on Dave’s neck the entire time, and sheer panic of any movement faster than slow-motion.  What a kid.  Perhaps he really won’t ever like water.  But- this is a necessary life skill I think- and so we’ll keep working away.  Dave had him giggling and kicking his feet by the end.  He didn’t stay in too long, though.  He’d hop out and snuggle with grand pere who was watching on the sidelines.  Of course, when he got out, Janna wanted out.  But then she’d want back in.  So she’d come back in the pool and after a few minutes say in her squeaky little voice, “ Want Pere” So in and out they went.  At one point Dave and I had the pool to ourselves and I actually got to swim and float and dive.  I love swimming.  It was like being a kid again - for 15 whole minutes J

After the swim, we left the hotel and came home for a quick- late afternoon nap, and then were delighted by the ‘rents bringing by Chineese for supper.  My mom had joked that the theme of the weekend was going to be eating and relaxing.   And it was! And it was aweome.  After dinner and the kids baths, we had a chance to sit and actually talk and laugh without interruptions.  I felt VERY lucky to have such great parents with me on Father’s Day- and such a great Dad for my kids- In Dave.  It was a memorable day.

 The next morning we got a chance to hang out a bit more before they had to leave, and I immediately felt so sad as they left the house.  It has been almost a year since seeing my mom, and about half since seeing my dad.  I haven’t been to the Maritimes now for 11 months- which is a record for me!  I usually travel to NB a few times a year on my own with the kids, as well as the summer with Dave.  But with Robyn’s birth, and then the winter months, and now having 3 so young, it just wasn’t happening this year, and so it will be a full year before I return!

We are very excited for the summer approaching.  I did some more marking for Dave tonight, and as the stacks of tests dwindle, the lighter load that summer brings is palpable.  I can’t wait!  I am also excited for Dave to tackle the summer blogging for us when he is off of work.  Last summer he did a full blog post EACH day, and it inspired me to be a little more on top of blogging when September rolled around.  I did pretty good at first, but my consistency has waned.  Dave will take over for the summer for us, and it’s always fun to read his perspective on the day.

Well, I must get to bed.  WE have a big day tomorrow with Jesse’s preschool graduation and concert in the morning.  More importantly, it is his 4^th BIRTHDAY!  And so I will need to be totally stoked about it all day.  And fancy up the house for his choice supper/cake/gifts happening in the evening.   SO, that’s all from me.  Thanks for reading. I”m out!