And so the tradition has begun.
I talked about my reasoning for developing this little tradition in this post.
The end goal: to one day continue this tradition on a yearly basis with Zandra and eventually add in my future daughter in laws. However, since we are a small little bunch of girls now, we decided to share this tradition with one of my oldest and dearest friends and her daughter (since she wanted to start the same tradition with her girl too).
My friend and I talked about our vision and what we wanted to share with the girls on this traditional trip. We brainstormed ideas and decided that this was a weekend to celebrate all things girly – to celebrate being phenomenal women, like Maya Angelou writes about in her poem “Phenomenal Woman”.
We decided to include learning, inspiration, fun, silliness, tradition, and of course, yummy food.
The girl’s each received a formal invite 1 month ago, inviting them to the weekend – it was a total surprise for them. Given that my friend and I live in different cities, we decided we would meet part way, so they were excited that we really did get to travel! They also received a copy of the “Phenomenal Woman” poem, by Maya Angelou, and a book they were asked to read for a book club (this year was: The Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes). A little “Weekend Agenda” was provided so they knew what to expect.
On the Friday, I pulled Zandra out of school a little early (makes the trip extra special) and we were on our way! Of course, the excitement died a bit when we sat in traffic and I had a conference call to make, but we hit the first rest stop and loaded up with yummy snacks and we were good to go!
We finally arrived and the girls squealed and ran around the hotel, checking everything out. They started making a little movie/video too. If you haven’t checked out the app “VideoStar” – you must….it was a big hit on our weekend!
We headed out for dinner where we enjoyed a yummy meal with our girls. We searched high and low for some dessert cupcakes, but to no avail.
We hit the drugstore to get some after dinner treats. My friend also insisted we all buy some body wash (I bought bubble bath instead) to remind us of this trip. It was fun to smell every bottle in the store, until we finally got ones we liked. Another tradition started.
Back in the room the PJ’s were put on, and the old Mom’s proved we could make some videos too and secretly recorded one for the girls. Of course, it was nothing compared to what the girls could accomplish, and I then spent the remainder of the evening running through the hotel halls in my PJ’s while we made a music video on Video Star. My friend smartly stayed put in bed with a book, while I got “caught” a few times by other hotel guests who raised their eyebrows at the three of us looking rather suspicious in the hallway! (I will not post the videos – but they were good, according to me. Zandra and I shared them with the boys when we got home – they thought they were pretty cool too – although Josh asked me not to share them with anyone I know in fear of embarrassing myself. You know, me, 41 years old, dancing around in my PJ’s in a hotel hallway….)
Finally, we went back to the room, watched some “Say Yes to the Dress” and finished the night off with some non alcoholic champagne. We fell asleep before the girls….
The next morning we headed to breakfast (and met some of the guests who recognized us from our PJ hallway adventures). We then went back to the room and had a little “inspiration session.” We decided to include a spiritual/inspirational component – though my friend and I share different spiritual beliefs, we thought it would be good to expose our girls to what we each believe in. So, we discussed faith, and what faith can mean to each of us. It was a great discussion. We decided each year to focus on a different value.
We then headed to the pool where the girls practiced synchro routines and played every game imaginable. I enjoyed the hot tub, while my friend went between the pool and the hot tub.
Back in the room we gave the girls little journals to record things in, and spent some time journalling, got showered and packed our stuff up.
We then checked out and went for lunch, where we had a great discussion about “The Hundred Dresses” book – such an excellent book that really stimulates conversation.
The last leg of our whirlwind trip was to the mall. It was rainy outside, so our plans to wander the downtown streets were squashed, and we settled for the mall instead. The girls headed off on their own first, then met up with us. We then switched and I headed off with Zandra and my friend and her daughter went off on their own for a bit too.
Finally, we drove them to the train station, said our goodbyes, and made the 3 hour drive home. It was just 24 hours (between schedules and funding, that is all we could do) – but it felt like much longer! We packed it all in, and came out of it with great, lasting memories, and a promise to make this a lasting tradition!
This truly sounded wonderful and so much fun. Seriously so glad you got to do this with Zandra and your friend and her daughter, too. Definitely got to think about doing this with my girls as they get older, as I said to you in your last post, because need some girl memories here for sure! 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…Another November Is Upon Us Wrap-Up
First of all, what is Caramilk??? Is that a magical thing in Canada? Would I love it?
Second and most important, I loved reading this. I love that feeling of running around a new hotel in giddiness, whether you’re a kid or an adult. I love it. I have run in many hotels in my pajamas. Last time was when I was 26! I was reunited with Cassidy in NYC after two years of heartbrokenness. We were in a Times Square hotel after an Eric Clapton concert. I was so giddy that I ran into the lobby in my Led Zeppelin t-shirt and flannel pants. It was NYC, so people barely batted an eye.
And that strawberry bubble bath is a must have!
Love this. All of it.
