Getting on the road... with children now!

Lets put it this way: the last post - and the last big trip -  happened around the same time we got pregnant again. So... after 9 months of belly growing and 6 months of sleepless nights, we are back!

Now we are four. Actually, five, because our nephew Vitor is visiting us for a couple of months from Brazil.  

Destination: one of the most fun places in Ontario for kids: The Great Wolf Lodge, in Niagara Falls.

The idea came with a gift certificate Papa Smele gave us two christmas ago, when Sofia wasn't even born yet. Before that I had never even heard about this place. It's a hotel with a waterpark and various attractions for children. The forest theme makes it more exciting for the little ones, who can play with talking trees and other moving animals like wolves, moose and bears.

While daddy is in the long line trying to check-in, Julia and Vitor join other children running around in the lobby discovering all the fun. In this picture they are howling with wolves.

The only family portrait of the trip.

 Sofia checking out the bed. It's her first hotel experience, ever!

 Julia and Vitor sharing bunk beds in the wolf den.

But let's not waste time here in the room. There is a waterpark waiting for us.

 WATERPARK

All the "vovó-anas", like Julia calls the Havaianas.

"Fine, I am too young, but next time I am going on the highest water slide!"

He is happy to have a break from the cold and snow!

It's freezing cold... OUTSIDE!

DINNER AT THE KEG

After all that excitement and physical activity - swimming, jumping, running, screaming - we are starving! Daddy also had a gift certificate for The Keg Steak House. Why not? 

Sofia enjoying an orange for the first time. She loves it!

 Despite of being in a steak house, I always prefer salmon over anything.

 Vitor needs a HUGE steak to recharge his batteries.

 Juju loves her burgers.

And daddy can't let Vitor down. Extra blue cheese for him, though.

PAJAMA PARTY

 Back at the hotel we see all the kids running around in pajamas, some carrying their teddy bears. Julia runs to her room and get her pj's on for the "pajama dance party," she says doing some samba moves.

Right after we discovered the game room, we call Vitor to come down and play with us. The party goes on till way past our normal bed time.

NEXT MORNING

I am not sure if it was the waterpark, the burgers, or the bears and wolves decoration on the wall. I just know that something rose Julia's excitement levels through the roof and she was awake from 3:30 to 5am, talking non stop. She was so awake, that daddy took her bed and she joined the "sleepless club" with me, since I have to feed Sofia often during the night. My favourite part was when, at one point she turns to me and says: "mommy, would you like a face painting? what colour do you want?"

At 7:30 am she jumps off the bed, opens the curtains and says: "It's good morning time already, mommy!"

 A bit of television...

... and a bit of play time between sisters, before the boys wake up.  

VISITING THE FROZEN FALLS

After playing more in the waterpark it's time to go home, but not before visiting the falls. Vitor was here years ago and barely remembers the place. It's not a good day to see this wonderful nature scene because of the mist and snowy sky, but we make sure he gets the traditional Niagara Falls picture!

Great weekend! Great memories! Thanks Papa Smele!

Last day in Tel Aviv! Nov. 3 - Saturday

Our last day in Tel Aviv, and Israel, was spent like this: on the beach. Julia is so spoiled with all those playgrounds around the city.

Saba & Julia moment I at Frishman Beach, building a castle.

A nice swim with papai in the Mediterranean Sea.

Finally an Israeli beer! Is it 11am yet? Who cares?

Beach + Beer = Beautiful!

After a siesta, we went back to the beach for a walk. This time we decided to explore the north coast of Tel Aviv, towards the port. It's definitely much busier, with lots of tourists.

This was a bit strange... At one point off the beach, we saw a couple of dozen of people - of all ages - dancing Israeli folk music. They all knew the steps to different songs. It was pretty impressive! It looked like a Flash Mob, but apparently this happens frequently.

A little bit further, a complex with a few swimming pools. We are told that they have salty water, from the sea right beside it.  It looked like it was part of a resort but it's a public area.

The beaches are small and right beside one another. It also looks like they attract different audiences. Where we were staying (Frishman Beach) was less crowded and had more families. This beach (Gordan Beach) had more tourists and young people hanging out.

A bit further there is the Hilton Beach (named after the hotel standing right there), and it's unofficial the gay beach.

This seems to be the "Dog Beach," where dogs run in and out of the water off-leashed.

And this is the Nordau Beach, a gender-segregrated beach, which has a tall woodn fence around it.

The sign explains: on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday only men can swim in there, regardless of religion. On Sunday, Tuesday and Thursdays, only women are allowed behind the fence. I guess Saturday - which is their day off - the beach is opened for all.

We kept going... the last beach just before the Tel Aviv port is the Mezizim Beach. It was named after one of Israel's popular films. Our friend Avi worked on it as an editor. This art on the change room wall pays tribute to a famous scene in the movie - Peeking Tom. Mezizim is a cult movie today in Israel. Every Israeli has seen it, or at least has hear of it.

The Tel Aviv Port is today another space for arts, entertainment and good food. 

This is what's left of our last Middle East meal.

Julia and Saba moment II.

Julia and Saba moment III.

Julia had so much fun playing at the playgrounds here. Because she is so social, we made tons of friends and truly had a great time. It looked like she belonged here.

Until we tried to take her home... here is an example of what she is capable of if you dare take her away from the playground and her friends.  But it didn't last that long...

Nothing like a good gelato to put a smile back on her face!
Julia and Saba moment IV.

Ok... that's it! Our trip is getting to an end. After going through many security check points outside and inside the airport, we boarded an El Al flight to Toronto at 1:30am on Sunday. Julia tried really hard to stay awake and say goodbye to Israel, but it was just too much and she collapsed on mamãe's arms just before boarding.
It was indeed a great family vacation that left a taste of "we hope to be back soon!" Good bye.

Tel Aviv art walls - Part II

More street art in Tel Aviv. Enjoy!