Tales From the Minivan

What a weekend!  I was seriously sad to pack up the tent!  Camping with a family of six takes a lot of prep work, so tearing down the tent after only two days is always bitter sweet.

This past weekend we loaded (I mean stuffed things into every open crevice) of the minivan, and headed towards our destination of Prince Edward Island.  Our home for the weekend- Twin Shores Camping Area.

This place was amazing and HUGE!  I really could have stayed for a week, as there was just so much to do.  If you ever consider camping on PEI, I’d highly recommend it!

Here’s a little recap of the weekend.  Our departure time was a little delayed, as I wanted to make sure I added my submission to the FSL consultation website, everyone was still sleeping so with a clear mind I added my 3 page thoughts. We finally got on the road around 11:00am and stopped at the Big Stop for gas and a quick bite to eat and we were out on the road again and didn’t stop until we hit Borden, PEI.  The kids were amazed at the Confederation Bridge.  We had been over before but the boys were too young to remember it.  While in Borden we stopped at Gateway Village a little shopping area and information centre to pick up a map, have some Cows Ice Cream and let the kids burn off a little energy at the playground.

We arrived just after 3:00pm and headed straight for our site to get things set up.  I was a little nervous as we had just left 2 days of thunderstorms back in NB, and it looked as though they had followed us.  The sky was covered in eerily dark clouds on one side.  Getting the tent set up was first priority to allow for shelter in case of rain.  A fellow CPO’er  Tricia (QuiltingMum) who had arrived earlier stopped by and said hello while we were setting up and we made arrangements to get together the next day. We got the tent set up and beds inflated and headed for the beautiful beach.  I grabbed these shots of the kids on the way down while the sky was still blue.

The kids played on the beach for a bit, and when the skies started to get darker we decided to head back to the site ad have dinner before it started to rain.  On our way up we ran into Kelly- Miscouchemommy , when she saw the imminent rain she also decided to head backup.

For dinner I made a Thai dish.  I know it doesn’t sound overly “camping friendly” but it actually was very simple.  I tried to take as many canned goods as I could.  I grabbed a can of Thai Curry Paste, and can of coconut milk and a can of sweet potatoes.  We has some left over chicken from the night before, so I had that in the cooler along with some precooked jasmine rice.  I heated up the paste, coconut milk and sweet potatoes and chicken together on the camp stove and once it was hot I added the rice for a minute or two to warm it up.  It was really good!  Of course it started to rain just as I started to cook, but I was in a fairly sheltered area so it wasn’t too bad!  Here’s the gang enjoying some Thai “camp style.  Look how dark it got!

After dinner we took a walk up the the General store and the huge playground as the rain seemed to have settled. We got ready for bed and all piled into the tent.  Once Finn was asleep, we took turns telling stories and Andrew and I attempted to play a game of Cribbage. The boys were getting a little restless, so we decided to turn out the lights and finish our game once they were down.  We all fell asleep though!  Well I should say, that Liam and Ciaran were down, but Mackenzie, Finn, Andrew and I were up quite a bit through the night.  We got hit by a torrential rain storm with high winds.  I’m sure it was pretty scary for Finn, I know I was a little scared of getting drenched.  It bought back memories of previous camping excursions before kids when I awoke to a leaking tent dripping on me!  Luckily we fared quite well, there was only one area that was wet and that was because we had some things pushed up against the tent on that side. We again woke to cloudy skies, and light drizzles every so often.  Once again when I started to cook breakfast, more rain!

We took a walk up to the playground for the boys to play and we ran into another CPO’ers daughter!  Chantelle’s daughter Caitlin was there with her grandmother.  She was really helpful and told us of some things that were going on at the campground like a rodeo, and Mussels & Music on the Beach later that evening!  We took the boys up to the rodeo and again ran into Kelly.  Of course the boys protested the whole way there, but were entranced once they saw what was going on.  This is them in from the the corall.

The sun finally came out and the later part of the afternoon was spent down at the beach.  It’s so nice to actually swim in the ocean.  Here on the Bay of Fundy, that water is numbingly cold.  I’m not exaggerating either, it only changes 5 degrees in temperature from summer to winter!  Here’s a few candids from the beach.

Ciaran so proud of his Crab Leg find!

