Our First Solo Family Vacay To Mexico!

We’re getting some decent pre-summer weather and I’d like to take credit for that. As many of you know and for those who spoke to me in the last few weeks, I’ve been very excited about sharing my plans to head to the beaches of Mexico. It all started one night when my sister had to cancel our planned getaway to Prince Edward County at one of my favourite spots, Wander the Resort. When I realized I already booked off the time that week, I asked the hubby if we could change our plans and head somewhere a bit further (and warmer). I proposed the idea of Mexico and before we knew it, the thought became the reality.

With the help of a few clients and their recommendations, we ended up going to a resort named Finest Playa Mujeres. A good client of mine stayed there and one of her blogger friends also stayed there and highly recommended it. I looked at a few photos online, read a couple of reviews, and thought YOLO.

We ended up booking five nights and six days and just got back last Friday. I can’t say enough good things about this place. The resort was beautiful, the service was fantastic, and the details of this entire trip will always remain in my heart. I have to say one of my favourite things was discovering the toiletries in the bathroom, like the disposable toothbrush and the cutest disposable toothpaste. The room must have been cleaned at least two to three times a day as well.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted with the sweetest touch of rose petals and champagne in our room. The girls received goodbye gifts and personalized notes from the kid’s club as well. Speaking of the kid’s club, it was fantastic. They made us feel totally comfortable, so we felt good leaving them under their supervision for the day. The girls were excited to go back every single day as they made friends of their own which they are continuing to communicate with while we’re back home. I could go on about this resort and I’m sure you’ll hear all about it at your upcoming appointment but it’s worth checking out. I only want to go back there from this point on because I’m scared nothing will ever meet the same standard. Did I mention that they had a café with an oat milk latte? This is truly where they got my heart.

There’s something to be said about when we go on vacation mode. We plan everything in our lives around that week. Weeks ahead of time we work hard to get our body in the best shape so we look good in a bikini, we buy books because we plan on reading while we’re away and look forward to doing all the things we can’t do at home because we’re too busy. When we go away, we feel refreshed, recharged, and rejuvenated but on the last day, we start to feel a bit anxious to come back home to the busyness of our lives.

Kevin and I made it a point to put our phones into airplane mode so that we could just be present at the moment. It was in fact the first time we ever travelled just us four together. The last time we ever did anything just us two was before kids. The only other vacations we took after that were always with family members and friends, with groups of over 30. During those times, it didn’t seem relaxing because we were always coordinating times to meet for meals or planning excursions together, and it didn’t seem like we had time to ourselves to connect.

 This trip felt so different. Many times, we felt the days moved slower because we had time to truly be present, not feeling the rush of planning or being constantly on the move.

 There’s something to be said about the way we go into this mode in our mind and think it can only be reserved for a vacation. Why can’t we reserve some of that vacation time for our daily lives here? We make excuses that we’re too busy but really, it’s something so simple as starting with 10 minutes a day where you literally shut yourself off from everything and go on a mental vacation. It could be a vacation from scrolling on Instagram, a vacation from everyday life, and from all the noise. Even though those moments may happen naturally when we’re away, I think it’s very important for us to schedule them and call them our mini mental breaks. We are so full of events, people, places, expectations, pressures, and the needs of others to fill every day that we forget about ourselves, and we forget about what’s important. We end up running ourselves into a wall or in situations that could’ve been easily avoided if we just gave ourselves time.

 I encourage everybody reading this to do that for themselves. Give yourself a mini vacation every single day. Write it into your agenda, type it into your electronic calendar or give yourself a Google alert and make sure you put yourself into vacation mode at least once a day, even for just 10 minutes. It doesn’t always have to involve hopping on a plane and saving up every cent from your piggy bank to be able to get away. Sometimes there’s beauty in just escaping mentally for a bit.

I’m happy that we got to go away and experience this quiet break with just our little family. My heart is so full looking at all that we’ve created together and just being able to truly embrace it and enjoy it. With that being said, I’m back and ready for the busy summer months to come but also being mindful to keep a little of that downtime for myself and putting my phone into airplane mode.

 There’s a lot coming up in the next few months and I can’t wait to share it all with you guys.

Saturday, June 11 - mark it in your calendars! There’s going to be a Grilled Cheese Festival along Lake Shore so just a friendly reminder, Lake Shore will be blocked from Islington all the way down to Second Street. Be sure to leave a few extra minutes early to get to your appointment on time and also enjoy the festival. We have some fun events coming up too! From June 15 to 30, we’ll be celebrating two years of being open at this Lake Shore location and have a few fun things planned. Keep your eyes and ears open for more details to come.

Also, if you haven’t subscribed to our podcast, be sure to so you don’t miss out on weekly podcast episodes. Tune in to the latest episode released Monday which was all about vacation mode!

Another thing is Google reviews help us so much to spread awareness. Be sure to leave us a review on Google and get $5 dollars off your next appointment!

The weekend is coming, so get your sunscreen on and enjoy, even if it’s in your own backyard or balcony.

 Talk to you soon!

 XO

Pammy