It's in the game

We don't have beds or furniture and we're living in a hotel for the weekend...but we have sports. Louis started basketball today and it was good to see him smile and back in the game. Before Paul realized it, he was the coach because "he looked like a coach." (He was wearing an LSU shirt so that must qualify him). We're not even certain if all the kids spoke English, but they understood each other regardless. The team is called "The Maverick's" which made Kish cringe -- since the word has taken on a whole new meaning this political season. Sports kids are the same regardless of where they live. It was as if he was playing in Naperville again -- these kids could play!

Danielle has been in water polo for the last couple of weeks, before we even owned a home in Canada. It's a big commitment with practice four days a week and tournaments on some weekends. Like hockey, pool time is at a premium and she's in the pool some nights until 10 pm. Water polo is much more popular in Canada and she's getting a different type of training. Because it's such a big commitment, she's taking a break from competitive swimming and will instead start on her school team next week. High School swimming is not as intense as it is in Naperville anyway. 

It's Hockey Night in Canada and we can watch just about any game in French or English. There's still College Football though.

Moving day....not!

Canadians are actually very prompt people, when it's not a holiday, weekend or lunch hour. That said, our delay in moving is due to a scheduling conflict with the US movers and our household items remain someplace in New York. While we would like to get things unloaded on Sunday, we can't because customs is closed. Yes, you have to go through customs with a semi-full of everything you own and basically swear you didn't just buy a plasma TV, appliance, etc. the day before you moved -- because of course they want to collect the taxes those items if you do some shopping.

So today (Friday) we need to move out of our rental home and into a hotel and wait for our truck on Monday. (Duke will be going to a "dog camp" in the country for the weekend since we couldn't find a hotel to take an 85 pound lab). Hopefully the TV will be unloaded and hooked up before Tuesday night so we can watch the election returns from north of the border. It should be interesting. Canadians are just as tired of the coverage as the US at this point. 

The weather here seems to be cooperating for Halloween after a blast of cold air this week, which made us realize winter is on the way. The sudden change prompted a trip to Wal-mart for some hats and mits (as they call mittens) since Kish thought the moving truck would have already arrived.  The kids will trick or treat at our new, freshly painted, empty home tonight. 

Got Skype?

Do you Skype? We had a Skype session this evening with Uncle Dan and Uncle Jim. You'll notice Uncle Jim wore a coat and tie for the call and Paul is wearing Canadian plaid. Skype is really cool and thanks Dan for introducing us to this handy means of international(and domestic) communication.  The link is on the left. Danielle was on her computer at school today and didn't know she was logged on and got a Skype call in the middle of French class from Uncle Dan. Oops!

Au revoir Naperville

Our house in Naperville is officially empty. Kish was there the last four days for the packing and loading process....it was a walk down memory lane. Paul held down the fort in Montreal getting the new house ready. 

Our family spent nine years and 11 months on Freeland Circle. It's the home where Danielle lost her first tooth and Louis took his first steps. We made great friends in Naperville. Thanks to everyone who helped out in the move offering a bed to sleep in, a meal or a cocktail. Our neighbor Scott turned out to be the handyman for the weekend and while we have been away. And our other neighbor Ellen, who moved with her family 11 times, knew to come over with her gloves on and started cleaning, knowing Kish shouldn't be by herself for the last few hours in the house. She offered great advise on moving with a teenager and knew enough to suggest at the last minute to get the basketball hoop in the truck knowing it will be great for Louis to have his hoop from Naperville as one of the first things to be placed at the new house. Just before leaving the house for the last time, Paul received a call from Kish which he appropriately called a "Kumbaya moment." 

The Sox Flag was the last thing on the truck and will be the first thing off -- the flag pole is ready in Beaconsfield/Montreal. It's not baseball season (for a Sox fan), but until we can find the Blackhawks and Bears flags, this will do.

Canadian and American politics

It's political season.  We're all trying to understand how Canada works, and the differences south of the border. We can still vote in the US and will sending in absentee ballots. Thanks to Wikipedia -- here's a brief explanation of how Canada works. This is good information for kids learning about governments. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_and_American_politics_compared