Winterlude

Last week we ventured into the city to check out Winterlude. My littles are not really into the ice slides and such, claiming them too fast, too icy, and too scary. That is fine by me because they also tend to be too crowded! We always go see the Ice Sculptures though, they are our favorite.
 

Amazing detail and complexity all done in a block of ice. Next year we are going to try and go down when they are actually carving them. They boys and I braved -29C weather to see them, and they were completely worth it.

While down there, we of course had to go for a skate on the canal! Billed as the “World’s largest Skating rink”, we go down every year at least once, usually more, to skate. People use it for commuting, so you will often see men in business suits with their shoes tucked into their bags heading to downtown for work. School kids prefer to skate rather than ride the bus and of course, there are loads of tourists there to have the joy of skating through this beautiful city.

Both boys have been on it since they could stand up and it is one of our most looked forward to outings of the year. This year we managed 2.6km of the 7.8km that makes up the skateway. Not bad considering this was only Noah’s second time on skates and again, it was -29C!! I took the stroller expecting to push them for a while, but no, these two strong Canadian boys of mine skated the whole time. We took a break to warm up in one of the warming huts dotted along the skateway.

The trip wouldn’t be complete without a Beaver tail as a yearly treat. Not for me, I just get to smell the heavenly aroma! Beaver tails are horrifically bad for you fried dough that is dipped in butter, cinnamon, and sugar. Something that normally we would run screaming from, but Hubby remembers them from childhood, and sometimes you have to live a little. I figure once a year will not do too much damage. Right???

We packed up 3.5 hours later (!!) and headed home before traffic took over. It was a wonderful day spent with my boys. Sounds silly as I spend everyday with them, but these little traditions and rituals help break up the weeks. I know that years from now they will walk beside the canal and remember these days, just like their Dad does. Sometimes you don’t need anything fancy to make wonderful memories, just a pair of skates and a skateway that goes on forever.