Westernization Class 101

In preparation for our return to the States in just six short weeks, we made a foray into KLA with Tanya on Tuesday. The main purpose of our foray was to drop some money off with the Probation Officer in order to get a Care Order for L– a new requirement in the required three year fostering and adoption process. We love our Probation Officer – he is honest, hardworking and is not on a power trip AT ALL. Very, very unusual!

Anyway, in addition to our visit to the Probation Officer, we also took Tanya shopping at Game and sort of wet our feet into “Westernization” in preparation for our Big Journey in May. We rarely do this. I don’t take my kid out shopping much, as we get most of our stuff locally. Usually when I have errands in KLA I use the “in-and-out-as-fast-as-possible” approach and these errands never really require shopping for anything. Just meetings or paper chasing which are not terribly fun, especially for a four year old. Then enter Tanya and my need to buy dog food at Game (story on that pending!).

We started off the shopping extravaganza with a stop at a swanky coffee shop. Part one in our 101 Westernization class. The prices weren’t bad (even for me) and L and I each had a huge donut for the price of $1.00 each. Tanya had a chocolate croissant for not much more and it was fun to sit there munching and sipping amidst shiny tile and nicely dressed people sipping coffee while working on their computers.

Part two of our 101 Westernization class was a trip to Game where L delighted in riding in the shopping cart. Although it seems like she’s been with me forever, moments like this remind me again of whence she came. Trips to Game thrill her simply by it’s vastness, shiny floors and shopping carts!

Oh the joy of riding in a cart and being pushed down the 1.5 isles of toys! Imagine what will happen when we hit the Walmart toy section in only a few short months?

...Probably something like this!

For part three of our class, we then traveled on over to a shopping mall, where L got to sit on this little Harley and pretend to drive. Biker Babe for sure!

After our trip to the mall we rounded out our Westernization experience by heading to one of our favorite restaurants. 101 Westernization Class part four. This little joint not only has large contained trampolines in an air conditioned, soundproof roof for the youngsters, but delicious AMERICAN food for those of us from the North American continent. Tanya and I majorly indulged ourselves and PIGGED out while L happily jumped away to her little hearts content and ran back and forth checking to see if her French fries were ready.

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Tanya enjoying her steak and fries, while across the table…

…. L and I enjoy a burger and fries. Montana here we come!

So not only did we have a successful day (visit to the PO, dog food and Tanya's shopping), but we had fun too! And we all feel a bit more North American :-)