Looking Forward: Our Hopes for 2017

We have travel plans brewing for this coming year. Not only are we doing some fun California things but we're also trying out the Home Exchange idea with sights set on Italy in August during Joel's sabbatical he's taking from work this year. We've always stayed in people's homes when we travel either through VRBO or Air BnB but haven't yet done a home swap. We're using homeexchange.com and are still in the beginning stages of learning how it all works. More to come as we move forward with this adventure. 

Joel has a few house projects on the go. He's putting the finishing touches on the home theatre with a projector and screen that will be discreetly tucked into the ceiling when not in use. That's been a bit of an obsession. 

I'm having some fun decorating the boys room and trying to figure out a future bathroom renovation project though I'm perfectly happy to not have any renos on the go just at the moment. The kitchen reno was far more involved than we ever imagined it and we've promised ourselves that no matter how dated it becomes in 30 years we will never do that again. 

I'm hopefully back to work in January after taking a Canadian style mat leave from running my design business. Time to hire a nanny again and renew my business license. Austen is in his second year of preschool and as soon as Caelen hits 18 months he can go there too. It will be pretty neat to send them off to Summer camp day programs together. Caelen is a little more attached to me than Austen was at this age so he might not love this plan as much as I do. 

Joel's work has been exciting of late. This week he's just flying back from Switzerland and Germany where he's been in meetings and taking in a few sights along the way. He's still really enjoying being on the software side of the entertainment industry and not missing the craziness of working on feature films. I also prefer this life to the one we spent in hotels and temporary digs. Fewer celebrities but a much more stable life for our family. 

We wish all of our family and friends and blog followers a very happy everything you celebrate at this time of year and all the best for the new year. 

November 8

November 8th we put the kids to bed and sat down to watch the election coverage. Expecting a sweep of blue -- like the last Canadian election -- we instead saw red. We switched from CNN to PBS -- the public broadcasting station -- to search for a more intellectual opinion and watched as seasoned political analysts stumbled over their words. Unable to mask their own shock (and horror). Our newly minted confidence in a more progressive America shattered. We held hands and I cried.

I woke on November 9th furious and scared. I knew every visible minority would be at risk of being roughed up by emboldened bigots on this day and the weeks to come. We spoke to friends, checked in with neighbours. We donated to the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. Our friends asked us, "will you go back to Canada now?" And we said, "No, we stay, we fight. This is our home too."

The anti-Trump sentiment in the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles areas is loud and proud. People are organizing, donating, debating every aspect of the incoming regime. I feel like people are remembering the political activism of California in the 60s and 70s and drawing not only from the baby boomers years of experience but the ideas of the tech-savvy millennials. I feel hopeful and at least safe and supported here right now.

Canadian Thanksgiving Year Two

Last year we hosted our first big Canadian Thanksgiving dinner at our new home and welcomed 22 of our friends and family here for an amazing meal. This year our numbers swelled to 32 and I like to think we honed our skills a little more with this being our second attempt at having such a large gathering.

As with the first year we did a sit-down meal. Moving our furniture outside onto the decks and moving rented tables in to accommodate the numbers. Guests brought side dishes and we did a 23lb turkey, a salmon and tri-tip and many many potatoes. I hired two local high school students to keep the kids entertained so parents could eat and enjoy themselves. It worked out very well. I only saw a brief glimpse of Austen who was having the time of his life.

People came from near and far. We had four of our guests drive and fly up from LA (7-8 hour drive) and my brother flew down from Vancouver. Lots of folks clocked in several hours driving from around the Bay Area with littles in the car to get here too. Quite amazing to have people put out all that effort to make this year such a success. Hats off to my brother, Adrian who did an amazing amount of prep work with us in the days prior. We could not have made all that food happen without him.

Maple cookies (my little baking contribution)

One of the tables set for dinner

Farewell Montreal

Our final week in Montreal wrapped up with the hottest days of our trip. Lots of swimming in the public pools and iced coffees in cafes. Our sweltering Air BnB place for the week was not the best choice but we made the most of the location. We had a family meal out at Maison Publique  and did some epic walks around the city and then we packed up for the airport. 

