Monday 16 September 2013

A Wonder in Montreal

This past weekend, we took the opportunity to drive up to Montreal for a couple of days. We did not have much planned, other than going to the Parc Mont-Royal, The biodome and the Botanical Gardens.

We were very unprepared for what we came across at the Botanical Gardens. At the moment it is hosting the Montral International Mosaicultures 2013 Show Exhibition. http://www.mosaiculturesinternationales.ca/en/

I am not going to write much about it -  instead I am going to let the photos tell an inadequate version of what we saw. Suffice it to say, I am in awe: that someone, somewhere, had the vision for this, and the follow through to get it up and running, and that someone, somewhere had the skill and desire to create these amazing works of art, is mind blowing to me.

Enjoy a small part of the wonder that we saw.

Jen x
































Friday 13 September 2013

Big Moments

It has been a big week for this Aussie family in Ottawa. Big moments for little people and the resolution of bureaucratic red tape for the big people.

The Youngest has started pre-school, two mornings a week and loves it. Mind you, it seems we are paying a lot of money every month for her to either paint or spend most of her time washing her hands. Still, she loves  her 'school' and has had no issues separating from me, and pretty much doesn't want to leave when it's time to go.

The Youngest's desire for independence grows daily, and many battles are fought when we leave the house, as to whether she goes in the stroller, or whether she walks. As I am rarely in a rush these days, she wins the battle for walking independence. The trade off being, she has to wear the monkey backpack.
 I know some people have an issue with these backpacks. I have had people comment to me 'nice dog', 'I like your dog'. I say choice words in my head to those people. They obviously have never walked busy streets with a strong willed, highly independent, stubborn toddler. It's not a leash. It's an anti wandering device. It works. This clip of Cam and Mitchell on Modern Family makes me laugh - the whole episode is worth watching, especially seeing Mitchell come to an appreciation of the "leash". 

The Eldest has also started school - full time, 5 days a week. She was so excited to start school, especially after her new playground friends all started school a week earlier. I loved her positive attitude as she got ready. 
"I must eat all of my breakfast, so my brain can work hard at school today. I have a lot to learn".
"Today is the best day. I am going to make lots of new friends."
This morning was not quite as positive: 
"I am going to wear my barbie top to school today."When told she had to wear her uniform, the foot stamped, and the ensuring comment "School is so unfair!", followed by a difficult morning of getting ready for school. 
Still, she skipped along the footpath all the way to school, excited to be heading back to her teacher (who knows EVERYTHING in the whole wide world) and the new friends she made yesterday. She looks so grown up. She is so ready for this new experience. She is desperate to learn and soaks up knowledge like a sponge. I am not quite so ready - still coming to terms with my little girl growing up so big...

It has taken a loooong time for us to get through the red tape of getting Canadian ID, licences, car registration and insurance. We frequently use the Little Britain term "computer says no". It has been endless frustration. BUT!! We now have everything sorted out, and we have all our ID and most importantly, we can drive our car. This has meant we were able to go and do some serious shopping (yay!) and also venture out of our neighbourhood to see some 'Canadian Stuff'. Both of us have mastered driving on the left side of the road and getting a geographical sense of our new city. To celebrate our new found freedom, we headed out to Gatineaux Park in Quebec, to a place called 'Pink Lake'. It's not actually pink (much to the disappointment of The Eldest) but beautiful nevertheless. It has boardwalk around the lake, and whilst we didn't walk all the way around, The Youngest climbed A LOT of steps and wore herself out completely. It was a great family day out. 



So, that's our big week. Little girls growing up big, and big people conquering driving on the other side of the road. 
*Big moments*
Jen xxx

Sunday 1 September 2013

Don’t magic my sister


We have moved into our new house, our home for the next two years. It is a regular looking townhouse, red brick, 3 stories and a basement. Hubby and I are happy – it is a lovely house, in a good location, in a good neighbourhood.

For our girls, it is like a castle, and they are living a magical life.  They are loving being in Ottawa – and what four and two year old wouldn’t.

Because, besides other wonderful things (like Mumma being a SAHM), they live directly opposite a playground that is perfect for the 0-6 child .

The magical playground as I like to think of it.

It is magical playground, where we have met wonderful children and wonderful parents. The Eldest has two new best friends, both also 4, beautiful girls who play so well together and love each others company. It is like The Eldest has known them all her life.

In the magical playground, the two new best friends, have wonderful Mums – one Canadian, one Australian, who have become my new best friends. Lovely ladies to chat with, share stories with, find my Canadian feet with, who have helped to keep any homesickness at bay, who I am enjoying getting to know and become friends with.

The magical playground has made The Eldest braver. 'What's your name?', 'Will you play with me?'. A willingness to make new friends without holding Mum's hand. Friendships that last an hour or two. Or develop into longer term, like weeks. 

The magical playground has made The Youngest overcome her tactile issues with walking on sand and getting dirty. She climbs, and runs, and swings and slides, wearing herself out so that the afternoon nap has stretched from one hour to almost two. The magical playground is enclosed so I can’t lose The Youngest. Magical.

The magical playground has toys that people have donated, that nobody steals, that the children love to play with. Ride on cars and bikes that they fly down the mini hill on, using barefeet as brakes. Buckets and shovels and kitchens and shopping carts. A drinking fountain provides water, essential for the making of mud pies and other magical playground treats.

The magical playground is giving my children the opportunity to live childhood the way it should be. Outdoors, endless play, getting dirty, friendship, fun.

In the magical playground squirrels frolic in the trees, and sticks are magic wands. It is a place where The Eldest looks out for her little sister. As magic was flying around, changing children into different animals and places, The Eldest very clearly said to her new best friends:

“Don’t magic my sister. She is too little.”

Followed by “Mum, don’t worry. No one is going to magic [The Youngest]. I promise she will be ok. I am looking out for her.”

Ah yes, the magical playground. It even builds sisterly love, family bonds and protective behaviours.

A magical existence indeed.

Jen x