July 28, 2015

A Mini Getaway

It had been almost two months since I last saw my mom, so last week, I packed us up, and Sully and I hit the road to Edmonton. I had been feeling a bit lonely since my in-laws left after a month long stay and a dose of mom and Gramma time was just what Sully and I needed!

Edmonton River Valley
{Edmonton River Valley}

We arrived last Tuesday and ended up staying until Friday. My mom lives in a spacious one-bedroom apartment and Sully had a blast running around, exploring new cupboards, pushing the elevator buttons, taking the garbage to the garbage shoot and yelling at passersby from the balcony. I was a little bit worried that sleep would be an issue since the last time Sully had to sleep in the play pen, he didn't do so well, but this time he slept like a champ! He did wake up early, but he would easily go back to sleep with me in bed for another hour or two.

Our first night in Edmonton, I left Sully with my mom while I went to my Edmonton book club night. July book club is always held at Sarah's house and she treats us to a campfire and s'mores. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate so book club was kept indoors, but it was still a wonderful night. I was worried about my will-power to stick to my 21 Day Fix diet when it came to the food, but Sarah out did herself and had prepped all the ingredients for us to make our own salad rolls! I had never made salad rolls before, but it was so much fun and I definitely plan to make them at home now.

Home-made Salad Rolls 

I didn't make plans to see anyone else while I was in Edmonton because I wanted to spend as much time as I could with my mom, but I did get away for a few hours to visit with my friend Lisa and meet her new daughter, Jade. Of course, I was too busy cuddling baby Jade to take any photos, but trust me, she is adorable and the whole time I was holding her, I couldn't believe that Sully was also once that small!

The rest of our visit was spent going for walks along the Promenade along the river valley, playing in the fountain, enjoying Starbucks al fresco, going to Taste of Edmonton (where I also practiced extreme self-control!!), visiting with my brother, and watering Gramma's flowers on the balcony. Seriously, I'm pretty sure Sully drowned some of my mom's plants! I also got in all my 21 Day Fix workouts and I even got out for a run on our last morning there.

The Promenade The Promenade Promenade Fountain Promenade Fountain Promenade Fountain Starbucks Al Fresco Taste of Edmonton Sully and Uncle Mikey Watering Flowers Watering Flowers 
Edmonton River Valley
{My view of the River Valley on my run}

On our way home on Friday, we stopped to see my friend Karen and her kids before heading on to Red Deer where we had a little play date with Becky and her son, Liam, at Imagination Grove at Kerry Wood Nature Centre. We had the whole place to ourselves and it was so cute to watch Sully and Liam interact. I humoured Sully a few times and took him down the big slide, but for the most part, he was just as happy to wait for Liam to come down the slide, giggling every time he did.

Imagination Grove

Those few days with my mom were just what I needed and I came back home feeling refreshed and happy. It's hard not having my mom just a twenty minute drive away, but at least we're still in the same province!

Have you ever made salad rolls?
Does your mom live near or far? 




13 comments:

  1. Everything is so beautiful and green! I'm used to our hot drought here in California leaving everything brown.

    Isn't it so weird visiting families with newborns? The babies are so small, the parents are so tired, the baby gear is everywhere.... it makes me hesitant to to go back to that territory.

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    1. It is kind of weird - this particular friend already has a two year old and yet she makes it look so easy! But I'm not convinced yet, haha. I can't imagine going back to holding a tiny newborn all. day. long.

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  2. what a fantastic little getaway and it looks like Sully and Liam had a great time playing!

    i love making salad rolls, such a quick and delicious dinner or treat. my mom lives in ontario and i'm in calgary, so pretty far :(

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    1. See, I always thought salad rolls would be way too much work, but everyone is telling me otherwise! Ontario…that is far :(

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  3. Looks like the perfect little mini getaway. You did so great sticking to 21 Day Fix and I know that first week was the hardest to get into it.

    We had so much fun playing with you guys. Can't wait to be able to do it again. Sully was so cute giggling every time Liam came down. Kid giggles warm my heart. Liam is still talking about 'Baby Skully' haha

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    1. I can't wait either - it's nice that Sully is getting to the age where is he interested in interacting with other kids. And yes, kid giggles are seriously the best. I'm in denial that they will ever go away :(

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  4. Vanessa BinickiJuly 28, 2015 3:19 pm

    Awwww this post was so adorable, I wish I could have been there with you guys. The photos are all so cute, I am so glad you guys had such a nice visit! I burst out laughing when you wrote he had fun yelling at the people walking by the balcony haha must have been hilarious to watch.

    OH and we have to make lots of salad rolls when I am there, I could eat those everyday but have never actually tried to make them myself which is silly. Also I need to start a countdown to when I get to see you guys again because I am SO excited!

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    1. Haha, and he is SO loud!! You should see (hear) him at the grocery store! It's borderline embarrassing, but everyone says "you're so lucky you're so cute" haha!

      We will definitely make salad rolls! I'm already dreaming about it, ha! Countdown is on! T-2 weeks! xo

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  5. Glad you got to go see your Mom! I am such a wimp and spoiled living close to my Mom, I even dread moving further within RD. Right now we are 5 mins away from her.
    I have made salad rolls but not in a very long time, I usually just buy them ;)
    I love that park! It is really neat for sure, I only wish they had a smaller slide for the littles.

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    1. Oh man, 5 minutes!! Jealous. Even when we lived in Edmonton, she was still a good 30 minutes away. And yes, a smaller slide at that park would be great - I was tempted to set Sully down it on his tummy backwards on his own, but I was pretty sure that would terrify him hahaha! ;)

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  6. Good work on staying on your eating and working out plan!! You rock!! What a good little getaway! So nice to have some Mom time!!

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  7. So glad you were able to get away to see your mom :) I'm a bit jealous that she's only 3 hrs away from you and mine is in Ontario :( Though Brian's parents are in Edmonton. The Taste of Edmonton is WAY better than the Calgary one. Liam and Sully are so cute together!

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  8. Glad you had a nice visit home. It looks like your mom lives in Grandin, close to the promenade. That is such a nice area!

    www.inloveinlondon.com

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