Heading home after five weeks away was strange and but also a relief. We learned so much about travel with two under four on this trip. Probably the most important thing I learned is that trailing along on a trip when Joel is working not all that much fun for me. Our side trips on the weekends were fantastic but the week days with Joel gone and me alone with the kids with no network or activities like preschool... it was daunting and isolating. The fun side trips told me that the kids are really happy to travel, we function really well as a family on the move and we plan to travel more in the future. 

I Dream of Cottage Country

I lived near the thousand islands until the age of ten and like most kids growing up in Ontario, Summer was all about lake swimming and going to cottages. I fished, caught frogs, paddled inner tubes out to catch the wakes of passing boats and tried to build viable rafts from found objects. I loved the sound of the lake lapping at the underside of the dock as I lay still watching the fish swim in the sunny shallows below.

One of my best friends grew up in a family that owned a cottaging business with 15 cottages and as I planned our trip this Summer she and I conspired to get us out to her family's cottages for the ultimate Ontario lake experience. Everything fell into place and we just came back from three of the most fun days we've ever had as a family.

Breaking News: Poutine Officially Off The Bucket List

Frankly I had never heard of poutine until I was 20. Was I just terribly sheltered or did the whole poutine thing really become a trend around the year 2000? All I know is it's been a thing among both foodies and junk-food lovers for a while and everyone attributes it to Canada.

Joel decided to visit La Banquise poutinerie to see if they could satisfy my curiosity. And there we were, sitting on a picnic table with plastic forks in hand with about 4lbs of poutine in front of us.

So what did I think? Honestly, I'm not a fan. I fished around this sodding goo for a crisp fry and wished the gravy were on the side. And while I love cheese curds, their delicate flavour is lost in a gravy and they were just a rubbery texture floating in salty goo on sad mushy fries.

Joel ordered a meat lovers poutine with a MOUND of meats piled on top and he was similarly grossed out and ended up nibbling at the edges of mine instead. Austen barely touched his once he realized that it really wasn't as exciting as he'd hoped. 3 1/2 lbs of poutine hit the bottom of the park garbage bin and we walked home. Mission accomplished. Lets not do this again.

From Montreal To The banks Of The Mississippi

Last Sunday Joel and I took the boys on another side trip. This time were were taking a trip down memory road in Ottawa and Lanark County. Back when I was skating I lived in Ottawa from 1999 to 2001 and I haven't been back in fourteen years. We visited the dear friends I lived with for my last year in Ottawa. Joel had to fly to Boston first thing Monday morning but the boys and I stayed and joined our friends at their camper for a few days in Larnak County on the shore of the Mississippi. They swam, made sand castles and frolicked in the sun. 

It was a lovely week. Joel is now flying back from his work trip to Boston and Anaheim and we're packing up this house in Montreal tomorrow. Saturday morning bright and early we set off to Lyndhurst, ON to go to a cottage on Red Horse Lake. 

An evening in Old Montreal

We took the kids out to dinner this evening in Old Montreal. I love this part of the city. Yes it's super touristy but I love me some cobblestone.

Wordless Post In Honour Of Montreal Bakeries

Montreal: One Pastry At A Time

Here we are back in Montreal for week two of our month here. The kids and I set out three hours after I started to get Austen dressed. Because that's how long it took to negotiate getting Austen dressed today. I could have sat on him (while he made vocal impressions of an injured bald eagle) to make him comply but frankly we're on vacation and I actually don't care when we leave the house. At all.

We hit the bakery, Le Fromentier, to pick up a few quiches and a palmier and then went on to the hipster coffee shop, Lapin Presse, to pick up an iced latte for me. Parc Sir Wilfrid Laurier was full of stroller meet-ups of all kinds and we soon found a quiet corner to make sand-cakes (Austen) and eat sticks (Caelen).

We have a very relaxed remainder of this week planned before I take the kids up to Ottawa for a side trip and Joel takes off on a business trip to Boston and Anaheim.

Toronto Tales

We decided to spend the weekend in Toronto to catch up with my cousin, aunt and the 2nd cousins who are the same age as our boys. Taking the train was EASY compared to a long drive with kids stuck in carseats (not to mention the traffic and parking). And we do love a good walk. So Saturday morning bright and early we set out for an 8:55 train from Montreal to Toronto.

