The weekend that didn't go exactly as planned

First off, we were late leaving. It was 9.15 Friday night by the time we picked up Mr. Tofu-earner from work. It was also raining and the traffic was still heavy and slow.



So we pulled into a motel in stunning Brockville at 1 a.m. Not even downtown Brockville but side-o'-401 Brockville. Which is great for 5 year olds. Opening the curtain at 6.55 a.m., Sebastian declares: "Wow. You can see everything. The highway. The parking lot." We aim to please, dear child.



Seb probably woke so early because he was eagerly anticipating motel brekkie. Ever since his paternal grandparents and Nannie took him to see Thomas the Tank Engine in Maine almost 3 years ago, he has loved motels - and their chemical-laden breakfasts. But with allergies, what is safer than Fruit Loops and milk! I tried to dampen his hopes but to little avail. Turns out the Travel Lodge loves 5 year olds right back. He (and his sister - and his dad...) happily munched on colourful Os and apple juice at 7.05.



By the time we pulled into Montreal, we knew we were underdressed and generally ill-prepared for the weather. It was supposed to be clear, sunny and a tad cool. It turned out to be downright frigid, windy, and driving rain on and off - all weekend (though brilliant sunshine would blow in for 20 minutes at a time, giving us all hope until the next dousing). We had no rain boots, though fortunately, at the last minute I had returned home to grab our rain jackets (see the bit about hitting the road late). I froze, and couple with late night on the road, my cold worsened...



The kids, however, were excited, especially the big guy as he remembered the previous year with glee. And Westmount did itself proud. By the time we had warmed up with coffee at our hosts, the rain had (temporarily) eased and the funfair die-hards were joined by softies like us. I'll let the photos (before the batteries died...) do the talking but the rain mostly held off for 3 hours and we all had fun (and for free!!). The Y's Healthy Day on Sunday was also a big hit with Seb & Jacob holding hands at the start line. We went on to play in the playground, swim at the Y pool, hang out at the Westmount library, pick up some bagels and eat a family meal at Villa du Souvlaki (which seems a tradition now).
(I'll try to upload some video later)

We also managed to visit my dad in the hospital. That was the other part of the weekend that didn't quite go to plan. Yes, Westmount Family Day is fun, but it is also a great opportunity for the kids to see their maternal grandparents active and out with neighbours (and to present little kiddies to said neighbours). To his huge disappointment - and ours - Grandad had to go into hospital over the weekend. The kids trooped in a couple of times and Sebastian was still able to wow him with his magic trick (singular). But we were hoping that we could all enjoy the fun and that Seb & Grandad were going to staff Westmount's Healthy City booth together.

Grandma did her best to be everywhere and everyone to us all - a tad tiring I would say. And tonight, my aunt and uncle arrive in Montreal for their 1st visit in 11 years. And then it is on to us in Toronto - yipeee!