We are getting a lot of rain today. Although I do not like it when it rains, I know that it is melting the snow and that it is a sign of Spring. Besides, it could be worse...snow...and I really don't want that now! You can almost see the patio in the backyard and we want to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. We were planning on going to the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Montreal, but since Mother Nature decided to give us rain, we went to Fundomundo instead. We then had lunch in Pointe Claire and afterwards, Arabella and I found a few puddles to play in! She just laughed and giggled the whole time. She was loving it and we both got the chance to test out our wellies!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
McDonald's Closed????
On the way back to Canada on Monday, we needed to stop and get something to eat. We were in upstate New York and decided that it would probably be good bet to find something near Lake George. We figured that since it is a tourist destination that there should be a few more options. We were wrong, very wrong. We had no idea that Lake George and all the shops, restaurants and even hotels close for the winter. Driving down the main road was like a ghost town. We were so desperate that I was willing to get fast food. In the distance, we saw the golden arches and figured that we would stop there...but it was closed! Seriously?? Have you ever heard of a McDonald's being closed????
It's Official
This week was a big week for us in assimilating to Canadian society. We all received our government issued insurance cards. So we can now go to any doctor or clinic that we choose. I am still trying to research good doctors and/or clinics in our area. This is proving to be more difficult than I expected. Many are not accepting new patients and it is hard to find information on doctors.
Jay also completed all the steps necessary to import my car into Canada. It passed the mechanical inspection and is now registered. Now I won't be hassled by Customs when traveling to and from the U.S. or by local police. Thank you Jay!
Jay also completed all the steps necessary to import my car into Canada. It passed the mechanical inspection and is now registered. Now I won't be hassled by Customs when traveling to and from the U.S. or by local police. Thank you Jay!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Visits With Family and Friends
During our visit to Connecticut, Arabella and I squeezed in as many visits with family and friends as we could. It is hard to try and visit everyone, but on this trip, I think we did a really good job of seeing a lot of people in a very short period of time.
Our visits started on Friday afternoon on the way to Grampy's. We met Auntie Lori at the outlet mall in Lee, Massachusetts. We planned the shopping perfect as the mall was not busy and we were able to get in to the stores we wanted to hit and then get back on the road before it got too late. I was able to get some very cute things at the Carter's and Gymboree outlets for Arabella, including her Easter dress. I also picked up some new workout clothes for me at Nike since my current ones are getting a "workout" (no pun intended!). I also got a great deal on a new summer bag at the Coach outlet! They were having amazing deals, I had a coupon and had been saving up for a new tote/purse to use in the summer instead of the diaper bag. We also picked up all of the items we had shipped to Auntie Lori's house that were either too expensive to ship to Canada or the company's wouldn't ship to Canada. Thanks Auntie Lori and Marge for letting us use your address!!
On Saturday, we met Auntie Di at Westfarms for some lunch and Nordstrom shopping. I had a few gift cards for Nordstrom that I needed to use. It was so nice to shop there again. I am sad that we don't have Nordstrom here in Canada as it is my favorite department store, but Jay is very happy about it! FYI Jay - they ship here now :)...but I promise to be good! After having lunch, we went to Babies R Us to pick up Laureen's shower gift and to get a potty for Arabella. She picked out a pink one and has been practicing sitting on it. No potty in the potty yet, but at least she tries it out.
On Saturday evening, Grampy made an excellent dinner of shrimp, brown rice and steamed veggies. We enjoyed it at Heather's moms house. Arabella met Dylan and they had a blast and both wore themselves out with all the playing that they did. It was nice to catch up with Kevin, Liz and Barbara.
After Laureen's shower on Sunday, Arabella and I visited Gabe, Emily and Auntie Andi. The kids we so excited to see one another and I had a fun time quickly catching up with Andi. Gabe and Arabella had fun coloring and playing with his cars. Emily shared her doll house with Arabella. Arabella is looking forward to our next visit with the Almeida's, hopefully it will be nice weather and we can go to the park!
We then had dinner at Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill's house. Aunt Margo made her famous meatballs and Arabella chowed down on her pasta. Aunt Rose, Aunt Moona and Cliff were also there and it was very nice to see them. Arabella and Aunt Moona had a fun time checking things out around the house. Arabella even got to meet Yoda - Uncle Bill's life size statue of Yoda from Star Wars. I thought he might scare her, but she seemed to like him. Arabella and Uncle Bill even watched Benji. She had a fun time and was spoiled at their house. She even made herself at home by raiding the fridge! Thanks for all her toys, we can't wait for warmer weather to play with the bubble maker outside.
On the way back to Grampy's we stopped and met my friend Jim for coffee. Arabella slept through most of the visit, but that is OK as Jim and I were able to catch up.
If we missed anyone, we will see you on the next go around!
Our visits started on Friday afternoon on the way to Grampy's. We met Auntie Lori at the outlet mall in Lee, Massachusetts. We planned the shopping perfect as the mall was not busy and we were able to get in to the stores we wanted to hit and then get back on the road before it got too late. I was able to get some very cute things at the Carter's and Gymboree outlets for Arabella, including her Easter dress. I also picked up some new workout clothes for me at Nike since my current ones are getting a "workout" (no pun intended!). I also got a great deal on a new summer bag at the Coach outlet! They were having amazing deals, I had a coupon and had been saving up for a new tote/purse to use in the summer instead of the diaper bag. We also picked up all of the items we had shipped to Auntie Lori's house that were either too expensive to ship to Canada or the company's wouldn't ship to Canada. Thanks Auntie Lori and Marge for letting us use your address!!