The Montreal station is a bit crazy at the moment because only some platforms are stroller and wheelchair accessible but the staff were great and we managed to haul the kids down to the train platform while a porter carried all our gear. Once on board the conductor was great with the kids and very helpful. We bought lunch and snacks and Austen played happily and explored the train cars. This is the way to travel with toddlers and preschoolers!

Union Station in Toronto is right downtown and about 20 minute walk at our pace to our hotel. The station is under renovations right now and was also a bit confusing with stroller access. When it's finished the whole experience for parents will be pretty easy I hope.

Our double stroller held the kids and our weekend bag (yes, we got it down to one) and served us well on the wide smooth sidewalks of Toronto. Our hotel was one of the cool renovated old houses run by Urban North Inns. We had a whole floor to ourselves and a warm welcome from a host there and use of kitchen and livingroom/patio. Highly recommend them for very reasonably priced Toronto accommodations.

On Sunday we met up with my cousins and aunt and headed to Toronto Island for the day. I've never actually taken the Centre Island ferry. As a kid we were always headed to visit our friends who live in a magical cottage on Algonquin Island and would take the Ward Island ferry. I also had no idea about the petting zoo and cute old timey amusement park for the little ones. I highly recommend it for families with kids toddler and up. The boys loved meeting their 2nd cousins and were fast friends.

We were the first ones at the petting zoo/farm in the morning

The Centreville Amusement Park - very cute old timey family fun

Austen got very brave and decided to hit both the log ride and the rollercoaster on our way out. I'm still shocked over that one.

After the visit with my family we headed across the island to our family friend's home on Algonquin Island. Total childhood nostalgia for me at every turn. We dropped in for a visit and then were off to catch a ferry back to the city to put the kids to bed. It was a great day. 

Imagine growing up in a neighbourhood with no cars... this is a dreamy street on Algonquin Island

Monday we headed to the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) with the littles and actually had to stop and play in a park because we got there before it opened. We're those people now. Austen loved the museum and I got to catch up with a dear friend who I have known for 25 years who met us there and was willing to join our rowdy group.

We headed back to Montreal that afternoon - quite a whirlwind trip. I definitely packed it too close together. Having a travel day followed by a big sightseeing day followed by another travel day was too much for the kids. They were tired and squirly on the train back to Montreal. Live and learn. Luckily they were fast asleep by the time we were arriving and with the help of the staff on the platform we got them tucked into "bed" in the stroller and rolled off into the sunset. 

Our First Day In Montreal

The flights from Victoria to Vancouver and Vancouver to Montreal went really well. The boys were quiet and happy the whole way. They both slept through a lot of the second flight and Austen watched Zootopia with Daddy. The headphones we bought him before we left have been a godsend. The other MVP was the double stroller which Air Canada did check at the gate. I even saw someone with a double Bob - the largest beast of a double - and they managed to get on without even folding it despite there being 8 other strollers gate checked. So hats off to AC. They did a good job.

The kids were up late with the time difference and then up again at 6:30 ready to start the day... which, if you do the math, was really a 3:30am start for all of us. We were at Sir Wilfred Laurier park by 8:30 this morning after grabbing myself a coffee at Lapin Pressé en route. It's now lunch time. Caelen is down for his second nap. He is the sensible child. Austen on the other hand is singing enthusiastically to the Playmobil after a two hour stand-off over the issue of needing to eat food. No suggestion is good enough for this three year old today. He wants to be left alone to genuflect before the pile of toys generously left here by the family who rented us their home. Send more coffee.

The Great Montreal Gastro Tour of 2016

I have to say the best time in life to visit a city like Montreal would have to be one where one is breastfeeding, long distance running or cycling because every foodie site I look at makes me want to EAT ALL THE FOOD. Luckily Joel and I are both on a 3,000 calorie diet and plan to take full advantage of that.

Joel has quite a list of places he frequents when he's there for all his business trips. I've compiled an ongoing Google map with recommendations from Joel and some friends. Anything to add? Leave us a comment!

