Today was our very first official Family Day in Ontario. Plus, in Toronto, Friday was a PD Day (or PA Day or whatever they’re called now). Hooray! An extra long weekend in February! That’s what I was thinking anyway. I had visions of blowing out of the big city on Friday morning and frolicking joyfully with my family over a weekend full of snowball fights and two full days of skiing. Fast forward to Monday night where I am breathing a sigh of relief to have my over-tired, cabin fever suffering kids tucked away in their own beds. Needless to say, Family Day was a bit of a bust.
Don’t you find that happens though? You look forward to something or have expectations only to be let down. But then, out of nowhere you have the best time of your life when you least expect it. Like the time my kids and I walked up to the grocery store and the local cheese shop. We laughed so hard at our own jokes, we snacked on Starbucks cookies, and made up the most hilarious games. Then my son and I sampled fine cheeses while giggling madly at my daughter who was talking in the craziest voice plugging her nose against the invading "disgusting" cheese smells. We raced all the way home holding hands and singing silly, made up songs.
That day should have been Family Day. Or the day last weekend when we went skiing with friends in a blizzard and had the time of our lives. Laughing and chasing each other through snowsqualls. There were no lift lines to deal with and plenty of Beaver Tails to be had apres ski. Plus, the weather was so crazy we got snowed in only to enjoy an extra night of fun trapped up north.
But today, no way. It rained all day yesterday which meant there was no skiing for us (despite the fact that my hubby actually got the kids to the hill and stood for ten minutes contemplating whether or not it was worth it…it wasn’t). My back was so bad that I could barely walk let alone ski or build snow forts. And my kids had so much pent up energy that the car ride home was like being trapped inside a cage with two wild animals. To top it all off, when we got out of the car and I reprimanded my daughter for her poor behaviour and listening skills I was told that I was the worst mom in the world. Ahhhh, happy Family Day everyone!
Next year, no expectations. Just another weekend we are lucky enough to spend together. I think I’ll take my family days as they come.
Our day wasn’t a bust, but it wasn’t anything special. It was nice to have an extra day that Daddy could be home with us.
we really *shouldn’t* complain…and we *should* count our blessings that we are getting another day together…but sometimes these kind of days just never are as glamorous as they are hyped up to be 😉
I’m sorry the weather sucked so badly on your Family Day! I’ve been enjoying this holiday for 10 years now (since we moved out to Alberta) and we’re usually lucky enough by Feb. to be getting some sunny days with more reasonable temps…this year was no exception: 10 degrees and bluebird skies. Ahhhh. Too bad my oldest is sick with a fever of unknown source and can’t seem to just suffer in silence like her little sister (you feel so much more sympathy for them when they’re not whining and calling out “mommy! mommy! get me water!”).
Still, a long weekend in February can’t be beat, can it?
We had a really good Family Day, but I know what you mean about expectations. Still, it’s nice to have a long weekend in February!
i totally agree. our “family day” began with my son throwing up at 2:30am (and again at 5am) and ended with my daughter sneaking into my make-up bag and smearing foundation all over herself and her new bedsheets. i’m beat.