"STAYCATION"

We work so hard to build a comfortable home but rarely take the time to enjoy it. Between work, family, activities and other responsibilities we tend to want to escape the confines of our day to day lives by taking a vacation. However, often when you return your frazzled and feel like you need a 'vacation from your vacation'. 

"Staycation" is a relatively new concept that gained popularity during the recession when money to travel and take "vacation" was scarce.  The basic definition of a "Staycation" is a period of time where a person stays home, relaxes and enjoys local attractions or other activities to relieve them of their daily routines.  Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary added the term officially in 2009.

By scheduling time for a staycation you can enjoy the escape from your day to day routine in the comfort of your own home. Whats even better is that you can customize it to fit your own needs.   This summer we have had lots of great times. We have camped, done road trips, enjoyed the sun, the rain and have had fun times with friends and family. An opportunity arose a few weeks ago where I had 10 consecutive days off work. I decided to take the time and experiment with the concept of the Staycation!  Being the 'type A' person that I am, I felt there was not better way to spend my time at home then to organize, clean and implement several little projects that I had been thinking about.  Now I know many of you may not think organizing and projects make for a relaxing time, and that is the beauty of a "staycation" you can do what ever YOU want to do!
Initially the first couple days we were camping as it was the long weekend.  We arrived home on Monday and I began to think about what i wanted to do with my time.  So like any "type A" personality, I started a list :)   I knew sitting around all the time would drive me crazy, so my list expanded and as fast as I was crossing off a task I was adding a new one.

In a burst of energy 3days in to my "staycation" I decided to take on a task that I have been putting off due to the craziness of summer.  I decided to POTTY TRAIN WILLIAM!  The day before I set out a potty in every bathroom, with survival activities.  Clayton and I watched the completely unhelpful Pampers Pull up "I'm a Big kid now" DVD and googled 'How to potty train'.  So we woke up on day 1 completely clueless and pulled the diaper off!

Potty training forced me to stay home which allowed me to cross off lots of my "Staycation" tasks; the inspiration for many came from this blog that I absolutely love! http://orgjunkie.com/blog  She has such great ideas and has inspired me to continue to organize my life and learn how to 'simplify' to allow myself to focus on the family motto "ENJOY THE JOURNEY"(http://lyntonrussell.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-new-years.html).

MY TO DO LIST:

1-Organize my Fridge

CHECK!

2-Organize and Clean my Pantry

Half way there!  Check out How to get Organized by I'm an Organizing Junkie @ http://orgjunkie.com/2007/06/how-to-get-organized-follow-these-process-steps.html  to learn about the organizing 'PROCESS'!  Something that I actually already did but never really broke it down in to steps before.

CHECK!

3-Organize my Bathroom Vanity.

CHECK!  Containerize! Another I'm an Organizing Junkie concept that helps develop limits.

4-Contain and organize my Recipes

CHECK!  This is a work in progress!  It looks much much better!  However I am still trying to prefect the whole, meal planning/cooking thing!

5-Implement the "HIGH 5"- This is an Idea that I found while blog surfing.  (http://lifeasmom.com/2010/09/the-morning-high-five.html)

CHECK! I traced Williams hand on 2 signs, and wrote an activity/chore he needs to complete each AM and PM.  He helped me color them (well he colored one then was distracted!). They are all very simple tasks... Example- Breakfast, clean up dishes, Brush teeth, Etc. but they have been really helpful to start to teach William routine and responsibility.  One is for the morning so I hung it at William's level in our room (the epicenter of our morning) and one on the bathroom door upstairs where William does his evening routine. Clayton has been utilizing them so well!  After each task is completed he gets William to give a high five!  It has made it fun for William.

As you can see I have been very busy this staycation, but have taken time to enjoy summer too!  Playing with William, reading books, biking and watching TV and  I've even tanned a little (when the sun squeezes itself out).  Its been a great "STAYCATION".  I'm happy that I took the time to hang out at home and totally think that a "staycation" is a great way to spend your time off.  It can be budget friendly, relaxing, fun, productive and by the end you will be rested and ready to return to "real life"...... MAYBE!

THE ROAD TRIP- An Essential guide to crossing it off your Bucket list.

A Road Trip is an experience that everyone has on their bucket list.  However surviving the summer road trip can be a challenge, The Russell's were able to experience the challenges and tribulations that a good old fashion road trip poses this June.  Here is a hind-sight is 20/20 guide for those families that will be braving the unforgettable experience that is "THE ROAD TRIP!"