On Saturday, we met Auntie Di at Westfarms for some lunch and Nordstrom shopping. I had a few gift cards for Nordstrom that I needed to use. It was so nice to shop there again. I am sad that we don't have Nordstrom here in Canada as it is my favorite department store, but Jay is very happy about it! FYI Jay - they ship here now :)...but I promise to be good! After having lunch, we went to Babies R Us to pick up Laureen's shower gift and to get a potty for Arabella. She picked out a pink one and has been practicing sitting on it. No potty in the potty yet, but at least she tries it out.
On Saturday evening, Grampy made an excellent dinner of shrimp, brown rice and steamed veggies. We enjoyed it at Heather's moms house. Arabella met Dylan and they had a blast and both wore themselves out with all the playing that they did. It was nice to catch up with Kevin, Liz and Barbara.
After Laureen's shower on Sunday, Arabella and I visited Gabe, Emily and Auntie Andi. The kids we so excited to see one another and I had a fun time quickly catching up with Andi. Gabe and Arabella had fun coloring and playing with his cars. Emily shared her doll house with Arabella. Arabella is looking forward to our next visit with the Almeida's, hopefully it will be nice weather and we can go to the park!
We then had dinner at Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill's house. Aunt Margo made her famous meatballs and Arabella chowed down on her pasta. Aunt Rose, Aunt Moona and Cliff were also there and it was very nice to see them. Arabella and Aunt Moona had a fun time checking things out around the house. Arabella even got to meet Yoda - Uncle Bill's life size statue of Yoda from Star Wars. I thought he might scare her, but she seemed to like him. Arabella and Uncle Bill even watched Benji. She had a fun time and was spoiled at their house. She even made herself at home by raiding the fridge! Thanks for all her toys, we can't wait for warmer weather to play with the bubble maker outside.
On the way back to Grampy's we stopped and met my friend Jim for coffee. Arabella slept through most of the visit, but that is OK as Jim and I were able to catch up.
If we missed anyone, we will see you on the next go around!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Freddy The Fish
Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill also spoiled Arabella during our visit to Connecticut. One of the toys she received was Freddy the Fish. This fish has become Arabella's new favorite "toy". It is a good thing that it was just Arabella, Lori and I on the ride home...I don't think Jay would have had the patience to listen to the following 37 times (Lori kept a tally) not including all the times that she stopped and started the song!
Against My Better Judgment
It happened. I caved. At the grocery store no less. I was over the whining and gave in and she is only 22 months old! I thought I was stronger than that and that it would take longer than 22 months for it to happen...
Shrek is her new favorite movie and she saw him on the shelf. That was all it took for a cranky little girl to start chanting "Shrek, Shrek, Shrek". I have never liked the food industries maketing to kids and thought we might be able to get away from some of that now that we are in Canada. No such luck. I guess it could have been some sugar laden food item, but I still am not a fan of what I gave in. It was Shrek themed spagetti-O's. I am not a fan of canned food like that and we have been trying really hard to not give her stuff like that. It could have been worse, at least it is whole grain pasta and the ingredient list is not as long as my arm (only 11). It did however contain liquid sugar (really is that necessary) but there are no preservatives.
I was secretly hoping that she would not like it, but she loved it! And she had fun eating it and giving herself a tomato sauce mask!
Shrek is her new favorite movie and she saw him on the shelf. That was all it took for a cranky little girl to start chanting "Shrek, Shrek, Shrek". I have never liked the food industries maketing to kids and thought we might be able to get away from some of that now that we are in Canada. No such luck. I guess it could have been some sugar laden food item, but I still am not a fan of what I gave in. It was Shrek themed spagetti-O's. I am not a fan of canned food like that and we have been trying really hard to not give her stuff like that. It could have been worse, at least it is whole grain pasta and the ingredient list is not as long as my arm (only 11). It did however contain liquid sugar (really is that necessary) but there are no preservatives.
I was secretly hoping that she would not like it, but she loved it! And she had fun eating it and giving herself a tomato sauce mask!
Laureen's Surprise Baby Shower
On Sunday, Arabella and I attended Laureen's baby shower at First and Last Tavern on Main Street. It had been a very long time since I had been on Main Street. Things sure have changed since I was life guarding at the Y in high school there! And it appears that the changes are for the better!
Laureen was so surprised since she just thought that she and her husband were meeting Arabella, Jay (who was not even with us) and myself for brunch. We are lucky that the surprise didn't send her into labor! It was a beautiful shower and the food was great! Arabella had fun at the shower and helped Auntie Laureen open some of her gifts! it was so nice to see Laureen, her mom Sylvia and Mary (a paralegal that Laureen and I used to work with).
Arabella, Laureen and me
Arabella and Mary
Congratulations Laureen (and Mark) on the upcoming arrival of your new little one! We can't wait to meet him or her!
Laureen was so surprised since she just thought that she and her husband were meeting Arabella, Jay (who was not even with us) and myself for brunch. We are lucky that the surprise didn't send her into labor! It was a beautiful shower and the food was great! Arabella had fun at the shower and helped Auntie Laureen open some of her gifts! it was so nice to see Laureen, her mom Sylvia and Mary (a paralegal that Laureen and I used to work with).
Arabella, Laureen and me
Arabella and Mary
Congratulations Laureen (and Mark) on the upcoming arrival of your new little one! We can't wait to meet him or her!
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