Fall fun

October

This morning I definitely lost the "I'll bike while there's a break in the rain" gamble, and arrived quite soaked at my downtown office. At least, the temperature is mild today so I wasn't too cold, just blindly biking in the rain.

We are all settling into our various schools, work and programs, although changes are afoot on a number of fronts but I will just leave it at that. We have also been making the most of beautiful Nova Scotia in the fall. We went apple picking in the Annapolis Valley twice (and one trip to the pumpkin patch). We have also just returned from a weekend with Gary and Iris in Western Head on the South Shore which included a fabulous hike at Keji National park Seaside adjunct. Jason eyes lit up when he realized the shiny rock he was looking at was actually a seal. The kdis always enjoy visiting and it is so great to be somewhere where theyc an run around outside, seemingly without boundaries.

We have had Bday parties and even were honoured to enjoy a Sukhot dinner in Bena's parents Sukkah. Heather and I enjoyed Halifax's first Nocturne event, with galleries and outdoor art installations open until the wee hours.

We are enjoying Halifax very much and appreciate the small size of the city with lots to do. Keira and I have been enjoying a Friday routine of going to the park, the library, sushi lunch with Heather and a visit with friends BEFORE picking Jason up at 3, all on a bike (Keira in a toddler seat) but not feeling wiped out.

Keira's imagination and inquisitiveness is growing and growing. She does wonderful imaginary play with her dolls and doll house. She asks "why" a lot so that one gets led into very long discussions about the world. She can be very bossy, especially with Jason, and then he gets bossy back and we all wonder who the Mommies are maybe we should just let them set the rules for each other). She is currently really into dressing herself, refusing to wear pjs at night and most of all, picking out her own new outfits at Frenchy's several sizes too big. She is also becoming much more aware of other kids, and although we had her in a Spiderman costume for her first Hallowe'en costume, she left wanting to be a "Dora mermaid". She had a tantrum this morning for lipstick. Goddess help us.

Jason is being exposed to many new ideas - we find it hard to shelter him from soldiers, cannons, and pirates in this port city. After a pirate Bday party, he started a line of questions that began "I'm Aboriginal right?", and "Keira is Aboriginal too but her ancestors were pirates". "WHAT!!??" we said. he said, you know 'Ahoy matey" ...so we spent some time discussing the differences between "Matey and Metis". Jason also has lots of surprises for me when I pick him up from school, e.g. "what's in your mouth?" "Gum" "You aren't allowed gum. Where did it come from?" "my teacher." "really, I am going to speak with your teacher." "Actually I picked it off the ground". EEEEWWWW!