Today we received another Pineapple Express that mixed with the Siberia Express and gave us about 75 mm (3 inches) of hard, cold rain.  The weather is reminiscent of Houston in February, to give comparison.

Helena and I went to eat at a local diner called Knight & Day over in Burnaby. Helena was happy with the large, fluffy pancakes and warm maple syrup with bacon and eggs, and she had a good appetite.  I had a

Canadian Cheddar and back bacon (i.e. Candian) bacon omlette with hashed browns and coffee.  We then drove through a Houston style downpour over to the Metrotowne Center/Metropolis Mall in Burnaby and did some shopping. I bought a cool Roots jacket for Jason, a winter weight jumper for Helena and a Toque (ski hat) for me that says "I love Canada" with the Roots logo on it.  FYI--Roots is a made in Canada brand that is similer to Old Navy or Banana Republic. 

We also dropped by a Real Canadian Superstore and bought some Canadian goods that you can't get in the US--several chocolate bars, Excel Gum, Mr. Christie's arrowroot cookies, Viva Puffs, Mack's Creamy Toffee, and Kraft Peanut Butter.  I'm going to need to put the peanut butter in my main suitcase in order to clear security, UGH!  They only had the 1 Kg jar too!  Double-ugh!!!

FYI:  Loblaw's, who owns the Real Canadian Superstore, operated in the US for a time as National Supermarkets and The Real Superstore.  They had locations in Idaho, Chicago and Louisiana for a time. 

We returned to the Sylvia Hotel and ate lunch in the Hotel restaurant.  It has a nice picture window overlooking the Seal Wall and English Bay, where we were walking yesterday.  Thankfully, they had a kids menu with Helena's favorite-chicken strips and french fries, with apple juice. 

Helena has adapted to being here now--the colder weather, the fact that she is watching Treehouse and YTV instead of Playhouse Disney and Nickelodeon, and so forth.  In fact, most of the content is the same as both networks, though some shows that are on different networks in the US are on the same ones in Canada, and vice versa.  I knew she adapted because instead of singing "Playhouse Disney" she's been singing "You're watching Treehouse!" when she was watching The Backyardigans. 

I'm glad that I've had the opportunity to share this city I love with my daughter.  It's been a tad frustrating at times as I've not been able to visit the Granville Island Brewery with her in tow, and I've had to deal with waiting outside the Ladies' Room while she goes inside, call to check she's okay and then make sure she's washed her hands.  She's wanting to do a lot more on her own than she used to, but it can still be a concern. 

A lot of public places (malls, airports and theatres) in Vancouver, like Houston, have family bathrooms, which makes it easier for a Dad to take his daughter somewhere and not have to worry about bringing her into the mens' room or going into the Ladies' room with her and worry you'll  be arrested.  A couple of chains of restaurants here, White Spot specifically, have also added family bathrooms.  I personally think that it should be manditory in all major cities to have family bathrooms.  It works well for parents of small children and adults that have to care for incapacitated Elderly spouses/parents.

Well, I'm going to take a rest before we meet a friend and her son for dinner.  I'll post more later.