First Snow

The weather forecast for today was snow but when I woke up this morning there was none.  I took the boys to school and just as they had closed the doors, it started to snow.  

I went in to assembly today and watched some very entertaining children.  Then I watched while Alfie received his certificate for Student of the Month - not bad in 2 days eh?  (It was actually for Courage for being the new boy).

He looked really embarrassed at first but the more people that got up, the more he seemed to be comfortable.  He is actually posing for a photo here which is unusual for him.

Then the snow really started - I decided to stay in and clean and do washing today (hey the life of a stay at home MOM!).  But the good thing is I got to watch the snow from the safety and warmth of the house.

Now the house is clean and tidy I have decided the boys can stay outside. It smells too nice to let them in!!

When I picked the boys up from school the snow was starting to melt ................

(the sun was out) but they still decided to throw snowballs at me................

Then we went off to buy my car.  I got it.  Pick it up on Friday.

I decided it was time to shower the boys as the house is clean I thought they should be too.  What should I find in Smallest's hair?  oh no not again!  Those goddam nits.  Arrghh.  Sent Huffle out to buy some stuff while I painstakingly combed through his big mop of hair.  It took ages, at least you can see them in his blond hair.

.... And now of course my head itches all over.  Whether I've got them or not (I didn't before) I now have to condition my hair and also painstakingly comb through my big mop too.    Arrrgggghhhh.  

Oh yeah - my car - I nearly forgot.  I've had a few messages about the fact that I said it looked like a dog.  (do you ever say something and wish you hadn't?) - I fear you may be disappointed!

.......just squint a bit.  His big black nose?  His puppy dog eyes?  His tongue hanging out?

Monday afternoon/evening

Well the day got better.  I met Huffle at the licence centre.  When we got there, there were two queues.  One for tests (very short and moving fast) and one for issuing licences (very long and very slow). It took an hour of waiting and then half an hour to sort us both out with a licence.

The lady was very friendly and helpful.  She took our uk licences, made us do a sight test, took a photo of us not smiling (not easy when Huffle was making me laugh), took $75 off us both and issued us with a paper licence. Cards to follow in two/three weeks.  JOB DONE.

Now we need to look for cars (although I am quite attached to my BMKB car).  

I picked the boys up from school.  Smallest came out first.  Grinning and holding a folder.  He had had a good day (although hadn't been to the toilet all day!). He loved his teacher and he had made some new friends, although he couldn't name them.

Small came out with books, looking tired, but happy.  He loved it, he had had a good day and he had made a new friend (he could remember his name).  Small's teacher then introduced me to another teacher who moved here fours ago from the West Midlands UK, who gave me her number and said I could call anytime and she would take me around if I liked to show me where things were.  There is no doubt that people are genuinely friendly here.

Huffle came home happy but tired.  He just needed to know that the boys were settled and liked school.  

He has also met (well via phone) someone who lives near where we will live and has a son in Smallest's class and who has invited us for Christmas drinks. 

I think we will be fine after all.

I don't have any photos today because I have spent too much time driving.  I will be spending the day with Smallest tomorrow while Huffle is at work and Small is at school so maybe there will be some photo opportunities then.  I have to find a snowman outfit for Small for a concert he will be in!  Now that's a challenge!

NEW CARS AND TALL BUILDINGS

It has been a difficult day today.  It was my turn to have a wobble.  I woke up feeling sad and then I read an email from a very dear friend in the UK, and although she was being very helpful and supportive, it made me even sadder.  I got lots of cuddles from my three boys which helped although I can't really explain to the small ones why I'm sad.

We went off to the airport this morning to take back the Big Biffa Car and collect two more less Biffa Cars.  I could tell that Huffle was struggling to keep it together.  (The hire people were being a bit troublesome).  In fact later on he told me that he wished we'd had our bags there so we could go home.  NO - this is not supposed to happen.  We are only allowed one wobble at a time.  That was the deal.  One wobble, the other sorted them out.  Oh boy, this is sooooooo hard.

The boys were as good as gold waiting for us.

We took our new Hire cars and drove into a Toronto Mall and caught the subway into Downtown Toronto (Tur-Ron-oh).

I had no idea what car I was driving, what it looked and probably wouldn't remember where I parked it so I took a photo and tried to remember the number plate.  Small and I came up with .......

Big momma kicks butt

Small and Smallest were very excited to go on a train which helped to lift our spirits, seeing their little excited faces.

When we came out of the station Small's face when he saw the huge tall buildings was "awesome".

It was so cloudy we couldn't see the top of the CN Tower

We liked the gold building - is it really made of gold????

CN Tower between two skyscrapers

The boys at Lake Ontario

"Can we go on a boat across the lake Mummy" they asked.  "oh no" said Mummy "I'm not good on boats and it looks a little choppy, can we wait till Summer?"

A really big dog - watch out Smalls. 

Small and I went in my BMKB car, we got on to the Express Way by mistake but I quickly realised that that was the best place to be, quick, speedy. Small navigated me home very well using my GPS which ran out of charge ten minutes from home, but we got there and saw a deer in the dark - NO I didn't hit it (before you ask!).Smallest went with Huffle and they got lost. Huffle has a good sense of direction though and they got home eventually. 

Boys have been showered, sitting in front of the TV with a sandwich and a pot of Jello. They are happy.Huffle and I are sitting drinking a cup of tea - we are feeling a little bit better.

Also just had a lovely phone call from America.  Aunty Plant and Uncle Dermott are there visiting Huffle's cousin Mr & Mrs Miami.  It was good to hear their voices and Huffle had a long heart to heart with both Aunty Plant and cousin Miami.  

Hope tomorrow is better.  Huffle is off to work and Small and Smallest are at school - Keep busy Mummy, they will be home soon enough.