Winnipeg Explorations ~ Apr.13- 22nd

Ann beat me to it, she wrote up her blog entry before I did about the recent trip Nora and I made to visit her in Winnipeg. Her entry is so sweet, that I don't think I'll be able to match her for kindness without it sounding like plagerism. :) But similarly, I do have to warn you that I have posted an overabundance of photos for one entry!

So, yes... Nora and I went on our first plane ride together since returning from China, to experience my sister's world up close and celebrate her birthday together in the process. I must say I was somewhat apprehensive about the flight given Nora's previous record of thrashing her head against the plane window and screaming. Nora didn't recall her behaviour of 10 months of age, and was really excited to be going on a plane. The small waiting area of Abbotsford International Airport gave her a great view of incoming planes, and she sounded just like Tatoo from the '80's show "Fantasy Island", with her exuberant shouts of "Da plane, da plane!" Unfortunately, fog above caused our incoming plane to circle too much, fly to Vancouver to fuel up, and so we left almost 2 hours later. We subsequently missed our flight to Winnipeg from Calgary, and were booked onto a later one, with complimentary food vouchers thrown in. It all resulted in a much longer travel day, with Nora and I feeling fairly frazzled by the end of it. The steward kept passing us extra "Bits & Bites" to keep Nora from screaming. However, I was incredibly thankful to have been lent a child-size airplane restraint for Nora... kept her from escaping or being able to hit me (or the window) too much when she was upset. Thank you, Jana!

After recovering on Friday evening, we started out our Winnipeg tour the next morning by visiting "The Manitoba Museum". Ann's philosophy is smart... if you start at the end of the museum and work backwards, you miss a lot of the crowd. You can also have the old-time movie theater to yourself and discreetly sneak snacks without getting caught! :)

Watching funny silent movies was a highlight.

 The wildlife displays were a draw for the kids.

After awhile, all the exhibits began to blur together, especially as we chased after the children ahead of us. We didn't get too many dirty looks as we swam against the visitor flow. Hope I can visit another time, without children! :) After nap-time for 3/4 kids, we all went out to "Super-Slide Park", AKA Central Park, which is right downtown. (You can see why the kids named it this way.) It didn't take long into our visit for Nora to be "directing" Abby as to how she could assist her. ( A nice way to say that Nora is "bossy"...) However, Abby is naturally nurturing, so it was a great fit. :)

The warm sunshine was not what I had been expecting for Winnipeg... very nice.

Isabelle takes the prize for the most spinning a child can take and actually enjoy!

Sunday morning we attended church together. Steve was kind to take all the kids out to the nursery. Here the girls amuse each other...

With the van maxed out with carseats, Aiden came by wagon with Steve. Thankfully, they live close by.

While the little ones slept, we snuck out to "The Forks", where Ann, Abby and I participated in the "Tour du Chocolat" at the public market there. Just for the record, this was Ann's idea, not mine... but of couse, I wholeheartedly dove in! We couldn't bear for all those melted Easter bunnies to be wasted.

 Abby makes a craft with chocolate chips.

The table behind has a chocolate fountain for dipping fruit into... we were pretty "chocolated"-out by the end.

Monday morning, we began our routine of heading out with the kids to find something to do. (Unfortunately, Abby had to be at school for most of our weekly outings.)  Generally it would involve finding a new park, keeping the kids active so they'd be tired out for their afternoon naps. Here is Joe Malone park, that we were the sole occupants of. Perhaps because if was pretty chilly? We also popped by Steve's office unannounced for a quick tour, as well as drove through Assiniboine Park. Thankfully there are no photos of me at McDonald's assisting Nora climb up in the Play Place. I figured that chances were pretty slim that I might see someone I know...

Tuesday morning, we returned to The Forks to explore beyond the chocolate. 

A sculpture giving tribute to the historical meeting place of  many  aboriginal groups.

The Red River and Assiniboine River junction near here...

Three little cousins... 2, 3 and near 4.

Aiden and Isabelle love riding their pedal-less bikes. We just kept hoping they wouldn't wipe out!

A big part of our day was enjoying snacks together....

...or eating the occasional lunch out. Here it's Chinese.

Wednesday was a Costco run... the food sampling attendants were unimpressed that we gave our samples to our children. Bizarre... didn't seem to appreciate that they were doing their part in keeping kids happy to help us spend way too many dollars in their store! Regardless, we enjoyed our feast of food once we got home. Ann showed me the home they had stayed in last fall as they awaited moving into their present house. (Which I didn't get a picture of!)

It's a cutie...

So is Nora!

Having fun in the claw-foot tub!

