Weekend Recap

My dad and his wife were visiting on the weekend and it was his birthday on Friday, so we celebrated with steak and cake. 

Then we were E's cheering section on Saturday morning for his baseball game.

And in the afternoon we went to the Blue Jays game.  It was a hot day in the sun, but an awesome game.

And it was Vladdy Bobblehead day and Nana and Papa were nice enough to get there early in time to get a set for E and Q. 

Q did find it hot so he sat under the seat for part of the game.

Popcorn bucket on the head on the way home.

We were tired when we got home of course.  We all showered, made some chicken fingers, and watched Amazing Race.  I was happy to go to bed.

On Sunday morning I took Q to a birthday party. 

In the afternoon Dave cleaned out the garage and mowed the lawn, and I cleaned the bathrooms.  The boys played outside and a couple of neighbours stopped in for a bit.

Then time to get cleaned up for dinner at the golf club.  Q wanted to do his hair.

We left the boys to do some putting when we went to sit down at the table.  Unfortunately hit his eye in the putting green flag when he bent down to get his ball.  He was fine but did want some ice on it.

Beautiful night on the patio.

All smiles for dessert.

Then home for an episode of For All Mankind and early to bed.

 

Miami!

Last week I got to go to Miami for work!  So far my work trips have been to Timmins, and no shade on Timmins, but I mean!!  I don't actually travel a lot of work, so the novelty has not worn off.

Sitting with my colleagues before our flight.  We were flying American Airlines out of Terminal 3 (thumbs down to Terminal 3, it's like a whole different place than Terminal 1, even though it's the same airport, I do not understand!).  The flight itself was fine though, and I watched an episode of Belair and The After Party.  

Checked into my room at the JW Marriott.

We were planning to meet for breakfast at 7:00 on Wednesday morning, so I had to get to the gym shortly after 6:00.  I did a Pelton treadmill run.

Then quick shower (that didn't take) before rushing down for breakfast. 

After breakfast, I did a bit of work in my room, but then went outside to see the water.  

And couldn't resist getting another coffee and pastry at the cafe across from the hotel.

Then went to the meeting that we were in town for.  The view from the conference room was the pool at our hotel.

After the meeting wrapped up, instead of being a responsible employee who went back to their room to do more work and take calls (like the others did), I hopped in an Uber and went to the beach :)  And I regret nothing!

I chatted with my driver on the way and he pointed out some things to me (and when we drove by the Miami Heat's arena threw some good natured shade at Kyle Lowry who didn't have the best year in Miami).  I asked if he was from Miami and he said no, he was from Cuba.  I asked when he came to the US and he had the most interesting story.  He was part of  Operation Peter Pan in the 1960s.  I had never heard of this, but you can click on the link to read more about it.  He said he was sent to an orphanage in Montana in the middle of winter and he didn't speak a word of English.  His parents did end up coming over and he was eventually reunited with them. 

My happy place!

I could have sat here all day.

But I picked myself up and walked down the beach.  I randomly chose a path back up to the street and found myself in the Art Deco District.

So many pretty pastel buildings.

This is the building they used for The Birdcage movie.

There were a few different places to eat but I chose Pink Taco for its happy hour margaritas.  

I got an Uber back to the hotel to get dressed for dinner.  I was meeting everyone at Novikov.

I enjoyed the Oxacan Sun cocktail. 

On Thursday morning I had the best breakfast at Carrot Express, a huevos rancheros burrito.  I ate in my room, did a bit of work, and indulged in some Real Housewives on my comfy hotel bed.  I love trashy TV when I'm traveling. 

Then home with no real issues, once again, Nexus is worth every penny.

I told the girls I usually travel with that our next trip is to Miami and they were quick to write back they are fine with that!! Let's book it ;)

Cape Breton Recap Part 2

Here is the second installment of our trip to Cape Breton. You can see Part 1 here.

On Wednesday the dads took the kids to the "wildlife" park.  They have a variety of animals.

Bears!

Meanwhile mom and I were having lunch. Cheers!

Back at the animal park...

They had this bouncy thing that the kids had fun on.

Dave was tired when he got back!

That night we took the kids to the drive in. We saw DC League of Super Pets (and didn't stay for the second show, Elvis).  Everyone stayed awake, even me!

We still put in some time at the firepit when we got back.

On Thursday Mom was heading home so we got a few photos.

Doing the Wordle.

Then we spent the rest of the hot day at the water. 

Chocolate milk on a 30+ degree day is not my first choice, but Q was pumped to find it in the cooler.

Then we hooked our floaties up to the buoy and drank out on the water for most of the afternoon.  This was my favourite part of the week.

Mandatory nap after that!

After supper we went out on the boat.

Everyone got a turn at the wheel.

Then we pulled up so some people could jump off and swim.

There goes Q!

S'mores with those huge marshmallows.

On Friday it was time to start leaving, sad face. We recreated the photo we took of these kids in 2018.

Lindsay, Amy and I have spent a lot of time together out here :) 

Another beautiful morning.

Then we went out to find some mussels.  

We went by Breton Brewing but they haven't changed their liquor licence since the last time we were there and we couldn't sit to have a drink because no kids are allowed. We did buy a couple beer and then picked up take out on the way home.

The kids played some games on the deck.

And I read my book in the shade.

Q and I played some ladder ball.

We cooked up the mussels after supper.

The kids played glow bowling - glow sticks in water bottles, and longer glow sticks for the lane.

Yes! I've eaten many a mussel in this same spot since my first time in Cape Breton in 2003!

Q tried a couple.

Cereal on the deck on Saturday morning.  

These girls were leaving so we got a photo with them.

A local cousin stopped over and the kids loved his dog.

Dave's parents' sailboat.

In the afternoon we went to the other side of the river to see some friends. 

I signed the pillar the first time I was there in 2005, before Dave and I were married.  It says "Assuming the boat ride is great, we had a wonderful time!".

The kids swam and played while we sat in the water and enjoyed some sangria.

Some of the older kids went out waterskiing and E got a turn.  He did awesome!

Sunday was our last day.  We went out to Louisbourg to eat brunch at the North Star.  This is a restaurant that Justin and Colin (of HGTV fame) bought and redid. It also has an inn on the property.  

Everything was very good!

We walked out to the edge of the property. You can see the Fortress of Louisbourg out there.

Kyla and E.

We drove out to the Fortress and then the lighthouse.  I have never really been out here but it was great.  Next time we will plan to do some of the hiking trails.

We stopped for ice cream on the way home.  I got Moon Mist (if you know, you know).

Then we finished packing up and went to the airport.  We had to connect through Montreal and despite a couple of delays, we made it home pretty much on time, with our luggage.  Everyone was happy to be in their own beds. 

Linking up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favourites.