The May long weekend is the unofficial start of summer. Are you ready?

It may have been snowing in Toronto last weekend, but the May long weekend is just a few days away which means summer is really going to happen this year. And it starts now.

Our family, like most in Canada, really embraces Victoria Day weekend as the unofficial start of summer. We work on the yard, get out with the kids and ALWAYS plan a road trip and a BBQ.

We should be inside doing our spring cleaning – as it really didn’t seem like spring happened here – but I’m excited to ditch the tech and get the kids outside for some fresh air. We may be doing a little gardening, but only in terms of planting some fresh herbs to kick-start our switch to our summer go-to favourite recipes.

Once we get the herbs started in the back yard, I’m looking forward to taking the kids a little further afield. When I checked out the Readers Digest list of the best hiking in Canada there were some amazing ideas, including lots of great family friendly options. If we were on the West Coast, I might be inclined to check out The Gold Creek Falls trail in Vancouver, B.C., but the Webster Falls trail in Hamilton, Ont. With “Moderate” accessibility we can probably manage to get both kids out, at least for part of the way, and the photos look pretty spectacular.

I’ve been checking things off my packing list so we’re ready to hit the ground running.

My must haves:

• Snacks
• Bottles of water
• Lots of sunscreen
• Gravol™
• Rub A535™
• + new addition Nair™ Wax READY-STRIPS

We’ve been “so far, so good” on the car sickness, but I’m always nervous the winding roads will get the better of me when I’m checking maps on the phone and spoil my day. Gravol™ Ginger Liquid Gels are easy to swallow, non-drowsy and nip any motion sickness on long car rides in the bud.

I still have to grab a new tube of Rub A535™ Extra Strength. After a long, lazy winter, my back tends to pick moments like the furthest part of a trail, to seize up. It’s my go-to for sudden pain and it has saved the day countless times.

Oh, and one more thing. It has been a LONG COLD winter. So I don’t want to miss a chance to wear shorts if the temperature sneaks up. I just tried Nair™ Wax READY-STRIPS for the first time. I have to say, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but with the afore mentioned bad back, I’ve been looking for an alternative to bending down to shave in the shower. These were easy to use, easy on my back and my legs are smooth as can be. Two thurmbs up.

So packing has begun. BBQ menu is taking shape, hiking location identified. Legs ready for shorts, if the weather cooperates.

I say, let summer unofficially begin. 

What are you and your family planning on doing for the May long weekend?