Imadene Staff Retreat

Andy planned a staff retreat for the staff for three days down in Sooke for three days. When the plans for this were originally in the works, spouses were invited but kids weren't (there are a lot of staff kids!). I wasn't going to go because I don't have anyone to leave Q with overnight at the moment (lois is still in lots of pain and in healing mode) and I wasn't super keen to go so I was planning on staying home. As the retreat got closer, Andy told Jon that if I would like to go, he would make an exception for Quinny and she could come too. He knows how bad I suffer with my migraines and how hard it is for me when Jon is away for more than one day. And he also knows that we have had a bit of a rough fall with running SO hard and with no breaks and that we don't really see each other. Andy really wanted this to be a positive thing for the staff and wanted to ensure that Jon could come and would want to be there, and knew that inviting us would make that more possible. I felt weird about it, being the only staff spouse and Q being the only kid, and still wasn't going to go even though I really appreciated Andy extending that invitation. Then Lisa talked to me and said that her and Jinny would really like if I would come and they were planning a "girls afternoon" that they would like me to come too. Time with Lisa and Jinny?! I'm in!! They had meetings and team building stuff all afternoon wednesday and thursday morning. So Q and I went to Victoria to see Tim and Lois on Wednesday night and then headed to Sooke for lunchtime on Thursday. Q gets so sad when Jon is away overnight, but her favorite part is that she knows she can sleep in my bed if Daddy is away. So when she started crying at bedtime and asking for her Daddy, I reminded her that there was room in my bed and she instantly perked up and cheered "YAY! Nigh-night in Mommy's bed!" haha! What a cutie. We hold hands while we sleep - she reaches out for me even when she's sleeping. She is still so small and so precious. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time. 

 We got to Sooke just after lunch and I was instantly glad that I made the decision to go. I don't spend much time with the staff because we live far away and I just don't see them (besides Lisa). So it was really nice to just hang out with them all. All the boys and Quinny packed up and headed out to Mystic Beach for the afternoon and Lisa, Jinny and I headed out for mani and pedi's! This girl had never had paraffin wax before - what!! Best part of any mani or pedi! It was fun to be pampered and just be together.

 I love this girl so much. It's interesting to me to watch our friendship really grow and go deeper. We have always been close, but more in a mentorship relationship... it still is that way, but as time goes on, we are building a really great friendship. I like that.

 So I took a picture of Paul because this was SO funny! For some reason Q kept calling him "Grandpa". Thankfully Paul is awesome and just rolls with it, while I apologized for her and we all kinda laughed. I couldn't figure out why she would say that - until she asked me "mama where Grandma go?" And I realized that she thought Paul was Trevor... she doesn't see Trevor often (barely ever) so in her little two year old mind, she got them mixed up I think! Pretty funny! Trevor does have the same body shape as Paul and has dark facial hair and no hair on top, so I can kind of see it. I explained to her quite a few times that this was Paul and NOT Grandpa and by the end I think she finally got it haha!! I think that's a sign that we need to spend more time with the Zalinko's so that she knows who they are :)

 My pretty nails with gel polish! I love them. Very much worth the $35

 These two out for a walk on Thursday morning before I got there. So cute!

 These are from their hike/walk at Mystic Beach. What a gorgeous place! 

 Perfect picture of her. Silly, happy and totally free.

 Jon said she was loving the rope swing and giggling the whole time!

 Nice smile Quinnybear! haha! Playtime with Lisa! After she went to bed, we played games all together and laughed lots. I am really glad that I went. It was a nice night away!