What a whirlwind of a week it’s been. If you know me and have been waiting for an email, phone call, or smile, my apologies. Now that I’m getting back into the swing of things after a few days out of the country, I’ll get back to you when my iPhone stops erasing all my contacts. Which may be never. So if you’re getting really annoyed, just imagine me (and the other folks in my family) as a penguin to make you smile. Works for me.
Lesson #1: Now that Pink is almost two, the expression “screaming like a little girl” takes on a whole new meaning.
Lesson #2: Club Penguin is so much more than an online game for kids. While visiting their headquarters in Canada, I learned about their culture, the value of the game for kids (most falling in the age 8-12 range), online safety, and much more. Stay tuned, my friends. I’ve got some posts on my excursion coming up that I think you’ll really enjoy.
Lesson #3: While having your mom leave for a business trip for a few days can bring even the tough-guy preschooler to tears, being able to discuss your favorite puffle colors with your teacher makes it all seem a bit cooler. (Translation: puffle = Club Penguin pet)
Lesson #4: Little loves Lenny and me so much, he made us a card while he was home with our nanny. The generous little sweetheart even put $5 in it. From his very own piggy bank. (And I’m keeping it.)
Lesson #5: Canadians eat ketchup-flavored potato chips, pour gravy and cheese over french fries, serve free wine on their flights, have delicious chocolate candy that is entirely different from that in the US, and are perhaps the nicest people as a whole I’ve ever encountered. I rather liked it there. (Well, except for the chips.)
Lesson #6: Having a wine shop within view of the security check point at a small airport can be a real security risk. Someone (I have no idea who it would be, but someone) might just leave their suitcase behind in their rush to check out the local goods. (Luckily even security people are nice-ish in Canada. I mean, I would guess.)
Lesson #7: After leaving my family behind for a few days, being greeted with a running, jumping hug was quite a welcome home. And the kids seemed to be glad to see me too.
Lesson #8: White wine actually doesn’t get better with age. (Guess we should have enjoyed “the good stuff” a long time ago. Or bought some in Canada.)
Lesson #9: There’s no better way to celebrate at the end of a baseball game than climbing to the top of the play structure and finding every way humanly possible to fit “poop” into a conversation.
Lesson #10: Knowing that the friend who’s the closest thing you’ve ever had to a sister is moving from around the corner to a couple hours away in a few days? Well, it’s a little bit heartbreaking. Even if you’re happy for her happiness.
I’m going to close with one of my favorite new expressions (which I might have found insulting if I didn’t know how gosh-darn nice everyone is in Canada): Waddle on!
Disclosure: Club Penguin hosted my travel to their headquarters for a media event. I was not compensated for this post. (Though I was fed Canadian chocolate and wine. Both of which may make me say things.)
Absolutely! We Canadians are wonderfully polite, mostly friendly, and LOVE good chocolate – which can be found under even the wrappers of the cheap chocolate bars. We don’t have to buy the expensive stuff. That’s why I’m a chocoholic.
Love you blog. Write on!
Lori
Cheap + chocolate, I mean how does it get better than that? Thanks for reading and commenting, Lori. It’s great to connect with you!