Rodeo Time!

Yeehaa!
We went to our first Rodeo last night here in Okotoks and had a great time! The kids particularly got into it, especially Jaz who was whooping and whistling along with the best of them. We all had Stetsons so we'd look the part and after a bit of a slow start with the bull riding (them bulls were frisky so it was a bit of a risky business for the cowboys climbing aboard), we enjoyed such delights as bareback bronco riding (truly mad, boy must those guys need a chiropractor afterwards!), calf roping and tie-down, steer wrestling, saddled broncos and the junior events like 'mutton bustin'! (very small kids riding sheep, hilarious!) It all concluded with the final event where they release wild horses around the arena, then, in teams of 3, have to capture the horse, saddle it and ride it once round the arena without being thrown off. The horses definitely had the better of most of the riders that's for sure and I bet there are more than a few stiff and sore cowboys today! The animals were all well cared for and went home none the worse for wear, which is more than could be said for some of the riders, who limped off bruised and battered.

back to school photos

Well, all is quiet in the house. The kids went back to school this morning! Woohoo!

back to school!

Well, the new term is just lurking around the corner (Monday 31st Aug) and we have been busy preparing for the new school year. Jasmine has had a funky new haircut and looks very grown up! We've been out buying back to school clothes - which seems very surreal as it's just ordinary clothes and trainers rather than school uniform! We've opted for Walmart and Superstore stuff mainly as their clothes seem to get wrecked very quickly and it's not worth spending the extra for better quality clothing, only to see it come home with holes in the knees and all sorts of unimaginable but unshiftable stains down the front within the first week. I'm busy naming all their belongings as it's all sure to go astray in the first week too, and we've been out to buy the huge list of school stationery supplies that Jake needs now he's in Grade 6. When they get to grade 6, they have a long list of stuff to supply for themselves, and places like Staples are totally heaving with every conceivable marker, exercise book and duotang (yes, we had to find out what these were too!)you could imagine. Staples employ extra staff to help guide you round the store helping you locate these often mysterious accessories! We managed to get everything on the list I think, but goodness knows how he'll carry it all to school - I think we may have to go in the car on the first day!
The children only recently found out whose class they'll be in this year. They each received letters in mid August informing them of their new classes and teachers. All the classes get mixed up so they were busy phoning round finding out who was in whose class. Jake has Mrs Burnett (apparently 'waaay' strict, so that's good!)and Jasmine has Mrs Jacks in Grade 4 this year. Both seem pretty happy so that's good. The first day back includes a welcome breakfast for mums and dads too - so it looks like I'll be up and out early along with them!
Jake and Jasmine both have residential trips ahead this term. Jaz just has an overnight stay down south at Frank Slide, and Jake is heading off to Canmore for a 5 day outward bound trip. They've been busy saving up to help pay for their trips (which was strongly suggested and encouraged by school before the summer break, to give them an idea of how much these things cost) by doing chores around the house.
We've also been busy booking this terms sports and leisure activities. Jas is continuing with her swimming lessons and tumbling/trampolining class and is also starting springboard diving classes, as well as Brownies. Jake is continuing with drumming, and also starts basketball classes. I'm going to start curling (!!) and Neil is booked onto photography evening classes. We're all going to be busy bees that's for sure - especially once ski season arrives!

A trip to the Zoo

Time to make the most of the great weather while it's still here, and also the last few days before the kids go back to school, so we decided to spend the day at Calgary Zoo. It's a vast place, and it's hard to believe that you're minutes away from Downtown while you're there. Most of the zoo is on an island in the Bow River, and there are different themed areas for the different continents. We had a wonderful day and all fell in love with the new baby gorilla. So cute!

