Little Bit of Everything: Weekend Vacation

This past weekend we took the kids on a mini-vacation to Niagara Falls. We hadn't done much this year yet in the way of vacation (i.e. no camping etc), so we decided to go "all out" and do an over-nighter at the falls. I'm not sure how much the kids understood of what we were doing until we actually got there (staying in a hotel etc.) - so although they were excited to go, they really had no idea what they were getting into!

We stayed at the Embassy Suites Hotel, overlooking the falls. We were way up on the 19th floor (I think the elevator rides were quite the hi-lite for Caleb and Anna especially!) and had a beautiful view of both falls and the a bit of the city as well.

We enjoyed a managers reception after we got settled in our room, eating chips and candy and drinking pop (life doesn't get much better then that ;), Esther actually thought this was dinner (to her surprise we were going out to dinner yet too...all part of the package we got). Then back to the room to get ready to go and see the Festival of Lights. We drove thru the area, looking at all the light displays and such - a really nice show, the kids quite enjoyed it (and we enjoyed driving instead of walking because it was raining out!). Then it was back to the hotel - to enjoy the jacuzzi tub for a "swim" (kids got their bathing suits on). After the tub, it was time to watch the fireworks display from our room. Definitely a bonus, I'd highly recommend anyone with kids to do this...we got the kids all ready for bed, p.j.'s and all, and then enjoyed the view of the fireworks right from the bedroom!

After that it was bedtime. I think Alvar and I were bracing ourselves...figuring it was going to be a long evening of "shhhh...go to sleep" and "stop poking your sister" and "be quiet for the 20th time!!"...but were pleasantly surprised when the kids were fairly quiet within the hour! I guess this made up for the 5am drive that Alvar took with Caleb to find a Shopper's Drugmart to get some Tylenol for his earache (an adventure all on it's own!). After the "drugs" took affect, were were all back to sleep (everyone woke up at this point), and stayed that way till 8:30am.

We got ready that morning for a lovely buffet breakfast - with tons of food to choose from (I think a little overwhelming for the kids!). After breakfast it was time for a quick swim in the pool and hot tub - and then already time to pack up our stuff.

We checked out of the hotel, but left our van/luggage there so we could head down to Clifton Hill on the shuttle bus to take the kids to a couple of the (super over priced ;)) attractions there. We ended up in 2 fun houses - good place to get some energy out and let them run around and enjoy themselves.

And finally it was time to head home...I think everyone was good and tired by this point anyway and happy to head to our own house once again.