We’ve been home for almost a week, settling back in to this cold Alberta winter! After a week in paradise, it’s time to reminisce a little!

We left for Cancun on February 19. We had to be at the airport for 3:45am, so we scooped the bugz out of bed in warm footie pyjamas and set them in the car. They were all smiles and giggles, excited to finally be going to Mexico!! We got through customs quickly and changed them into their sundresses so we could get the party started

This was their first trip by plane. Not knowing how they would do, we did dose them with kids’ Gravol and Tylenol, and had our portable DVD players and LeapPads on hand. They did so well! They slept for a good chunk of the 4-hour flight to Houston, and we made our transfer with ease. They watched Lady and the Tramp on the way to Cancun, and we arrived just after 3pm!

My parents have a membership at the Palace resorts; they are a beautiful, luxurious chain that has ruined me for all other travel! We got settled in to our 2-bedroom Presidential Suite overlooking a gorgeous Caribbean Sea, with the kids’ pool just outside our building. After a few pink champagnes, and with flowers in our hair, we met up with my parents for dinner.

It was a long day, but the bugz couldn’t resist a night time swim on our first day in Mexico!!

We spent Monday getting acquainted with the resort, soaking up the sun and beverages, playing in the kids’ park and going for our complimentary manicure/pedicures at the spa.

We were up bright and early for a 6:45am (!!!!) swim on Tuesday. Leith went for his mani/pedi (no polish…lame!), and the bugz got sparkling glitter tattoos!

Tuesday was a day of adventure for us: Leith and I went parasailing at 400ft above the ocean! With a gulp and a prayer, we set off behind a boat in a sling-back chair and no seat belts, with our faith in the good Mexican safety standards – LOL! It was amazing, though – one of the top 5 experiences of my life, floating above the sparkling Carribean Sea. I expected it to be windy and bumpy, but it was peaceful, gentle and awe-inspiring. I’m so glad we went!!

We went to Isla Mujeres on Wednesday, which you can read about here!

Thursday was our day of spaaaah! One of the things I love about the Palace Resorts is their incredible spa experience. I had the best pregnancy massage at the Aventura Spa Palace on our honeymoon, and the hot stone massage at the Moon Palace was a thousand times more incredible. I actually fell asleep – a first for me! I was dizzy with relaxation as I left.

I was also able to experience the hydrotherapy, which I missed out on when I was pregnant. Hot tub, cold waterfalls, sauna/steam, Swedish shower, foot soak, all with cupfuls of hibiscus juice…I was nearly unconscious before I was even called in for my massage!

That afternoon, we kept our zen by painting a few ceramic souvenirs at a little hut by the pool:

On Friday, we made the most of a windy day by watching Poppa Rocky fly his super-cool kite on the terrace outside our room:

We splashed in the pool some more, and then went to have some family portraits taken. This was our first family photo shoot since the bugz have been around!! Long overdue… Another benefit to our membership? The photo shoot was included

Leith and I spent Friday night at a romantic lobster-and-champagne dinner on a terrace overlooking the ocean. It was warm, peaceful and perfect – an excellent escape for two parents who never go on a date!

Saturday was a day of wrapping up loose ends. I went for my (included) back massage, and Leith painted a thank-you gift for my parents.

We trekked the entire length of the resort, and then went for a fancy-pants Mexican dinner to celebrate our last night in paradise:

We also coerced a waiter into performing a special dessert coffee treat for us:

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Sunday morning, we all woke up early to catch the sun rising over the edge of the sea. It was breath-taking, or as Kit-kat said: “More magical than true love’s kiss!!”

I love that kid!

After breakfast, it was time to say goodbye to Poppa and Grammy. We headed back to the airport for a looooooooooong day of travel back to the frozen north, with warm memories of our first real family holiday