Making a Vacation with No Money

I love having the opportunity to be with my son everyday for the first year of his life.  I'm able to do things I wouldn't be able to do otherwise.  Breastfeed on demand.  Make him fresh baby food.  Watch both my boys learn to interact and love each other.  But, the maternity leave budget really reduces our fun money.

We go out often, but a vacation where we go on a plane, to a 5-star somewhere, and eat well everyday is not on the books this year.  Welcome the idea of a Staycation.  We stay at home for our vacation.  Woohoo! (enter sarcasm here)  It doesn't have to be total crap.  With a smaller vacation budget we'll just do stuff in and around the city like a tourist.  Hello theme parks, water parks, Science Centre, Zoo, CN Tower, The Falls, beaches, picnics, etc  Perhaps Great Wolf Lodge can be worked in.  Although, from what I've heard from other parents, my kids may be too young to enjoy all the amenities.  Definitely a cottage is a must. 

It's not where you go on vacation (this is what I tell myself to keep the illusion alive), it's the state of mind.  I don't want to look at a clock to be at some scheduled activity.  I don't want to cook.  I want to go to places I don't normally go to.

One of my grandiose plans for this summer is to create a backyard oasis.  Hammock, garden, pool (not sure if just a kiddy one or a small above ground one), sandbox, bbq area, and a swinging chair so Franklin and I can watch the kids play while we swing together and chat.

Nom. Nom. Nom.  That's me eating an awesome steak cooked by the hubby and my money buying all my summer dreams.
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