STEP 1- SECURE TRANSPORTATION:
Our adventure started about 3 months ago when we bought our "new" truck.  Our vision was to have a nice family vehicle that would safely and comfortably transport us and our trailer.  For those who have seen our new transportation, I think you would agree our goal was achieved!  ;) 

STEP 2- ARRANGE ON-ROUTE ENTERTAINMENT:
This is a crucial component to any road trip, especially those that involve children.  Our family could not live with out Williams "Little TV".  The portable DVD player has put on many km's.  It ensures the happiness of our little family group.  The "little TV" is usually accompanied by many snacks, gallons of water, and usually some special treats (e.g. the coveted 'cars' Candy's!) that make an appearance during crucial moments through out the trip.

STEP 3- ARRANGE DESTINATIONS IN A ORGANIZED MANNER:
To ensure that maximum fun is had, try to arrange stops in a sequence that limits back tracking and detours.  We found a southern heading allowed us to maximize the time we had to visit with both sides of the family, our friends and minimized distance between stops.  So when we arrived in Drumheller at the DINOSAUR TRAIL campground, we were well rested and eager to start a new adventure.

STEP 4-VISITOR CENTERS=YOUR BEST FRIEND!
Its kinda stupid, I never realized how important and helpful Information or Visitor centers were until we travelled to New Zealand and I never really paid attention to the tourist services that Alberta/Canada had until this last trip.  We arrived in Drumheller and quickly found the Visitor Center at the site of the BIGGEST DINOSAUR in the world!  There was tonnes of free resources for attractions not only in Drumheller but for all of Alberta/Saskatchewan and even BC.  The worker at the information desk was super helpful and pointed us in the right direction to find a great campground, and maximize our time in DRUMHELLER.  We were also able to find great family friendly things to do for FREE!  Like the great free splash/spray park right near the Big Dinosaur!

William is a little upset...He really wanted the "little ball" at the souvenir shop

STEP 5-WEEKDAY CAMPING/ATTRACTION VISITING IS AWESOME!!
 Campgrounds are near empty! By camping Monday-Friday you have your choice of site and don't have to worry about disturbing others (or having others disturb you!)  We had a great site with absolutely no one around!  Except for maybe wildlife, like WILD TURKEYS! 

Visiting attractions like the ROYAL TYRELL MUSEUM when they first open is well worth the early wake up!  Especially if you have younger children (since your probably up early anyway!).  If you are doing your visiting during the school year an early visit popular attractions will help decrease the traffic/volume and allow you to see what  you want to with limited disturbance.  And although travelling with a small child doesn't allow you to see or "read" everything, William was able to run around and be excited about seeing the exhibits with out disturbing the other visitors. 

STEP 6- EXPECT DIFFICULTIES AND REMEMBER ONE DAY IT WILL BE HUMOROUS!:
In every family vacation there are times when you wish you could just go home!  Every family member either secretly or not so secretly wishes this at one point.  (Even a 2 year old!)  Recognizing these times and allowing your self to push past them is pivotal to the success of "The Road Trip".  Our trip was not immune to trials and tribulations.  It turns out that weaning a child off sippy cups (intentional) and his beloved blanket (accidental) while taking a FUN FAMILY vacation is not a great idea!  Needless to say we were not equipped to handle the baffling world of TEMPER TANTRUMS!
 
STEP 7- REMEMBER TO SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY THE SIGHTS!

Hiking and Biking are great because they allow you to get outside and enjoy the scenery!  Not to mention they can help augment the calorie intake that tends to increase significantly while on vacation!  The Russell's enjoyed lots and lots of scenery on our road trip!  We experienced the vast and... vast land called Saskatchewan.  Claydon Saskatchewan was the furthest south that the Russell's journeyed this trip.  And we defiantly enjoyed the contrast of landscape during our journey to celebrate the Marriage of our friends Brooke and Matthew.

The First tree we saw in Saskatchewan!  About 10minutes after entering the province.

Claydon Saskatchewan.  I did ask the happy couple if they were really getting married or just getting everyone one to drive out to the middle of no where to kill us!

The Post office.  The other buildings in "town" include, the run down old grocery store, this post office, a run down old house, a hall and lots of farm equipment.

