THE CLIPPERFor Memorial Day weekend, we decided to go to Victoria via the Victoria Clipper (the boat pictured behind Ryan below). Everyone, except Joshua, got a bit seasick on the ride over since it was a rainy, windy day, which translated to choppy water. We should have known it was going to be a rough ride when the boat crew announced that they had motion sickness pills for sale and that they highly recommended taking them for that particular trip. Thankfully, Ryan & I made it to Victoria without losing our lunches. Joshua actually loved the sickening back and forth rocking motion of the boat and was happily lulled to sleep for most of the trip. (Our return trip to Seattle was perfectly smooth.)

BUTCHART GARDENSOnce in Victoria, we hopped on a charter bus & headed to the famous Butchart Gardens. We especially liked the "Sunken Garden," which had been an exhausted limestone quarry before being converted into this lush garden bursting with plants and flowers.

This pond area reminded me of a Monet painting. So beautiful!

Joshua's expression leaves no question as to what he thought of the gardens.

SWIMMINGSince our hotel had a pool, I was really excited to have Joshua try "swimming" for the first time. He loves playing in his bathtub at home, so I was sure he was going to love playing in a really big bathtub. We got him all dressed up in his tiny bathing suit; Ryan even offered to let Joshua use his goggles.

But, the pool was not a happy place for Joshua. He balled up his fists & made a sad face until we removed him from the cold water. He was much happier "swimming" in the warm bathtub in our hotel room.