A little slice of paradise

Sunday we returned from Antigua (an-tee-ga) and the trip was great. Our hotel could use some upgrades on the rooms, but they were nice, the beach was awesome & the food was good. We had an hour delay leaving Toronto because they had the wrong plane (how does that happen????) and since we didn't really sleep on Saturday night because our driver picked us up at 3am...we were TIRED when we arrived at our resort. Coming home we learned that the week before our trip CanJet had a 20 hour delay due to mechanical trouble. Suddenly I was no longer bothered by the 1 hour delay.

Apparently February is Antigua's coldest month, but our weather did not indicate that there is any "cold" to be had there. It was HOT! Thankfully most days had a good breeze because the couple days we had with no breeze made you hardly want to move. We actually were also very thankful for the cloudy days. There was really only one "bad" day of weather & that was the day that we hired a cab to take us to some sites around the island- so that was perfect. Otherwise back at the resort you needed to take cover for about 10 minutes every once in awhile while it rained. Are there such things as book umbrellas? Once when we were on the beach, it was sunny but it was also raining (mist) & I didn't really want to leave but I didn't want to get my book wet.

Our activities included shopping in St. John's, playing bocce ball, a bit of snorkeling, listening to some local music, having a free mud spa at Half Moon Bay, visiting some of the sites, & enjoying each other's company & relaxing. Now that I am back home I realize that one of my favourite things about the trip was sitting down to eat each meal & NOT HAVING TO MAKE IT!!!!

Here are some photos to take you through the trip....

Entering the resort. As you can see by the flags the guests were Canadian, American & Brits. However I would say that 2/3 were definitely Canadian.

View from the front step of our room. Just steps away from the beach.

Breakfast our first morning at the prime table. I have another picture where you see Mom & Kim better, but the water doesn't look as beautiful as it was.

The restaurant was an open air restaurant, so we had many winged guests wanting your table the moment everyone stepped away. The first morning I saw a canary take a bath in the water glass, but of course that morning I did not have my camera. All week I wanted to see it happen again, but never did.

Mom patiently waiting on her porch for Kim & I to arrive to pick her up for dinner.

On Wednesday there was a walk leaving the hotel at 7:30am to see Devil's Bridge. The walk was too far for Mom & Kim was not getting out of bed to go. I was glad that I went, but it was so hot walking back to the hotel I wished that the group had left a half hour earlier. Our guide was not letting anyone walk across this nature made bridge because if you go down, the water will take you under.

Vacation isn't just about rest, Kim & I also got some exercise. Here everyone is just running on the spot while Duane hams it up for Mom.

Mom & I also got some exercise getting our butt kicked at bocce ball.

Hill top gazebo on the way to "The Outhouse" where there is a serve yourself bar & barbeque ribs & wings....yum yum.

"The Outhouse"

Picture from the gazebo looking down on the rest of the resort.

Ready for my snorkeling lesson.

Kim & I heading out to snorkel. Wonderful stuff to see right close to the resort.
The water was crystal clear & the sand was wonderful.

Day Trip...first stop, Half Moon Bay
Hurricane Lewis destroyed the resort on this bay in 1995 & it has never been rebuilt. Our tour guide recommended we come to this beach, climb the rocks & coat ourselves in the mud. She said our skin would feel divine.

Kim & some friends we made (Natasha & Marc) coating themselves with mud. Kim had a trip & got a very bloody knee, but said it was still worth the trip.

We got quite a few looks when we walked back the beach, but the end result was so worth it. My skin hasn't felt that good in years & it lasted the rest of the trip. Unfortunately 3 days back in our climate has turned my fingers back into cracked & sore appendages.

Washing off the mud. Marc washed off earlier on our walk, was feeling the pressure of the stares. He too was amazed by the affect of the mud. The sky was a little wicked looking, but it was still wonderfully warm.

This is us with Dudley, our guide for the trip. Anyone going to Antigua...let me know & I will give you his number.

Look close on the shore & you will see the rehab centre set up by Eric Clapton. The same rehab center that Brittney Spears checked herself into & out of the same day. Dudley says that there have been many a celebrity come to this spot.

