Grumble Groan Bitch and Moan

If you can believe it, we're still not quite 100% settled here in the land o' maple. Part of our immigration process has been to import our vehicles. That's right - gotta pay a tax to bring your already paid for car into Canada. After paying the import tax at the border ($200+ per vehicle for us), we had 90 (?) days to complete the import process. The import process is this:

1. Pay taxes.
2. Get car inspected for RIV approval. ($35)
3. Get car's Federal Saftey Inspection completed. ($95)
4. Have emission test completed. ($35)
5. Pay for license plates and registration/title transfer. ($TBD)
6. Do a happy dance.

Repeat with second car.

Today I planned to take both cars to the approved RIV inspection location and have the ten minute procedure taken care of. Likity split, both cars would be ready for me to take the Canadian equivalent of the DMV next week. Not so fast there little lady, said the service coordinator at Canadian Tire.

The Elantra was first to go in. Failed the Federal Safety Inspection because we needed to replace two belts in the Alternator. Also failed the RIV because we needed a module to ensure that daytime running lights were always on. Sure, we leave them on all the time out of habit. Doesn't matter. Canadian cars don't have them? Doesn't matter. If you purchased your car in the States and bring it to Canada - you must have an override switch installed in your vehicle to ensure that lights are always blazing. Great - there's another $250 in labor and parts. Sheesh. At this point, I'm thinking to myself that I don't even want to think about what the old Volvo might need to bring it up to code.

Five hours later, I was able to switch the vehicles and take the Volvo in for its turn. It passed the RIV inspection, passed emissions testing, but failed Safety due to a brake issue. We've got to replace the front brakes pronto or I can't drive it off the lot. Seriously? And the service guy wants to make me a deal to replace the brakes on the back wheels as well. I don't consider $600 a deal. We went with the front brakes. I'll have to find a volvo person soon and get the other things checked out. Of course, the guy who does the emission testing went home sick - so we had to leave the wagon overnight and will pick it up in the morning.

Moving is expensive, folks. Thank goodness one of us has a job. I can't even begin to imagine what a struggle life must be for folks who are moving across borders without a real plan. I sometimes feel like I'm struggling to maintain my sanity and I have a roof over my head, a husband and child who love me, and food in my belly. My thoughts go out to the refugees and immigrants clawing their way up.

And that's why you always wear a helmet

This afternoon, Bennett played outside by himself for a while as I cleaned up a bit inside. This is what I saw when a loud thud brought my attention to the kitchen door:

Oops! I falled.

I wasn't planning to keep those hosta anyway . . .

He got another haircut!

Last week, we realized that Bennett's hair had gotten a little out of control! We decided it was time for another trim. Every time we drive home from Oma and Grandpa's house, we would pass this kid's salon that looked a lot like a place I had taken him in Buffalo. I looked it up online and decided we'd give it a go. Rather than call to make an appointment, I decided to walk in and let Bennett get familiar with the place and the ladies who would cut his hair.

It turned out to be a great idea, as he didn't shed one single tear when we went back the next day for the actual cut. I'm sure it helped that he was able to watch Scooby Doo, but also, the lady who cut his hair, Kat, was fantastic! Check out the results

I'm big!!

Today, Bennett was invited to "ride" with the big boys on the court.

With the neighborhood bike gang

My Little Helper

This afternoon, I got ambitious and asked Bennett to help me make some cookies. He'd asked to make a gingerbread baby, so that's what we set out to do.

He helped:

Roll it . . .

Pat it . . .

Put it in my belly!

What's for dinner?

Tonight, I made sloppy joes and coleslaw for dinner.

Bennett is not so much a fan of veggies. He likes weird veggies like edamame, but not traditionally served things like green beans and cucumbers. He likes ceasar salad, too. Well - this kid is NUTS for coleslaw. When he found out that I was making coleslaw, he started salivating. He could barely wait for me to cut the cabbage before he started reaching for it.

After it was mixed and he had tasted two spoonfulls to make sure that it was okay, I put it in the fridge to cool. He turned to me in confusion and said, "Ma. Where's that huge bowl of cabbage? I want it!"

He ate two plates of coleslaw. I had to force him to eat three bites of sloppy joe for some protein before he was allowed any of the cookies we made earlier in the afternoon.

Future loves - the way to Bennett's heart is through his coleslaw. I promise to share my 'recipe' when the time is right.

Creative Indoor Fun

We are working on increasing Bennett's independence while we're at home. We created a playroom for him and he barely spends time in there without one of us playing with him. ACK! I'm also anticipating the end of his taking formal naps - and not looking forward to that.

So - I've been looking online for inspiration. I found a couple of neat ideas and made one this week!

Exhibit A:

Red Star Throwy Thing

The Star is made of felt and has rice sewn in between the two pieces. There are eight long ribbons sewn in to create a tail. This is a great little toy for catching and throwing and target practice too! Bennett has already started playing with this one as it was my prototype. Tonight, I finished the other three. See all four below:

Orange, Green, Blue & Red Stars

I am really proud of myself for making these. Not just because they were sewn by me . . .but because the only "pattern" I had to go off was a photo of a sold product on etsy.com. I conceptualized the construction all on my own. Yay! The only mistake was asking Bennett to help me with the funnel which put the rice inside the star pocket. I'm still stepping on rogue rice kernels! Will hopefully get to post photos of him using them soon.