Here is Flat Stanley's trip to Canada!!
To Hailey's teacher: I have written an explanation under each slide to explain what is going on. I hope you enjoy our journey together!!
With just a few days away from Spring, Flat arrives with some overcast skies. He has been in an envelope and can't wait to get out and see where he is..... Welcome to London, Ontario, Canada!!!
Hello Flat Stanley!!!!! We have been expecting you and are very excited to show you around our wonderful city.
We have 2 flags!!! One flag is for our country of Canada and one for the Province of Ontario!! You can find our Coat of Arms in our Provincial Government Buildings. Queens Park (our provincial parliament) is located in the Province's Capital of Toronto, Ontario. Toronto is located two hours East of our City. Your city is a 4 hour drive around the Great Lake Eerie!!!
Flat couldn't stop laughing!!! He thought our money was 'funny money'. Our money is very colourful and in some spots, it is actually see through!!! It is made of a polymore also known as plastic!!! American money is still paper. Our $1 and $2 bills are actually coins called loonies and twoonies!!!
Flat arrived to our house in the afternoon and after a long day of travelling, he ate his supper, watered the plants (I have 3 children and they all have chores to do) and headed up to bed. Sleep Well!!!
I am a professor in our local college and in the local high schools. Today, I have taken Flat to the college. He has to wear safety glasses, so we made him a pair to protect his eyes and a new knapsack to carry them in. Stanley is a boy and I had to convince him to ride in my red purse. He found the ride comfortable!!!
We arrived at Fanshawe College in London Ontario!! My students were so excited to me him!! Flat met my lab assistant and was able to work with Younan and Ryan. Wow, Hailey's teacher must be super awesome because Flat brought me an apple!!! Thanks Flat!!!
Flat was able to meet the host of the show Toe2Toe on Rogers Cable. Nathan and I were debating a top news story and on Monday, we will find out who won the debate. Flat really liked the TV studio and meeting new people. Wow, Flat has been busy!!!!
On our way to work, Flat saw a really big Ladder Truck outside of Fire Station #2. This giant ladder truck is used in putting out apartment fires and rescuing trapped residents. Two fire fighters had opened up the truck to check the engine. Wow, the whole cab of the truck opens up and reveals the motor underneath. Flat got to meet the two firemen and had a little photo shoot!!
I have Cancer and was first diagnosed when my daughter was in grade 2. I was diagnosed again last July. I was taking chemo while teaching my students in September/October. I am a patient/nurses advocate. Flat was there for my last radiation treatment on a very special radiation machine that uses image guidance for pinpoint accuracy. There are only 4 hospitals in Canada currently using these cutting edge machines!!! Dr. Locke is a Medical Oncologist and a really super nice man!! Flat really liked the Radiation Technologists!! He even liked helping me to 'bang the gong' to signify my last treatment. All the people sitting around clapped and were excited for me!!!
I think Flat is having a tough time keeping up with me!!! I am off to the college for our semi-annual open house and have to head out early. Flat decided to stay home with my family and just hang out. I think he slept in!!!
This market still hosts visiting farmers on Thursday and Saturday mornings in the front of the market which also doubles as an outdoor arena in the winter months. http://www.coventmarket.com/history/
The vendors inside carry anything from produce, jewelery, food counters, butcher, coffee, clothing, a children's theater etc. The colorful metal trees are 'planted' through our 'forest city' by the London Business Association.
Well Flat enjoyed a quiet day yesterday so we thought we would head off to watch a London Lightening basketball game against the Windsor Express. We didn't win which was ok since we had an awesome time!!!
Flat asked me about our weather and it reminded me of our local weather prognosticator 'Wiarton Willy' who had his humble beginnings in 1980 by a friend of mine's uncle. Our London, Ontario weatherman used to drive up there and announce the news every February 2nd. Flat has learned that our weather here in Ontario is the same as it is in Ohio. It snowed here today!!! It is a slow start to spring!!!
Sunday is a lazy day in our house. We play games, watch TV and work on whatever our heart desires. Flat chose to stay in bed and watch TV. I think his back is sore so he comes along with me to my appointment at Dr. Laura Gravelle. Within a few minutes, the smile is back on his face and he is ready for action.
My kids Mitch and Lydia have a dental appointment. My kids have been visiting the dentist since they were really little. Keeping our teeth healthy, keeps us healthy. Flat was able to help with Mitch's cleaning and sat with Lydia during hers. Dr. Spagnuolo and his amazing team have been keeping my three children's teeth clean and healthy for many years. My oldest is now a grown up and lives in New Brunswick for a few more months.
I began working as the first and only female Broadcast Engineer in the London CTV television station in the early 90's. Flat was so excited to go visit with my colleagues. He was allowed to sit on the anchor desk with editor Sandra, stand on the new HD transmitter with fellow engineers Jeff and Bruce and finally stood next to a studio camera.
Flat Stanley's last day with us had to be special. We head out to a local Maple Sugar farm. After a really big breakfast of pancakes smothered in syrup, sausages, ham, beans and fruit....it is time to head out for a walk around the farm. There are so many trees and plastic lines running from one tree to the next. We watched the horses get their harnesses put on and rubbed their velvety noses. Flat was getting tired so we headed for the sugar shack to smell the wonderful aroma of boiling sap and then to the store to purchase Syrup. Canada is the largest producer and exporter of Maple syrup in the world. Looks like Flat really enjoyed his visit to Komolka, Ontario just a 20 minute drive from where we live.
We will be sad to see Flat leave but know he needs to return to Hailey and her grade 2 class. Thank you for coming Flat and have a safe journey!!!!
