A Satisface Day

After a full day in the sun I have a full days Mexican sunburn. 😒. Oh well.  What better place to recover from a sunburn then Mexico?  Guess I better be more wise with sunscreen application.  

This is how we rounded out our day: 

swam in the ocean - very salty, big waves. 

Got sand in between our toes

Showered - uninterrupted!!

Had a FaceTime call with the kiddos - who claim they miss us terribly but didn't stay on screen longer than 20 seconds...hmm.  

Went for dinner at Carlos n Charlie's where we ate until we were in pain and enjoyed all the shenaniganizing of the waiters and waitresses.  

Walked around downtown Cancun.  A lot of inyourface vendors.  

After we had been inyourfaced more than enough times I commented to Tyler that it must be a hard life to have to live like that.  Working at night because that's when tourists are around, haggling to get a few bucks, knowing you have fairly similar wares to sell as the next guy.  There was one man painting beautiful landscapes with spray paint.  He was clearly very talented.  But it looked like he had his 3 kids sitting with him on the side of an alleyway, just waiting.  

We continued our walk.  Just before we got to our hotel there was a woman with a blanket laid out with all kinds of beaded key chains, bracelets, necklaces, toys - not much different than anything else we'd seen.  But she had a sweet little tiny girl strapped to her back who was fast asleep.  So I stopped to talk and look at the woman's wares.  She offered me 3 for 50 pesos (about 5 dollars), which worked out perfectly for me since I had been contemplating souvenirs for my kiddos.  We picked these:

They're little bobble-headed figures.  She makes all of the items herself.  I asked her how old her daughter was.  She's two.  Told her I had a one year old at home.  We paid her 60 pesos and said goodnight.  As we walked away Tyler said: 'as soon as we saw that lady I thought, 'we're going to buy something here...''   I may be soft-hearted and maybe she brings her daughter because it increases her sales...but she was tender.  She tried to show me everything without being pushy, she was far away from the hustle and bustle of downtown - maybe so there's less competition, but probably also because it's quieter and her daughter can sleep - and when I asked about her daughter there was softness in her eyes and voice.  I think she's just trying to be a good mama.  And I miss my kiddos who never want for anything...

It was a good Mexican day.  

And, to lighten things up, we have some mini-bar humour:

Welcome to Cancun - Welcome Home

This is how I vacation:

This is how he vacations:

I think one of us is doing it wrong...

Silly business-vacation.  

Our driver yesterday kept saying, 'welcome to Cancun! Welcome home!  

  

I had fajitas for lunch with real guacamole and pico de gallo...and a piña colada - welcome to Cancun - welcome home!  

The morning view

Slept in until 9:45 this morning.  

Woke up to an amazing view.  

Looking forward to a day poolside with my book.  

Viva la Mexico

It feels like it's been a long day of not much happening.  We started early this morning (getting up at 6:00am) after finishing late last night.  

The day was full of adventure as Tyler had discovered his TA had borrowed his laptop charge cord and adapter and hadn't returned it.  Two things that are very necessary for this 'business trip' to Mexico.  

He ended up with an upset stomach on the way to the airport and we came screeching into the airport so he could rush to the bathroom while I parked the car.  

Then we found a WestJet agent who could help us purchase a charge cord at the airport.  The Apple Store was in a different concourse than where we needed to be, so we didn't have access. We ended up back and forth through airport security 3 times between dealing with broken ATM machines, Apple stores and not emptying a water bottle...

Kathleen (our WestJet angel) was very helpful and we ended up boarding just a few minutes after finally sitting everything out.  What else did we have to do with our 2 hours of time...

We weren't seated together for the flight initially but were able to switch seats with another gentleman and it worked out.  There were a few babies and children surrounding us on the plane and it made me miss my kiddos.  

Watched San Andreas in the plane.  It was cheesy and predictable but it passed some of the time.  The I attempted to nap for a bit and watched some more.  A 5 hour flight is pretty boring.  And I'm undetermined if it feels longer when you have nothing to do, or when you're wrestling kids the entire time.  

After checking into our beautiful hotel we showered and headed for dinner.  So far it's proving a challenge to find and explain 'gluten free' in Mexico, but we're working at it.  We had a beautiful dinner beachside 

And once I had a piña colada and let me feet touch the ocean, I finally felt like I was on vacation.  

Plus this nighttime photo gives the illusion that I have a tan.  

I think Tyler and I don't really know what to do without the busyness of dealing with kids so there's been a lot of 'now what?!'  I'm sure we'll get the hang of vacation and relaxation eventually...

Now I get to go to bed when I want to, and wake up when I want to.  And hopefully my anxiety will allow me to sleep well.  

Boy I love my kiddos.  

Viva la Mexico! 

Summer staycations

This is the summer of staycations.  Mini trips and fun at home.  

Tyler's been away all week at YMs camp and so as per usual I've tried to cram as many activities into the non-nap times to help the week go faster.  It's been a ton of fun...and my bones hurt from this go-go-go attitude.  So today is Saturday.  Dad is about 5 hours away and we're sticking close to home today.  Relaxing.  Groceries.  Cleaning up.  But the rest of the week looked like this:

Tuesday:

A slurpees/milkshake run in the afternoon after a trip to Canadian tire to get some pots and plants for Grandma Janielee's birthday.  We painted the pots and filled them with pansies.  Then we headed to Jason and Ali's for a birthday party for Millie and Grandma.  

Wednesday: 

Canada Day celebration at Cochrane Ranche! 

Ice cream truck

Drummers

Sparkle tattoos

Flag waving

Mini-golf

We dressed in our patriotic red and got hot dogs and icecream cones.  It was a fun afternoon.  

We finished the day watching Brother Bear and having a picnic

Thursday:

Park

Movies

Mall

This was our busiest day yet.  And by the end we were all tired.  

Friday:

Cochrane pool.  We had a great time swimming the afternoon away and then went to grandmas to play and have dinner.  

So much fun.  Now it's Saturday and we're ready for dad to come home.  

Is it summer yet?

At the cabin

Went to bishop's cabin.  Because we were invited.  I don't like travelling with babies.  It stresses me out.  But I also don't like missing out on life.  So we went.  And it went well.  

It was mostly rainy but we still had fun.  Logan told us he was the most excitedest because he has spent the most time with Jake (McLellan).  

It was nice to be able to go out for dinner with just the adults and leave the kids at the cabin with the super helpful McLellan kids.