A Really Big Thank You Note

I am writing this post from seat 14F of West Jet flight 235 from Ottawa to Winnipeg.  Little C has had enough of this vacation and has thrown down about EVERYTHING today.  Mid fit, we always remind her that she never gets her way when she's shacking out, but today, the world is against her.  We drew the line at 3 yogurts, I took away the lip chap after a solid two minutes of application and airport security wouldn't let her carry the bag of liquids containing said lip chap through the scanner.  Needless to say while she was trying to escape her seat belt on the plane, I offered her a piece of 'candy', and am now sitting here, enjoying some majorly deserved quiet time.  I never would have thought Gravol was a reasonable option for traveling toddlers.  But like many, my best parenting was done before I had kids.

Even though I've got some pretty good kids, traveling with them is not always easy.  We're heading home from a two week Canadian adventure and we could not have done it without the help and generosity of some pretty awesome people. So I'm going to treat this post, like a really big thank you note.

I'll start with our dear friends who made it possible for us to fly with a WestJet Friends and Family discount.  Driving would have killed me, I'm sure of it.  You guys rule.

Second is my sister and her mechanic boyfriend, who not only took our sweet Jack for the entire time, but also fixed the brakes on our car.  Talk about service!  I should get Jack to the vet this week, I'm sure he's run off all his peanut butter sandwich weight!

Thank you to my father in law, who drove us to YWG at an ungodly hour on Day 1.  Few things would get him up that early.  I hope you had a great round of golf, Papa!

WestJet.  You make traveling with kids much more tolerable.  Thank you first, for keeping our seats together and not forcing a seat change fee on us like we've had on other airlines.  Second, thank you for only joking about losing our luggage.

To the man in the brown sport coat who (might have) *actually* enjoyed sitting beside Big C:  I wish only good things for you for many years to come!  BD is not a comfortable flyer and would much rather sit, palms sweaty with his eyes closed and a blanket over his head, so your help meant the world to this Mama who was worrying about her three babies.  I'm also supposed to tell you that she finally found K-R-I-S-T-O-F-F in her search a word.  There is so much good in this world.  Thank you for showing kindness and warmth to my family.  (And I'm crying while I write this - get me home, I'm tired!)

Our hosts in Longueuil made our Canadian adventure a lot more 'french.'  As always, the girls treasure their time with you.  Thank you for helping us drive in that ridiculously confusing city of Montreal and for opening your home to the noise and chaos of our family.  Yay for poutine!

We found an adorable little breakfast shop in Collingwood called the Old Red Hen.  The very greek owner/head chef made sure we knew he appreciated our business and stopped by our table to ask the girls for some fresh artwork.  Once again, under the security of their parents, our girls felt warmth and friendship from a stranger.  I could not be happier about it.

The reason behind our trip, was a family wedding.  The hotel staff in Walkerton made our stay feel as close to home as possible.  Then again, it might have been because we met up with my in-laws and we were able to dump the kids on them for a night.  We always appreciate that!

I'd like to thank the Queen and Groom for making our girls feel special on your big day, and to the DJ for keeping both girls on the dance floor all night.  They both slept in the next morning!

Mother Nature - YOU RULE!  We were in Niagara Falls for two days and you brought the sun and heat when we needed it!  I can't imagine what our boat ride to the falls would have been like had it been cold and windy.  My 'thrill of a lifetime' was about perfect.  It certainly made up for our $80 iHop breakfast.  Thanks lady!

Marineland - you did not disappoint!  We, along with the other 150 people in the park, really enjoyed our time with you!  We didn't have to pay for up close encounters because no one was around and everything was up close!  I know this would be written differently if your mile wide walking paths and amusement park rides had been full of people.  Everyone looooooooooves Marineland!  (Bahaha!  Now you're going to sing it all damn day too!)

After two hours of trying to find a reasonable hotel in Toronto, I had given up on seeing the Blue Jays.  Thank you to BD for putting your foot down and making us go.  Our hotel might have been far away, but 9 hours downtown Toronto wasn't THAT bad!  (Plus, we spent time at the Ripley's Aquarium - everyone should go there - it was amazing!)  The game was also very exciting.  So yeah, I love ya.  Even with that gross patch of face hair.

To our family in Ottawa:  you lent us your car and welcomed us into your home.  Our very off-schedule children kept you up late and lovingly tortured the cats for 3 solid days.  I was so happy to visit Parliament Hill at such a beautiful time of year and those Beaver Tails were everything I hoped and dreamed.  I can't believe how lucky we were to stumble across Rib Fest too!  Thank you, we love you!

***

More than ever I am so proud to be Canadian.  We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful, free country and I hope that you get to see as much of it as possible. 

Looking for more sanity?  I'll make you feel normal every day if you like my Facebook page!  www.facebook.com/mommydoesntsharechocolate.

I'm also on Pinterest!  www.pinterest.com/nochocolate4u

S