Finn playing with Tricia’s little guy Andrew

The bathing beauties, Tricia and Kelly

That evening after Mussels on the beach we took the kids up to Tricia’s site  for a bonfire and some Cayman Coladas (Pina Colodas with a splask of Chambord- a black raspberry liquer) and Lobster Rolls.  Kelly brought her Nutella for some S’Mores!  We didn’t stay for too long as Finn was just not being himself, but the all the kids had a blast exploring Tricia’s trailer, and palying in Andrew’s bed!  It was like getting together with longtime friends!

Here’s a shot of the three of us, and a couple of family shots of the girls (minus Kelly’s Braeden…where was he? I didn’t get to say goodbye!)  They all stopped over while we were packing up to leave.  This was one time I was actually not anxious to go home, It really is so beautiful there!

Tricia and Family

Kelly and Fam

Farewell Twin Shores!  We’ll be back!

I have so many more photos from the weekend, so here’s a Smilebox I made with some more:

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Friday afternoon, we loaded up the van and headed for the United States. Most of you know that we’re fairly close to the state of Maine, a little over an hour to the border, then less than 3 to Bangor, Me.  Andrew, Mackenzie and I listened to some great tunes on the drive down whilst the boys slept.  Normally were listening to Podcasts or Talk Radio so this was a nice change!  We sang and laughed and had an enjoyable drive even though the majority of the very dark Route 9 had torrential downpours.  It took a little longer due to the weather conditions but we arrived in Bangor just after dark.  I was a little worried as we didn’t have reservations booked which in the past has worked out to our advantage, not this time!

It seems that every hotel/motel room in the city of Bangor was booked!  Oops!  We headed to the closest hotel’s parking lot  and stole a wireless connection and finally found a room at the Best Western in Bar Harbor.  We were at the point of desperation and the price didn’t matter with 3 sleeping boys in the back of the minivan, we wanted to find something soon.  So I booked it over the phone I wanted to actually speak to someone before driving the 45 miles to get there.We transferred everyone into the room, and managed to get the boys back to sleep in a few minutes.

Saturday morning we woke to overcast skies, and when I checked the weather network it was saying a high of 66F.  Oops again!  I only packed clothing for warm weather!  Well someone needs to fire that meteorologist!  It was hot, humid and sunny all day!   Here’s a few highlights from our stop into the seaside town of Bar Harbor.  We had some breakfast at a little pub, and one of the customers offered to take a pic of all of us.  He was quite smitten with Finn and his constant waves and gummy grins.  His and Ciaran’s fiery red hair was a constant hit amongst the tourists in Maine.  I guess it must not be as common as it is at home:

Breakfast at a little pub in Bar Harbor, we had this great front window booth:

After breakfast we stopped to check out a few of the unique shops, I got a new Red Sox hat.  I was told it was “the one to have” for ladies this summer.  It’s a stone colour like a lot of my shorts and the ‘B” on it is chocolate brown.  I already have way too many Red Sox hats (yes 7 now), but can’t stop buying them!  Every time I see a unique one I want it!

After browsing the shops we stopped for a well deserved icecream at CJ’s Big Dipper on Main St.  I was surprised to hear that there wasn’t a Ben & Jerry’s, after Cow’s, Ben & Jerry’s definitely comes seconf in my books.  CJ’s was great and on the way there we spotted another icecream shop and of course the kids wanted me t get their photo in from of the giant Lobster indulging in the cool treat as well.

We forgot the Drip Stiks!  I can’t wait until the case I ordered comes in!  I orfdered it at the end of June, but it seems that FedEx has lost it!  The company apologized and sent me another one.  They said if the other one does arrive to consider myself lucky and to keep it!  Once it gets here I plan on keeping a few in my van.  It definitely would have prevented the icecream crisis that ensued quickly after ordering Ciaran’s Dinosaur Crunch.  Here is is quite happy with it.

Then the heat and humidity set in and without a Drip Stik, the dinosaur crunch quickly started dripping beyond even my tongue could control and Ciaran got mad and wouldn’t take it back, so off he went to the side of the sidewalk and pouted.  Liam knew his limits without a Drip Stik, he got his in a dish!  LOL

Next we were off to Acadia National Park. I’ve been to Bar Harbor many times in the past but never to Mt Desert Island’s highlight of ANP!  It was breathtakingly beautiful and I’d love to spend more time there in the future.

