We started with waking up at 3am to get the car packed up and kids loaded. Departure from the C Residence was on-time at 3:30am. AA dropped everyone off at the airport and then raced home, called a cab and made it back to the airport by 4am for the 5am flight.
 |
| This is a "new polar bear" - because the Twinkies don't fly domestic in Canada too often to see this one |
The flight was quick and relatively smooth sailing until we were on final approach into Toronto - there were a few wind gusts that made MBMell not feel too well. As expected, the kids did not sleep.
Once in Toronto, we made our way to pick up our rental van. After a 30 mins wait for the van to arrive, we got packed up and made our way to Denny's for some breakfast.
After breakfast, we made the short 1 hrs drive to our hotel at Niagara-on-the-Lake and unloaded bags. We then drove to Niagara Falls, parked and wandered around before taking the Hornblower Cruise right up to the Falls. It was quite impressive seeing the Falls from water level and experiencing the sheer power that all that water has.
 |
| "Hide!" |
 |
| American Falls |
 |
| Horeshoe Falls |
With full bellies, we made a pitstop at the Hershey store so that MBM could get some chocolate covered strawberries.
Then we started the long walk back to the car and eventually made it after only a few tears. We then loaded up into the van and took the short drive back to the hotel.
Everyone's schedule was off and no one was particularly hungry at 6pm. However, everyone was pretty tired. MBMell tried to put the kids down to bed in the big beds but that didn't work with all the jumping and pillow throwing. Tents were then used.
While B and T were trying to go to sleep, AA went to the grocery store to get some snacks and breakfast food. And beer and wine - staples for any hotel adventure. Lola had to meet with her group at 8pm to work on their group project. Once done, Lola made it back to MBMell's room just in time to help her wrangle up the kids and get them put down again for bed - the lack of sleep was sure affecting behaviours.
Once everyone was asleep, the adults spent some time visiting before calling it an early night so that Lola could get a good sleep and be ready for her workshop and breakfast at 8am.
Day 2
Today was a more relaxing pace. DD arrived at the hotel before 9am which was perfect timing for MBMell as the Twinkies got up only 5 mins before his arrival. They were excited to see him.
Breakfast was in AA and Lola's room and consisted of:
- Yogurt
- Cheese String
- Mini blueberry muffins
- Chocolate covered strawberries from the Hershey store in Niagara Falls (thanks Mom!)
After having breakfast it was time to get dressed in some clothes and go on a surprise adventure with AA. The kids weren't too sure about whether they wanted to get in the car but AA assured them that it was only a 5 mins drive. That was ok then.
The surprise adventure was the St. Catharine's Museum and Welland Canal Locks. The museum wasn't a huge hit with the kids but they got to "go to work" pressing buttons and lighting up the different Welland Canal Locks on a large display. After the museum, the Twinkies were able to blow off some steam at the playground - running, swinging and sliding.
At around 11:15, a ship (the Bro Alma) was making its way through the canal and needed a lift at the Lock at the museum. Everyone, including the group of 25 Grade 3 students from a local school and numerous other tourists, made their way to the viewing platform to watch the Lock in action. It was quite impressive that within 20 mins, the massive ship was raised and back on its way to Lake Erie and Port Colborne.
 |
| Starting level |
 |
| An arrester cable being deployed - to prevent the ship from crashing into the gate |
 |
| Finishing level - approx 45 ft heigher |
After the surprise adventure, the crew of B, T, DD, MBMell and AA made their way to a nearby Greek restaurant for lunch. The food was delicious and the kids enjoyed more of their mom and dad's gyro and souvlaki pita than their Dino buddies and George's burger.
With bellies full (again), AA drove the vanload back to the hotel for nap time. AA worked while others (except T) napped.
 |
| Waiting for the bridge to lower across the Canal on the drive back to the hotel |
After nap time and after AA finished work, went to the mall and read his book outside, the kids got into their swimming suits and the van was off to a nearby splash pad. This was a real hit with B and T who claimed they had never been to a splash pad before but nonetheless were very excited once they arrived.
 |
| Making friends |
Almost an hour was spent at the splash pad and playground. We don't think either kid stopped running at full tilt the entire time. Then, we made our way to Swiss Chalet for supper before coming back to the hotel to say goodnight to Lola.
 |
| T's concoction - pizza with mashed potatoes, corn and gravy. Mmm... :P |
Tomorrow will be another adventure day as one of MBMell's friends who lives in Ontario is supposed to meet up with us at an amusement park while Lola has her last day of her workshop.
 |
| Lola hard at work with her team |
No comments:
Post a Comment