A Quick Trip to Banff

With my special needs brother off to Disneyland with my in-laws (are they the best or what?) we can uncommon opportunity to take a day trip to Banff. When we mapped it out, we realized we weren’t going to have a lot of time. We wouldn’t be able to leave Calgary until noon and would have to get back the next day by noon. We almost decided not to go. But I’m really glad we did. One of the things that’s so great about going away, even if it is just for a little while is that is really focuses your attention. You’re not distracted by the laundry or the internet. You don’t have to cook. And you have adventures together which is harder at home.

We went up Mount Norquay where they is a great view of the town of Banff and you can often see some mountain goats. We saw some this time at the bottom of the lookout point but they were too far away for Gordie to figure out what they were. On our way back down we drove past a deer. Gordie saw it all by himself. “I see a kangaroo!” We may need to spend a little bit more of our time at the North American part of the zoo.

In the evening we drove down by the golf course and saw a lot more “kangaroos” (this time they were elk). The boy is not easily dissuaded.  This was the perfect time of day for elk watching. We also saw a little fox. Of course we had left our zoom lens at the hotel.

We went to Melissa’s for supper. Gordie really wanted a burger and fries. He was getting a little impatient for his dinner (quite honestly when we eat out we usually get fast food so waiting would be unusual) so I told him that when the lady came back he could tell her what he wanted for supper. While Stephen and I were talking Gordie (who has just turned 2) managed to turn around at get to attention of the hostess. We looked over and he was telling her he wanted a burger and fries and she was leaned over trying to understand him. We were so surprised!

Sometimes with so much going on, it’s hard to take the time to step back, relax and just enjoy each others company. But so many of my most treasured memories seem to be created that way.

The Infectious Enthusiasm of a Toddler–Snow in April Sucks

Last night it started to snow. In April. Not even early April, but April 13th. I was not impressed. I’m quite done with winter and snow in particular.

Gordie on the other hand looked out the window and said “It’s snowing!” with the enthusiasm of a child who had been hoping all Winter for just one day of snow.

This morning when I looked outside there was over a foot of wet, heavy snow. Seriously? I am almost desperate for Spring. I need sunlight again. And grass. Remember grass? I don’t ever want to leave the house again.

But Gordie takes one look and demands to “Go play in the snow!” He couldn’t have been more excited.

So I grabbed some things for a snowman and spent 20 minutes getting us both into our snow gear. Gordie had the best time and honestly, it was the best part of my day too. Usually the snow in Calgary is too dry to stick together, so it’s nearly impossible to make snowmen and it’s usually unpleasantly cold at well. Today the snow was perfect and it was right around freezing.

It’s hard to stay in a bad mood when someone around you is having so much fun. That being said – snow in April still sucks.

You Never Know When You’ll Be Confronted with a Scary Cow

Although we have yet to find a monkey on our neighbourhood walks (despite frequently looking) we did have a run in with wildlife inside our own kitchen.

I know, it is possibly the cutest looking cow ever made. And it’s only about the size of my palm. Gordie loved this cow. It was one of the first things that he tried to get me to buy at the store when he was around a year. It’s been up on a shelf though so he hasn’t seen it in a while. The cow eventually found it way back to civilization and I thought Gordie might like to see how it can moo if you push it’s tummy. It seemed like this would be fun because he would be old enough to do it now.

Well, that did not go over well. After a lot of tears and snuggles, I told the cow to stop making noises and we reached a peace. I know Gordie is a little sensitive to noises, but the quiet moo of this cute little cow? Whoops.