This is our final weekend in Europe which feels… completely and utterly unbelievable.
I took this picture on 7 March:
At that point, it was winter in Canada, we were at the airport about to take our first (of many) flights, and I could not believe that after months of planning this idea of ours had finally come to fruition and we were about to set off on an epic European adventure.
And now, we’re just a few days away from heading home.
It feels like a lot to process. We’re limping toward the finish line in terms of energy. It’s a long time to be away from family and friends and familiar routines. It’s a long time to schlepp luggage on and off of trains, planes, buses, and trams. It’s a long time to essentially live out of suitcases. It’s a long time to navigate foreign public transit systems and be surrounded by different languages. It’s a lot of different “homes” to set up and get accustomed to. It’s a lot of laundry machines to figure out!
It’s also a lot of time to fill. When we’re not adventuring, we mostly just have our family for entertainment. Sometimes that has been tough.
And yet, without any doubt, it has been the single coolest thing we’ve ever done as a family. It’s made even cooler by the profound realization that we’ll never do something quite like this together again.
We’re going to blink and Belle will be finishing high school. Of course we have no way of knowing if this trip will influence the direction of their lives in any way, but it will definitely always be memorable. We have so many shared experiences to carry with us through the rest of our lives.
All that to say: by this time next week, I’ll be back to sleeping in my own bed and likely feeling very overwhelmed by all sorts of feelings. Relief, sadness, panic about ALL THE THINGS that need doing… and deep gratitude for this incredible experience.
Let’s chat Happy Things for a while, shall we? I’ve been inconsistent with this practice the last few months and I can feel the impact on my mental health. I feel so much better when I’m habitually on the lookout for Happy Things.
EXCITEMENT FOR HOME
Our kids HAVE PLANS. Like… immediately. Indy wants to go to school on Thursday, Belle has various social gatherings planned for Thursday (reminder: we get home Wednesday late afternoon), and Friday Belle heads off overnight for her first day of leadership training. Saturday, Indy has a free 2-hour tennis clinic with his two best friends. AND SUNDAY WE GET TO GO TO CHURCH.
CASTLES
I’ll write more about this in an upcoming post, but our family got the chance to tour two castles in Wales last weekend. Of particular note was our time spent at Caerphilly. It’s the second-largest castle in the United Kingdom and it was my first “real” castle visit. It was an incredible experience and the kids loved it!
10 HOURS OF SLEEP
Goodness, I’ve been so tired since getting back from Scotland. One night, I managed to sleep for TEN hours.
HOT SHOWERS
One morning I was feeling sluggish and tired. I took a hot shower and it turned my whole day around.
QUIRKY STOPS
We’re big fans of finding quirky things to do when we visit new locations, so I perked up when I happened to see a headline about the longest playground slide in Wales being just outside the heart of Cardiff.
Indy and I headed off to investigate yesterday morning and his verdict is a 10/10 rating. Fast and fun!
(I went down twice and agree—my biggest complaint at my age is bumpy slides and this was remarkably smooth.)
TACKLING MY TO-DO LIST
On the train back from Edinburgh I wrote out an old-school to-do list on paper and it was… depressing. It felt overwhelming. I had so many little things that needed to be done, ideally before we went back to Canada.
I procrastinated on a lot of things and then eventually gave myself a little shake by the shoulders (not really, but metaphorically), and got on with it and POWERED THROUGH so many things.
I still feel behind in a few areas of work and life, but I feel… less behind.
EVENING WALK WITH RACHEL
After Rachel’s kids were settled in bed one night this week we went on a wonderful heart-pumping uphill walk to get some incredible views of Cardiff and the surrounding towns.
Rain was in the forecast so we set out knowing we might get wet.
It held off until we reached her car and then the clouds unloaded. The timing could not have been planned more perfectly, and it was our first time alone together since I’d arrived in Cardiff. No offence to either set of kids, but it is refreshing to walk at an adult pace and having adult-level conversations.
WORLD CUP
I’m not particularly engaged with professional football but there is something unifying about a global sporting competition. I know there are all sorts of challenges and controversies and I wish I had a magic wand and could get rid of all of that noise. But it has certainly brought my family together. We’ve been watching at least part of a game each night and we were cheering so loudly when Canada scored its first-ever World Cup goal.