If he is going to own a rehab centre on the island, he also needs a place to hang his hat. Look carefully & you will see the home that Eric Clapton built for himself. Not sure if he didn't want it to stand out too much so that it didn't ruin the beauty of the surroundings or if he just didn't want to call too much attention to himself...who knows.

Whitney Houston on the other hand has a cone on top of her
white house which stands out a little more.

The absolutely stunning view of English Harbour seen from Shirley Heights.

Many a mornings I was up very early. Sleeping was not something I was very good at while we were away. However, getting out & enjoying the quiet was nice.


Early morning view of the resort with pink fluffy clouds.

I am glad we took this one just before we left, because my nighttime ones did not turn out well at all. On my camera it looks like they are clear, but when I pull them off- they are all blurry. ..grr.

One of these little guys was in our room in my suitcase when we were packing the last night. I was almost bringing him home. I also thought I took a video of the sound the tree frogs made to bring home for the kids, but I must have deleted it. It was a very loud, but soothing sound.

The most important thing to say about the vacation though....
"Thank you Mom"

The below video gives you a sense of just how violent the water is at Devil's Bridge.

The thanks I get for trying to be helpful...

Before leaving for Antigua I made a timetable that outlined each of the kids activities & who was responsible for getting them there. To make it easier to read I gave a colour for each set of responsible adults. This schedule also let Brad know who was feeding the kids dinner & what Sydney needed to send to school on a given day. Brad of course had to tell people at work about my colour-coordinated spreadsheet which then lead to me being the butt of many jokes. Brad told me I needed to tell him what was what & I did. Did I receive a thank you for how much it helped? No, just told that everyone thought it was quite funny.

I met a woman on the trip who is also a stay at home mom who also left an itinerary for her kids who are each a couple years older & hers was 4 pages!

Mine may have been colourful, but at least it was the basics only. I didn't figure I needed to leave directions on how to care for the kids. I was quite confident I could leave that role safely in Brad's hands.

I also had the kids pick out their clothes for the week on the Saturday so that Brad didn't have the arguments with them during the week when he was trying to hurry & get out the door for work. Apparently on Friday Sydney asked Brad if I picked out his clothes too. :)

I saw this picture on the camera when I was away, but did not realize until I got home that it was a video.

Enjoying the snow...

It has been a long wait, but in the last couple of weeks the kids have finally been able to play in the snow. All 2 inches of it! Thank goodness they like to shovel snow & consider that play, because it took a long while before there was actually enough snow on the ground to be able to do something with. Snow angels were a hit last week & sledding was a hit this week, but already the snow is quickly diminishing...


Oh well, I don't need lots of snow around to be happy to hit the hot weather with Mom & Kim on Sunday...woo hoo!!!

New Years Eve

I know it is a week late, but I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge what a great Mom I have. Not only did she keep the kids for us on New Years Eve, she made it fun for them. First we all had dinner together (including Grandma & Papa) & then they went to see the lights down by the lake & then returned home to watch fireworks from Nana's kitchen window...check out the heated seats. If you look closely at the picture, you will see that Jason has a very runny nose which resulted in Nana not getting very much sleep. The first night of a cold for Jason results in a very restless, crying boy.


Our adult party involved eating, drinking & a game of Scrabble- not sure what I was thinking being the lone sober one playing a bunch of drunks. Lesson learned.


Our friend Todd brought his dog Daisy & by the end of the night she stopped begging from the floor & just sat at the table & looked at the food. Didn't touch anything, but just watched. I think she figured if we weren't going to eat it....why not her.

Back into the grind & Christmas is gone, but not forgotten

Looking back I cannot believe how busy the holidays were. There is the rush to get everything done before the big day & the last minute things that need to be done. One of which should NOT have included going to the Liquor Store on Christmas Eve day, but unfortunately that is where I had to go. I realized that morning that we may be low on Bailey's & did not want to run out...so I went & stood in the huge line to get some (& some bottles of wine that I like). As it turns out we were fine & I did not need to go, but then I wouldn't have saved $4 on some of my favourites!