Every night closes with story time with Steve...

...and Ann. Nora was completely enjoying being with so many other children her age. Our lives are much more sedate and low-key... I definitely need to try harder at home!

With Steve heading out for a trip on Thursday, we took advantage of having him home to stay with the kids while we went out to a movie. Nothing like sister-time to bring out the silliness. We were glad that no one witnessed us trying to open the wrong van in the parking lot to go home!

Thursday... Ann's big day of turning older, but yet never as old as me. (Fittingly, I recall that I played in the park in Kamloops with my Dad and brother the day she was born.) Ann is a wonderful sister, and though it's    unfortunate that she can't live down the street from me in this busy stage of our lives, I so love how we can find such a natural rhythm of being together unlike anyone else. The gift of a sibling, both that I have, is incomparable. Thanks Mom and Dad...

Enjoying a call from our parents...

Our destination today... seeing the French side of the St. Boniface area. We stumbled across an open fort by the Assiniboine River, which was technically not open until May. We did a quick tour nonetheless...

We walked along the trails by the river... Nora was decked out in her party gear for the occasion.

The toboggan run into the presumably iced river was a new phenomenon for me...  I'm not sure which is scarier: climbing up it or screaming down! Our only mishap was a sliver in Isabelle's finger.

A view of downtown across the river.

Nora didn't seem to mind not having a bike.

One of Ann's friends invited us over to celebrate her birthday over a shared dinner of appetizers and trifle, compliments of our Costco visit. Sandy was very gracious to have us. We enjoyed playing at (surprise, surprise...) a park across from Sandy's house before dinner. :)

Isabelle is a literal monkey!

Nora learns all about the thrill of the slide...

Children naturally bring a festive atmosphere to any party...

Now Ann and I are the same age!

We couldn't get the musical candles to stop "singing", so they spent the night under the deck!

Abby had a Pro-D day on Friday, so we were all able to go to the Assiniboine Park Zoo together.

Having some quiet time as we get ready to go...

My favourite creatures of the day... the Red Pandas... I envied their sleep. :)

Nor surprisingly, we likely spent more time at the playground and eating snacks/lunch, than touring the zoo. But it was very pleasant, especially visiting with another friend of Ann's that joined us, Chantal and her son.

All aboard...

Stylish with shades..

Nora reads her trusty map...

Camels in Winnipeg, who knew?!

Unaware of downtown Winnipeg's rush-hour traffic, we fought to get down to the trendy area of Osborne, in search of a casual Mexican restaurant for dinner. We knew we were treading on dangerous ground by attempting to eat out with our crew, but we did enjoy a lovely meal without incident. We were a rare sight indeed, in this university student environment.

Another park was discovered nearby to burn up the recently acquired calories...

Happy sisters.

Tender moments...

So much fun...

 The joys of fine hair!

Saturday morning Nora and I went shopping in the downtown Bay, which wasn't particularly fun for her but I had some success, especially with buying Lindt Easter chocolate at 75% off. :) The ladies' restroom was hilarious with several rows of mirrors for fixing up one's face. I loved the big mirror with it's elegantly inscribed encouragement... "You are Beautiful". (I think I want a mirror like this at home!) We were able to walk 20 minutes to get to Ann's afterwards. (She was doing childcare for the day...)

Our park "jewel" of the week was the discovery of Kildonan Park in northern Winnipeg. We were doing a tour of the rougher part of town, and had continued on. I've yet to see such a nice playground as this locally where I live. With the trees fully-leaved in summer, it must be glorious. 

 Nora meets her alien-self in the warped mirror.

 How sweet, these two.

 On your mark, get set... go!

One of the many Ukrainian churches in the area.

And so, with a full week of great memories together, we packed up with a heavy heart as we left Sunday morning. Nora hasn't displayed any signs of "park-withdrawal" yet, but I know she had a special time getting to know her young cousins. She learned about Barbies, "Thomas the Tank" trains and Barney videos among other things.We are already looking forward to Ann's summer visit in July. Our return flight was much shorter, although Nora was losing it pretty much by the last hour of our journey. We were both very happy to see "Daddy" by the time we reached the baggage area at Abbotsford. I still feel like we're recovering, but I think it's just my daily life at this point that doesn't seem to slow down. I certainly enjoyed the mental break of not being at home. I missed the excitement of Charles cutting his finger in Chemistry class while cleaning a test tube, which required 5 stitches. (James had to take him to the clinic, ha ha!) Otherwise, the boys did pretty well on their own. Thanks, guys! I don't think this will be an annual event. I'm thinking of a road trip for next time!