Parc du Mont Royal - Montreal

We had a slow start to the day and headed out after 1pm for the Parc du Mont Royal which is not far behind the hotel. Well let me be a little more specific it is not too far UP THE HUGE HILL to the entrance of the park. 

After making it up the hill, gasping for air but trying to look somewhat cool I was stopped in my tracks by the sudden appearance of a large amount of wooden stairs that seemed to be ascending to the heavens. Now had I known at that stage that there was in fact over 400 steps to climb I may have found a good excuse not to go but that knowledge came all too late. 

Naturally Mr "I've just climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro" was fine and even Eyad decided to sprint ahead. I on the other hand took many opportunities to stop on the landings and pretend I was taking photos so that all those svelte gorgeous French Canadians who were jogging up and down the steps having conversations with each other didn't notice that I was close to collapsing in a heap. Frankly I am surprised that were no defibrillators on the route up, I mean seriously I can not be the only out of shape person climbing up there? 

Anyway I made it, no Rocky-Style dance from me, just a slow crawl to bench at the Chalet to enjoy the view which was some what blurred from the copious amounts of sweat running down my face (just a heads up, sweat and make-up - NOT a good look my friends). 

Eyad wanted  an ice-cream but I was looking forward to the cafe inside, ahhhh nice air-conditioning. Hmmm, no what was inside was a row of blooming vending machines, seriously! We got our waters and ice-cream and sat down to relax and enjoy the view. 

The view over Montreal was wonderful even on a cloudy day. 

Eyad loves taking photos with my phone, this was his selfie with Momma. 

There was a lot more park to explore but as there were no playgrounds Eyad lost interest pretty quickly and we decided to head back down and find somewhere for lunch. I am pleased to say the return was much more to my pace. 

After lunch we headed back to the hotel so I could finish some bookings and make our train reservations for the morning up to Quebec. After peeling off my clothes, yes jeans were not the best choice today, I relaxed in my bath knowing all too well I will feel this pain tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by ... 

A December Catch Up

I really do mean to blog more but somehow time just gets away from me.  Here is a little catch up from the past few weeks. 

Laith was the Ghost of Christmas Future in the Grade 4 / 5 school musical "It's a Dickens of a Christmas". 

It was a wonderful performance and we look forward to getting the DVD to show our family Laith's great performance. He took his role very seriously indeed. 

We made some cinnamon dough ornaments.  Wow how easy were they! We let these dry naturally over three days. My husband ate two thinking they were cookies. I told him not to worry a little bit white glue was not going to kill him after all kids eat paste all the time don't they? 

This weeks job is to decorate them to give away with our Christmas gifts. 

Speaking of winter ... well someone did not flick the switch to change seasons and we are still well up in the 20's each day with no cold weather in sight! Just as well I don't have much in winter clothing. 

I took my girl out for a hot chocolate after a party because she was upset that some of the kids call her Lulu Banana. I still have not quite figured out why but it was a little life lesson and I hope she will remember our chat next time someone throws some names her way. 

Sami, gosh he makes me laugh. I opened my phone photos the other day to find a heap of saved pictures he had created on a Grinch App.

I took a personal day last week and submitted passport renewals for Laith and Sami as the embassy consular official was in town. He briefly looked at their photos and took a second look and asked me if they were twins!  Don't you just love their "no smiling this an Australian passport photo" looks. 

I had to snap a few pictures of the kids last weekend. It was a moment when they were all playing nicely together. 

Eyad thought it was amazing he was holding Thomas the Tank Engine and he could see him on TV too. Too cute. 

Little Eyad has been in the wars this month with colds, coughs, conjunctivitis and now an ear infection. Gosh I feel so guilty about working when he is poorly. 

Finally this afternoon we sat around crafted together. Ah it felt so nice to do something together where the kids were being nice to each other, we chatted, we sang and we created some nice ornaments for the Christmas tree. Eyad's medicine must have kicked in as he was able to sit with us for a good 20 minutes before he remembered he was sick and upset and came back to Mumma's lap! 

The kids wanted to give their stars to their teachers so we wrapped them up with a little note. 

So much is happening this week. Lulu and Sami have their Winter Concert and they all have a great crafty time at the school Winter Wonderland. Wednesday is a noon dismissal and then we start a three week break - YAY! 

Thanks for stopping by ...