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- The smell of the cedar hedge on the way back from the grocery store/bus stop here in Cardiff.
- Spending time with Rachel’s kids! They really are adorable and hilarious.
- Belle declaring that the simple grilled cheese sandwich I made this week was the best grilled cheese she’s had in her life. I’m taking it as a compliment and not an underhanded complaint about the previous grilled cheese sandwiches I’ve made for her.
- The cake Belle baked; she divided it into three different toppings: Nutella, Biscoff, and peanut butter frosting. SO good.
- Raindrops on roses. LITERALLY!
I’m off. It’s the midsummer holiday for John, so we’re going to go explore on what is his first (and only) vacation day while we’re in Wales! We have plans to head to Penarth Pier Pavilion and walk back to Cardiff Bay and explore that part of the city for the first time.
Happy weekending, friends <3
Your turn.
- Tell me some Happy Things from your world this week.
- What frosting would you pick: Nutella, Biscoff, or peanut butter frosting?
- Would you hop on and go down the long slide?
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Ahh you did the giant slide! I have been reading about that and will need to get there sometime, I am glad that Indy gave it the seal of approval! It looks fun!
The walk with you was my happy thing this week. Kids are great and cute and all but I am CRAVING some adult human time and I am sorry we haven’t had more of it this trip! It’s a stage… but I forget what fun grown up things I will get to do when I am *not* in this stage. I also love that although the forcast was rain, we both went with the “people are waterproof” approach to clothing choices. We both would have been quite wet if i thad rained.
Castles are always a happy place. We can get cheap 3 year local memberships to one castle (but you have to pick one!) and last time I picked Castle Coch because the kids were small and it’s so contained, but when we renew in 2027 I am 100% going for Caerphilly.
Enjoy Penarth and Cardiff Bay today! I am so glad it finally stopped raining for us.
Oh and just checking, was there a triple frosted cake down the road from me all week???! I don’t get people FOMO or event FOMO but I definitely get cake FOMO.
There was! And I am a horrible person for not sharing. Forgive me!!!!
Indy even said: Ezra would really like this slide. It’s a fun park. A bit out of the way, but definitely worth the detour.
Ha. People are waterproof! Indeed. I’m glad we didn’t get soaked, and the timing of the rain added to the adventure. There is a sense of feeling like we got away with something, so narrowly escaping a downpour.
So much happy! And you went on the slide – bonus points for being a fun mom!
Happy here: cool weather- it won’t last so I’m enjoying it while I can. Summer storms bringing needed rain. Son successfully tackled his language placement exam. Other son had good meeting about community college stuff. I bought a Father’s Day gift for my husband I think he’ll really like.
I’m a vanilla or chocolate girl- I’d pass on the cake- no offense to Belle!
Enjoy your last travel days of this adventure!!
Hooray for all your happy things. After some heat waves, cool weather and rain is so needed.
I was relieved the slide wasn’t bumpy. I felt like a kid again and Indy was very happy I participated.
When was the last time that I was on a playground slide? I have no idea and that is a shame! I can’t change the past but I can change the future.
Your last week of the grand trip!!! I knew that it would go by in a heartbeat, but I can’t believe that it’s here. What an epic time!
I’m excited for the castle recap. When I was very young my parents made a few trips to the UK, and I have very faint memories of the castles.
I promise if you come back to visit us in NS we’ll take you to a playground so you can do a slide again.
It really has gone by so much faster than I expected.
Castle recap is written and will be up next week 🙂
Wow wow wow, I cannot believe that it’s time for you to go home! I mean, I can believe it. But wow! What an adventure you’ve had. And you will have those great memories forever.
Friend, I know there will be so much to do on arrival, but please take some time for yourself. You need some time by yourself to just…process and restore. Some box breathing in the hammock, maybe?
To answer your question, it’s probably been 18 years since I’ve been on a slide, I probably went down when the kids were small. I’ve been on water slides since then though! But playground, it’s been a while. I’d definitely hop on that slide! I like them.
I’d take peanut butter frosting, but honestly I love all cake (but what is biscoff? Oh, that British cookie!)
