School's Out

Thursday morning was spent at Ralston School watching Tegan graduate from Kindergarten during a morning assembly. Along with many Canadianisms that I am coming across one of them is that all children graduate each year from their current class. The assembly consisted of kindergarten & Years 1,2,3 all going up onto the stage to receive a certificate and shake hands with members of staff and the headmaster, Tegan's class then performed a song in French which I must say was very good. The following day was a Sports morning for Tegan and her class mates, lots of parents went along and somehow you managed to get involved in doing each of the sports including a fun run round the running track - it's not about winning just taking part!!! So that is it school is out for 9 weeks....... I must remember when we return to UK in a couple of years not to moan about 6 week summer holidays. Tegan finished her week off by going to a birthday party on Friday night at the bowling alley which is in the village.

Everyone has been amazed by Fraser who has been whizzing around the village on his German scoot along bike (for those of you who have not seen these bikes they are a basic bike but without pedals, thereby the child gets his balance and steering very quickly). However he has now progress to a proper bike - amazing - he got on the bike on Saturday and straight away cycled and carried on cycling all day Saturday, we even had to do laps around the village - not bad at 3 years and 6 days old. Needless to say I cannot get him to walk anywhere he just wants to cycle, very scary for me as he can go so fast. Unfortunately Chris missed teaching Tegan to cycle as he was in Iraq and again has missed Fraser as he seems to be living out on the prairie.

The weather is a very big topic of conversation in Ralston and I am sure you are all going to hear about it over the next two years. It has been lovely and warm this week however out of know where on Thursday afternoon extreme winds appeared and were so strong they bent part of our recently purchased gazebo, however the gazebos across the road were untouched - odd. Everyone has to tie down the gazebos as they have been seen flying across the prairie.

So the weekend was spent mainly out in the garden or cycling round the village. Sunday I didn't have any plans and was feeling a little uninspired in the morning but then got 2 phones calls inviting us to lunch and tea - so great no cooking and the kids had a great day - and Chris actually managed to come home at a reasonable time and whizzed round to the evening BBQ to join us.

The only other news is that Jinx is now on Gopher hunt - the current catch and kill stands at 4 gophers .

Fraser's Birthday Weekend

Well he made it - Fraser has reached his 3rd Birthday and what a great weekend he has had. Chris returned from his 3 day 'business trip' to San Diego on Friday night and then had the weekend and Monday off so we made the most of it and left 'the village'. Before leaving for a fun weekend Fraser had a birthday tea along with friends Erin (Tegan's friend), Molly and Josh, the highlight was the full on chocolate cake which Fraser had helped to make and eat most of it before reaching the sponge. There was a Spiderman theme with Fraser deciding to dress up - even though the temperatures were high and he must have been a hot sweaty spiderman. So the children ate the sausage, pasta and garlic bread then munched their way through the cake then ran round the garden causing chaos - serves me right with so much chocolate.

Saturday morning we were up early, packing and hitting the road ready for our adventure to Calgary - the 'trans can highway' is a very very long straight road for 2 1/2 hours with no deviation. The scenery consists of herds of cattle and a few nodding donkeys that is about it until you enter the outskirts of Calgary - not much to occupy Tegan and Fraser. We had booked into the Hampton Suites Hotel which was situated fairly central in Calgary with the added bonus of a swimming pool. The room was great as it had its own kitchen, not that we had any intention of using it, lounge with a large flat screen tv and then a bedroom with en-suite - so Tegan and Fraser thought it was great sleeping on the sofa which turned into their bed. Saturday afternoon was spent shopping - which is great after only having the small mall in Medicine Hat to choose from, we even managed to bag ourselves a few bargains - not including the new Oakley sunglasses that Chris fell in love with. So with our arms full of bags - great feeling - we headed back to the hotel for a swim and sleep.

