Life in the West End . . . of Winnipeg: Kids really are amazing

It is so rare that I ever lie down before 11:00, but tonight was the exception at 8:30. Too bad for me a very rare occasion is happening for my neighbours tonight. They're getting married and so their dogs are home alone, howling for hours. I'm guessing this will go on for many more.

Well, today I've been thinking about how well children adapt to new environments, over all. Ours have certainly displayed some bad behaviour in the past weeks - more than usual, that is. But with all the stress and lack of sleep, they really have done well.

A. has been particularly impressive as she started her new school the third day after our arrival. It's an imposing brick building celebrating its centennial this year and with far more students than her last school had. Though a little shy, she is good at initiating conversations with other kids and picking up on cues. She's so quick to fit in - although many her age just have to ask that great question, "Do you want to be my friend." If only it stayed that easy! When S asked her after day three whether she liked this school as much as her old one, she happily said, "Yes - it's great!" On day four, she laughingly shared that she and her "new best friend from class - I don't remember her name" were going into the bathrooms, locking the doors of the stalls and sliding out. Hmm. I gently corrected her and gave thanks that while she picks up on so many things quickly (some I'd rather she not!), she is still innocent enough to share them with her mom.

Abby after her first day of school, as the morning was a little rushed.

After-school snack with Grandpa - nice way to unwind

As for the other two, they've adjusted well to their new space and the new routines. Ai finds it a little hard to say goodbye to A each day when we drop her off. He'd like to go to school, too, and doesn't like to be separated from his big sis. Some days we also drop S off at work and all the commuting suits him well. He loves the action of the city - naming all the cars, asking what each street sign says, discovering numbers all around him. He even likes to study maps of the city when we get home and actually has a concept of what some of the symbols and lines mean. It's fascinating how we all display different interests and abilities often from a young age.

Enjoying frozen yogurt at the Forks Market (very fun place)

A boy on the go at Assiniboine Park (another wonderful place, and I know, he should have on his helmet!)

More toys found.
Most are in storage in the basement, but it's impressive how few they actually need each day.

Iz's interest is mostly to be outside, especially now that we have our swing set back up again. As mentioned, our neighbours have dogs (on both sides), and so she loves to be out talking to them through the fence if she's not swinging or hanging upside down. As for skills, she surprises us with her verbal abilities - stringing all kinds of funny things together. She's quite the hoot. With the preferred side-kick gone from 9 - 3:30 everyday, Ai is discovering that Iz's quite fun to play with, too. They're quite intense as they pretend play with trains, cars and stuffed animals. All toys of Ai's choosing, of course, as he's definitely the older brother and she's happy to just be included. She's sweet that way.

Making Grandma laugh with all her chattering

Fun at Assiniboine Park

Through all the upheaval and craziness of the past weeks/month, I'm so thankful that our kids are doing quite fine with it all. With Grandma and Grandpa, each other, a few toys and their bedroom comfort objects, they are adjusting quite easily. (And it helped immensely to have my parents stay for the first week!) Even living by train tracks, just houses away, is such a thrill for them. They bound out the door with glee at the first hint of the train's rumbling. I just wish S and I could take some of their energy from the day and some of their positivity for in the night (especially when the bed shakes and the whistle blows with the trains' night passages).