I am generally pretty awful at relaxing but I will try and YES to box breathing and setting up the hammock.
I haven’t been on a waterslide in way too long.
Biscoff is SOOOOOOO good. We’ve loved it for years, but it’s become more popular lately, it seems. It’s a bit like a gingersnap but even better!
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens! (You have the roses- I have the kittens). Glad you’re back with Happy Things! Yes, I can’t believe you’ll be home so soon. It seems like just yesterday you were in Vienna. Your kids have some ambitious plans- I’ll be interested to hear if Levi makes it to school on Thursday.
I would definitely go down the long slide! I can’t do a bunch of other things anymore (swings, roller coasters) because they make me nauseous (I know, so sad) but I think I could handle a slide. It looks really fun and OF COURSE you guys had to check it out!!!
Indy wants kittens SO badly, Jenny. He has been begging for one lately.
The long slide was so smooth; a pleasant surprise.
I deeply believe a right-timed and temperatured shower can fix a significant amount of things! I love this list; castles and slides and sleep, oh my! Sending you and the family all the good thoughts on your re-entry. PS: I’d like to thing I’d go down the slide as a fan of both quirky things and whimsy.
Showers can fix EVERYTHING. Could not agree more. (Yes to the right temperature; I remember once in Italy being frozen and achey and exhausted and I climbed in the shower and there was no hot water. THE WORST).
Hard to believe this adventure is coming to an end! It has been so interesting to read your posts throughout this time. I can imagine you have many mixed feelings about this – even I feel a little sad since I’ve enjoyed coming along with you via my armchair 🙂 Pace yourself when you arrive home. I’m sure you will have a long “to do” list, but it’s okay to let some tasks wait while you regain your equilibrium.
I haven’t been on a slide in years but I could definitely get on that one! Bischoff icing for me please!
Happy things here – my sister is coming on Sunday to visit for a few days and the weather is warm and sunny.
Awww. What kind words, Jacquie (I mean I don’t want you to be sad, but it’s also sweet to think of you reading my recaps).
And yes, I need to pace myself. Not my strong suit, but I’ll do my best.
Enjoy the time with your sister. What a special and happy thing to look forward to.
Wow, I can’t believe you’ll be home so soon! I’m sure you’ll have so many emotions, and hopefully some nice alone-time to get settled back into things. The slide looks like fun! My mind says YES, I want to slide on it, but I’m afraid my body would file a major complaint afterwards!
Alone time. What is that again??? Just kidding… kind of.
I was surprised how smooth the slide was, especially for being so long. It was a lot of fun and I have zero regrets. (The worst part was climbing the stairs to get to the top.)
That long slide looks amazing. You better believe I’d be on that in a hot second.
Today is going to be a quiet day at work and I’m so excited about that. It’s been a crazy month at work and I need this one day to catch up and have a tiny bit of respite. This weekend I want to mostly read my book, get a pedicure, and do a whole lot of nothing to get me through the rest of the month!
I had a feeling you’d be all in on the slide.
Enjoy the quiet day; I know June is nuts for you.
Your weekend plans sound amazing. I’m hoping for something similar next weekend when we’re back in Canada. This weekend has quite a few adventures. But then I think I’ll have used up my adventure quota for 2026!
I’m sorry, I just have to jump in here, biscoff is a Belgian invention. Taking the world by storm 😉 especially the spread!
it’s around for ages, and it’s quite funny, the original name (in Dutch) is speculoos to indicate it didn’t have all the spices of speculaas (a Dutch biscuit). Anyway, biscoff spread is a staple in our household as well.
Biscoff is THE BEST. We’ve loved it for years, but it seems to be getting more and more popular. In Canada, you can buy the brand name at the Dollarstore. It makes an amazing base for cheesecakes or just a delicious little treat alongside coffee. SO GOOD.
Also, yes to the slide 😊 I just ordered fans to get us through the heat wave that’s happening.
It’s wild that you’re almost back in Canada! Enough the final bits of Europe!
Happy things:
Flowers on our green roof
Water ices and crushed ice cubes
Cuddles with my daughter
Sunshine
Evening walks
Yoga
Calls with friends
I am bracing myself for the heat wave early next week. I complain about the cold, but honestly the heat is worse when travelling.
