first days

Finally!  Both kids the same school, and on the same bus. These are their excited, *slightly* trepidatious first day smiles

Ahhhh... Monday morning.  Not just any Monday morning, either - the first Monday of the first full week of school.  That must mean that life is starting to settle into routine, which is, of course, bittersweet.  But in this case, I think it is mostly sweet.  It means that we have jumped through and over a very large percentage of the metaphorical hoops and hurdles that presented themselves as part of this move, and landed mostly unscathed on the other side.

The kids have now competed two full days in their new school, and reports are so far unanimously positive.  Juniper is in a 2/3 split (which means she is making friends with both kids her own age, AND cooler, older ones as well), and the one friend she already knew before starting school is in her class.  You couldn't ask for much better than that!  Linden has his own desk, thinks he might have made some friends (but can't remember their names yet), and proudly announced that he hadn't gotten in trouble.  Bug thumbs up all around, I'd say.

Unintentional twins, out for supper at the Wooden Monkey to celebrate the first day of school

Apart from all the craziness and newness of school, we've also been taking full advantage of the opportunity to explore our new (old) surroundings, and reacquaint ourselves with the goodness of living in Nova Scotia.  The day before school started, for instance, we met our friend Tawnya and her crew for some new adventures at the Natural Resources Education Centre in Middle Musquodobit.  This is a seriously cool outdoor adventure park for kids, complete with mud pits, frog-catching ponds, climbing trees, and any number of imagination-inspiring nature-themed areas to play and explore. I had to pull Linden away kicking and screaming when it was time to go, as  you might well imagine.

Calla and Juniper on two very tall stumps

In the back of a truck!! (Calla, Juniper, Aven, Austin, Linden)

Sifting for frogs

Well hello there, little guy!

 We also took a weekend day to soak in the goodness that is Crystal Crescent Beach.  Oh, Atlantic Ocean, how we've missed you!  When Linden's toes hit the sand, I swear to you it it was like seeing a formerly captive animal released into his natural habitat.  He actually started frolicking on all fours.  As an added bonus, the waves were active enough to provide some pretty fun water play.  And I got to go for a solo hike on the big, beautiful rocks.  AND we stopped at Mishoo's convenience for popsicles on the way home even though it was right before dinner.  So, win-win-win, as far as we were all concerned.

Real beach sand and waves and salty water

On our way to try and find some tidal pools and hidden ocean creatures

Inukshuks on the big, beautiful boulders

Seaweed-laden rocks

Apart from some of these grander outings, we've also been starting to do a lot of what will surely become our more routine endeavours, such playing in the yard, taking the ferry over to Halifax, and checking out the local libraries.  All three of these "routine" activities are, as it turns out, pretty awesome.  Our yard is relatively big, and often full of friends (and will have some even greater attractions when we get around to it), the fact that we can take a ferry as easily as taking a bus kind of speaks for itself, and while there are some great little libraries on our side of the harbour, there is a brand new, AMAZING library in Halifax where we are all more than happy to spend some quality time. As Juniper said reverently (as she plopped down with a stack of books in a comfy chair), "I think libraries are my very favourite type of building.  If you love books, how can you not love libraries?"  True enough.

Flower activities on the front lawn

A Theodore Tugboat sighting from the deck of the ferry 

Lounging in the reading doughnut at the brilliant new Halifax Library.

And with that, my friends, I bid you adieu.  Of all the members of our family, I am the only one who has not yet sorted herself out.  I don't think it is making me anxious, per se, but it would be nice to have some clue as to what my next phase of life is going to look like.  One step at a time, I suppose.  My defense first, of course, and then - who knows?  Please let me know if you have thought of the perfect next adventure, OK?