First snow, first trip to a big city, first train ride, first Christmas (in Ontario and just first for Shay). It has been lovely. The plane ride was full of mishaps and delays, but we arrived in one piece, filthy but alive. Fin was wondering what all that white stuff was on the sides of the streets. He was fascinated by the tall buildings and big city lights. After spending a quiet evening with Megan (she was an amazing hostess who promptly supplied us with wine to sooth our travel woes), we all slept hard. The next morning, the kids woke up late (or early Pacific time), and Finlay really saw the snow. I had to dress him in the kitchen because he was too excited and wouldn't let the snow out of his sight. "Can I step in it?" he asked me.
Megan joined us for some play outside. Gramma and Auntie K arrived just in time to watch us from the dinning room window. Fin was pumped about his snow-suit and boots (thanks Megan!) and was quickly diving into the white stuff.
We made a snowman. Fin danced and explored. It was a whole new sensory experience for him. Although he didn't seem interested in the snow the way I imagined, I quickly recognized that he was experiencing his for the first time (outside of the one time it snowed in Vic when he was 13 months old). He was taking it all in.
Through the eyes of a child - it was bright, that smell of snow, the cold and damp so different from home, the sound when you step on it, the way it makes everything glitter...
How warm a hug feels in the Canadian winter!
Fin helped us with the head.
He was happy to pose for the picture with Megan. It's a good looking snowman!
Shay was cuddled by all. But he is so busy these days it was difficult to hold on to him for too long.
There were presents, of course, and Fin was excited to open them.
Shay wasn't so interested in the presents but the paper was fun.
The excitement!
"Look Shay! Seamus! Hey, look at your gift kid."
There were stairs. Both kids were pretty excited by that.
Look at that grin!
We had a lovely Christmas dinner with the family and, sadly, said goodbye to our hosts and went on the train to London.
The train was a lot easier than the plane but there were still delays. Much better than the roads and highways though.
It's really the way to travel, especially with kids. They could move around and we could rock or bounce Shay when he needed it. We could hang out as a family. It was just beautiful to watch the snow fall and the little farms and the flat, flat, South-Western Ontario landscape zoom by us.
Shay loved the rocking of the train and looking out the window.
Fin slept a good chunk of the trip. Aren't they cute!
And, there is wi-fi on the train! We had a lovely stay in Toronto and we are excited for the next part of our journey.
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