Back to NS - Rosie's Burgers, Escape Room and Naked Painting (Feb.15, 2026)

We are going to head back to NS today so Jen can spend some time with her boys. 

So I enjoyed my last morning coffee with a view.

Lisa and Todd just have such a nice spot here and it was so nice of them to let us use it while we were here.

We packed up and headed out.

We stopped in at Pam's for a visit on the way.

The girls were already in bed last night when we got there so Jen didn't have a chance to give them the gifts she'd picked up for them so we stopped to do it today.

We stayed for about an hour then we headed back to NS.

Of course it was kind of stormy weather so that slowed us down a bit but we made it safe and sound.

We headed straight to the hotel and got ourselves checked in.

Then we headed over to Eastern Passage to pick up Ethan and Declan.

Jen booked us an Escape room in downtown Halifax so we headed over there.

We got there a bit early so we decided to get some dinner.

We found a spot called Rosie's Burgers.

It had good reviews so we gave it a try.

It was just a tiny place inside but lots of people working.

Jen, Ethan and Declan.

Jen and I.

They do smash burgers, I got the Rosie - it was a really good burger.

I got onion rings with it.

There were a lot of them so I didn't eat all of them but the few that I ate were really good.

We headed over to Captured Escape Rooms.

Jen and the boys did one of the rooms at Christmas time so this will be their second time here, 

You get an hour to figure it out - the goal is to find the key (and it is an actual key) so that you can get out.

There are cameras in the room so if you need a clue, you can wave to the camera and they will send a clue to the tv screen.

You get 3 clues, but they will give you more if you want them.

We ended up using 4 clues.

But we did find the key with 4 minutes to spare.

Victorious!

I think we all really enjoyed it and we worked well together.

So fun and I would most definitely recommend and I would go again and try another room.

We stopped at Dairy Queen for blizzards (Ethan's favorite) then took the boys home.

I still needed lots of steps so I headed to the gym in the hotel.

Thankfully it was open 24 hours.

I walked for 20 minutes then I had to stop and use the washroom.

Then I popped back on and it took another 34 minutes for me to get all of my steps in.

I really didn't feel like doing it so it was that much more rewarding when I did.

Jason had the girls for the day so he sent me a bunch of pictures of their activities.

He covered the table with paper for them so they could do some painting.

They didn't waste any time getting to it.

Very into the dark colors.

Best way to not wreck clothes is to just not wear any I guess.

The finished product.

At first glance I thought she was wearing gloves but no, she painted her hands black.

Then he got them all cleaned up.

He made them pizza for supper.

That looks so good - it got me craving for pizza myself.

Got all my steps in!!

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!

Human Valentine's Day (Feb.14, 2026)

I had a really great sleep last night and was feeling well rested when I got up this morning.

Jason sent me a text first thing and I could see just the top of a heart in the attached picture.

I thought he was sending me a Valentine's message which he usually isn't into so I was kind of surprised.

But then when I opened it, I saw it was actually a gift for Freya from Ivy.

 

She left this really pretty heart and a note next to this mushroom house.

The note.

I have been keeping all of the notes that Ivy has left for Freya and I plan on putting them all in a scrapbook for her.

I would like to get started but my craft room is such a mess right now there is no way that I can get in there to do anything until I get it cleaned up.

After I enjoyed my coffee with a view, I went out for a walk.

I came upon these trees with these ornaments hanging from them.

At the end of the row of trees was this one tree with a bunch of decorations (they are actually little buoys).

This is looking back at it.

I liked it.

It was nice and sunny, a little chilly on the ears when the wind picked up so I had to put my hoodie up for the walk back.

There was some property for sale just up from Lisa and Todd's.

So I grabbed a picture of the real estate agent so we could call and find out how much the lots were going for.

There were two different spots so I had to grab both.

The water is just in behind the trees here.

I did some running on the way back to the house, I'd run to one light post then walk to the next one.

Then I bumped it up to running two light post sections then three.

So I did do a bit of outdoor running - it's been awhile so I was proud of myself.

When I made it back to the house, we got ready and headed into Summerside to do a bit of shopping.

We were going to be seeing the twins, Leah and Mia, so Jen wanted to pick them up a little gift.

We went to Water St Bakery.

They have really good stuff but they were sold out of almost everything when we got there.

I wanted some ginger cookies but they were gone so I got some oatmeal chocolate chips instead.

We went to Walmart and got toys for the girls - I picked up a little something to take home to Freya and Eden too.

Then we got Jr Whopper's at Burger King.

I haven't had one in forever - it was pretty good.

Then finally I got myself a matcha latte at Starbucks then we headed to my aunt and uncle's place, Coleen and Jimmy.

She was making her beans that she makes every Saturday so we kind of invited ourselves over.

Tricia and Gilles were there visiting.

They were over in NS working and just got back home today.

Coleen invited the rest of the family over as well so they all started showing up.

Jimmy and Kayla arrived with Willow and Hazel.

Brody, Allison and the twins, Leah and Mia also arrived as did Pam and Blair.

Coleen had the beans cooked and Pam cooked up the baloney when she got there.

Tricia and Hazel.

Supper.

I love Coleen's homemade beans, they are so good.

 Pam made Coleen's biscuit/buns which I also love - I had two of those.

Tricia was helping Hazel eat.

Jen and Jimmy.

Pam shared with us earlier that Jimmy and Kayla are expecting another baby girl and she will be arriving in May.

How exciting!!!

Everyone enjoying supper.

Allison, Brody, Jimmy, Coleen, Pam and Gilles.

Kayla and I.

Coleen, Pam and Gilles.

Allison, Brody, Blair, Jimmy and Coleen.

The little girls were all sitting at the kitchen island eating.

Safe to say that Hazel enjoyed her beans!

She is just a little doll.

I invited myself over to Pam's for a party tonight so after supper at Coleen's we headed over there.

Pam made some dips and Amanda ended up coming over.

We mostly just chatted and caught up so not a raving party but it was really nice and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

We stayed until close to midnight then headed back to Lisa and Todd's for the night.

Jason made little Valentine bags for the girls this morning.

He took them sledding.

Looks like Eden is pretty happy.

Looks like they had a nice day.

Her hat is pulled down over her eyes, she can't even see anything.

Still covering her eyes.

She likely did it on purpose, she's goofy like that sometimes.

Then back home for a bath.

She loves messing around in the cat's water dish.

Having some chicken for supper.

Freya had a friend sleep over for the night.

Jason got them set up in the living room.

Got all my steps in again, yay me!

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!