I forgot to mention that yesterday (three years ago) was the day we arrived in Canada. Today (three years ago) was our first full day here. We didn't have our house yet and were staying in a tiny place belonging to two people who have become firm friends. What a shock, I remember opening the door to a very cold blast and wondering what the hell we were doing here. It wasn't even really cold then either and we hadn't had snow!
This morning we all had to get up as usual even though it was PA Day, as it was Parent/Interview day and we went to school. We had our first interview with Smallest's teacher. We asked the Head Teacher if we were supposed to have the kids with us at the interviews. He said it was up to us but he thought it was better for them to be there so they could hear what was being said. Smallest's teacher disagreed and so did we so we left the kids in the hall reading.
Smallest's teacher was very happy with his work so far and we discussed how we could get his organisation skills better. The chart that Huffle devised last night seems to have worked today and we came up with a few ideas for school. One worrying thing was that Smallest lost his indoor shoes last week and has been missing out on some of his gym sessions because of it. We caught him, at home the other day, putting a pair of trainers in his bag and when we questioned him as to why he said he was confused. He was obviously bringing a new pair of indoor shoes but didn't want to tell us he had lost his others as they were new (to him). When I asked him about it later he said he was worried we would be angry with him. Anyway, we found the shoes, they were just on someone else's shelf. What is he like? He is reading at a Grade 5 level (he is in Grade 2!) and he is doing maths of a Grade 3. We did explain to her that he would be in Grade 3 if he was still in England so this made a bit more sense to her. Also we told her what we did if he got upset or worked up (ie leave him to calm down, reading, draw etc) and she said she would do that. We got to see one of his art pieces which was of us as a family. We liked it very much.Huffle edit, bit worried about my teeth and skintight shorts but the hair is amusing.
We spoke to his Music teacher who said he was not worried about him at all and that he was doing well and his Art teacher was very happy with him, though Huffle told her he didn't agree with her telling Smallest that he should not leave any blanks on a paper (particularly on the Rememberance poster that he won 2nd place for) and she thought this was funny.
We spoke to Small's home room teacher who also teaches him language, social studies, art, drama and gym. She was very happy with him and her only criticism was that he was sociable and talkative (I wonder where he gets that from?). His Maths and Science teacher was happy too and said that he wants Small to enter the Maths Club that he runs where they do Maths contests. He wants Small to let him know if the work is too easy so he can give him more challenging work.
His Music teacher is trying to find him another Tuba so that he can join band and sit with the other older band member as this would be useful for Small to learn. We have the tuba over the weekend so he can practice more. All in all it was very good and we were very happy.
After dropping Small and Huffle back at home, Smallest and I went shopping for Snowpants. We went to Walmart and I hate this shop so much but it is so convenient and close. I had an argument with the check out lady as she informed me the Snowpants I bought (which were found for me by a sales assistant) were part of a set. I argued that because they were priced at $20 and there was morw than one pair on the rack with no coats or anything attached, that they had to sell them to me for that price and not the $40 she wanted to charge. We discussed back and forth and she spoke to her Manager several times before I got really angry and told her I would buy the others but that she was very wrong and she should tell her Manager!! She ended by asking me if I wanted a Walmart Card. NO I WANT NO OTHER REASON TO HAVE TO COME BACK INTO THIS SHOP.
We came home and had lunch with Huffle and Small. Small went off and played with Log for a couple of hours and Smallest and I played piano, Skyped Moo, did homework and played MouseTrap.
The boys and I went off to swimming lessons leaving Huffle working (he was not having a good day). He went out for 'a couple of pints' with MrG (another English person who lives in the Hamlet and works at Huffle's company but in the city). He had a very nice chat and drink and they are going to do it again soon.
Swimming went well and we came home and had tea in front of The Grinch.
Lovely photo taken by ExerciseNic - she is also a photographer.
Just been reading the blog and our first days here. Very weird, brings it all back. http://jam2maplesyrup.blogspot.ca/2011/11/good-nights-sleep-from-all-of-us-with.html
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1 comment:
Well done Small and Smallest, such clever boys. Tell Small chatting in class was usually in my school reports, grandad was never pleased! Have your date (20/11) on my calendar, it's also a year to my op day... Such a lot happened in a year, well done all of us. x
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