We spent the afternoon first with a drive to the summit of Mt Cadillac, it’s a  road where you can drive to the top.  We walked around the summit, and stopped for a drink and the kids played in the gift shop for a few minutes.

Here’s a few more photos from the Summit:

The view overlooking the town of Bar Harbor

Next we decided to do a little hike to Bubble Rock. I wish we had remembered to bring our handheld GPS with us, as there this a huge Geo-cache Treasure hunt throughout the park.  As well none of us were really wearing the proper footwear for this.  With six people, you have to learn to pack lightly and bringing more than one pair of shoes for everyone just takes up too much room!  We really need a van with more cargo space, or at least one with roof racks so we can put one of those cargo thingies on the top!  I fell in love with the Honda Odyssey the other day and can’t get it out of my mind.  It’s so nice to not have a vehicle payment anymore, but the little extras of a newer vehicle are starting to stand out.

So our hike to Bubble Rock wasn’t too bad, it was all uphill, and Ciaran was non-stop!  I wore Finn in the Ergo, and he cooperated nicely.  It took about 15-20 minutes to reach the top and when we got there we couldn’t believe the sight! It’s this huge Boulder also know as a glacial erratic.  If you look closely at the granite in the mountain and the granite in Bubble Rock it’s two completely different types.  This boulder had been brought here during glacial melts from more than 40 miles away!  I got really nervous as Ciaran wanted to run, and this thing really was at the edge of this cliff, there’s absolutely no fencing! Here’s a few pics:

The Park Ranger teaching us about Leave no Trace

The boys coming back down

Ciaran only made it a few more steps, then needed to be carried, why didn’t I bring the other carrier?

Here’s a shot of Bubble Rock from further away in the park.  Until I saw this I couldn’t believe we hiked up that far!

It was a really fun day, and we will definitely be back!

Today was Christmas (in July) at our house!  Everything kind of just fell into place.  Our original plan was to go away for the weekend, but at the last minute we decided to stay home.  Well, I didn’t want the kids to be too disappointed so wanted to do something fun in lieu of traveling.

On Thursday I took the boys to the mall to pick out a birthday gift for a friend of theirs and while there, the boys got really excited.  They starting shouting, “Look Mommy Santa’s here!”  Much to my surprise, they were correct, there in the middle of the mall was Santa’s little set-up big Green Chair and Christmas trees and all (no Santa though)!

It seems that our local mall in conjunction with a festival in the city where having a Christmas in July celebration, and Santa Claus was going to be at the mall on Saturday.  I knew we couldn’t make it to the mall on Saturday as the boys had a birthday party to go to, but a friend did and I had to laugh at what Santa was wearing!

When we decided not to go away, I thought why not take advantage of this and do our own Christmas in July!  We actually had this as a fun activity to do on our Summer Fun Calendar.  So Andrew, Mackenzie and I conspired and picked up a few summer themed gifts for the kids, Rocket Fishing Rods for the boys, a pair of inline skates for Mackenzie and a fun Mickey Mouse light up toy for Finn.

Finn really liked the tiny little Christmas Tree!

Santa even brought some summer reading material for Mom & Dad looks like Santa is going Green too.  Thanks Santa!

To finish off the day in true Christmas spirit we had a full turkey dinner with all the fixings, and ate outside on our back deck.  It was a little windy so we did end up going back inside for seconds and the fresh strawberry shortcake got forgotten, so I guess we’ll have that tomorrow!

These are the words I heard many times today bellowing from both my 5 and a half and 3 and a half year old’s mouths. I don’t know where it came from, but I must admit I thought it was pretty funny, and it’s nice to know “I Rock!”.

I know I’ve been complaining about the fog a lot, but it’s really been getting to me.  Just before lunch realizing that “no the fog was not going to lift” like the weather forecast  said, I decided to get out of the city.  The destination?  Moncton’s Centennial Park.  I hadn’t been there in years, but knew that there was a newer splash pad and a swimming area, and the weather said sunny and 28C so that’s about all I needed!  This was also one of the activities that was on our Summerfun list.  If you haven’t had the chance to see the video make sure you check out CPO TV for this fun project for the summer:

The drive was uneventful, we stopped in Sussex (aka The Dairy Town) for some gas and made it to Moncton in a little over an hour and a half.  Centennial Park was really easy to find, we took the Berry Mills exit, then got on Wheeler Blvd to St George Blvd and Centennial Park was right off of SGB!

