The Trip

So I decided that blogging might be a good alternative to emailing since not everyone may want to read it when I send it. I apologize in advance for my sidebar comments which I know already will end up making their way into what should be just an update on what we are up to here in the Great White North, eh? This one may be long, since we have done so much this week.

The morning we left for the airport (an ungodly hour by the way - we woke up the kids at 4 am. The first thing Brett says is, "You've got to be kidding!!" Nope.). We made it through the airport security without much of a hitch and the first flight went pretty quickly. Nolan had a little doggy backpack - like a stuffed animal - on his back and he was still in his pjs, so he looked pretty cute making his way around the airport.

We had to stop at O'Hare airport in Chicago for an hour and a half stopover. I have to say, the hustle and bustle of the Chicago airport isn't condusive to a tired mother fumbling with 4 happy meals in one hand and using the other to secure a 2 year old with a doggy backpack on her back. For some reason people were annoyed that they had to weave around us since we were spread out halfway across the corridor. A sore back and a few gray hairs later, I made it to our Gate and we sat down with our McDonald's on the floor (gross). At that point, I was glad I still had all 4 kids and hadn't left my purse back on the McDonald's counter (which is a miracle in itself) so if I got any more dirty looks I didn't notice. For the most part I think people felt sorry for me, so whatever. As long they were nice.

The second flight was great too. Up and down. We were right at the back of the plane which I highly recommend with kids because of the bathroom. Gotta go - great! Go! Door to the right. At one point, Brett had gone to the bathroom and it was taking awhile (even for Brett who I swear does oragami in there) so I asked the stewardesses pointing at the bathroom door, "Is my son still in there?" They nodded, so I tapped on the door, "Brett, are you okay in there?" Nothing. "Brett.....(nothing)....Brett! Are you alright?" Tap Tap Tap. "Brett?" I hear Brett's muffled voice, "What?" "ARE YOU OKAY?" (I figure he can't hear me over the plane engine). "I'm fine". So I sit back down. A few moments later, the stewardess comes up to me and says amusingly - "We didn't realize, but your son was in the other bathroom. That man with the turbon there was in the bathroom you were knocking on". Hilarious. I don't exactly want to piss off anyone with a turbon on an airplane. Anyhow......

My brother in law picked us up and we went through the border without too much trouble. It was great to see my family of course. The kids loved playing in the backyard where it was fairly cool. Nolan especially who loves to be outside. And the older kids have had a riot with their cousins. One night we even caught a frog jumping across Nana's patio so we caught it and everyone pet it (until it peed on Cameron and we let it go). So all in all a good start.

A few days later, I had to meet Scott at the border and import our stuff. I was a little worried about it, but everything had gone pretty smoothly so far, so I hoped much of the same would follow. And it really did. It went fast too. Our longest wait was at Canadian immigration at the border.


It was very hard to see Scott off. I am going to try to get out with the kids and do some activities before I start school in a week (Blah!). It has been raining and a little humid. Definitely the opposite of what I'm used to. We are starting to get a better pattern of sleep. I registered the kids for school today, opened a bank account, going to get my provincial license tomorrow. So starting to get settled. Hope this finds everyone well, and I will write some more soon.