Monday, July 2, 2012

Summer Fun: Heritage Park

So last Thursday, I was debating about joining Laura & Luke at Heritage Park like we had planned to do for a couple of weeks. I had a memorial service I wanted to attend for a coworker who suddenly passed the prior week, but things were looking really busy for Jay and I wasn't sure if I should keep him from work, though of course he was very willing to stay with Braden so I could attend. With a little prayer in, asking for a bit of guidance, I got my answer in the weirdest way. In a desperate bribe, I said to Braden (knowing he had to do it...) "If you poop in the potty this morning, Mommy will take you to ride a big steam train!" I figured - if he doesn't I'll go, if he does it we'll go to the park. We've been having #2 issues since potty training began. He has done it quite a few times in the potty. But for some very frustrating reason, he chooses to do it in his underwear now.

But...

While I was locking the doors in the house so said toddler couldn't escape outside while I was planning to have my shower, I thought I'd better check on him one more time. Low and behold, I went into this bathroom and there was a (TMI, I know) ginormous #2 in his potty. Hip hip hooray! We celebrated! We cheered! I gave him the sucker he had been longing for! We called Poppy & Daddy to spread the good news! And I called Laura to tell her that - yes - we would be going to Heritage Park with them. I texted another coworker and told her I wasn't going to make it, she said "that's what she would have wanted anyway - for you to be spending time with Braden". I hope you're not judging me for making a decision in such a way. She was a dear coworker who will be missed greatly, but reading that my friend wrote that text, I took it as a blessing, and with a tear and a smile, I packed us up and off to Heritage Park we went.
Heritage Park 2012
You can see why I knew Braden would love this place, right?
Heritage Park 2012
Heritage Park 2012 Heritage Park 2012
Heritage Park 2012
Heritage Park 2012
Not only does Heritage Park have the big steam train, it has a mini amusement park for kids and the boys loved the rides!

Surprisingly, to me, Braden's favorite was the mini ferris wheel! He was saying "I high in a 'ky Mommy!"



Heritage Park 2012
Doesn't this pic look like it could be from the movie "The Notebook"?
Heritage Park 2012
Heritage Park 2012
He had a great time on the train, we did 2 full loops of the tracks with 3 stops included...he's still very "2 year old" and does not understand being patient, having to wait his turn, it's time to get off rides...but all in all, he did really really well.
Heritage Park 2012
Heritage Park 2012
 The boys really wanted to go on a horse ride...but with their mothers 22 & 35 weeks pregnant at the end of a long day in the sun...we said no and got ready to leave!
Heritage Park 2012
Within about 10 minutes or less of the ride home...this happened:
Car seat naps for sleepy boys #FTW! Also going to stop at Peters for burgers and shakes!
We stopped at the best burger place EVER - Peter's Drive In - and picked up supper for the whole family.
The best burger and shake you've ever had in your life! @PetersDriveIn
My brother and I, have both made special Peter's trips from Edmonton, a little 3 hour jaunt up highway 2, just for Peter's. You're not a Burrell until you've come to Calgary just for a Peter's burger & shake! (Just to reiterate...that's 6 hours of driving round-trip in one day just for a burger & shake!)

I promised myself to make this a really, really fun summer for Braden. His last as a single child and old enough to really enjoy some stuff.

Some more items on our summer bucket list:
  • Braden's first camping trip - I so desperately wanted to take him his first summer but the weather sucked, and NOT last summer as he was just way too busy
  • More trips to the spray park
  • More trips to the zoo
  • Trip to BC
  • Trip to Banff (maybe we'll stop on our way home from BC to have a mini trip)
  • Playing outside as much as possible with friends and family
  • Swimming lessons in August
  • Trips to the lake & boating
What a post! And lastly - a happy anniversary to Ben & Jess! I can't believe it's been a year!
Sarah

12 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. It was! I hope to go back one more time this summer and bring Daddy along!

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  2. yea for potty train success! I don't have kids yet but I have watched my siblings and helped my siblings potty train their kids. It's the worst! It's amazing any of us ever learned to use the bathroom! Just found your blog and I've loved getting to know you better, I'm excited to follow along!

    new follower :)
    bonnie
    bonnielouisa.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for reading, Bonnie! Yes it's amazing how we learned to do anything! We've had some poop accidents since last Thursday, but I also know with him one day it will just "click"!

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  3. How cute is that place?!?!?! Seriously, I think I'm in love with Canada! (p.s. Glad he pooped for you!)

    Oh and growing up, we'd driving a few times a week almost 2 hours round trip just to get ice cream. We were young and gas was cheap! ;)

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    1. It's a really wonderful place, lots for kids to do. You have a place to stay anytime you want to come to rural Alberta for a visit! ;)

      I love that...fun road trips!

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  4. This place is awesome! You are lucky to have so many cool places in your area! Looks like you had a great day and now I want a burger and shake ;-)

    Ps. sorry to hear about your coworker, that is sad to hear :(

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    Replies
    1. Yes, we are very lucky. It's a 2+ hour round trip to the city, but it's worth it, he has a blast!

      Thank you for your sympathies, it's hard to be at work knowing she'll never be here again.

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  5. Train loads of fun ;)

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  6. Looks like so much fun! Great pictures too!

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  7. I've never been to Heritage Park (other than when I was a baby) and i've been meaning to check it out soon. Hopefully we can go sometime this summer with the kiddos. Also I understand your love for Peters. Amy and I do the same thing!! Nom Nom Nom! We are coming down for Stampede this weekend and will more than likely have to swing by for some grease :)

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