STEP 8-KICK BACK AND HAVE FUN:

Road trips can become allot about the miles and less about the fun! Its important to kick back, take a breath and have fun! Give your self a day or two that is less about schedule's and time and more about eating, drinking and having fun! The Russell's mastered this step! Claydon

The Joy of children!  Can fall asleep anywhere, especially after eating only candy and running around like a crazy man during the entire reception.

Stetson, Chilling in the lake!

Hunter and William hanging out and chowing down.

Crossing off a "FAMILY ROAD TRIP" from your bucket list is very rewarding.  Keep the previous steps in mind and although the definition of "successful" may differ depending on the family, you too can enjoy the tradition of the "Road Trip"!

CANT TURN YOUR BACK FOR A MINUTE.... Just a couple pictures to round off the summer so far!

Happy Canada Day!

This is all from my GARDEN!!!

Evidence to Support my Claim of SPRING!!!!

I have been walking on egg shells the past few weeks, afraid to say out loud what my mind and heart keep telling me.  However I feel that I have collected enough evidence to fully support my hypothesis, that SPRING IS HERE!  I know there are skeptics out there and understand that many feel that this statement is risky.  So please keep an open mind and read the following analysis of my findings.


1-The snow is melting... YES IT IS!!!! I can actually see GRASS!!  It may have "snow mold" and be covered in dirt and sand, but its grass and my husband assures me that the dirty-ness will be washed away soon!  Another way I know that the snow is melting (besides the fact that my Grass is visible) is because of the lake we have been diverting out in front of our driveway.  See we live on the side of the street that does not have a side walk.  Therefore it is where all the snow is piled from the snow plow.  Permanent 6 ft snow piles have marked the entrance to our drive way all winter.  These driveway guardians have began to melt causing a large "Loch" to develop at the entrance of our drive.  Last week we spent time each night diverting our water to flow from our driveway down the street to the drain.  Well in all honestly it never really made it "down the street", it actually just collected in our neighbors driveway, (oops, but Its not our fault we ALL have to contribute to "Loch" maintaince in order to keep our street welcoming!)

2- Mud boots and Splash pants are making a comeback!  "Go play in the water?!?!" With the snow returning to its liquid state, amazing splashing opportunities have developed!!  And mud boots and splash pants have became a must on any walk.  William is pretty much set, a new pair of mud boots have been obtained and his Splash pants from last year have been pulled out although alittle short they are servicable.  Prior to being a Mother you would not have caught me dead in a pair of rubber boots.  In my defence when I think of rubber boots I think of heavy black rubber shoes covered in manure that your foot would slide out of while walking across mucky corrals.  (For those who may not have realized, I grew up on a farm).  However I was pleasantly surprised to see rubbers with attractive designs covering women's feet over the past few years!  Now that I usually have to go rescue a wet toddler from the grip of  particularly deep puddles I feel my vanity needs to stand aside for the practicality of dry feet.  So we visited the local WALMART to buy a new pair of mud pants for William and for me to find a stylish pair of "rubbers", but they were sold out!   Ahhh small town living!!  So I am destined for wet feet this year, as once again I didn't jump on the MUD BOOT and SPLASH PANT trend early enough!

3- The Hermits have emerged!  I never really realized how detached people get from the outside world during the long winter months.  Now that the thermostat reads above 0 on most days, (and the side walks are mostly passable) more people are peaking there pasty white faces out of there homes and turning their noses in to the sunshine!  I also suffered from "HERMIT-ISM" this winter, and am embarrassed to say how pasty white my skin is!  People are venturing out poking around there lawns, walking down the sidewalk, PLUS they have the summer stuff out at the Walmart, and the garden center in the parking lot is starting to be assembled!  If that's not proof that spring is here I don't know what is!!!  LOL!

4- Canadian Geese have came back!!! Saturday we seen a huge flock of geese fly over head.  And yesterday I had to have a discussion with William why we cant go over and play with the geese in the field.  Tessa and I also had to have that discussion.


In conclusion, the evidence that I have described above conclusively shows that the white, dull, dry, blistery cold winter season has lost its hold and Spring has began to transform the dirty misery left behind.  I cant wait to see my first flower!!!!

CANT TURN YOUR BACK FOR A MINUTE

I may not have trendy rubber boots but Thanks to my Favorite designer "Will-i-am" I have fancy indoor shoes!

"Go swim in the Water, buddy?"  William asked, and I turned around to see he was already dressed and ready to go!