This weekend was kind of a blur. We went shopping on Saturday and I found some good deals for the kids. I want to have a few Christmas gifts with us, just in case the moving company fails to deliver on time.While we were out it appears as though the post attempted to deliver Ethan’s passport. That is only a week and a day, since we applied! There is no way the Canadian route would have been settled this quickly. We will be hitting the Post Office today, I am so excited to see it!

Wow. I am in awe that the month of October is almost over. Only one more month until we return to Canada!! In honour of our return, I have had mini giveaways all month. Celebrating with you all has been so much fun! Once we are all settled in I so want to host more contests. I really enjoyed  sharing a piece of our lives with you. The last of the Great White North contests a Grand Prize of a  Flickr Pro Account, has arrived.In order to qualify for the big kahuna, I would like you to share with me this:

Name five things you could give up in order to simplify your life. 

Since we have moved a lot over the years, I try to keep things simple. However, lately I have been eager to minimize even more, to achieve a more zen like life. De-clutter, keeping only essentials. It is hard though. One grows sentimental and attached to stuff.You have until Halloween to share with me your five things. Everyone that shares will be entered then a name will be randomly drawn. Thanks again for joining me on this journey. It would not have been the same without you. 

Up on The Hill, we celebrated along with EVERYONE in town an early Halloween. The businesses “downtown” all handed out candy and goodies. The main street was closed off and there were ghosts, goblins, superheros, princesses and all the rest out in masses.

Thankfully, friends & J arrived at our place early and we were able to hit the streets pre-chaos with the preschoolers and babies.

Becca was quite overwhelmed, yet gleeful to collect candy. Ethan, like any self respecting hot dog was content to watch the world go by, while his Dad ate his candy stash till his tummy hurt. It was wonderful to go with friends and see so many familiar faces. This place is such a small town. I will miss that a little.

We sent a  security deposit for the apartment. Actually J’s parents sent it, my MIL has been our Canadian bank manager for two and a half years. Thank you! We haven’t actually seen pictures of the inside of the apartment, however it is run by a good property management. If it sucks well … it will only be a year till we are *hopefully* in our own home.

We should have quotes from the two moving companies by Monday and hopefully move forward in booking the trip to Halifax by the end of the week. All this legwork, with the kids and normal household stuff is exhausting. I am trying to remain focused that this is the last major move. Can you believe the end of October is so near?

The Great White North Contests are coming to the finale. Crystal is the winner of the Bomb Town T and I will be posting the Grand Prize … The One Year Pro Flickr Account contest early next week.

I mentioned before that Becca is really content and easy going lately. It is so nice to see her settling into herself and  happy. We have been trying to do some crafts, a lot of reading and activities out and about. She is eager to learn, yet not quite always ready to listen but we are getting there. I hope this move does not rock her world too much.

Ethan … oh my poor sweet hot dog … He is cutting FOUR TEETH … right now. The two bottom teeth are out and no longer the vain of his existence. However the top teeth, the ones next to the front teeth are pushing through already. The one on his right has broke through and the other three teeth are threatening to erupt any moment.  He went in for his six month shots, plus the flu shot for good measure … ugh. He was beside himself in pain and throbbing! I am so hoping all this pain will leave him teething free for a period of time (HA! Like when we are moving … a Mother can dream right?) He is weighing is at a whopping 18.5 lbs! Little porker! hehe! He is rolling and squirming desperate to move forward … crawling is in our near future.

I should sleep. Too much in my head. sigh. Have a fab weekend!

Part of the reason I decided to celebrate heading home with a few contests and giveaways was because the blogosphere has shone so kindly on me. Not only do I receive the most amazing comments, emails and support, but I win stuff too!!

If you are not reading The Opinionated Parent yet, you must add it to your must read today! I have been fortunate to win a few items and even have had the opportunity to write some reviews for the site. The companies that TOP works with are amazing.

I recently won a T from Tiny Revolution (Through The Opinionated Parent). In the email I mention that we are moving in 6 weeks so if it could make it here that would rock. This was Friday night. DUDES the T showed up MONDAY. Now that is some rockin’ customer service. I also received a personalized note wishing me the best.

Ethan sported his new … “No Baby Should Be Eaten … Say No to Veal!” to the library yesterday and it was a huge hit. The T is so soft and cuddly it was hard to put the kid down (although I struggle with that everyday, he just so CUTE). Many Thanks to TOP & Tiny Revolution!

We lost the apartment we were considering. grr. So we have submitted an application to another with another property management company. Once our application is approved, we will be sending the security deposit and can claim it as home. The new place is cheaper (w00t) but a tad further away from the university. Ultimately we will be saving like mad to purchase a house next year.

The kids and I are trekking it to Ethan’s six month appointment this morning. Note to Canadians, we had to WAIT three weeks for an opening, private health care … pfft! Poor little guy his second tooth finally broke through and now we are shooting him up with vaccinations. At least closer to our travel date he should be free and clear.

Becca has been amazing lately. I mentioned before that she has been really well behaved. She is excelling at everything she tries, recognizing letters and numbers, climbing, jumping, running. She sings songs, makes up lyrics, is good to her brother and really has been listening well. I really hope this next move does not knock the wind out of her sails too much. All transitions are hard. On all of us.

It totally snowed today. This is the first snow for Becca (that she would remember). I excitedly ran to her room and carried her to the patio doors to show her the snow falling. J took the kids out to the pond, while I baked and cooked dinner. It was so wonderful to see Becca so excited about the snow fall.

I love the smell of winter. That crisp clean smell. Mmm I can hardly wait to get to Halifax and experience it there.

I think we have found an apartment. Unless some dreamy place jumps in front of us, we are waiting for pictures of the inside then we will send a cheque. All this leg work has left me exhausted, stressed and not sleeping. I have woken up before 5 am, just to call people on the east coast. Why my head cannot accept that it can wait till a decent time locally I have not a clue. I need for all to be settled.

I am really anxious as of late. So I have picked up my knitting needles and have been frantically knitting. Knitting creates a zen state for me. I am more patient, more graceful and much more pleasant to be around if knitting. I long for my knitting pals to hear all my rants and raves. Miss you.

… about your home?

I am searching, online for a place to call home for about a year. We would like to save up some money and buy a house in the next year. I am not comfortable buying there until we have lived there, soaked up the city and know it. Besides I have never bought a house. What the heck do I know? Must be knowledgeable and get to know the market. That jazz.

So I have stared at my laptop till my eye has turned pink, trying to weigh out pros and cons of places.

We so are NOT living close to the university. The prices are CRAZY, and really I am so not wanting party neighbors like we had in California. However, we are still and will remain for a little while, a single car family. A quickie bus route is a must. I also want parks around to play, no crack heads, a library and no mice in the apartment.

See I am not asking too much right?

So tell me sweet internets what do you adore about your home? Is it the lovely kitchen? An extra closet? The colour of your carpet? And have you ever picked out a place to live on the internet? Did it work out? I have done this before from Canada to California and did not fair too badly.

All those who share their crazy thoughts will be entered to win a BOMB TOWN T-Shirt. Your chose of size and these designs (I so adore the I.B. Glowing! HAHA) The T’s are sold locally at CB Fox Department Store.

I have to add a couple more things … A big Thank You to Maddy at Whitterer on Autism (a must read, her writings are amazing!) for awarding me the Wonder Woman award! I am humbled and passing it on to JJ, Marz, Nic, Holly & Marina.

Lastly … How cute are Ethan’s squeaks!??! Gosh I love this kid!

Congrats to Nic and Allison as they are the winners of the Market Bags …