Last summer we packed up for a big family adventure to Prince Edward Island. This year, we kept it simple with a staycation in Prince Edward County, just over two hours from home. It reminded me that sometimes you don't need to go far to feel like you've truly gotten away.

We stayed at a little countryside Airbnb called Lily's Landing, tucked away among quiet fields. It was so peaceful, so dark at night, that I actually had a hard time sleeping the first night. I'm so used to traffic, neighbours, and the glow of streetlights that complete silence almost felt unfamiliar.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect. Hot, sunny, and exactly what we spend every Canadian winter wishing for. We made a conscious decision not to complain about the heat because, honestly, this is what we've been waiting months for.

My husband, our two boys, and my wonderful in-laws came along. (Yes, I absolutely won the lottery with the world's coolest in-laws.)

our bucket list approach

Before we arrived, we made a family bucket list of everything we hoped to do while we were there.

On our last day we realized we'd checked off every single item except watching a sunset. Somehow, by simply choosing whatever sounded fun each day instead of sticking to a rigid itinerary, everything else naturally fell into place.

I think this might be my new favourite way to travel.

Instead of planning every hour, make a list of possibilities and let the day decide.

every day was a beach day

I bought beach passes for every day of our trip, thinking we'd have the flexibility to go whenever we felt like it.

As it turns out, of course the boys wanted to go every single day.

Outlet Beach quickly became a favourite. The shallow water stretches out forever, making it perfect for young kids to splash and explore without constantly worrying about deep water. We also loved Dunes Beach, where the towering sand dunes make the whole place feel completely different.

The boys spent hours building what my oldest proudly called our "annual Kinsman Summer Sandcastle" after last year's giant creation in PEI. Naturally, they both wanted to be buried in the sand too.

We learned that you cannot successfully bury our five-year-old because he finds the sensation so hilariously ticklish that he laughs the sand right back off himself.

the great sandwich heist

One item on my personal bucket list was building an enormous beach sandwich.

Fresh bakery bread. Prosciutto. Butcher's bacon. Garlic mayo. Arugula. Cheese.

I wrapped it up, brought along a big cutting board, and pictured this beautiful beach picnic.

Then I turned my back for approximately one second.

A seagull swooped down, grabbed the very best section of the sandwich, and disappeared before I could even react.

There was a collective gasp from everyone nearby. Complete strangers mourned my loss while expressing their outrage at the seagull.

A teenager sitting nearby simply shrugged and said sympathetically,

"Little bro was just hungry."

It immediately became a thing my husband and I say whenever something minor goes wrong and really it’s not a big deal.

Little bro was just hungry.

breweries, wineries and vacation food

We spent plenty of time eating our way around the County.

Midtown Brewing was a fun stop with friends over beers, snacks, and a FIFA match playing on the screens.

Slake Brewing was one of our favourites, with incredible countryside views, excellent beer, and fantastic tacos. My boys suddenly decided vacation quesadillas were delicious after spending the last eight years refusing to believe me when I suggested they might like them.

We grabbed beer to take home from Gillingham Brewing Company and attempted a birthday dinner at Parsons Brewing. The menu turned out not to be ideal for a particular picky five-year-old, but the playground, cornhole, and impromptu soccer game with new friends more than made up for it before we headed into Picton for pizza at 555 Brewing.

Lighthall Vineyards introduced me to my very first wine and cheese pairing, which honestly feels like something everyone should experience at least once.

We also spent an afternoon at Huff Estates Winery, enjoying a leisurely tasting and reminding ourselves that vacations don't always need to be packed with activities.

a little treasure hunting

No trip would be complete without a little antique hunting.

MacCool's Re-Use was the kind of place where I could happily have brought home half the store. I somehow managed to limit myself to a little crock with little ear handles and a beautiful olive green Victorian velvet footstool.

We also wandered through The Local Store, a wonderful mix of antiques, gifts, and local makers.

I found a vintage wooden duck hook that completely confused my husband until he admitted it would look pretty great at our cottage. He was easy to win over anyway because they happened to carry Paradise butter tarts, his absolute favourite we rarely find anywhere else.

turning five

Our youngest celebrated his fifth birthday during the trip and I've honestly never seen anyone so excited about getting older.

For days he proudly announced to every server, cashier, and stranger who happened to make eye contact, "I'm going to be five in a few days!"

After his birthday he simply updated everyone with, "I just turned five. Can you tell? I'm a bit stronger now."

His favourite part of the day was definitely his piñata, although he admitted later he had expected it to be completely stuffed with cash. We’re not sure where he got this idea but I’d like to request one for my own birthday! 

His birthday cake wish was wonderfully simple: a McCain Deep 'n Delicious cake with a giant number five candle. Sometimes childhood nostalgia comes full circle.

sometimes you can feel the memories being made

Every family trip has its moments. Kids argue. Adults wonder why they drove hours away just to grocery shop and cook dinner somewhere else. Plans don’t work out. Someone forgets something.

But somewhere in between all of that, the important moments quietly happen. Roasting marshmallows, sharing s'mores, snuggling with Nana before bed. Watching your kids invent inside jokes and traditions of their own.

As our boys get older, I can finally picture a future where family vacations aren't just about managing little children, but genuinely enjoying adventures together. Their personalities are becoming part of the trip itself.

Sometimes you can actually feel the memories being made while you're still living them. Those are always the best kinds of vacations. And they don't have to be across the country.

Sometimes they're only a couple of hours from home.