We are home and beginning to feel settled back into our routine after a long and wonderful family vacation to my parents cabin in BC. It has actually taken me a few weeks to recoup and take the time to sit down and write, life with two toddlers is just busy, busy during the day and nighttimes are no longer for blogging. Some things were getting fuzzy in my head so I wanted to write it all down. Our little family of four had such an incredible trip. It really was our first family “vacation” where we got to go away and relax, hide out and hang out at the cabin. There isn’t anyone I know in BC, so there is no agenda or people to go and visit. Whoever is there, staying in the house or in the cabin, is the company you will keep for the week and that’s it. It was very relaxing for me to be out of my house and away from my list of things to do. When I am home, there is always something for me to do. And if there is nothing, I can easily find something. So, that was a big change for me, to be in someone else’s house and find different ways to occupy my free time, when I had it. It was a great break to just have nothing to do. The first week of vacation John was with us, and he could spend every minute out on the water and on the boat or sea-doos. I tried to do as much of that with him as possible. Between naptimes and just general kid stuff, I usually ended up having to cut my boat trip short or not go, and stay on land to listen for a waking baby. But I had fun when I did join him, seeing John have a good time would make anyone smile, his laugh is infectious and when he is having fun the people around him cannot help but do the same. When I wasn’t along for the boat ride, I could hang out on the patio and read my book or lay and catch some sun…or even! It was wonderful to be home, or I guess living with family and feeling like I am home, and to have the relief and support that just having them there provides. Of course, to have a break from all the “mom” duties of cooking and cleaning, etc. was a treat! And to be able to enjoy beautiful scenery and fresh, clean air about 30 degrees cooler than what we were getting AZ was all just icing on the cake. The cabin and lake and the whole area was just beautiful, it gave me a whole new appreciation for the country that I proudly call home.
We flew out from Phoenix to Calgary on July 14th and landed in Calgary around 1 pm. Tula was so excited to finally get to to on the plane and to “Ca-nana” like we had been talking about and telling her for weeks. She had her own little ladybug suitcase that she had got from GG for her birthday that she had packed the night before we left and put in her own special place, right by the upstairs window. The morning we left, she was sure to go and get her suitcase and I heard he huffing and puffing on the stairs and found her there, trying to carry it down all by herself. Too cute. She wouldn’t even let us touch it at the airport. She rolled it from the car when Steve, our neighbor, dropped us off right to her seat on the airplane. This was Tula’s first time flying over 2 years old, so she got her own seat, and was WONDERFUL on the flight. It was 2.5 hours, so John and I sat separately, he sat with Mav as a lapchild and the two of them pretty much slept the entire flight, and Tula and I sat together a few rows back. She had a bunch of toys and books and coloring books in her backpack and it was enough to keep her entertained the whole time. It was really, really easy and it still feels strange that it’s getting like that with two kids. It has taken awhile to really adjust, and having a baby always makes traveling a little more stressful, but this was the first time in 2 years that it went perfectly! No fussy baby, no major airplane complaints! Yay!
We spent one night in Calgary at my mom and dads and woke up early the next morning to do the drive out to BC. It’s about a 5.5 hour trip from the place in Calgary to the cabin in Sorrento, and I wasn’t interested in doing it with Mav. So They all left bright and early, around 6:30 am, and Aunt Cheryl came and picked me and Mav up at the house around 11 and drove us to the airport for the quick 50 min flight into Kamloops. It was, again, a piece of cake traveling with only one baby. Dad picked us up at the airport, and we drove to the cabin, another 45 minute drive. It felt so good to finally get there and unpack bags and know that we were settled an officially on vacation. I guess Tula did great on the drive, because she had had such a let night and early morning she slept 4 of the 5.5 hours of the drive and was entertained by Barney on GG’s portable DVD player for the time she was awake. One quick pee stop and they drove straight through. So they both surprised me and were wonderful travelers, and I am no longer afraid to take a road trip with my kids!
