Franglo

As my other half points out when we go on vacation with the kids, it’s a holiday not a vacation because as parents it’s not a restful experience.The tale of our family time begins….

By the time I was on vacation with the family the kids had been with us for seven days. During the week, my spouse was tasked with entertaining them while I was working from home.  On the agenda movies, escape rooms, parks etc.  Friday, I was finally off  and able to join in on the fun.

Friday, we made our way up to Quebec City to the vacation resort Valcartier. This drive should only take 3-3.5 hours but due to traffic and a grocery stop along the way it was 5.5 hours before reaching the campground. I usually enjoy a road trip, it’s relaxing. One iPad  with three kids  watching movies in the backseat without headphones,  I found myself going a little crazy.  Traffic was stop and go, all the way up which did not help my very sore back, every time he slammed on the breaks shooting pain would ensue.  We had decided to skip lunch, but that piece of knowledge was only provided in French so I was unprepared with gluten free snacks for myself. All of this to say you had a very cranky Franglo by the time we reached the resort but I managed to not let that show.  Note to self: Noise cancelling headphones may end up on my Christmas list.

We decided to glamp, because let’s face it both of us are far too old to be sleeping on the ground in a tent. Our little rustic cabin was very cute, with a bedroom, bunk beds, couch, cook top, sinks, all the necessary kitchen utensils for serving and preparing meals, table, couch, picnic table and a BBQ. We were set.  Friday night, we had a camping classic of hot dogs and this gluten free Franglo had wieners and beans. We went for a walk around the campground found the washrooms, showers, dépanneur and water park. We purchased some campfire roasting utensils and proceeded to build a fire and make smores.

Saturday – a day at the water park, most were happy except for some chaffing. Being next to the water park meant we could come back to the cabin and make lunch or take an afternoon nap. I have to say the resort was very well set up for this.  That evening the heavens opens up and it rained with thunder and lightning which caused most of the campsites to flood. The upside, we now had a lakefront cabin. I felt very bad for anyone in a tent.

The storm cleared and the water started to absorb into the ground, our site remained very much underwater. The evening was shaping up to be a fabulous night and I was not going to let a little water ruin the fun – there will be a campfire!  I go outside and start creating drainage passages to try to alleviate some of the water. I then get a mug and start bailing out the fire pit. This is why I love my other half, he does not tell me that I am crazy; instead he grabs tools to make my effort more efficient.  With a dust pan he was able to clear the water around the fire and then takes away my coffee cub and give me a pot to bail out the fire pit. Success, we had a campfire that night and smores!

Sunday we took the kids to an outdoor spa, everyone except my spouse had a massage treatment. The spa has family hours from 9-12 on Sunday morning, so the kids are able to take in the experience which is normally reserved for adults due to the nature of the tranquil experience.  They loved it, we may have created monsters. After the spa, we grabbed a quick lunch. Patience in restaurants is not a virtue of our children, so this experience was a little bit trying exhausting. We had tired hungry children who are not being fed quick enough in their opinion even though they ordered off the adult menu. Luckily the drive back home was not as difficult as the way there….sleeping children are peaceful children and traffic was moving.

Monday was supposed to be a relaxing day but it was somehow taken up by a ridiculous amount of activities, laundry, grocery shopping etc.  I may have gone to Ikea in the afternoon to hide and find some peace of mind. There is something peaceful about walking around with frozen yogurt looking at household gadgets.

Tuesday we took them downtown Jet Boating, once on the boat everyone had a good time and got very wet.  After we changed, lunch in the Old Port of Montreal, once again children are not patient in restaurants and all the meals were not a hit. As a family everyone ate, sharing the food not liked and eating foods other’s ordered. I stayed downtown afterwards to attend my French class that night.  Luckily I still have my Y membership so I was able to shower and relax before class.

Amusement parks, I am an adrenaline junkie and enjoy a good roller coaster. Wednesday we took the kids to La Ronde. As the day went on they got a bit braver but a lot of time was spent in the adolescent part of the park.  Sensing the only enjoyment I was going to get out of the day was the final fireworks presentation at the end of the night, I bought us tickets so we would have seats for the show.  We experienced rain on and off during the day, due to threats of thunderstorms the rides were closed off and on during the day. Around dinner time, we purchased everyone plastic rain ponchos so we could try to stay somewhat dry.  As the evening went on the rain came and went, heavy at times. It was a torrential down pour for the fireworks. Picture it, all 5 of us sitting in our rain jackets with water still running down your face watching a spectacular fireworks shows set to the theme music of James Bond.  They were not overly impressed and a 30 minute show was too long, we stayed to the end and then started trekking home.  The commute home was brutal, the bridge was closed, the highway was closed it was after midnight before we walked in the door both cold and wet. Note to self : food truck festivals and fireworks festivals are best without kids.

Thursday, I was prepping for my oral exam. My other half has decided that it’s time to purchase a new car after a few “signs” from the old one that it’s on the brink of needing massive repairs.  He took the kids car shopping and then came home to help correct my presentation. I went to class and did my exam that night.

Friday, car shopping continued. Mine was supposed to go in for an oil change but it turned out I was too early for it to be covered by service agreement. We went to a few Nissan dealerships during the day, feed dinner to the kids and returned them to their Mom after two weeks.  I will be honest; I was ready for a break at the point. I have gone from single in the city with lots of peace and quiet with the ability to do whatever I want when I want to being in a very noisy house on a schedule. I find more alcohol in necessary some days.

Saturday, he was ready to seal the deal and bought a car.  I took the afternoon to feel more settled and started to tackle the rest of the boxes in the basement – mainly my clothes and shoes. I am finally feeling more settled. That night I made paella for dinner; we drank a bottle of wine and relaxed.  Sunday I studied for my written exam.

And that concludes a week of holiday, not vacation.

I need a week to recover from that or maybe another bottle of wine.