Thanks for sharing all these Happy Things. They make me smile.
(I had water with ice tonight and after so much lukewarm water on this trip it was amazing to have cold water!)
Another person chiming in to say that I can’t believe you are coming back to Canada this week. It went fast! (At least as a blog reader.)
Enjoy the last few days of adventure and may your reentry be smooth and peaceful and happy!
Happy things here:
– It’s local strawberry season!
– The weather has been a fantastic mix of warm and sunny days and some big rainstorms so hopefully we are on track to not repeat the drought of last summer.
– Homeschool is done for the year. It was great. I was also ready for a break.
– N has learned to ride his pedal bike (no training wheels!) this week and A is now a whiz on a balance bike. This latter fact is both exciting and terrifying. She’s FAST and 2 year olds aren’t known for their high quality judgement.
It went fast as the person experiencing it, too!
I am so excited to be arriving back in Canada in term for fresh strawberries!
I’m sure you’re ready for a break from the routine of school. Just in time for the lovely Maritime summer. And yes to needing lots of rain. Last summer was so dry and the forest fire risk is genuinely scary.
I do not know what biscoff is! I would go with the Nutella as it’s something I have rarely had. I have never bought a jar of it as I don’t think anyone else would eat it! Our kids are so particular about foods and Phil is not a sweets guy in general aside from cookies and ice cream (separately, not together).
This was just not my week. But I did have a nice bike ride with Paul on Monday night.
It’s crazy that your trip is coming to an end. What a wonderful adventure. Your kids are at such great ages. Today we had to drive Phil to the car dealership to pick up our car after a recall was fixed. It was a 15 minute car ride and it was so horribly unpleasant with bickering and messing with each other and such. And then after dinner they were wrestling downstairs and apparently Will sat on Paul and one of the lenses from his glasses popped out. We just got them and it was $500 after insurance!! I was able to pop it back in but am not confident it’s in there right so now I will need to find time to bring him to the eye doctor this week. People always say to let your kids work it out and wrestle with each other and I cannot abide by this advice!! They are total animals with no common sense.
Biscoff is amazing. I’m surprised more people aren’t familiar with it! It seems quite common in Canada at the moment?
You had such a frustrating and emotionally draining week. I’m so sorry, my friend.
Siblings fights are THE WORST. So demoralizing as a parent and everyone is miserable. Argh. I can feel the tension of it through the computer screen and so relate. And how frustrating about the glasses. They are very expensive and a proper nuisance even for a responsible adult. Very hard to manage as a young kid.
So crazy that the time is up and you’re almost heading home… and I can absolutely understand that you’re having a lot of mixed emotions! But one thing is for sure: this was a once-in-a-lifetime-experience for your family and I am so glad you were able to make it happen.
I guess I didn’t realize that you were going to stay close to Rachel and that you’d have the opportunity to spend this much time together. What a wonderful thing to have a friend closeby at your “home away from home”.
We are literally staying 5 minutes walk from her place. It has been LOVELY. As I type this comment response, Belle is down doing a bonfire + helping with twin bedtime.
Just amazing, Elisabeth. An adventure your family will never forget 🙂
I fully agree that this shared experience as family will be memorable for the kids forever, and I do believe opening their eyes and mind to the world will influence how they become as a person.
please tell Bella to share her grilled cheese sandwich method, I have yet to master that.
I make the grilled cheese and my trick is to use lots of butter and cook it low and slow—haha, so not much of a method.
I can’t believe it’s all coming to an end! Wow, time really does fly when you’re having fun. I’m sure there are so many bittersweet feelings – looking forward to be HOME and back to normal routines, and also a lot of sadness that such an intensely cool experience is OVER. What amazing memories you made with your family! I’m so glad you guys got to do that.
Now I’m dreaming of grilled cheese. Mmm!
You have really hit the nail on the head, Stephany. I’ve got ALL THE FEELINGS right now. Part of me wants to break down and sob that it’s over. The other part of me feels relief. The other part is overwhelmed by all of it (mostly in positive ways).
I CAN’T BELIEVE WE ACTUALLY DID THIS!!!