Montreal madness

Why madness? because we must have been crazy to have squished a 1 year old, a 4-year old and a 7-year old into the back seat of our mazda protege and driven 5 hours to Montreal. It took 7 1/2 daylight hours to get there on Friday. "Only" 7 on the way back. I heard every song in my friend's repertoire and then some. I remembered that 22-month olds - especially those who are only children - expect instant responses. I learnt that while Soph loves babies, she doesn't like them to cry 4" from her ear. It makes her cry too. I bribed my kids with a new toy each and still that barely did the trick. We had crying on top of singing on top of cd-stories. We were one loud vehicle trucking along the 401.

But the Westmount family day weekend away is always a photo bonanza and this year was no exception. Ok, so we had bad weather again (and it was held outside). The ponies and face-painting and zip lines and bouncy castles (never say that Sophie can't hold her own) and MUD ! were a great solace. We also did eat well. We had our usual Greek and took Grandma to her first Ethiopian meal - and there was the annual candy floss! We had a lovely time catching up with Deb's crew and my social work mentor (and new grandmother) Monique.

But I must say that I am looking forward to driving up the 401 alone with my love in July - our tunes on the stereo, long periods of silence. And then 2 days in la belle province without children too!