It was SUCH a huge weekend, I’m going to call it a whewkend!
The ministry foot the bill for our entire family to go to Yorkton for a night so one of our babies could visit a family member. I have to say, as much of an undertaking that it was, it was SO FUN. We pulled the kids out of school for the afternoon, and Brady took half of the day off as a holiday. We were packed and on the road by 2pm, which isn’t exactly early but felt better at least. We drove and listened to good music. When we arrived at our hotel, I checked us in and found our rooms while Brady ordered pizza from the van so that we could eat pretty much as soon as we had unpacked.
I requested two adjoining rooms, which is how our family can hotel the odd time that it happens. We leave the doors between the rooms propped open, and the five kids take one room while Brady and I take the babies in the other. Its a great system!
But first, before any talk of sleeping, we ate a ton of pizza and pringles, threw on swim stuff, and hit the pool.
It was a rowdy couple of hours, but a VERY happy time. The waterslide was fast and splashy. The hot tub was nice and hot. The cold pool was also pretty warm. Every one of the five older kids could touch in almost every spot in the pool, but it was still nice and deep on them. Unfortunately, the lifeguard was a stickler and wouldn’t let the big kids take the babies down the slide, which sucked because he seriously just sat there with ear buds in, staring at his phone. But they each got one slide down before he stopped us. But they were still happy to float around and watch the action. You better believe everyone in that pool had a very cute cheering section, whooping “WOAH! GOOD JOB!” as soon as the slider made it to the bottom.
Brady cannot swim (surprise! Lol!) but he was the designated photographer, which I was SO grateful for.
We got back to our rooms after 9pm, and everyone tucked into their spot.
Laela and Wavy shared a queen bed.
Rowan opted for a camper mattress on the floor since he doesn’t like to share his space too much.
Dekker asked to sleep in our room and take his chances with the babies.
So Solly ended up with his own bed, too!
Everyone was in bed around 9:30, and while I made the rounds, Solly asked if they could stay up and talk late into the night. I said of course they could chat, but not to get too rowdy since it was pretty late and everyone was good and tired already. And let me tell you – not a peep out of that room 🤣
Our room didn’t do so hot. LD woke up and refused to go back to sleep. SUCH a sad little cry. Some shushing over the din of the noise machine did seem to help a little bit, but the questions remained as LD started listing the names of the kids, essentially asking where everyone was. Unfamiliar territory. It makes sense. But I heard the little voice start calling “Dekker? Dekker?!” and I watched the silhouette of Dekker as he got up, went over to the playpen, and reassured LD with a snuggly hug. It was SO endearing.
Buuuuut it didn’t take and I ended up sleeping on the floor next to aforementioned baby, who would doze for a few minutes before sitting up, stuffing their face into the mesh, and sobbing until I booped noses, before laying back down for the next few minutes. It was a rough cycle.
There was more to it all. We scrambled to get out the door. Couldn’t get a late checkout, so we managed some disappointment of only getting one swim in. Took a while to find where this family member was. Were late for that. Finally hit the road. Babies be poopin’ at the wrong times. Sold one Tim’s out of bagels completely. Oh and then we almost blew a tire and ended up stranded for another night! 😅 The kids were SO bummed when the lovely guys at the tire shop fixed us up so well.
It was a really, really full weekend. There was chaos, and some struggle, but every kid had a BLAST and they ALL said it was so fun and they hope we get to do it again, even if its short and just for a visit like this last time. Even if its somewhere mundane like Yorkton. These are the memories they’ll hold 💜 I love that.