Are we locals yet? Maybe when we actually move into our house we will be. I am looking forward to starting 'normal' life here; living in a hotel just isn't quite right. Living in the city has been kind of fun, but it really isn't the greatest with kids.
The twins have actually been pretty easy. They are happy hanging out on the floor with toys and each other for company, rocking on al fours and wriggling backwards everywhere. A 3 year old is not so easily entertained. So we found the closest park, which is nice and only a few blocks away. However, leaving the park is a problem. We haven't been back since, when leaving, she ran towards the road (a busy city street) refusing to hold my hand for safety. The walk home was embarrassing to say the least - I'm sure that people we walked past were convinced I was abducting her as she was protesting so vigourously! Maybe I'll have the strength to try again this week.
I also think that a slightly different diet has had an effect on the twins. Together with the terrible quality of the nappies (I'm not kidding - they don't keep baby bums dry at all) it leads to terrible nappy rash. After a week long battle, I think we finally have it under control. Maybe it's a conspiracy with the 'diaper' companies and the nappy rash cream companies, as we seem to be using more of both in an effort to keep bums healthy.
A shocking cold has also put a damper on the week. Hubby brought it home from work, and the kids had it, now I've spent the last 3 days unable to smell, or breathe through my nose. I suspect the first year will be bad as we will be exposed to lots of new germs. I shudder to think what winter will be like with a child collecting germs at school. So far Gramdma has escaped, and I'm crossing everything that she stays healthy, as she is doing lots to help me out!
Because summer is short here, they go mad with festivals and events during the warm months. Last weekend, we went out to an Italian Festival, which also had a cycling race through the middle of it. The dragon boats were on this weekend, as well as a Teddy Bear's Picnic at the Governor General's residence. The Jazz Festival is also on this week. The only problem with this, is that it's impossible to get a park if you go anywhere! After a failed attempt to see the dragon boats (shuttle buses don't work well with twin prams) we eventually got a park near what will be our local playground. We will be more prepared next year.
So, I'm hoping that everyone gets healthy for next weekend - it's Canada Day! Until then...
Monday 25 June 2012
Saturday 16 June 2012
Settling in
Well, another week has passed here in picturesque Ottawa. It is a nice place and every day we're finding new things to do and getting more comfortable driving around. That said, driving hasn't been all smooth sailing...
So, we were heading to playgroup in the area where we will be living. The kids were in the back, and my mum was watching the GPS to make sure we didn't miss a turn. Either it was my imagination, or the GPS took us past the street a couple of times before it finally took us there. Fast forward a few days and the same GPS drove us around in circles on the opposite side of the road to our destination. I soon decided that my guesswork would do a better job of getting us there. Thankfully, that GPS is now back with the hire car and we have our own for our new car.
The Honda Odyssey we bought is great - very comfortable. We did find out though, that is was originally bought in Quebec. Hubby discovered that when he was reached for the manual (to rearrange seats) and found all of the text in French. Now, as my French lessons did not have a unit on cars and mechanics, this was not particularly helpful. Thanks god for diagrams. Another small problem is that the car park under the hotel is fairly tight, and if you actually park between the lines, odds are the doors (sliding doors mind you) won't open without hitting a pole. Oh well, we'll just be car park hogs.
A couple of things have struck me as odd this week. The playgroup we went to was fantastic, no question, but I found the craft session strange. Instead of glitter, the kids used crushed up fruit loops and cheerios. Safer? Perhaps. But where's the fun in that! Unless it was designed to be edible? The paper would be tasteless though, surely. The othet strange thing is kids clothing size. Now I know my kids are tall for their age, but I couldn't believe that I bought my 3 year old size 5 bathers. Maybe we just breed then tall down under.
And finally, an issue I'd like some opinions on. The diferent vocabulary is starting to be tricky for Miss 3. Muesli is granola,, nappies are diapers, capsicums are peppers, cots are cribs, rubbish is garbage and a footpath is a sidewalk to name a few. Part of me wants to hold on tight to the Aussie language - she is Australian after all. The other part of me realises that we're living here and she needs to be understood by people (especially her teachers when she starts school) so talk like a local. Being so young she'll likely end up with a bit of an accent anyway. Realistically I'm unlikely to have a say in the matter - she's fairly determined and headstrong so my opinion will make no difference to how she talks!
More news next week :)
So, we were heading to playgroup in the area where we will be living. The kids were in the back, and my mum was watching the GPS to make sure we didn't miss a turn. Either it was my imagination, or the GPS took us past the street a couple of times before it finally took us there. Fast forward a few days and the same GPS drove us around in circles on the opposite side of the road to our destination. I soon decided that my guesswork would do a better job of getting us there. Thankfully, that GPS is now back with the hire car and we have our own for our new car.
