A Lovely Day Out

[przed]

It's been a bit crazy in the Zed household the last little while. There's been work, and the usual stuff that goes into raising a 6-year-old, the finishing off my Pros BB story, and moderating the Take That BB. But we booked this weekend ages ago for a family overnight trip to Stratford (Ontario, not England) with friends of ours who also have a daughter from China, and it's turned out to be lovely and relaxing and just what I needed.

Today we had no plans, apart from a 5:30 dinner reservation at a swank-but-relaxed pizzeria, so we took our time getting on the road, then had lunch at a new location of our favourite Stratford area tea room, Harry Ten Shilling. The Sweetie and I had a traditional English tea (finger sandwiches, scones and goodies), while La Ros had a bagel and cream cheese, chamomile tea, and nicked goodies from our tray. The food was lovely, the atmosphere was calm and it was totally brilliant.

Then we pottered around downtown Stratford, hit the local awesome toy store for some birthday and Christmas present buying, and partook of the free horse-drawn carriage historical tours the town has laid on. (There were two different carriages going on slightly different routes. We did the first one, then Ros dragged the Sweetie onto the second one for another go 'round whilst I went off to my favourite accessories/shoe store in town. (That would be The Green Room, if you're ever in Stratford and wondering were to get awesome tights, hats, sunglasses and shoes.)

I've been wanting a pair of Frye boots forever--okay, that would be since justacat pointed out that Doyle's got a pair--and I bought a pair of these ones. They're beautiful, more comfortable than I was hoping, and I love them! Ros and the Sweetie got to the store, and shoe-obsessed Ros immediately found the kids shoes in the basement. She talked us into getting her a pair of glittery Tom's shoes, like these ones, but pink.

Then it was off to the hotel to rendesvous with our friends. We had a quick swim in the hotel pool, then went off to a lovely dinner. Then it was back to the hotel for bedtime for Ros, and then relaxing time for us.

I haven't felt this calm since I'm not sure when.

Tomorrow there will be more swimming, and lunch, and then we're all off to see The Pirates of Penzance in what's supposed to be a very good production. (I'm hoping it'll go some ways towards convincing La Ros that theatre is awesome. She remains unconvinced. She also insists she doesn't like movies. Unless they're documentaries. She is one interesting kid.)

Comments

[soundofthesurf.livejournal.com]

All of this sounds awesome and you more than deserve it! I've no idea how you get all the things done you're doing and doing them brilliantly! It's really good to hear you took some time off and that it did you so well. ::HUGS::

And the shoes - yours as well as Ros' - are wonderful. Shoe nerd me is most envious. *g*

[przed.livejournal.com]

It was a fantastic weekend, and what we all needed, I think. (I think even Ros is feeling a bit overscheduled, but she doesn't want to give up any of her activities.) As for how I get things done, it's all momentum. Get moving and keep going.

I wore the new boots all today, and lurv them. They're not slipper comfortable, but the didn't rip my feet apart and they look brilliant.