Why do they make things so complicated? Seems like it was a lot simpler when we brought up our kids.
So, Grandma and Grandpa had a few hours off. A nice break from the kids. Sadie (19 months) is pretty easy to look after...she probably the happiest child we've ever seen. Cameron, at 4 years old can be a little moody at times, and of course he's going non-stop. Still, for the most part...we're having fun with them.
There was a nice blue sky yesterday morning, and we needed some exercise and some fresh (but cold) air. So we got bundled up and went for a brisk 5 km (3 mile) walk.
This is a tidal river. A few hours later, there would be no water here at all.
Brrr.
This is a big farm that Cameron likes to visit. It's just down the road from our daughter's place.
Our daughter's house.
We had to pick to the kids up between 3:30pm and 4:00pm, but we left an hour or so early and stopped to do a little grocery shopping. Much easier to do grocery shopping without the kids!
Housing is pretty cheap in most parts of Nova Scotia. For example, they're renting that 3 bedroom bungalow with 2 car attached garage above for $850 CAD ($652 USD) per month. Not bad.
But groceries are not the same story. That $200 a month you're saving on your rent is going to go towards groceries and gasoline. We had sticker shock. Stopped at the "Real Canadian Superstore" (owned by Loblaws) and couldn't bring ourselves to spend $3.50 on a cantaloupe. Or a head of lettuce for $2.50. Yikes.
We went to Walmart and it was a zoo. Does nobody work during the day anymore?
So there are grocery carts spread all over the parking lot. Of course they have these stalls where you're supposed to bring your cart when you're finished with it, but a select group of people just push them off to the side.
Now, I know that there's nothing that we can do about those people, but there is something we can do about the situation.
When we walk from our car to the store, we actually pick up a cart along the way!
What a novel idea.
Now, I know that people who read Travel with Kevin and Ruth are among the smartest people in the world. So I'm not telling you anything new. I'm sure that most of you also pick up your grocery cart from the lot rather than waiting until you get to the store.
Woke up this morning to another 10 cm (4 inches) of snow.
So we took a snow day today. Not worth driving on winter roads just to take the kids to daycare so we called in sick. Looks like a good day to watch a movie or two!
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Yes, at Wally's I pick up a cart on the way into the store because there are never any carts in the store :-) The kids might enjoy a walk in the sun....bundle them up into a stroller or wagon and off you go for about 1/2 hour...about a mile down and back. Make a snowman....now days they sculpture animals too i.e. snoopy on his dog house instead of a traditional snowman.
ReplyDeleteWe would do that but where they live is on a dirt road so right now the dirt is mud so the stroller wouldn't work well nor would a wagon or a toboggan. Our other problem with the house here is that it is up on a hill with absolutely nothing around so even when the sun is shinning the wind really whips around and doesn't make time outside enjoyable. Yesterday (Apr. 7th) was perfect for an afternoon outside with the kids. Once the snow stopped and the sun was shining it was a beautiful afternoon without no wind.
DeleteAgain up until yesterday we didn't have the sticky kind of snow to make a snowman but yesterday's snow was perfect and that was exactly what we did! :-)
Does anyone go sledding anymore? I use to love sledding down a slope....not to steep a slope just enough for the sled to glide. I liked Cameron's little ice hole he made into side of snow bank.
ReplyDeleteYep, lots of people still go sledding but I think they call it tobogganing now. I think that most people in the East Coast have had enough of winter though so tobogganing/sledding is getting a little old, after all it is almost mid April!
DeleteI am sure you are so glade to be with family but have a little yearning for the warmer weather.
ReplyDeleteYes, we are happy to spend time with the family but I think next time they are going to have to travel south to see us if it is still winter! :-)
DeleteThe cantaloupe here on Vancouver Island are the same price right now. I only pick and choose those fruit and veggies that are loss leaders/on sale. Produce and meat are so freaking expensive in Canada and only going up in price.
ReplyDeleteWe did end up buying a cantaloupe for $1.99 which is still pricey but that is certainly a lot better than $3.50. Lindsey feeds the Children lots of fruit and vegetables and luckily where they live is in a major agricultural area with lots of farm stall stores. We will be headed there for the bulk of our produce purchases.
DeleteThat's A HECK OF A LOT OF SNOW - love your pics! We did a fall tour of Nova Scotia years ago and it was so pretty. I remember seeing a tidal river. Our youngest grand, 3 just turned 4, goes to preschool two days a week. She loves it! It has helped her to get along with others plus learn to share!!!! So happy that you are getting to spend time with the little ones. They keep one stepping for sure. The Walmart and grocery stores that we go to, people are really good at putting back the carts in the stalls but that would be very annoying what you described. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteYes, it certainly is a lot of snow! Usually at this time of year spring is well under way here in the valley. Fall is a gorgeous time of year here in Nova Scotia.
DeleteCameron and Sadie's preschool is also quite structured and they start the learning process early. Cameron loves it there, Sadie is still a little young to understand a lot of it but it is good for her to spend time with other children as well.
Glad that people are very conscientiousness where you live, we wish they could be everywhere.
You need an Amazon link for your UK readers. Enjoy your day indoors with the Sadie and Cameron.
ReplyDeleteIt's 17 degrees here and sunny.
We don't have enough readers from the UK to make it worth while plus then the blog would start looking really cluttered but thanks for thinking about us. ;-)
DeleteThat temperature sounds lovely right about now. Glad you are having great weather there, you normally get your share of bad weather so it is nice to enjoy the beautiful weather while you can.
Great picture of Ruth, at least I think that's Ruth, bundled up in all those clothes... :cD
ReplyDeleteYep, that's me! Glad that I can fit into Lindsey's clothes. ;-)
DeleteShivering in my boots (shoes) when I look at all that snow. Keep warm and enjoy your snow day!
ReplyDeleteIt should be much better for you when you arrive back to Ontario, they had much less snow than out here on the East Coast.
DeleteBrrr, it's going to be a shock to the system heading back to Canada this year as it's been unusually hot in the desert. Crossing fingers and toes that things warm up soon up there!
ReplyDeleteThings should be good for you when you get back to Ottawa, Esther but I am sure it will still be a shock to the system after all that hot weather.
DeleteCorrect me if I'm wrong, it's pronounced "wool vul"! As for so many shoppers during the day and not at work, I'm not going there.
ReplyDeleteSorry Chris, I think you lost us on that one?
DeleteYep most things in Canada are expensive, but we do manage to get by somehow.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have no choice you have to try and make do but it is really hard for families on a tight budget to eat healthy food at these prices.
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