Here’s a few shots of the splash pad.  It’s really cute to look at, it’s a car wash theme, and there’s these little fibreglass cars all around the splash pad and littlepretend roads. I’m sure in concept this was a great idea, but in reality these little cars are a nightmare.  All Finn wanted to do was climb them.  Imagine… slippery wet, suncreen slicked toddlers trying to climb wet fibreglass cars.

Liam was really helpful, and took Finn under his wing.  He couldn’t keep up with Ciaran, he was all over the place!

The drive home was peaceful, I just wish I had grabbed my iPod to listen to  and to catch up on a few new Podcasts.  For those of you interested in vacationing at home this year, our newest Momtalk episode is now up called The Perfect Staycation:

Living in Saint John, NB definitely has it’s fair share of positives and negatives, but by far the worst has to be the FOG!  Saint John is the 3rd Foggiest City in Canada  with 98.29 foggy days per year. Second place goes to Halifax, NS with 99.53, and first place goes to St. John’s, NL with a whopping 118.96 days per year!!

I am 35 years old, and for the majority of my 35 years I have lived in Saint John, NB.  In those 35 years, I can honestly count on both hands the number of times that our Canada Day Fireworks have actually gone off on Canada Day.  “Why didn’t they go off?”, you ask.  They were fogged out, and this year was no different!  It was looking optimistic in the afternoon, then that late afternoon breeze brought the fog back in from the Bay of Fundy.  Living close to the harbour, also has it’s advantages and disadvantages too. One disadvantage being the Saint John Harbour’s foghorn, it could easily wake the dead!

Canada Day started off nicely, I got the whole crew dressed in denim and red shirts and we sauntered our way uptown.  Saint John does not have a “downtown”, only and uptown.  I never really understood this, but this is the way it’s always been.  Maybe I’ll have to look into the history of this some day!

  Finn rode on my back for the entire afternoon in my Ergo Carrier.  I can not say enough positive things about this carrier.  It really is amazingly comfortable even carrying a 25lb toddler for hours!  My favorite part is the extra padding in the waist band and the shoulder straps.  My only wish is that they’d come out with some more colourful designs or fabrics.  So ErgoBaby Inc. if you’re listening, you need to “pimp your carriers” as CPO’s Moderator of our Baby Wearing Board would say!

After walking around uptown and looking through all of the JUNK at the Giant Uptown Flea Market, we spotted a sign near the foot of King Street that said “Free Trolley Rides- 1pm, 2:30pm & 4pm”.  I instantly looked at my watch and got excited it was 2:25pm and then realized we must have just missed it as no one was waiting. I asked a gentleman sitting there and he confirmed it.  He did mention though that the driver was ahead of schedule and would most likely be back around 3:30pm instead of 4pm.  So we walked over to Market Square’s Boardwalk area to kill some time.

I’ve wanted to take one of these Trolley rides for a while now and actually mentioned wanting to take the kids on a tour in our latest episode of Momtalk Podcast called Your Perfect Staycation.  Here’s a little history on Saint John’s Trolley’s- one of the tour agencies in the city bought them a few years ago.  They are the San Francisco style ones made to look like street cars, incidentally Saint John, NB was actually the first city in Canada to have a Street Car. Well as you can see by the photo to the right we arrived back just in time to get the last free tour!  Ciaran fell asleep 3/4 of the way through, but I think the kids really enjoyed it and learned a few cool facts about Saint John, I know I did!

Our Canada Day Fireworks were postponed 3 nights in a row, then finally on the 4th of July, us Saint Johner’s got to witness a great show!

Earlier in the evening I hauled out my camera’s manual and looked up what setting would be the best for fireworks. I have to admit as much as I love my digital SLR, the amount of different settings are overwhelming, I really need to take a course!  We parked the minivan down by the waterfront and flipped the rear bench seat over so the kids could sit there and watch. This is one of the cool features I like in our van! Here’s a few shots from the evening: