landing without my sponsor

Hi,
Could anybody please advise me regarding “landing”
I have my visa to enter Canada (my wife is a Canadian citizen) which expires next April

I understand to activate my visa I have only to be in Canada for a week or two;
we've just had a second baby and don't relish the prospect of flying her and her 2 year old sister there and back just to return later.

We still have a house to sell and the childrens duel citezenship is still being processed. I was hoping to make the trip alone and we would all return together

Does my wife as my sponsor have to be present when I arrive? Life would be so much easier if I could make the trip alone.

Thanks for any help

Doug