Summer activities

It's been a busy summer.

We took a family vacation to a time share resort in Ontario back in late May.  It was the first time we took a week-long vacation with my MIL, FIL, and SIL.  Turned out pretty good.  The 7 of us got along well and everyone had a great time.  It was my friend's time-share which is the best kind of time-share to have access to.  We only had to pay $250 for a week-long stay in a 2-bedroom suite with full kitchen.  SCORE!

Then I went to an overnight business trip to NYC.  Haven't been to NYC for 5 years.  Too bad I didn't get to spend much time there.  Had an amazing dinner at ACME and stayed at St James Hotel which was really nice.

Right after my NYC trip, the 4 of us flew to Vancouver for a personal/business trip.  My best friend from HK had planned to be in Vancouver at that time and it was serendipitous that I also got to go to Vancouver for a work trip while she was there.  We haven't seen each other since I was in HK in 2011  and she now has a 1 year old son who is my god son.  So I got to meet my god son for the first time.  It was surreal going back to Vancouver after so long.  I lived in Vancouver for 5 years going to UBC but haven't been back to Vancouver for about 8 years, way before I was a mom.  Going to Vancouver with kids made me feel like a tourist in the city because now I'm looking at the city from the perspective of a parent.  We went to the Vancouver Aquarium, kids biked and played in Stanley Park, and went to various playscapes around the city to hang out with friends.  What doesn't change though, is the feeling that you get from seeing the majestic mountains each time you turn north no matter where you are.

Back in Toronto, my son started Learn to Play Softball and piano lessons, went to 2 weeks of summer camp, my husband is enjoying Wonderland's water park when the weather is warm enough, and we even took the kids to 2 nights of camping at Glen Rouge which is a safe 15 min drive from home.  It is a good experience for the kids.

We have an upcoming trip to Birch Run, Michigan for cross border shopping.  Anyone have any tips?