What I learned on my Christmas Vacation:

First of all, my sincerest apologies for being such a slacker in the blog department. I know I've really let all my readers down (all three of you) and it doesn't matter that Christmas is a crazy time, there is no excuse for not blogging. Riiiiggggghhhht. So a very Merry belated Christmas, Happy New Year, and if you're really upset, email me your phone number... and you'll receive a very special consolation prize:

My version of Auld Lang Syne.. done in the style of Boney M*!

















Road trips to visit with family & friends are always a great time to learn about not only yourself, but also about the people you are with. They can be great times of fun and laughter, and also of trial and tribulation. Yes, tribulation. 9hrs in a car with a 2.5yr old = tribulation.

Here are some very important life lessons that I learned while on Christmas Vacation:

1. Rental cars do not come equipped with Winter tires.

2. Clenching your butt cheeks because you are trying not to visibly freak out (always maintaining a calm, cool, collected demeanor) over the icy, wintery road conditions does not give you buns of steel. Just sore buns.

3. Tim Horton's coffee is not coffee. It is a disgusting beverage that tastes like ashtray and cardboard. I don't care how much French Vanilla you put in it... its gross. There's a reason why it's so cheap, people!!

4. There is such a thing as too much "Raffi".

5. Snowed in with 19 people, 11 being children under the age of 14, in a small-ish house... is really not as bad as it sounds. Especially since the 11 children rarely left the one play room...except when we unlocked the door.... waaaaait a minute....

6. Last minute, guilt-induced, Christmas shopping done by my hubby, produces the best (and most expensive!) presents.

7. Rental cars and border crossings are not a good combination.

8. When your child is ready to be potty-trained, they will just 'get it'. It doesn't matter where you are, what you are doing, or how un-stable their environment is. All of the sudden they're in big boy underwear all the time...

9. Chicken feet are something I will never likely eat again.

10. My life is blessed with some really amazing and beautiful people. You know who you are. And if you don't, email me your phone number and you will receive the consolation prize noted above*.