The nice thing about our vacation is that it’s so extended. When you only have one week to be somewhere on vacation there’s a little bit of an urgency where you want – need – to do as much as you can in order to make the most of it. It’s fun of course, but it can be especially tiring as well. With three weeks to be here (dwindling down now though) we’ve been able to have a nice mix of going out to see and do things as well as just hanging out here and relaxing.

What he have gone out to do has been great though. For instance, one day we went downtown to check out the Discovery Center. It’s full of science fun for kids but what’s really nice about it is the fact that it was interesting for me as well. Obviously when you take your kids out it’s most important for it to be suitable and interesting for them, but when you can have fun as well, that’s always a bonus.

They both had a blast and it was cool to watch them learning and experimenting with things. We may go back again if there’s another rainy day ahead of us because it’s easy to pass a few hours. Too bad the parking meters only let you reserve an hour and a half at a time so that George ended up having to run out to refill it.

On Thursday we had a perfectly beautiful day. The skies were blue with very few clouds and the breeze was gentle. We hopped in the car after lunch and drove out to Peggy’s Cove. The last time I had been there was about ten years ago so I had almost forgotten how beautiful it is. Thanks to my camera I won’t make the mistake of forgetting ever again.

This photo from Peggy’s Cove is currently my wallpaper on my laptop so that I can always see the ocean:

There are a few more of them in the full set.

Needless to say we enjoyed the day.

Friday we had a BBQ and some friends came over. I quickly learned that I love Cranium. I’d seen the game and wanted one for years but we’ve never played board games with our friends before – I’m not sure any of them like to. It’s a lot of fun.

On Saturday we were invited over to my sister’s house for supper. It was weird to be there because I’d seen all the pictures before but had never been there in person. It’s strange to recognize something you’ve never seen for real before. It’s also the first time that I’ve ever been in a home that is hers because when she moved out of our parents’ place it was to move out here four years ago. Then again I went with Amanda to the store to get some dressing and realized it was the first time I’d ever been out driving with her ever. I don’t know why I never had before!

We had a nice afternoon there and a delicious supper. Neal grilled up some burgers and chicken for supper and Amanda had some mussels for appetizers, a big salad, and apple pie for dessert. It was a great time. It was unfortunate that Tropical Storm Danny was on its way up the coast when we left because we were pounded by heavy rain the whole way back to George’s cousin’s house and many of the highways around here have no lights so that was… an experience I’d rather not do again thanks very much.

The tropical storm wasn’t very scary in and of itself but strangely the winds seemed stronger than the ones for Hurricane Bill last week, at least in our area. I went to bed around 1:30 am and woke up in the middle of the night because the whole house was shaking. I’ve never experienced wind like that before. It wasn’t scary but it made it almost impossible for me to sleep for a few hours. At least it was entertaining.

Then I woke up this morning and the sun was shining – a totally beautiful day. I guess it’s true then, what they say about the Maritimes: If you don’t like the weather, just wait. It’ll change.

Very true indeed.