Girl's Weekend!

Sunset harbourfront stroll

This past week was, for the most part, unremarkable.  The kids and I survived my solo parenting stint more or less unscathed, with nothing more serious than some stuffy noses, night-time coughing, and the occasional bad attitude to deal with.  When Friday night hit, however, this turned from "hum-drum house" to "party headquarters".  First Clark made it home safe and sound, and then he turned right around, headed back to the airport, and.... picked up our dear friend Erin!  Thus began an extremely fun and indulgent girls weekend.

I think the kids had fun too!

What are the key components to such a successful event, you ask?  Well, at this particular stage of life, I think it boils down to the following:

1. Some seriously awesome friends, all together physically in the same spot.  In this case, it was me, Zsofi and Erin, who have been besties for longer than we haven't, and who don't get to all be together that often anymore

2. Supportive and capable partners who take care of all things kid/houshold logisitics-related for a couple of days

3. A gorgeous, gorgeous weekend weather-wise

4.  Indulgent walks, meals, and chats (for those interested in specifics, we had delicious meals at: Heartwood, Star Anise and the Wooden Monkey, and spent one day strolling all over Halifax, and the next at the beautiful Crystal Crescent).  

So, without further ado, here are some pics from the weekend -- both from the perspective of the ladies, and the kids (who also had a blast).  Yes, yes -we did see and interact with kids and spouses... Zsofi and I do, after all, live in Nova Scotia.  But our responsibilities were few and far between. 

Group shot while everyone was briefly in the same spot (excluding, of course, Mish and Zack, who stayed in Ottawa)

Crazy version!

Clark took all four kids to the park for the day on Saturday, all by himself.  What a guy!

The dance-party that was staged on our return home...

... with some bits that were even pre-choreographed!

The dancers posing post-performance

Is there anything cuter than Eva giving Linden a piggy-back?

The girls!  It is crazy to think that I was only slightly older than this when I met Zsofi...

Trying (rather unsuccessfully) to execute a self-timed group shot on the Dartmouth harbour front...

... with the end result being ridiculously shadowed anyway. Clearly, however, we thought the whole thing was hilarious!

Beauties in Blue

Scaling some boulders at Crystal Crescent

Can I just say that we completely rock at packing picnic lunches?  Gourmet salad and dressing, grilled chicken, and rice.  Served on plates, tucked away in some remote boulders by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.  We have seriously upped our game in the past 20 years.

I think this was immediately post-crazy moment where I tried scaring away the squirrel who would NOT leave us (and our lunch) alone

Look who found us just as we were finishing lunch!

Doesn't this just make you breathe more deeply?  It sure does for me!

I love all the precariously piled boulders, as though they were tossed there by some playful giant

Intrepid explorers

Zsofi and Juniper rest and soak up the sun and sea breeze

And then, just like that, it is all over.  Last night, Zsofi headed back to Lunenburg. The kids headed off to school this morning (and Clark to work), and then after some breakfast and on last leisurely chat, I reluctantly took Erin back to the airport.  It seems oh-so-sad to be back to reality this afternoon!  Ah well, time to start planning the next one, I suppose.  See you next week!