In the weeks leading up to my return to work, I allowed myself to wallow in the blues to a somewhat unnecessary extent. I always get a bit sad at the end of summer, and this year that time was more bittersweet than usual. I just hate change, even when it’s the good kind. Bah! But that’s by way of explaining how we ended up taking the kids to Calgary for an impromptu weekend road-trip. Let me back up.

Seven thirty on a Saturday morning found me complaining about my slightly depressive ennui. My husband’s response: “Why don’t we go to Calgary?” We both pondered this for a moment, and decided that it sounded like a terrible idea. So, naturally, we started packing up the car. I was saving this outfit for a tentative brunch date, but I figured I might as well throw it on. It wasn’t the most ridiculous choice I made that morning.

(Quick outfit aside: I know that’s a whole lotta blue, but I just couldn’t resist throwing all these pieces together. I’m a colour addict.)

Predictably, traveling with kids was the opposite of relaxing. Neither of the kids has been acclimatized to long car rides, so the trip to (and from) Calgary was all sorts of interesting. Luckily, the scenery is lovely this time of year.

And there is always a chance of some cool car-spotting.

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but we never make a trip to Calgary without stopping in at the Donut Mill on Gasoline Alley. Even if that means compounding our road-trip problems by getting the kids hopped up on sugar.

The (recent) birthday girl got in on the action too:

But, you know what? We survived the trip, kids and all. There is a lesson in that. Something about embracing chaos, and change.

I love visiting the Devonian Botanical Gardens, and the location (conveniently close to home) makes it perfect for a half-day family trip. I’m partial to the Japanese garden, but I love the riots of flowers happening everywhere this time of year. The kids were much taken with the butterfly house. OK, mostly Luka, but he was enthusiastic enough for two. (Teodora was taken … mostly with her shoes. And some dirt she mistook for playground sand, once she escaped the confines of her prison stroller.)

The gardens were packed with moms and tots, which I guess is to be expected on a random Tuesday in August. (Actually, not so random. First Tuesday of every month is half price admission. Thrifty adventures, it’s how we roll.) All parent minds think alike, I guess.

All the pretty flowers:

The weather was gorgeous, but hot. Hotter than Satan’s sweaty armpit. If I look slightly disheveled and mildly sun-stroked, it’s because I was. Tent-y cotton tops, for the win.