Christmas Eve we went to the Child's service at church & they did a mini-version of the pageant that we did at the beginning of December. The kids could choose whatever part they wanted. Sydney & Jason chose the sheep & Mom & I were kicking ourselves for not having our cameras. Sydney's costume was way too big for her, but Jason was snug as a bug in his costume and loved how soft it was & his bell. The other highlight was the little 18-month old who toddled up to the front & kept pointing and saying "baby, baby" then went back to get her grandmother up & show her. I think the grandmother thought that it was better to go up with her then to cause a freak out. All in all, the service started Christmas off exactly the way I wanted. Focused on family & a reminder of why we have this holiday.

So that I don't get too wordy, I will let the multitude of pictures tell the story....

Christmas eve, Mom wanted to grab a photo of us before we left for church.
Too bad she didn't put the camera in her purse...:(

Sprinkling the magic reindeer food on the lawn before bed.

Santa brought Sydney a Leapster & she was attached to it for at least the next 48 hours. Thankfully she is not as bad anymore.

Santa brought Jason a Tag Reader & some books so that he doesn't always steal his sister's. But if you ask Jason what Santa brought him, he will tell you "a dinosaur egg" (you put it in water & in 48 hours a dinosaur hatches). Nana is tucked in the side of this picture after spending the night with us.

Sydney & Jason patiently waiting for Uncle Robb, Aunt Michele, Max, Grace & Maddie to arrive so they can open the heap of presents piled behind them.

Sydney showing Grandma how to play.

Yeah, they are here...one more photo op & they can get at their presents.


Presents opened & they still choose to play with Papa's train. I was going to crop this picture, but then I realized that some of the background might give anyone who has heard me talk about my in law's clock "collection". You will note in this picture you can see 9 clocks...and this is not the primary space in their house.


Boxing Day we hosted my family for dinner.
Craig & Tammy

Kim, Pete & Regan

This is my only picture of Mom from Christmas, but I am sure I will have many pictures of her, Kim & I two weeks from now when we are in ANTIGUA!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you Mom for such a wonderful Christmas present.

One of my favourite pictures

Brad gave me a new camera for Christmas. I requested a slim, compact one that I could easily carry around & fit in a small purse...many of my Christmas pictures didn't turn out too great while I fiddled with all the settings. This picture I feel focuses more on the colourful fruit than Regan.

These three started playing right away as soon as they got to Aunt Sue's & Uncle Jack's.
It's fun to watch them together. Hayleigh spent a lot of time giving piggy back rides or carrying them (& Jason).

Did you watch the smashing of the Christmas house?
This is how much Jaxon enjoyed eating it.

Uncle Robb & Aunt Michele's gift was a big hit....

...with Brad too.
The girls watch on too waiting for their turn.

This doll house gets a lot of use when Brooke & Bailey come to stay.
We love having these two...they play so well with Sydney & Jason & are really good. Bailey & Brad had a typical standoff about eating...I told Bailey that it would be much easier on her if she just accepted now that her Uncle Brad is one stubborn man & it is next to impossible to change his mind once it is set.

One last gift from Nana. She took the kids out for dinner & to Niagara Falls to see the Christmas lights. I was exhausted by Monday, so I took this downtime to sit and watch "Funny People" and "The Hangover", both very funny.

A smashing good time...

I will post my Christmas summary tomorrow (hopefully), but for anyone who is looking- here is the video of the kids smashing the chocolate house at the Robinson Christmas. Watch out for Hayleigh & Emily when they have a hammer!

It all leads up to the big event...

This morning I work early from a dream & then could not get back to sleep because I have a mild headache (which hopefully will go away after coffee) and my mind was filled with everything I need to get done today. We don't have any shopping or wrapping left to do, it is just cooking & cleaning to get ready for our parents coming tonight after church. We go to the 4pm service which is completely geared to the kids & it is typically wild with chaos, but does give the kids a chance to again focus on why we actually have Christmas.