I can’t begin to tell you what a wonderful time we had at the lake. Summer vacation is such a special time for kids, I have so many fond memories of mine growing up and it was fun for me to think that this year, at the age of two, Tula would begin to make memories that will last her whole entire life. Wow. That is just so huge. Such a huge responsibility, as a parent. But also fun to think of too…when it’s regarding a vacation. Late nights sitting by the campfire, or running around playing with friends while the adults sat by the fire. I remember loving that feeling of being one of the kids, playing right around your mom and dad but having the freedom to go and explore a little in the dark. Running around in the dark, always being able to hear the sound of their voices and laughter. Tula loved campfire, popcorn by the fire, snuggling and falling asleep on GG at the fire, sitting on Connor’s lap at the fire, “checking” everyone’s chair for them before they sat down, and sitting in her own chair like a big girl while we all chatted and laughed. Anything to do with the campfire she loved. Mav was always in bed by this time, so I think she felt special that it got to be her big girl time with the adults too. Connor and Carter were there with us the second week and they are 9 years old now, she LOVED playing with the big kids. The first day, they were all about Tula and playing with her all the time, but it only took them a full day to get sick of her and want to go off and do their big boy stuff, and my heart broke every time I had to tell Tula she couldn’t go with them or to leave the boys alone. They were great with her, but I understood that they needed their big kid time too so sometimes we had to keep her away and she just didn’t understand. As a mom, watching her little feelings get hurt and her be so sad about it was devastating. There was no way to make her feel better about the fact that she couldn’t play with the boys, that they were leaving. It was just a matter of trying to distract her everytime they did. There was lots of space to run and explain on the property, but the boys got to go ride bikes or play at the neighbors without supervision, and Tula just couldn’t do it yet. Speaking of the neighbors…they had grandkids visiting as well the week we were there and I have a feeling that Coby, they neighbor boy, two years older than Tula, with killer eyes and a little bit of a bad boy attitude will be trouble in a few years. It’s funny how you think of these things as a parent, but when I heard that they had just bought the place and plan on being there for many years just like Mom and Dad I thought about the fact that this is the kid that Tula gets to look forward to spending a couple weeks with every summer. Tula, if it is 15 years later and you are reading this with a big smile on your face, you better not be crushing on Coby! See…Mommy isn’t THAT old and crazy after all, my dear…
Oh, so many more memories. Ice Cream at Putt’s Parlour. Bathtime in the Rubbermaid container. I remember telling John that I thought it was so amazing our whole entire WORLD could fit inside that little blue tub. I will forever cherish those days. Late nights movies, “The Bee Movie” and popcorn on the couch with the boys. Tula getting a cut of the boys bottle depot money and getting to go shopping at the dollar store with GG and pick out her own things (stickers, ball, coloring book). Playing with cousin Olivia for the first couple days we were there. GG and Papa had the kitchen that Mommy and Aunties played with growing up set up outside and the girls and Mav loved to hang out down there and play. We had a beach day with Auntie Tiff and the kids loved the sand, though it was easier to just let them play at GG and Papa’s beach than load two babies up. Plus, our beach had the dock and that was always a fun place to hang out as well. Maverick LOVED the sand and playing outside all day long. The break from the AZ heat was so nice for all of us, but especially the kids. They were outside all day, everyday. AZ is a wonderful place to live, but it’s especially great when you have people to go and visit in the summers as relief from the exhausting heat. Luckily, we have two beautiful places to visit and chose from, our kids will never not have a place to escape the summer’s heat.
Tula spent lots of time on the boat. She is just like her Daddy, an absolute water baby. She loved to drive the boat with Papa, or watch whoever was tubing or wakeboarding. She was an excelled spotter, always very concerned when whoever was being pulled wiped out. When we turned the boat to go back, she always had to be the first to ask “You okay?” and wouldn’t stop asking until she got a firm, “Yes, Tula, I am okay.” She is such a little Mommy, always taking care of everybody. Maverick John loved being on the boat. He loved to stand on the back and lean over and watch whoever we were pulling. Loved to look over the side and reach his arm out and feel the water splashing. Sometimes you didn’t like the wind and so you would snuggle in nice and close. Possibly my fave part of being on the boat with you. I love being your safe and cozy place.