Sunday morning was a day a Calaway Theme Park, along with being Fathers Day - bonus as Chris got in free, something that doesn't happen in the UK. Although the morning started off with rain in true British style we carried on and decided it was a good thing as there were no queues for the rides. It did stop raining before long but was still overcast for the day which was definitely a good thing as the park was never really full. Tegan and Fraser had a great time as they could go on nearly all the rides, either on their own or with Chris and I also having a go. I did sneak off and have a go on a couple of adult scary rides - although Chas if you are reading this not as good as our rides at Serengetti last year!! The highlight was Spiderman making a visit to the Park for a 'meet and great' - however when it was Fraser's turn he decided to be very shy. That evening all the Dads in Calgary were out for dinner so the restaurants were fully booked however we did get a table at Nick's which was a true Canadian steakhouse. So with all of us tired after our day of rides we were in bed relatively early - although 9pm for Tegan and Fraser was very exciting.

Monday we were off to the zoo, along with bus loads of school children!!! Although Fraser was excited about going to the zoo the most interesting and amazing thing was the fact that we were directly under the flight path of Calgary Airport, approximately every 2 minutes his head would flip upwards towards the sky shouting that another plane was coming. The day was spent ambling around the zoo seeing all the wonderful animals they have and avoiding the school parties. Both Tegan and Fraser had a great time and we decided that Fraser had had a really good birthday. We left the zoo to return to the hotel to go swimming again and then off out to The Keg for dinner, another Canadian Steakhouse - we are now living on fruit and vegetables this week.

Tuesday morning Chris had to attend a hospital appointment regarding his neck and spine before we all jumped in the car for our very boring journey home. That evening Chris and I attended a formal farewell dinner for the Commander of BATUS who is leaving in a couple of weeks before we finally made it home after midnight to hit our bed and sleep.

So with our first weekend away we are deciding where to go next - we just have to wait for Chris to have a weekend off again - probably August.

Cowboys and Indians

Actually it was Indians who came first as on Friday at Fort Whoop-up, our local fort just behind Tegan's school, a Native Festival Day was held. Some of the parents who are on the school council organised the afternoon for the children with parents allowed to also come and watch. The weather was great at 28 degrees although the Indians looked extremely hot in their traditional costumes. One of the Indians was the storyteller explaining the meaning of each dance followed by either one or two of the Indians then performing the dance. Each dance was performed to the beat of a drum and lots of chanting. Tegan and Fraser thought it was great especially the costumes which were amazing and very intricate. Unfortunately there was supposed to be a raising of a Tee-Pee but the guys had an accident on the highway driving to Fort Whoop-up and the Tee-Pee was in bits across the Trans Canada Highway. A great way to end a week at school for Tegan.

Saturday was spent 'under construction' at the Leonard's house. Chris had Saturday afternoon off and instead of putting his feet up to watch sport he was out in the garden building the trampoline, garden table and gazebo. So we are nearly there just a picnic table to build for the kids and a BBQ to buy. I went out with some girls on Saturday night to a 70/80's night in the Prairie Rose club which is in 'the village' and often hosts events for everyone living here. Not owning a fancy dress costume for either decade I borrowed Jeanette's husbands outfit - however the pigtails are mine. It was a good laugh and I new the words to all the songs which was great.

Now for Cowboy time - Sunday afternoon we all went into Medicine Hat to watch the annual Chuckwagon Races. Chris and I weren't too sure what to expect but it was great and really exciting. Chuckwagon racing has been going on in Canada since the 1920's and everyone was very competitive. Each team has a wagon with driver and 4 horses and then 2 out riders. It all starts with the 2 out riders on foot, 1 infront of the 4 horses and 1 behind the wagon who on the sounds of the hooter throws a barrel into the wagon, the driver has to steer the wagon round a figure of eight and then all 3 teams are charging round the track followed by their outriders who have to mount their horses and gallop after them, all this happens very quickly with lots of dust and cheering. Fraser was a little scared and sat on the floor between Chris's legs whilst the races were on but he did like the 2 tractors who came to smooth out the track every so often. As we left the stadium Fraser announced that he really liked it and wanted to go again - odd.

A Little More.....

