Post Vacation Blues

We've been on vacation in Montreal for the last week. That was great, but now I'm suffering from post vacation blues. And I'm realizing how exhausting it is to travel with a one year old.

Darcy was a big hit with her aunt, uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents. She also made a number of good friends at the Biodome. I think she may have had her picture taken with one girl and I know she got into someone's video. No, she doesn't take after her parents at all.

The last display at the Biodome is the Antarctic. It features penguins. For us grown adults it's fun to watch them swim around jumping in and out. For kids it's a crazy good time. When we got there all the penguins were starring at the back wall. Some of them were swimming right up to the glass and 'playing' with the kids there. All of a sudden the penguins made a rush for the back wall, then the feeder man came out. We were there about 15 minutes and he hadn't fed all of them yet. Darcy seemed to love it.

On Wednesday night, after Darcy went to bed, Sue and I went to the fireworks. It is very different from the blast fest that happens every year on the Detroit river. What we saw was very artistic, what happens here on the river is more HOW LOUD AND BIG CAN WE MAKE THESE? USA USA USA!!! I don't know how many people come out to see them, but I'm pretty sure three of the stupidest ones were standing right behind us.

Here's some of what we over heard.

Daughter - I thought we were just going to see regular fireworks.

Daughter - These fireworks are getting old.
Father - There only getting old because you don't have a chair.

The teenage daughter was at one point lamenting the fact the we were far away. Her mother responded with "Well, I think it's better than being close. This way we can see underneath them."

As a small plane flies over.
Mother - I bet they have a great view.
The genius daughter was dead serious when she asked, "Really? Do you think they can see them from up there?"

26 minutes into the 30 minute show.
Father - I think they'll go about four more minutes.
I bit my tongue and did not say "Really Sherlock?"

It was the first time we had both been out past 10pm since June 5th, 2004. So we figured we'd take our time going back to my parents. We strolled through Old Montreal, saw some street performers near city hall, stopped for some over priced ice cream, $8 for two small cups. We had a good time.

When we got off the Metro there were a few rain drops. By the time we got to the end of the first block it was raining hard, but the trees were keeping us mostly dry. Then the skies opened up, the rain was torrential. There was another couple across the street, we just laughed at each other. There is a special bond between strangers when you're caught in the rain. We laughed at them because it sucked to be them. They laughed at us because it sucked to be us. We had another block and a half to go, so we went for it and got drenched. We were dripping. About halfway there Sue was laughing so hard she practically hyper-ventilated. My shirt was still wet the next morning.

Darcy made a few big discoveries this week. Like Grandma's hard floors, nasty chair legs and her innate Swiss ability to climb. We weren't there more than ten minutes and Darcy took a header onto the floor. A big lump came up almost right away. A day later she slipped pulling herself up on a chair leg and cut her chin in the groove in the wood. Then she found the stairs. A nicely carpeted set that has one turn, leading to the top floor. She'd do these at least five time a day, more if we hadn't put up a gate. She's still trying to walk, but won't go on her own yet. That's was fine, because Grandma and Grandpa were happy to be dragged around the house, but now were stuck with a girl who expects her parents to do that! Good luck honey.

It was a great trip. I did manage to get some swimming, biking and running in. Not much, but it still counts. Less than a month to go!