Victoria

Over Labor Day Weekend, we had a mini-vacation to Victoria,BC.   We were suppose to stay for a week, but we cut it short.     Van packed, we headed north and took the ferry out of Tsawwassen.  The BCFerries are quite impressive.   Everything about the BCFerries was easier.  I just Washington State Ferries would take a hint.   The 90 minute ride over on the ferry was beautiful, and though we did many rounds on the decks, it wasn't too bad of a trip.  

We rented a house 10 minute walk from downtown Victoria, in the James Bay Neighborhood.  It was a perfect location.  All full of excitement we started our trip.  The house wasn't the most kid-friendly place to stay.  But we had high hope.  

We manage to do quite a bit, taking in the local harbor water taxi, the bug zoo,  the Saanich Fair thirty minutes north of Victoria, a Horse-Drawn Carriage ride through downtown, and much walking and exploring.    We loved Beacon Hill Park with a great petting zoo and gorgeous park area to explore.     I got some time with just Maddy and took her to the Beacon Hill Drive-In for some ice cream, per the recommendation of a friend who is from Victoria.  As you can tell by the pic, Maddy was definitely into it.   She devoured just about the entire thing of ice cream by herself.   

However, things turned quickly.  Makena started teething on 4 molars.  She was sleeping horribly in the pack n' play.  Much crying, protesting, and lots of stress to go around.  The weather was beautiful for the first couple days and progressively got worse.  Makena was protesting all naps, which only led to an over-tired cranky kid, who didn't want to sleep in that pack n' play.    But we kept at it, till Monday when she stared coming down with a cold.

As a mom, I felt like I'd spent much of the trip trying to get this kid to sleep.  By Monday mid-day, with a miserable toddler an an oncoming cold, I'd had enough.  We made a quick decision, packed like crazy people, shoved it all in the van..and ran for the Ferry.  We made a 5pm ferry and were thrilled to head home.  Makena barely slept in the car, which made for miserable car ride home.  But by late that night we were home! 

We had just had enough.  I think we have some fun memories and will definitely go back again.   And somehow we'll get Makena use to that Pack 'n Play.    Everyone says vacation with kids are not vacation.   Oh hell yeah, that is most definitely truth.