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I'm back in the land of sun, mild temperatures and millions of people. I made it back from Alert on Friday night, a day early or 8 days late, depends how you look at it. A day early from my perspective, 8 days late from Susan's. There are lots of things to catch up on that happened around here while I was gone, but it will take time. I was scheduled to go to Kenora on Monday, but thankfully that has been pushed back a few days.
I had a trip scheduled for this week before I left for Alert, it was re-booked due to my delays up there. I had a couple of days at home before flying out to Winnipeg for a site re-installation. You can check out the work blog From Here To There.
The mini hiatus from regular blog updates is over. After being away for close to a month, I think I have adjusted back to life in the Tanabe household. Today we went skating at the Erin Mills Twin Arena. It was the first time for us since last year, Danny had taken the girls in the summer when they were staying at their place. Here are the girls and Sarah taking a break.
We had to buy Gillian and Angela new skates on Friday, Angela is almost the same size as Gillian now. Angela wanted to go on Saturday and was wearing her helmet around for most of the day.
The girls have a PA Day tomorrow so I took the day off. Next week is the Mississauga Santa Claus Parade in Streetsville. Both Gillian and Claudia are in the parade with their Pathfinder and Brownie groups. We're hoping for some good weather.
Angela has her Guide Enrollment this week, I post Claudia's enrollment picture when I do Angela's.
October 31, 2007
As a result of being stuck in Alert last month I missed my first Halloween with the girls. Mom Swan was down for a few days to help Susan out, so Susan went around the neighbourhood with Angela and Claudia. Gillian went out with some of her girlfriends. As always Angela and Claudia went out with Madyson and Riley from next door. As Lars told me after I got back, "Susan is no Richard", he said she was dropping candy and bags had holes in them, even the girls told me that Mom can stay home and hand out candy next year. Here are Pumpkin, Angel and Pippi.
Another fallout from from my absence was the pumpkin carving. Susan was set to carve the traditional triangle eyes and circle mouth, but Gillian wanted to carve her pumpkin like we always do. She found a pattern on the internet and she carved it herself. Grandma helped Angela and Claudia carve their pumpkins. This is Gillian's pumpkin, she did an excellent job.
Here is Claudia's bat and Angela's fairy.
I'm not sure if this is before or after trick or treating. As you can see Claudia had multiple costumes for the night.
Angela had her Girl Guide enrollment ceremony this week. A lot of the first year girls all had older sisters who had previously been in the same guide group.
Adding tinder to the campfire.
I promise to do my best...
Angela moving through the line of leaders.
A member of the 257th.
Claudia watching Angela's enrollment, unfortunately Gillian had her Pathfinder meeting the same night so she couldn't be there.
Angela receiving her Reading Badge.
A happy Guide!
While I was in Alert, Claudia had her Brownie enrollment, here is a (only) picture from her night.
Today was the Mississauga Santa Claus parade in Streetsville. It was a beautiful day, sunny, clear and about 5°C. Claudia and Gillian were in the parade with their respective Brownie and Pathfinder groups. We had to drop the girls off at the Streetsville Go Station at 11:30 am, from there they were bussed up to the start of the parade. Here is Claudia ready to go.
We headed over to Queen St. to find a spot, even an hour before it was busy, mainly on the east side (sunny side) of the street. We were suppose to go and pick up Claudia when she was done, so we found a spot on the west side. Angela in her chair. By the time the parade was in full swing, they were lined up four deep behind us.
Hazel was leading the parade.
There was no shortage of marching bands. Check out the lead guy.
Here is a close up.
Gillian was holding the Guide banner as they marched.
Claudia was in good spirits, she said she carried the flag for a bit at the beginning.
The guy in the wgite was tossing his dough around as he walked down the street.
This was a cool float, it was a mini-train.
There was a walking green bin.
Another marching band.
A couple of Clydesdale horses.
This beaver was on a Canadian National Exhibition truck.
The last marching band.
Finally the guy we came to see.
I took some video of Santa because I figured Gillian and Claudia wouldn't have gotten to see him.
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