Simplifying: Notes From a Staycation

Growing up in a family with ties to the Georgian Bay area, there really should be no question of where you will be on a long weekend. Going to the 'cottage' in all the various forms it's taken throughout my childhood, always meant a time to relax, to be with family, and to take part in all the little pleasures we don't make time for at home - board games, card games, drawing, jigsaw puzzles, reading entire books in one sitting, sitting outside and simply soaking in all the beauty around you.

And now, with little kids of our own, that includes watching them explore and take their first dips in the cold waters of the bay. We are privileged even to have the option of such a lovely vacation. And that time with our extended family is so precious. I can remember how excited we were as kids knowing our cousins were going to be at the cottage with us... we want that for our kids too!

However this past long weekend we had to choose the simpler route. With two really little ones at home, a short trip like that can feel hurried and stressful, throwing everyone off their routines (goodbye sleep) and leaving us in the laundry/exhaustion letdown upon returning to work on Tuesday. Truthfully, we also needed that connection - we needed an entire weekend with no plans and no distractions. A weekend intentionally spent together doing some things around the house or just playing in the backyard. (And if we're being real... I also needed to do a major cleanout of a closet I'd been tucking things away in for about 5 years/my whole life - sorry honey!)

Our toddler is a major homebody and was thrilled to learn he could spend a whole weekend in the sandbox. We stayed in pajama-ish clothes all day, and only left the house when absolutely necessary. The reconnection was immediately obvious and by Saturday afternoon we both felt we had released a breath we didn't realize we were holding. By Monday night we were already looking ahead in our calendars to see when this would be possible again.

I think the sweetest moment was when our son, upon seeing Dad come in to get him for the third morning in a row, remarked excitedly - "Wha? Daddy you no go work? You stay with me!?", before jumping all over his crib with joy. Kids are really good at reminding you that it's the simplest things that make the biggest difference. In the years to come we might not *always* choose the staycation; the cousins and the beach and the windy bay are understandably enticing. But it felt good to learn that it's ok if we do, and that sometimes home is the vacation you needed.

 Travel review of our staycation - excellent food, lovely company, sandy 'beaches', DIY house jobs weren't as bad as anticipated.... 5 stars!

Nicole xx