Thinking Allowed: Montreal in November

We left the quiet solitude of the Adirondacks and jumped right back into city life full of friends and family. We literally drove directly across the border in time for a family celebration in honour of Jakob's sisters birthday. Even though the kids had been with their grandparents the previous week, the week of absence still felt like a lot and they were happy to be engulfed in family love and games. We jumped right into a dinner and sleep over at a good friends place. We probably smiled all day because good family and friends feels like home. The kids got to experience a proper Halloween experience. My parents and brother came into town the next day and we transitioned into another set of family festivities. And I could go on and on because we stayed in Montreal for three weeks and it was all a bit like this. Gosh we have missed all the people in Canada! So many beautiful people to welcome us, stroll around town with us, and enjoy meals with us. Australia has a much more introverted social scene so it was so nice to enjoy this different lifestyle where social engagements last longer than two hours and where our children could wander around independently. The girls were overjoyed to get a week of snow at the end of our stay and they had the opportunity to sled and make snowmen. Our accommodation had a desk, which somehow always translates into Tova being very creatively productive - she produced an incredible number of cards, colouring books, and creations in our Montreal time. Somehow the three weeks in Montreal passed too quickly, especially as it also included trips to Toronto and Ottawa, and we found ourselves leaving town before we knew it.