Oh yeah, Mav and the boat. Both kids had their first tubing experience, but when Jenelle and I were out there with Mav and Dad stopped the boat the pull us in, our tube flipped over and we were all dunked under the water. It scared the crap out of me because I didn’t have a hold of Mav (Jen did) so when I went under the water and came up I didn’t know where you were. It was a split second that felt like and eternity, but as soon as I saw you I had to laugh. You looked shocked, I think you were mad cause the water was cold, but you hardly cried at all, a little whine to tlet us know you wanted in the boat and you were fine. In fact, when I went to go on with Tula, you screamed until we put you back on, you weren’t letting us on that tube without you. You loved it, you seem to like a little danger and walking on the wild side. God help me. But you survived your first tubing wipe out, at the ripe old age of 11 months old.
Probably Tula’s favorite part of the trip was the fact that she got to sleep with GG and Ppa everynight. It started as her just being in their room in a pack-n-play, but I think by night three she had weaseled her way into their bed and was going nowhere fast. Mom says she loved to snuggle while she slept and I love hearing those stories of special bonds and memories was making with the people she loves and me not even being there. Now Maverick, on the other hand, was sleeping in the crib in our room and figured out on about night two that we were in there with him and if he cried I had no choice but to come and rescue him. So pretty much every night, around 1 am, he woke and needed a bottle and a little more time and energy than I was willing to give. I guess, on a happy note, it made for lots of snuggles with Mav, but it it was annoying and if there was any reason I was looking forward to coming home it was to get one whole and full nights sleep. Within two nights of being in his own crib at home Mav was back to being a wonderful sleeper, but he sure gave me a rough time a few nights this trip.
There were times I would catch myself thinking about how much easier this trip will be next year. When they are both walking…sleeping through the night...only napping once a day, etc,etc,etc. But then I remember that I thought the same thing LAST summer. Couldn’t wait to just have this baby, and have Tula be a little older, walking on her own and more independent. I am thankful that as quickly as the feelings come they go, and I am reminded to enjoy the now…to bask in the wonders and joy of my children at this precious age...and just be grateful. With that said, can’t wait till next summer and to watch them really be able to run around after eachother, walk together on the beach, and for them to have eachother as playmates and best friends.
Tula and Maverick it was so special to watch you on your first family vacation. You both seemed to grow and mature at an alarming rate while we were away. I think all of the adult interaction, new places to explore, and constantly having someone to play with just caused to grow up extra quick. Tula, your vocabulary grew exponentially while we were away. You always had someone who was willing to listen to a story, or were constantly surrounded by conversation, and you just picked up oon it. I think the playtime you had with the boys where Mommy wasn’t always there to speak for you helped too. It showed you the importance of being able to communicate for yourself and you totally figured it out. Maverick, you started walking while we were on our vacation. At just 11 months old, you were ready to take your first steps. I think exploring all the new places gave you all the confidence you needed, and you, my son, are in a nig hurry to catch up to your sister in almost every way so I guess this is just another. Looking at you toddle behind her now you would never know you two are 14 months apart. My big boy, slow down. You are growing so quickly! You both are so smart and bright, it was fun to watch you interact with everyone but mostly eachother. You LOVE each other. So much. And although there were lots of people to see while we were away, you loved most to be together and Momm and Daddy love watching you two together. The love you have for each other is such a gift and it melts my heart every time.
Thank you, Tula and Maverick, for a wonderful first vacation as a family of four! I am honored to be your Mommy and have the privilege of being a part of all these wonderful childhood memories you made. Can’t wait to flip through these pictures and journals and reminisce on these days with you two. These are the special times.
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