our Mini Vacation

So the boys and I are back and really glad we went. It was just the three of us and while it was low key, we had a lot of fun.

There were costs, to be sure, but isn't there with most anything. The top three were the hotel, the fuel to get there and back, and feeding the three of us for dinner x 2, supper x 2 and one breakfast.

It was the first time I'd taken the two of them away on my own and I am really glad I did.

We spent most of our time at West Edmonton Mall. We checked out the movies but there wasn't anything we were dying to see so we decided not to waste our money. There wasn't a ton of 'shopping' per se, but we did come home with a few things. I bought the boys each a book they wanted, and one for myself. They used their own money to buy a couple more each.

DS1 spent his money on some clothes and a hat (hockey based, n'est-ce pas?) He really wanted a KANE jersey, but it was $229. I suggsested that the jersey could be his first goal for saving when he gets his part time job. Perhaps after saving so much a week for many weeks, he will realize it wasn't worth the expense. Or perhaps he will still want it and that will be fine as he's saved for it. He said 'oh there's lots more I NEED.' Then he laughed and said " ok not need, but WANT. I do know the difference'. Good to know since he's the spender in the family.

DS2 didn't really want to buy any clothes. Said he didn't need any right now and saw little point in buying some until he did. He's the saver.

I bought some clothes using a gift card my mom gave me for Christmas, some lotion and that was about it.

Some of the highlights of our trip were:

Sea Lions at West Ed Mall. DS1 was just fascinated by them. It was quite amusing to watch his face as he watched them. He said they are his new favourite animal. I offered to go down to the 'paid spots' you can see in the pic but he said it wasn't worth the $9 each. I didn't see the $ sign but he must have. We caught their show probably 3 times.

Crabtree and Evelyn Citron body Lotion. Lotions and potions are my trigger and I ended up buying the one on the far right of the photo. I was given a free mini sample of the mousse you can see in the jar. We can't wear scents at work so that will have to be my weekend or lift my mood treat. It has a wonderful lemony scent.

 We hit Petsmart. I told the boys I didn't want to go in there. They know how I react to cats in cages. And cry I did. There were probably 10 cats in there. Zeus, captured my heart. An adult male. White with orange. A tail like my tomcat's. If I could have, he would have come home with me. The boys each bought a pack of toys for our cats.

Our last stop was at Campers Village. This was at DS2's request. He bought a flint and stone for his Scouting summer and I bought him a microfiber towel that bundles into a teeny little pack no bigger than the palm of your hand. We spent over an hour in there. DS2 was in heaven LOL

All the way up and back we listened to the boys Ipods. I learned that along with the hockey songs DS1 listens to and the inappropriate ones I wouldn 't let him listen to, that both my boys like Taylor Swift. It was quite amusing to hear them both singing away to her songs.

The trip cost, to be sure. I am waiting for one more charge to come on my Mastercard and then it will all get paid off in full. Yes I could have used that money to plunk more down on my vehicle loan or put towards my savings goals. I didn't, and I am glad for the memories the wee trip created.