Gentle Mornings

One of the nicest things about our new home is how close it is to Margot's school, Ecole St-Francois D'Assise. It literally is two blocks away, which is 3 minutes at a regular-people walking pace or 6 minutes at a Margot-people walking pace.

Because of the way Glosette Girl and my schedules have worked out this semester, I walk Margot to school three days a week and Jen walks Margot the other two days.

I really like it when it's my turn to walk her to school.

Its getting chillier in the mornings

On my days, Margot and I hold hands and she tells me about whatever random thoughts pop into her mind. Sometimes she describes what's going on in her class. More often than not she'll tell me about what she'll do if she's the first one in class (she organizes her stuff in her desk - FIRST!), her latest favourite toy (currently "Big Eye" stuffed animals), or whether my French is improving ("it's not but you have other qualities"). Once in awhile she throws in a "You're the best Dada", which I won't deny is pretty sweet to hear. 

It may not be as fun when it's 20 below and I'm fighting with Margot to put on an uncool hat and mittens rather than her cool but impractical earmuffs and gloves, but I'll enjoy it as long as I can. It's such a calm start to the day and worlds away from the rest of my day's oftentimes hectic experience.

We cross a few roads, past a few gardens and enter the school through the back, which is a slight detour but allows us to spy on the kids getting dropped off by bus. Before I know it Margot gives me a hug and walks confidently past two no-nonsense hall monitors (door attendants?) in bright yellow vests.

The long way to school

 I can't help but smile and feel a little bemused by the whole experience.

Fresh Start

Hello!

Here I am again, typing my thoughts onto the Inter-web for all to see!

Honestly, I never thought I'd blog again. Tough Cookies (my first blog) felt like a mini novel with a defined purpose: write about life with Margot, every day, during my parental leave. After my last post it felt like that chapter of my life had closed and it was time to move on.

Actually, that's literally what happened. After my parental leave I:

• Found a great new job;
• Resigned from that job when it became jeopardized (Long story to do with government cuts... no wait...that's the whole story - cuts!);
• Miraculously found my current job;
• Had lots of fun (and stress) as Margot went from being a baby to toddler to little kid;
• Cheered Glosette Girl* on as she got her dream position;
• And, most recently, sold my house in the suburbs of the La Belle Province to buy a new one in the neighbourhood of Hintonburg in Ottawa.

Five years in six bullet points. Yikes, is that it?!

Of course there is lots more to mention but I want to dwell on the last point (buying a new house), for a moment.

Glosette Girl and I saved and saved, went through ups and downs, and finally, on August 15th moved into our new home. We didn't have to move. We had a nice home in Hull, Quebec. But we wanted to live in a place that we felt reflected who we are, would be a good place for Margot to grow up in and that would be, well fun!

And so here we are. In a quirky little part of the world known as Hintonburg in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I already feel a sense of community here and its inspired me to get back in the whole blog writing game. I won't just be writing about where I live of course. The main focus will probably still be on Margot, my life with Glosette Girl and just musings in general. But I do think my new home will add a distinct flavour to my writing, which is why I think a new blog is better than just starting up the old one again. I've set what I think is an appropriate goal for a dad with an active six year old: one post a week (ahhh I love friendly achievable goals).

I'm not sure how this is story is going to end just yet but I think the journey is going to be fun.

Our New House

* Jen's new Tough Cookies name!