The Sister Visit and Balancing Activity Levels

My sister Mary came for a visit from out west to Toronto for a week. She stayed with me. It's always a pleasure to have her come. We saw a lot of each other last year because we were vacation buddies in Portugal and Alaska. Planning considerations are different when she comes back to Ontario. 

(This is a goofy photo of us at the Toronto Premium Outlets in Georgetown. She needed some time to shop! I, obviously, have no idea how to make a duck-lip face like my friend Jennifer Brown!)

I'm often second-guessing myself when we try to organize her schedule. 

On one hand, there are so many friends and family members that want to see Mary. It's challenging to try and fit everyone in. If we timetable too many meet-ups, then Mary practically needs a vacation from her vacation. She's exhausted!

On the other hand, being super-chill and just hanging out together is relaxing but feels like I'm denying other people of the opportunity to spend time with someone who can't be around a lot. 

I really hope that we achieved the right balance between over-programming and under-programming, between booking too many events/visits and not enough events/visits. 

Here are some photos of our adventures with others as well as some R&R.

(Visiting with my parents at my house last Tuesday)

(Taking our dad to the Scarborough Farmers' Market)

(Visiting with longtime family friend, Paula)

(Enjoying a large buffet lunch at Mandarin)

(Playing Mario Kart with the Maliszewski boys)

(The two Marys [aunt and niece] enjoying Korean Fried Chicken at Ban Ban)

(Laughing with my friend Kim as they try on shoes at the Fluevog store)

(Posing with the girls in the Distillery District just prior to a patio lunch)

(Checking shoe fits with Wendy - shout out to Phil and Chy, our patient Fluevogists)

These photos do not even include my sister's separate visits with a favourite cousin of hers, as well as her longtime friends from her university days. 

If you are a relative or friend and are disappointed that you missed seeing Mary, don't despair - she plans on coming again in December. Book now with her to make it happen!

I have to thank my sister for choosing to fly to Toronto for a visit. As she has accurately pointed out, for the cost of the flight, she could have gone somewhere tropical or exotic. It's a shame how flying domestically in Canada is so cost-prohibitive. 

To tie this in with education, trying to find the right balance so that students or children aren't bored with nothing to do AND aren't over-scheduled so they have neither rest nor free time is a genuine struggle. Giving the person being scheduled (students or sisters) the agency to declare when it's too little or too much is important. There's never enough time to do everything we want to do and see everyone we want or need to see, so we try our best and plan accordingly, while still being flexible.