Hello Canada

We are settled in Toronto and adjusting to being Canadian now. It sure is different from North Carolina...though is it is about as familiar as you can get for being outside the US, it still feels foreign.  I wasn't really expecting that. The money is different, the temperature is in Celsius, and I have to try to convert my recipes to the metric system.  Not to mention, foods that have become staples for us cost an arm and a leg here. So, I'm learning to live apart from lots of cheese, chocolate, and dried fruit. On the other hand, Oreos and ice cream and potato chips are super cheap. Not quite a fair nutritional trade! The hardest thing so far is that so many people speak languages I don't know....makes it hard to meet new people at the park. Now they need to have kids my kids ages and speak English!! It is shaping up to be a tall order!

The boys have been so patient with the move and have been mostly happy. However, I can tell they are ready for some good sleep (all 3 in one room makes for later nights and earlier mornings) and friends. They have bee pretty whiny and bickering the last few days. Dan got the boys some new Duke gear and gave it to the when we got here....they are loving it!

As for our days, they have have been pretty similiar to life in the states...lots of walks/bikes rides and finding construction wherever we can watch. There is a park right across the street with an amazing play structure and spash park....so thankful!

We rode our bikes to this little beach the other day before Dan started work. Lake Ontario is so beautiful!

My favorite part of being here so far is this view from our apartment. I kind of feel like we are getting away with something, it is so good! Jack especially loves looking out at all the sailboats,  motorboats, and barges in the water.

I think Calvin would say that driving this tractor with Doctor Irish (Dan's new boss) is his favorite. I am so thankful that Dan gets to work with such a great man! He was a great teacher to the boys. He let the steer their way in and out of tree branches as they learned to drive. I loved watching him laugh while ducking out of the way of branches and smile as Jack went around and around in the same little circle.

In honor of Canada Day we went to a Rib festival yesterday and had some Kentucky ribs. Man were they good! At night everyone sets off fireworks, and from our balcony we could see 4 or 5 professional displays in the distance as well as lots of people setting off fireworks in the park across the street. Amazing!!! Like our own private display!