Nine days in Victoria

July 2nd was our first travel day of our big Summer Canadian extravaganza. We took a taxi van to the airport and then flew into Victoria via Vancouver with about a two hour stopover. It was a full day for the kids but they were so chilled out. Austen just adored the planes and the airports requiring little else to amuse him. He did watch part of his movie and was pretty thrilled with the presents (a bouncy ball, stickers and wind-up toy) I had wrapped and tucked into my bag for a dull moment. Caelen literally just slept the whole way there. We were able to use the double stroller to get them up to the gate despite some confusing warnings from the airline website saying they don't gate-check double strollers. I think it's at the discretion of the person checking you in.

Despite the efforts I made to streamline our packing we were a hot mess of luggage at the airport because at the last minute Joel needed his bike...

Do not travel like this

Austen did carry his own carry-on bag #winning

Austen also used my phone to take pictures along the way

Our week and a half in Victoria has gone by faster than we could have anticipated. We gave each set of grandparents three days each to plan for us and have divided our time between them that way with a couple of rest days in there for good measure. The kids have enjoyed the beaches, Butchart Gardens, walks around Oak Bay and time with their grandparents. We haven't even taken them into Victoria's downtown at all this trip. 

The weather has been cold, damp and at times windy. I'm ready to turn up the heat with the weeks ahead in Montreal and Ontario.

Final Kitchen Reveal

Our kitchen is finally finished and it's time to reveal the before and after photos. First, here's a little glimpse of the day we took possession of the house...

Are you ready? Let's do this

Inching Closer To Adventure Time

Good news! Caelen is going to have a US passport and be officially acknowledged as an American citizen. Joel made a follow-up phone call after our additional proof of citizenship package was delivered. Once the passport arrives we can start dealing with his Canadian citizenship. Yet another instance where we wish we were dealing with the well oiled machine of the Singapore Ministry of Manpower and the Canadian High Commission in SG. Boggles the mind. Anyway, we are going to be fine to go on our trip and that's what's important right now. I've been really busy getting us ready to go. Yes we're still a ways from the departure date but I'm a planner. My list making frenzy has already been in full force for weeks. All our flights have been booked, we found a place to stay in Montreal and I've been interviewing for a part time nanny there so I can work a bit.

Ok now lets talk travel with kids again. No matter how minimal you try to be, travelling with two under 4 is going to require some extra checked baggage. After years of honing our packing skills down to just carry-on we're hauling more than ever before. Every freaking thing has a big bulky flight case from the stroller to the car seats. I'm trying to devise a plan where arrival and departure at the airports won't be such a gong-show. So far here's what my thoughts are.

• Check the two carseats (packed in proper flight cases)
• Gatecheck (right at the door of the plane) the double stroller
• Team up the suitcase packing (eg: one kid and one parent's clothes in each) so we can get down to two suitcases. 
• Austen carries his own carry-on (Stop laughing. Three year olds occasionally take direction right?)

One Tiny American problem

C was born in the US and he’s never been off American soil. He has an American birth certificate, a Social Security card, health insurance, and he’s sporting a Bernie Sanders button on his Ergo carrier like a local. Like many American babies, he’s the first generation born here to two Green Card holders.

C is also eligible to become a dual Canadian citizen, so as soon as we had his birth certificate and Social Security number, we applied for Canadian citizenship and a passport. There are no consular services here, so Joel had to take the application to the Canadian Embassy office in San Francisco to have it witnessed, checked for accuracy, and sent to Canada.

Lo and behold, the application was returned citing a lack of photo ID. Photo ID is something hospitals issue for babies born in an institution, but for a baby born at home or in a birth center, there is no ID card provided. This hadn’t been an issue when we completed the same process for Austen in Singapore.

We didn’t love the idea of C traveling on a US passport — it separates our family citizenship-wise — but it seemed like the only way to move forward with his Canadian passport was to obtain the American one first.

We applied in person so the clerk at the passport office could see and photograph C. A few weeks later, that application was returned with a letter stating there wasn’t sufficient evidence that he was born in the United States. They rejected both his birth certificate and Social Security card, saying additional documentation was required because he was a non-institutional birth. [headdesk]

They sent a list of supplementary documents needed to support his citizenship claim. Two items on that list were, in fact, illegal for me to obtain or mail to them.

