Tadhg and Sadhbh go to Ottawa

Tadhg and Sadhbh were woken up early on Thursday morning for the trip to Ottawa. Everyone was packed into the car soon after 6am for the short ride to the train station. When the train arrived Tadhg jumped excitedly on thrilled about the impending journey to Ottawa. 

Sadhbh enjoyed having lots of space on the train which allowed her to stretch out and Tadhg loved running up and down the carriages exploring.The train ride was so much more fun than driving and after a brief stop in Toronto, the train arrived in Ottawa in the afternoon. It was a bit colder than expected in Ottawa but soon everyone was checked in to their hotel and exploring the hotel and city.

After an early morning swim in the hotel salt water pool on Friday morning, Tadhg, Sadhbh, mom and dad headed to the Museum of Civilisation for the day. Everyone was amazed at the great museum and after wandering around the totem poles exhibit they found the kids museum. Tadhg was handed a little museum passport which he had to stamp at various locations and after a quick look around realised he was in kid's paradise. First stop was the bus ride to Lahoor. Then Tadhg whipped on a chef's hat and apron in the play restaurant.

Then it was time to be a Mexican cowboy.... 

....and Egyptian Pharoah.... 

 and a Pirate. Tadhg also loved the Robert Munsch exhibit, the toy museum, the marketplace, the lifesize ship, the camel ride and the many other fun things in the museum. Tadhg had the best of times and didn't want to leave when the museum closed.

On Saturday, which just happened to be St Patrick's day, Tadhg and Sadhbh explored Parliament hill in the nation's capital. It was fun to look down at the frozen river and canal from atop the hill.

After the short cultural escapade it was on the the ByWard Market where Tadhg, mom and dad enjoyed some Maple Leaf Obama cookies while Sadhbh enjoyed a nap. Lots of people were celebrating St Patrick's day in the Irish Village area and it was fun to see the Irish National Holiday celebrated in Canada. After another busy day, Tadhg and Sadhbh were quickly asleep allowing mom and dad to get a babysitter for a few hours and join in some of the festivities.


Sunday brought another chance to swim in the hotel pool before taking the train home. It was a great trip but everyone was glad to be back in their own beds again.