Our President’s Day Weekend Roadtrip to Ottawa!

Ok, I literally just realized the irony in us traveling to another country for President’s Day Weekend.

But it’s all good because the underlying goal is patriotism right? And I was teaching my kids all about the country where their mom grew up.  They’ve been to Canada before – to participate in the Montreal Marathon about 5 years ago to celebrate my Grandpa, and for my uncle’s wedding about 2 years ago, but because they’re so young, they barely remember any of it (in fact, L’il Buddy wasn’t even around for that first trip).  This trip was all about reveling in winter – sub-zero temps and all: we went ice skating at Winterlude and skiing at Edelweiss and even walked on a frozen-solid Rideau Canal on Family Day.  My cousin and his girlfriend were perfect hosts – being patient with the all of the baggage that comes with a traveling family of 5 –  giving us a tour of everything from Parliament to Byward Market to Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush.

My sister joined us for the 9-hour (each way) roadtrip and we reminisced about the – largely food-related – memories of our childhoods.  We had poutine, of course!, and Slush Puppies, and St. Hubert BBQ, and Beavertails and brought back Montreal-style bagels and All-Dressed chips and egg rolls and and all of our favorite chocolate bars and Rickards.

But what made me happiest was to hear Chatterbox say: “I like it here, Mommy. Let’s come back.”

So do I.