Again, I have been terrible at blogging. I really don't have time during the day with the kids to sit down at the computer & then at night I am either busy doing other things or don't feel like sitting at the computer. But there was a lot of activity over the last month that inevitably gets us prepared for the next few days. Here is a photo journal of our fun...

Breakfast with Santa

A new tradition started last year with the Bisbees.

Walk to get the Christmas Tree
This year the kids got an added bonus when we went to get the tree because Prancer & Dancer were at the nursery & they also had pony rides for the kids...pretty good idea!


Christmas Pageant at Church

Sydney keeps asking me why Jason did not get to pick what he wanted to be in the pageant. I was not so sure that Jason would "do" anything when put in front of the congregation, so I thought it best to put him in a role that kept him with his sister. Also, since his speech is still a little difficult for some to understand- best to keep his lines with a group. However he did do a great job with his "Fear Not!", so next year we will let him pick. Sydney says next year she wants to be a dove.

Our "angel" was not willing to wear his halo.
Hmm...not very angel-like.

Parades

This year we went to a plethora of parades. We went to the Hamilton one since Brad's work was putting in a float, but I don't think we will repeat that adventure next year. The Waterdown parade is a must because it is so pretty at night & the Burlington parade (below) is a must because I love to see the Teen Tour Band. I am good with seeing 2 parades, but three is just too much.

Decorating the Tree

Although we got the tree on the Saturday, we had so much going on that weekend that we did not have a chance to decorate it until the Monday. I am the tree light stringer & that is not a task that I choose to do with children. So I managed to get it done on Sunday night which left Monday for us to decorate. Jason didn't think he should go to school so that we could decorate. I told him that both him & Sydney would be going to school, the tree would wait.

Goodies, Goodies, Goodies

This year we made gingerbread men, sugar cookies (thanks Nana), gumdrop cookies, & turtles. It is amazing to me how little of it we have left, but by the time I send some with Sydney to Sparks, Jason to school, & give some as gifts- I guess it is not so surprising. This year Nana continued her house & train tradition with Sydney & Jason. However she made it extra special for Sydney by molding the house out of chocolate. She was thinking that we would use it for decoration, but I told her there is no way Sydney is going to make a house out of chocolate & candy & not want to eat it.

Mmm, mmm, gingerbread

The creators with their creations

Tearing down the house.
Sydney & Max were right into, Jason was not too sure
that this was the right thing to do.

Skating Christmas Party

For the last day of lessons they had a family skate, face painting, colouring, and Santa & Mrs. Clause. Sydney loved the skate, but Jason had enough after 20 minutes & chose to spend the rest of the time colouring. Sydney's lessons continue in the new year, but Jason is done. We will wait until next year to put him in again. I think we will just be spending time at the rink with him to work towards an improvement.

Christmas Concerts

At Sydney's school only the kindergarten classes do a "concert" at Christmas & it was only 2 classes and lasted 15 minutes with 4 songs. Jason's on the other hand combined 2 classes of 3 year olds & 1 JK class. This concert consisted of about 17 songs & was an hour long. Jason's part consisted of singing 3 group songs & putting garland on a "tree". He seemed to enjoy it, but I am sure his favourite part was Santa arriving at the end with presents.

Yes their concert was in French & I did not understand each word,
but I do know that Sydney was singing about Santa's black belt.

A couple of Sydney's giggly girlfriends

Jason does more actions than singing at school, but it is the complete opposite at home.

Sydney & Jason have been "playing" Santa all week.
I think they are very excited about his arrival tonight.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Friendly Beasts

This morning was our Christmas pageant "The Friendly Beasts" & this year I participated in the role of Director. It was chaotic, but fun and was the best way for me to get to know more of the kids in the church. Brad was my c0-director, but he doesn't think his part should have had mention in the bulletin. However, Lisa (the experienced coordinator of the event) said that without his help I would not have been as accessible to her. Check the pictures below to see if you can figure out who Brad was directing...

Yes, Brad was in the back with the angels to provide direction & hold the mike for them. So, he is crawling along inbetween the pews...well done!

Jason's line: Fear not!

Sydney: For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy; which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.