Armed with a stack of visa bills, receipts, and letters from Joel’s employer and my midwife, we sent off a thick parcel to the Department of State.

At last, we had success. C was sorted.

A Mini Live-Away Adventure X4

We've been suffering from the travel bug since the one year mark in our new home. Yes, I know. At one year I was holding a newborn baby with a nearly three year old gnawing on my ankle but that didn't stop the yearning to try to take them somewhere. We took a trip to LA and Carmel when Caelen was three weeks old and it went pretty well so we began to envision our next travel opportunity. Joel usually spends a good chunk of time each year in Montreal as he works with a team of guys based there and given the weak Canadian dollar we realized we could swing spending an extended period of time away in Canada especially if we could rent out our home here. And so it was arranged. This Summer we're taking off for a mini live-away adventure in Montreal. Expats in our home country but in a city where neither of us has ever lived. We have 8 weeks to organize a renter for the house, a cat-sitter (if renter cat-sits that would be great) hire a French tutor and figure out our side trips to visit friends and family. Oh yes... and that kitchen reno really must end. I'll be blogging this crazy Summer. 

Fun fact: In 2002 a much younger Stacey & Joel traveled to Montreal on their first trip together. 

The Kitchen Progress

So remember that post way back in the fall when I posted a picture of a kitchen reno in progress? Well here's a little before and after of that project.

The kitchen side one, when we moved into the house

The Kitchen side one, all finished!

Stuff we did:

• New Brazilian cherry hardwood floor to match the rest of the house went in just before we moved into the house.
• Joel installed the new Kenmore Elite convection double ovens to replace the 1963 Chambers double ovens. 
• The hardwood drawer fronts and cupboard doors were sanded down, primed and painted with a paint sprayer (about 5-6 coats)
• The whole frame around the cupboards had to be rebuilt to hold the new butcher block
• The butcher block was custom made here in Marin and installed (it weighs a ton!)
• Oiled bronze pulls were ordered from Lee Valley - gotta support our favourite Canadian hardware!
• Benjamin Moore chalkboard paint in that deep warm grey was used on flat areas around the back of the kitchen island and up the side of the oven cupboard area. 

Easter in the Sun

How We Travel With Littles

Disclaimer: I'm not a child travel expert. I've been at this for just three years and I only have two kids. We have survived more than 20 flights ranging from 19 hours to little 2 hour hops. And we've done a myriad of road trips varying in length from 4 to 10 hours. 

What's the best time to take a first trip with my baby?

That depends on a few factors. The first being the healing time you need port-birth. If you're up and walking and carrying your baby for long walks and feeling emotionally stable, you can probably tackle a little trip. For some mothers that's at two weeks and others that's at eight, ten...twelve. Don't compare yourself to anyone else and for god's sake don't let anyone bully you into buying plane tickets before your baby is born.

The other factor is the biggest wild card: your baby. Is your baby very sensitive? You won't know till they make their appearance. A very sensitive baby might hate every single detail of travel from the smells to the din of the airport. Also if you little one is suffering from colic or any intestinal upset common in the first 12 weeks you'll have yours hands full enough at home. A trip might not be very fun for anyone involved.

So my answer? Travel when you and your baby are feeling stable, healthy and happy. For me that was at six weeks. I was comfortable with baby-wearing, nursing in public and my baby could sleep through a train wreck or a concert and be well rested. I call that plain old luck.

Welcome Baby!

We celebrated the holidays with itty bitty feet, hands and cooing newborn baby smiles. C is here!

Little Brother's First Road Trip

We decided to venture out on our first road trip when Caelen was three weeks old. We spent a night in Fresno with friends and then continued to LA where we spent a couple of days celebrating New Years with more friends there. Then we drove up to Carmel and spent a couple of nights just the four of us before cruising back home.

The kids did amazingly well in the car. Both boys are excellent car sleepers at the moment and we chose our hotel in Carmel very well. We had everything we needed. Austen, now nearly 3 years old, was happy to cruise around Carmel on his scooter. No need to pack a stroller for him.

And now some pictures I took preparing for the beautiful new years day party our dear friends threw. As always, I don't post pictures of people but they are available to friends and family on Flickr. Just drop me a line for a link to the private album of these party pictures.