Show and Shine

Last weekend we went to the Okotoks Show and Shine, an annual event where all the local petrol heads who own classic cars park along the main street in Olde Towne and let everyone admire their hours of hard work and beautifully restored vehicles. There were some fantastic cars, and Jake in particular was in his element, marvelling at how shiny their engines were. He found the hugest truck in a quiet shade of vivid yellow, a Ford F650 no less, and announced that THAT was the truck he wanted! We saw a couple of old DeLoreans, which looked much smaller and less impressive than I remember them when they were famous back in the 80's. I tried to explain how they were made cool by Back to the Future etc. but the kids were not impressed - 'it looks kinda ordinary mum!' said Jaz. She found a humongous pink 50's dream machine that she decided was for her, and I fell in love with more than a couple of 60's Mustangs. I never realised how much the locals love to tinker with their old cars, there were so many! Some owners loved to start them up and blow your eardrums out with their deafening roars. As we walked back to my somewhat ordinary Chrysler (in comparison) Jake was grinning from ear to ear, I think it made his day!

A trip to Heritage Park

Neil has been working so hard over the last few weeks, effectively doing two jobs at the same time, so we decided to have a family day last Wednesday. We recently bought annual passes to Heritage Park in Calgary, so we decided to use them!
Heritage Park is located close to the Glenmore reservoir and is Canada's largest living history museum. There are lots of attractions there including old fashioned fairground rides and a steamboat, as well as a traditional steam railway that circumnavigates the park. Everyone who works there is dressed in period costume, and all the buildings are faithful reproductions of original buildings from Calgary and the surrounding area from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
The weather was perfect, beautiful sunshine, with just a cool breeze to keep it comfortable. We had a wonderful day out, and didn't get to see everything, so there is plenty more to do next time.

July updates

Wow, it's been a while since I updated the blog so I'd better get busy and fill you all in on the last few weeks.
Firstly, my mum came out on a two week visit. It was a relief to see her looking so much better after she's been so poorly over the last few months. Although the sun didn't shine as much as we would have liked, and the weather was distinctly cool and wet for the time of year, she seemed to have a good time, and we were able to show her a few of the beautiful places we've grown to love over the few months we've been here. This time, the trip up to Lake Louise meant we saw water rather than a frozen lake, and we were lucky with the weather as the sun shone on a warm day. Unfortunately, Moraine Lake was less spectacular this time around as the rockpile walk was shut and this affords easily the best views out across the lake. We also took a trip out to Elbow Falls, and to Drumheller, as well as a trip into the city.
Neil has been very busy setting up his realtor business over the last few weeks, and has been making contacts and meeting with potential clients too. There seems to be so much to do, from sorting out office space at the CIR brokerage in town, to ordering his sale boards, buying office supplies and sorting out various forms of advertising. He's been a busy bee indeed, especially as he will continue to work at the video store until he makes his first sale.
I finished my job for the summer break at the end of June, and have been arranging other ways to make a living for the next 9 weeks until my new contract starts. I'm going to do a little tutoring over the summer, as well as a little work with Raya as she attends summer camps and sports clubs. I'm also looking forward to spending time with the children and sorting out the household chores, as well as getting out in the sunshine.
I've also found a course in Canadian Studies offered by the University of Calgary, so will be busy trying to sort out my studies during the next academic year, hopefully gaining my full certification to teach this time next year, and may start 'subbing' at local schools from Sept 2010.
We are continuing to build up a great network of new friends here, both Canadian and ex-pat Brits through our jobs and also in our local neighbourhood. We were marvelling the other day at how many wonderful people we've met since we arrived nearly 9 months ago, and what good friends they are becoming. People have been so warm and welcoming to us and it's certainly true that good friends really enrich our lives here in our new home.
We're beginning to sort out our landscaping around the house now, although it's a slow process. We've finally got our front lawn down, and it's looking very lush and green. The next step is our fence, and then the back lawn can be laid. I'm looking forward to landscaping the yard and finally putting some trees and shrubs in to make it feel more attractive.
The children finished school for the summer 3 weeks ago, receiving very good end of year reports, and are participating in a variety of summer camps to keep them from becoming too bored over the next 9 weeks. They are both keen to find out which teachers they will have next year, but don't find out until late August, just before they return to school. Jake will be entering his final year in elementary school - grade 6, while Jaz will be going into grade 4. This time next year Jake will be about to start junior high school - eek!