Toopy and Binoo

Mason got to go see some of his favorite cartoon characters at the mall on Friday. We went with his sitter and the kids she has during the day. Mason had so much fun and was so excited to see them. And don't worry if you don't recognized Toopy and Binoo, they're Canadian. He danced and sang and had a great time.

School

So, the kids both started school this week. We've survived the first two days, and Tyler's first day on public transportation. Grade 6 is still in Elementary school here, so they still ride a regular school bus. But starting in grade 7 they ride public transportation, and they have to change buses at a major bus exchange station. Then they get 45 min of open campus lunch. I said first their going to teach them how to ride the bus and then they are going to let them leave at lunch. Do they actually expect them to return after lunch!?!?!? They could be half-way across the city! I just can't believe all of the responsibility, all of the sudden.

Tyler just called to let me know he made it to school. Looks like the bus he took today will get him there too late. We'll go back to the bus he took yesterday. And yes, I had to get him a cell phone for school. I just had to be able to find him if he didn't make it home from school on time. And, don't tell him, but it has one of those GPS locators in it. Not that I know how to use it yet, but I can use it if I need to use it.

Tyler is taking French (the only foreign language offered) and a 3 part class for his electives. The 3 part class includes 1/3 of the year in a sewing class. Yesterday I paid for the materials for a pair of boxer shorts and a stuffed hockey stick and puck. The other two parts are cooking and shop. Its a very interesting class that I think will be really good for him. Too bad we don't have anything like that back home. He hasn't met all of his teachers yet, but he hasn't complained about any so far.

And look at how Canadian I am becoming...I said Grade 6 and Grade 7. They don't say 6th grade or 7th grade here, always grade whatever. And I always get a funny look when I say it the other way. Looks like I'm learning. Oh, and Grant is in 3rd grade this year. He will have provincial exams this year. Kinda like TAKS, except they don't talk about it all year, and they don't have special exam homework every night. Crazy, huh? Of course passing is only 50% too.

Grant has the same teacher he had at the beginning of the year last year, so he's already familiar with everything, and he knows all of the students but one. Having only one class per grade level keeps everyone together every year.

So we are finally back on a schedule, and I'm trying to get Mason in something to. You have to sign up for story time at the Library by age, so I'm trying to get him into that. If that doesn't work then I'm going to start him in a Gymboree class, but the Library is free.

Warm

Well, it looks like yesterday might be are last warm day. Luckily we made it to the pool. They were having giant inflatables, so the kids got to try it out. They only did it once because the line was so long. They had fun on the diving board, slide, rope climb, and rope swing though. Yesterday it was over 70 degrees. Today its 50 and raining, with a hight only in the 60s for the next 2 weeks. Here comes winter!

Dragon Boat Races

Yesterday we headed out to the Dragon Boat races. We had a good time, but it was a lot of walking, on stairs! We were not prepared for the stairs. We even had Mason's stroller. Luckily the temperature was just about perfect. If you click on the slideshow you can make it bigger.

After we got home the neighborhood had a block party, so we went to meet some more neighbors. We met some new ones and saw some of the ones we hadn't seen since the block party last year. We went to that one on the day we moved in to our house. Then we stayed too late at one of our friends houses, and we had to get up for rugby. Both boys played, but they are quite tired. Everyone has been instructed to take naps, because we are going out again tonight. Maybe with school starting next week we can get some rest!

Baseball, Again

We decided to take the boys to a baseball game for a comparison. Turns out its a completely different set up. No lines, no crowds to fight, nice temp, and you can really get in on the action. Everyone had a lot of fun. The kids got foul balls, and autographs. The crowd, or the few people in the stands were lots of fun. Although, probably not used to talking to everyone around them, but we broke them in on that tradition. It was much less of a hassle than games at Minute Maid Park.

See more pics here http://picasaweb.google.com/ccarrabine5/BaseballEdmonton, or watch the slideshow to the left if I get it to work.....

Pics I forgot

We saw this on the road the last full day we were in Houston. Couldn't believe it, the McDonald's shoe car driving down the street. With Mason screaming, shoe, shoe!

Back in Canada

Well, we've been busy getting back into Canadian life. The first 2 days we were home the high was 63 F, so we had some adjusting to do. But, it was 95 F yesterday, that goodness we have AC, because no one else does.

We went to World Waterpark in West Edmonton Mall last week. Turns out you can't get there from outside, so we walked through the mall in wet suits on the way out. I didn't bring a change of clothes, because who needs clothes as Splashtown, which is much better for the money. But the kids had fun, and no sunburns! And its not hot, so for those of us not swimming you don't get all worn out. Of course there is no lazy river, so not much for boring grown ups to do anyway.

We had people over for fajitas on Sunday. I made beans and everything. Turned out pretty good. Much better than our first attempt. We will definitely be making that again. But now we have an electric knife, so I'm on the look out for brisket.

Two weeks to go before school starts. Oh, and I need to work on my camera, I have a new memory card, so I should be able to take pics again soon.