We had our Cheer Choreography Camp and it went really well! I love our new routine!!

He said

Well, what a week! This was our first full week of vacation and time at the trailer and boy I didn’t realize just how much I needed it. It was about day three in a r0w of waking without an alarm and sleeping to whenever we wanted that it settled in how great it was to have zero alarms set for every day. Every single day ended with time at the fire pit and and every day started with a bike ride on the G2G Rail Trail for Danielle & I. The in-betweens of the day were always up for whatever we decided to do. Sure, there was a little shuttling back and forth to London/home to make sure Emelia got work and Cheer obligations, but overall, it was an amazing five straight days of being at the trailer. And even with all of Emelia’s obligations back in London, she was still able to come up to the trailer and spend Tuesday evening to Thursday with us, to boot!

All the time on the G2G this week with Danielle (132 kms to be precise) was the perfecting training for a bike race I was in this weekend. The Reggie Ramble has been on my radar pretty much every year since its inception 4 or 5 years ago. But, because of its location and the undertaking to get there, just never really worked out until this year. With Emelia’s Cheer Choreography Camp falling this, the same weekend as the race, it became entirely possible that I could enter, and with Danielle’s blessing I did.  We had to come back Friday anyway, and the race was Saturday. Saturday, bright and very early (5:30am) I was on the road for Warkworth, ON—about three & a half hours down the road. By noon that day I was kitted and taking off in what would turn out to be one of the most fun and equally challenging races I have done. It had approximately 1,074 metres of elevation gain, meaning I climbed a total of 3,500 feet! To give you a comparable in the Paris to Ancaster Race, the elevation gain was 367 metres. While it was a very challenging and rainy day, I will definitely be looking for this race to return to next year!

Originally, the plan was that I would sleep over either the night before the race (or after) as they offered a very reasonably priced camping add-on. It would be the perfect event to test out the truck tent that Danielle & I just picked up on Facebook Marketplace for the bed of the truck. But, as race day came and the forecast looked less ideal, I called an audible and decided that rather than set up the tent after the race, I would get in the post race refreshment and then pack up and head back home to sleep in our bed, and not in a forecasted thunderstorm. And that decision was solidified as the back half of the 65 km race, I was riding in very heavy rain. As much as it would be fun to hang around with a bunch of like-minded cycling nuts, the rain definitely put a damper on things and In wasn’t the only one tapping out. And I was really just wanting to be home with my pod, after such a gruelling day. And by 8:00pm last night that was the case.

Today, was another wonderful day without an alarm (albeit just for me, sorry Danielle). After, I was up and caffeinated, and Danielle was back from getting Emelia off to day two of Cheer Choreography Camp, we got out for another bike ride. Basically, I needed the time to get my legs mobile and to shake out the lead from yesterday, and – the better part – it has also become this wonderful time where Danielle & I can connect and talk about what is going on. Who knew that cycling would be such a good exercise option for us while providing us the opportunity to feel more in tune with each other and what is going on? So, we got in the normal 23 km route I do daily and somewhere halfway through the ride, my legs weren’t still feeling the effects of all that climbing yesterday. I still have one more day left on my vacation tomorrow, so it will be great to squeeze out even more decompressing before it gets back work and the routine. But as far as weeks off go, I couldn’t have asked for a better version of all the things I love to do!!!

She said

This week off was exactly what we have needed. We have been running at both ends for what feels like months lately between work, family and extended family. John and I were long overdue for a true break off together. As we have done with some of our past camping weekends this season Emelia does not always come with us anymore. We are happy with how independent and full her life has become but a big part of us misses our time as a family. Emelia’s work has been really keeping her busy lately, she has made lots of friends at work and is making some great pay cheques so she is very motivated to take on even more shifts lately.

John and I were able to have a few quiet days just us (along with friends who were also up at the trailer for the week) and do what we love. Spend time outside and get in some amazing long rides on the G2G trail. After a few days just us we both made our way back in to London to get Emelia to cheer training and get a few things done around the house before picking Emelia up and the three of us headed up for a few days together as a family. It was great to have few distractions and have time just us, something that with everything Emelia and our family has going on lately was exactly what we needed. Emelia spent two nights with us before I drove back in town to bring her to work for another shift. I headed back once she was at work and then we had one last night at the trailer before coming back on Friday.

With John off at the crack of dawn yesterday to his bike race I was on transportation duty for Emelia and cheer. This weekend was her much anticipated Choreography Camp for Cheer. Every year the gym hires a professional choreographer to build all the teams routines, after day one Emelia came out happy with how it was progressing. Most importantly for her is that she was with the stunt group she had been training with most of the season so far and was with the flyer she has loved working with. Everything was going very well. After day one of the camp one of Emelia’s teammates invited the entire team over for a pool party. I love how fast this team is really bonding as a unit, Emelia is making fast friends, so much that a cottage weekend is also in the works for the end of this month. Emelia came home happy and exhausted after day one. She was up again today bright and early off to day two. After 12 hours of training in 2 days her team has a full routine, it is apparently creative, challenging and the girls all seem to love it. We have a happy cheerleader so far and that is all we have ever wanted.

Tomorrow I am back to the grind of life, Emelia has a jammed packed week, starting even tonight with a trip downtown with her best friends and a sleepover tonight. This is all leading into a week of sports, work and hopefully so down time for everyone.