Mini Vacation

We just returned from our first official holiday since Alex and Jordan were born! Sean has continued to work long hours and he had just come off a 7 day stretch when we realized that he had two days off in a row. We decided Wednesday morning that we would head to Kamloops for an overnighter. I think that deciding at the last minute was actually a positive because we didn't have time to over think things. Perhaps we wouldn't have gone if we had known how exhausting it would be, or perhaps we would have. Either way, despite the fact that we came home more tired then when we left, we had a fantastic time!

I am not sure when the transition occured, but our older kids have become the world's worst car travellers. Their once content looks out the window have been replaced by the constant, "Are we there yet?", constant fighting and copious requests for snacks. I am pretty sure the kids ate more in the two hour drive then they usually eat in a day. We played lot's of car games, ate lots of snacks and arrived in Kamloops just after lunch time. We went straight to the BC Wildlife Park and spent the next couple of hours looking at the various animals. It rained but it didn't dampen our fun. It surprises me but Aiden and Caileigh's favorite animals were the Swans. Mikayla's was the Raccoon but I loved seeing the Grizzly Bear and Cougars.

Mikayla adores Raccoons!

We arrived at the hotel at dinner time. Sean took Mikayla to pick up pizza while I stayed in the hotel room feeding and bathing the boys. Aiden, Caileigh, the boys and I took a walk to the pool to check out the waterslide. The pool was packed! There was a hockey tournament in the hotel and there were kids everywhere. The amazing thing was that after we finished our dinner and arrived at the pool, we were the only ones there! We spent the next hour riding the waterslide and soaking in the hot tub. I had so much fun!! The waterslide was the best fun I have had in months, seriously! I did feel bad when my screams of enjoyment scared Jordan and he burst into tears. I finally took the youngest three to the hotel room to be tucked in for the night.

The kids fell asleep quickly just after 9, however, Mikayla was up throughout the night overtired from her busy day with no nap. The boys were also awake every hour but we kind of anticipated not sleeping well and it was nothing a couple of Americanos couldn't fix the next morning!

Alex and Jordan loved having their playpens beside each other!

Tired little travelers.

Wild big travelers!

Friday we spent some time at Toys R Us, visited a park and made our way slowly home. I think that is probably the biggest challenge with traveling with little ones, so many distractions. Some one has to use the bathroom, you stop. Little ones need to nurse, you stop. It is hard to keep momentum.

I was proud of Mikayla! It was her first trip being potty trained and she made it through the experience without any accidents. Well done Mikayla!

All in all it was a good time. We managed to spend some quality family time together and enjoy the change in routine. We look forward to our next family get away this summer!!