Just getting in the swing of blogging so thought I would add a little more as we have been quite busy over the last few weeks, albeit mostly without Chris. Fraser and I had a day out of 'The Village' last Thursday when we went for a trip to a Hutterite Colony organised by the Military Families Resource Centre who arranges such events. The colony was a 40min drive to Jenner on one very straight road, not much to entertain Fraser except the odd herd of cows. The Hutterite's live very simple lives and have certain restrictions, including no tv, internet or many possessions and home comforts, it is a communal style living where they eat all their meals together. In the dining hall the men sit one side and the women on the opposite all in age order. The sisters who showed our group around the colony had eleven siblings in their family which is quite common. They were very hospitable and showed us all over the colony - Fraser's eyes lit up when he saw all the farm machinery and animals, especially the calves and he was given a chick to hold which would have been a great picture but we were not allowed cameras. The Hutterite's lifestyle is simplistic and self supporting - the men wear handmade black suites and the girls all wear the same style long dress with aprons - just in a different colour fabric - not a life for me! We did manage to come home with some homemade cookies and the most amazing lemon and poppy seed cake - shame Chris has been on the prairie so much - it has all gone!!!

Over the last few days I have managed to purchase more things for the house/garden so we now have a gazebo, garden chairs & table, picnic table for children (decided they would make the new chairs too dirty) sun umbrella, firepit and most important a dishwasher. The kitchen is very small but I have decided with a bit a rearranging I can fit a dishwasher in. All the dishwashers in the village come on casters with a special hose as there is no plumbing or designated spot for one - hence people pop them in a corner and then wheel them over to the sink.

Sunday was spent visiting the world's tallest tepee which is on the Trans Canadian highway in Medicine Hat (such an exciting Sunday). Ringing the Tepee are ten large circular storyboards which are beautifully painted by local native artists. So that interested Tegan and Fraser for 5 mins and we were then off on a new dog walk with Jinx.

The remainder of the day was spent at the Leisure Centre swimming which is great as they have a wave machine in the pool and a current stream which drags you along.

Two weekends ago Tegan went on a Girl Guide Summer Camp weekend which involved sleeping overnight on the Friday & Saturday at a place called Elkwater. I'm not sure who was braver - Tegan for going or for me not worrying about her. The coach met the girls and parents at 3pm along with all their suitcases, sleeping bags and pillows - some of which were nearly as big as the girls. There were about 20 girls going from Sparks (5 year olds) to Guides along with all the guiders in charge. So as the coach pulled away there were several parents with huge smiles on their faces and a few wearing dark glasses. I decided to take Fraser and Jinx for a day trip to Elkwater on the Saturday just to make sure Tegan was happy and also for a day out of 'The Village' for us. So back on the Trans Canadian highway, you drive for an hour take a right turn and drive again for 20mins, both straight roads. The wonderful surprise was the scenery as it changed from the flat continuous prairie to pine trees, lots of greenery and a lake. Fraser and I met up with some parents who had parked their RV at Elkwater for the weekend and had a great time wondering around. We called in to see the girls who were having a water fight - needless to say Tegan did not want to come home and was having a great time. Tegan finally arrived home Sunday afternoon - apparently she had had a wash but needed a good bath before going to bed - she had a great adventure, not bad for a 5 year old who has just arrived in Canada.

Here Goes to Blogging

Well I have been persuaded that doing a blog will be a good thing so everyone can read about our adventure in Canada - so here goes. We have been in Canada 7 weeks and things have moved at a fairly quick pace. Chris had a handover for 2 weeks before being left to play with his tanks and guns - having a great time. Although I'm not sure he is use to the very early mornings out on the prairie - he has always liked his sleep. However I did accuse him of getting a suntan when he quickly pointed out that it was in fact dust from bouncing around the prairie.

Tegan has started school and settled in really well, along with joining Sparks which is the Canadian equivalent to Rainbows (Guiding) and has already had a one night sleepover in the village and then a 2 night sleepover at Girl Guide Summer Camp in Elkwater which is over 1hr from Ralston - she had a great time. She has also started ballet, I'm not sure how 'light' on her feet she is - more like a sugar plum fairy - anyway she loves it.

Fraser is very happy chasing the gophers and rabbits on his bike. He started at Little Gophers nursery last week and came home as a monkey yesterday - about right for Fraser.

Jinx is happy running around the prairie chasing everything and is the only member of the family to be loosing weight - it doesn't help when you have a drive thru Starbucks. Right I have started with my blog so now I will hopefully update each week - once I sort out what all the buttons are for.