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Do you guys not have Caramilk chocolate bars? Another Canadian chocolate? Creamy caramel in milk chocolate. They make a chocolate milk with that “flavour” so that is what you see Zandra drinking. Running through halls in PJ’s is pretty fun! And the strawberry bubble bath is simply heavenly.
What a fabulous weekend – I love all the selfie pics and the happy faces! You’ve started such a wonderful tradition, Leah – may it live on for years and years!
Dana recently posted…The delusions of youth
Thank you! It is a fun tradition.The boys are after Rob now to get his going!
Sounds like an incredible weekend!! I love that y’all sent the girls invitations and had an agenda! This might be one of the first times that I truly wish I had a daughter. Maybe I will get my sis-in-law and her daughter to start this tradition (and invite me!).
Kim recently posted…15 Years Ago
It was fun to create the invite and formalize a little agenda – added to the specialness!Get your sis-in-law to start it and you join and then your daughter in laws and granddaughters will join too!
I LOVED every BIT of your trip!!!! Oh Leah- how COOL this is!! I am totally going to make this happen with my girl and her cousin and my sis. This tradition will be such an huge part of their lives. 🙂
Chris Carter recently posted…Devotional Diary: From Pain To Prayerful Purpose
I hope you make this tradition too – then we can swap ideas!
It looks absolutely AMAZING!! So glad you did something so special with Zandra! 🙂 Memories to last a lifetime!-Ashley
It was super fun and memorable!
Oh, this looks like such a great time! What a wonderful tradition. I can’t wait for fun girls’ weekends with my girls when they’re older.
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted…Happy 10th Birthday, MacAfee
You are going to have so much fun with your girls!! As much fun as you are having with them right now!
i am so inspired by your traditions. please keep writing about them. i am taking notes!
catherine gacad recently posted…Fight for the Maiden Name
I think traditions really pull a family together – they are some of the most important things you can do!
This is so great!! You all look great and so, so happy. My mom and I used to do girls weekends in the city when my dad had appointments there and I will never forget that time with just my mom! Such an amazing tradition!!
Allie recently posted…A Wedding Weekend
Those must be the most special memories of you and your mom!
Love the lad pics Leah!!!!! I am so glad we did this and so glad it is inspiring others too. (ps you all have to know that this organizing was all Leah’s..beautiful laminated poem…journals…quotes …invitation etc…she is amazing!!!. I am a good date and bubblebath planner though!!!!
Makes me miss you Savvy….hope your week is great and will email in a couple of days for sure. Haven’t checked my email or phone at all yet..as taking a little digital break but will be back on soon!!!!
I love our new tradition..it is so great. Will be so good for the girlies too all their lives.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Much love
Tarina
tarina recently posted…The Shift to Be
Love our new tradition too!
Oh what an awesome girls weekend!! I love that poem by Maya Angelou too, fun fact, I had to recite it in high school–it was a big hit! 🙂 I adore yummy smelly body soaps too, what girl doesn’t?!
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama recently posted…When Your Blogger Friends Become Girlfriends
It is an awesome poem, isn’t it? I love my bubble baths:)
This sounds like the perfect girls weekend! Such a wonderful bonding time. I’d love to see those videos. 🙂
another jennifer recently posted…How Will You React When You’re Concerned for Your Safety?
Ahh, the videos – sure fun, but I’m not brave enough to show them! lol!
What a wonderful idea! It looks like so much fun! I just found out about VideoStar so I’ll have to download that for my kids. I love how nurturing and thoughtful you are to your kids–those kids know they are loved. I think that is the best gift you can give to a child: To know they are special, loved, and that they are enough–they don’t have to do anything, say anything, or be anything–they are enough just as they are. Great post (as usual), Leah!
Nicole Nenninger recently posted…Quote of the Week
I hope that my kids always know they are loved – and always feel that they are loved and very special. Video star is so much fun!!
What a wonderful weekend! I will have to do something similar with my girls. A fabulous tradition that can be carried on for years and such great bonding time. We move so fast these days that taking some time to just be together is so important. Love it!
Shannon @ The Heavy Purse recently posted…What You Need to Know about Life Insurance {Infographic}
I hope you start something with your girls and share it! We can inspire each other!
I love it! I want to make a music video in my pj’s in a hotel lobby!!!! Added to the MUST DO list!
It is on the “must do over and over again” list!
Simply PHENOMENAL, every single second of it! I loved all the activities! You are blessing me so much sharing all the traditions. Your children should never act out of needing attention or feeling special! You are the bomb.com!!!
Joi @ Rx Fitness Lady recently posted…HOLIBUYS with Katherine at thirty-one
Awwww – that is the sweetest comment ever! Thank you!
Sounds like such a fun weekend! I have done a few girls weekends with my mom, sister, and future sister-in-law, and friends. It’s just like having a slumber party!
Stevie recently posted…Tiny Baby Shoes
It really is! You are lucky to have these special people to share weekends like this!
A fun girls weekend is just what I need
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