The Honda Odyssey we bought is great - very comfortable. We did find out though, that is was originally bought in Quebec. Hubby discovered that when he was reached for the manual (to rearrange seats) and found all of the text in French. Now, as my French lessons did not have a unit on cars and mechanics, this was not particularly helpful. Thanks god for diagrams. Another small problem is that the car park under the hotel is fairly tight, and if you actually park between the lines, odds are the doors (sliding doors mind you) won't open without hitting a pole. Oh well, we'll just be car park hogs.
A couple of things have struck me as odd this week. The playgroup we went to was fantastic, no question, but I found the craft session strange. Instead of glitter, the kids used crushed up fruit loops and cheerios. Safer? Perhaps. But where's the fun in that! Unless it was designed to be edible? The paper would be tasteless though, surely. The othet strange thing is kids clothing size. Now I know my kids are tall for their age, but I couldn't believe that I bought my 3 year old size 5 bathers. Maybe we just breed then tall down under.
And finally, an issue I'd like some opinions on. The diferent vocabulary is starting to be tricky for Miss 3. Muesli is granola,, nappies are diapers, capsicums are peppers, cots are cribs, rubbish is garbage and a footpath is a sidewalk to name a few. Part of me wants to hold on tight to the Aussie language - she is Australian after all. The other part of me realises that we're living here and she needs to be understood by people (especially her teachers when she starts school) so talk like a local. Being so young she'll likely end up with a bit of an accent anyway. Realistically I'm unlikely to have a say in the matter - she's fairly determined and headstrong so my opinion will make no difference to how she talks!
More news next week :)
Sunday 10 June 2012
The beginning...
Just over a week ago, I was wondering if we were crazy. There we were late Thursday night, headed to the airport in Perth with more gear then we could carry, a 3 year old who hadn't slept and 9 month old twins. And so began 35 hours of travel time...
It actually wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been (although my husband may beg to differ). Little Miss 3 was remarkably good, thoroughly entertained by the movable seat and TV on demand. The twins had moments which 'tested our patience' (ie we wished we could give them away) but slept enough to get by. The big plus of the long trip is that everyone was so tired in arrival that they were fed, put to bed and mostly ended up on the right time zone (a 12 hour change).
Another saving grace is that my mum made the trip with us - and is here for 5 weeks to help us settle in. This has meant that buying a car, looking at houses etc is infinitely easier. I am thinking I may hide her passport so she can stay and help a bit longer.
We arrived on Friday evening, hubby started work (the reason for the move) on Monday. That meant I had to do some driving. Being on the wrong side of the road isn't really that weird, the wrong side of the car though is pretty freaky. I luckily made it through the week without hitting anything, although there was a close call with a parked car. Fingers crosses I'll manage with the tank (Honda Odyssey, bigger here then in Australia) when we pick it up.
Shopping here is also an adventure - lots of reading packets and trying to get my head around orange cheese. A big plus is that nappies (sorry - diapers) are cheap, but Weetbix cannot be found. The English Weetabix will have to do.
So to sum up week one - sleep, Tim Horton's, Costco (where everyone thought we were mad to go jet-lagged on the busiest day of the week), shopping in general and familiarsing ourselves with the neighbourhood. Looking forward to a good second week.
It actually wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been (although my husband may beg to differ). Little Miss 3 was remarkably good, thoroughly entertained by the movable seat and TV on demand. The twins had moments which 'tested our patience' (ie we wished we could give them away) but slept enough to get by. The big plus of the long trip is that everyone was so tired in arrival that they were fed, put to bed and mostly ended up on the right time zone (a 12 hour change).
Another saving grace is that my mum made the trip with us - and is here for 5 weeks to help us settle in. This has meant that buying a car, looking at houses etc is infinitely easier. I am thinking I may hide her passport so she can stay and help a bit longer.
We arrived on Friday evening, hubby started work (the reason for the move) on Monday. That meant I had to do some driving. Being on the wrong side of the road isn't really that weird, the wrong side of the car though is pretty freaky. I luckily made it through the week without hitting anything, although there was a close call with a parked car. Fingers crosses I'll manage with the tank (Honda Odyssey, bigger here then in Australia) when we pick it up.
Shopping here is also an adventure - lots of reading packets and trying to get my head around orange cheese. A big plus is that nappies (sorry - diapers) are cheap, but Weetbix cannot be found. The English Weetabix will have to do.
So to sum up week one - sleep, Tim Horton's, Costco (where everyone thought we were mad to go jet-lagged on the busiest day of the week), shopping in general and familiarsing ourselves with the neighbourhood. Looking forward to a good second week.
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