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And the final stop... the Souvenir Shop!
Published July 30, 2010 @ 21:15 by Tania in Kids Activities

One of our family traditions is a visit to the souvenir shop on the last day of our vacation, where the kids are each allowed to pick out one souvenir. I am not sure exactly how this evolved, but I am sure it has something to do with them knowing that they would get something for sure on the last day, so we don't have to listen to them ask for something everyday of the trip.

They are trilled by the prospect of wandering the aisles and picking something of their very own. Unfortunately, I am sure that this is the actually translation for souvenir:

sou-ve-nir n. From the French for recall, or memory; modern usage - bringing home a bunch of stuff that has no use but to collect dust.

Today's shopping option was the souvenir shop in the Ottawa Travelodge. The kids were seriously excited, and I was not.

It was your typical motel shop. A two-metre-square confectionery/momento haven, filled with everything that you will never need, most with the word, "Canada" plastered across it. There was everything that you will find in ANY souvenir shop in Canada:

• The Mountie Moose



• Many Mountie Teddy-Bears


• Playing Cards


• Soap Stone Sculptures


• Paper Weights


• Snow Globes


• Key Chains


• Magnets


• Pins


• T-Shirts


• Mini-Tour Buses


• Planes


• Trains


• Postcards


• Hats


• Bottles of Maple Suryp


• Hand Towels


• Etc.

When shopping for souvenirs, I try to steer the kids towards one of two items: food or T-shirts. My theory is that at least they wear the T-shirts, and the perishable items don't last too long in our family. And most souvenir shops have either fudge, a wonderful sugary love-substitute, or "moose-droppings" (chocolate covered almonds, for those of you who don't know!)

Of course, the kids wandered, and wandered and wandered and select nothing. 15 minutes in I had to remind them that McDonald's only serves breakfast until 10:30 am. At 20 minutes I sent their father in to deal with them. 8 minutes later he came out with three children, 1 new webkinz (yes, I know!), a stuffed husky, and an Ottawa Canadian Flag Pin... and a $37 Visa bill.

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Mosaika Light Show - Ottawa
Published July 30, 2010 @ 09:08 by Tania in Kids Activities

Last night we watched the Mosaika Light Show on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and it was amazing.

Turned into the late night for the kids. The show runs from 9:30 - 10:00 pm. But it was worth it.

I am not sure how they did it, but the lights flashing pictures across the front of the Parliament Building told a story of the history of Canada. Hundreds (maybe thousands?) sat on the lawn watching the show, reviewing their Canadian history lessons in the silence of the dark night. A cheer went up when Terry Fox was shown with his Marathon of Hope, and many stood for the closing "O' Canada"

If you plan on being in or around our nation's capital this summer, plan on an evening at Parliament Hill to watch the Mosaika Light Show. The kids and I loved it - AMAZING!

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One Sock Down - One To Go!
Published July 27, 2010 @ 12:04 by Tania in Being Mommy

I finally finished knitting a sock for Son Two last night. Blue, with green heel and toe. It is custom made, and an almost perfect fit. How do I explain? The right length, but maybe a little on the loose size in the girth?

I decided to try sock knitting because it seemed like it would be a lot quicker than the traditional sweater knitting. You see, sweaters take a really, really long time (up to 6 weeks) whereas socks take one to five days. Quicker finished product means that I am less likely to get bored and give up. Plus, everyone needs socks, right? Yes, I know you can buy them at Walmart and Zellers for $2 a pair, but where is the skill and talent in that?

Last night I finished the sock after Son Two had gone to sleep. Son One tried it on for me - and it didn't fit! Sure, it fit around his foot, but it was too short. Thus a perfectly made sock for Son Two.

Son Two tried it on this morning, and I expected him to be impressed and excited. Instead I got, "I need two, you know!" Gee, really? Yes, I seem to recall when I get birth to you that they mentioned ten figures and ten toes - and I did assume that those ten toes were divided evenly on two feet.

This morning I started on the second sock. Now that I know what I am doing, I hope to be finished by the end of the week. Then Son One wants a pair; then Daughter; and then I have to move on to hats and scarves if I want them to be ready by Christmas. Yes, those are my long range knitting goals. Hats and scarves for Christmas - YAY!

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Mont Tremblant ROCKS!
Published July 26, 2010 @ 19:10 by Tania in Kids Activities

Bonjour from sunny Quebec! We are half-way through our amazing family vacation in Mont Tremblant and I have JUST figured out the internet connection (at $9.95 USD a day, I hope someone is reading this!)

Day One:
Drive through Ottawa (stop at Dunn's Deli for Montreal Smoked Meat and Poutin (silent e))
We took the quickest ferry EVER across the Ottawa River. I swear it was moving away from the dock before we even had the mini-van in park. The ride here wasn't bad at all. However, we did leave home at 6:30 am and arrived here just after 3:00 pm, so you do the math. GPS messed with our minds. Seriously - dirt roads?

Day One - The Room:
Check-in was painless, and the room is better than expected. We have a full kitchen, one bedroom with en-suite and king-size bed, a second bedroom with full bath and two queensize beds, and a pull-out couch that we haven't opened. Did I mention the in-room laundry facilities? And three TVs?

Day Two - The Resort Activities:
There is so much to do here! We bought these family activity passes. The boys love everything. Daughter isn't sold on the bungee trampoline (if I didn't have to step on a scale to prove my weight, then I may try it...) There is so much to do! Highlights - the gondolas, the luge, the rock wall, beach and pools. Of course, great golfing too. Plus, you can buy and carry open alcohol everywhere!

Day Two - The low-lites:
Opposite of highlights. No free wi-fi... Because of the full kitchen, I have to cook and clean (some vacation!) Some Quebecers (being careful not to generalize here) are pushy, rude and ignorant. But did I mention they sell wine in every corner store?

Day Three:
You can paint pottery here! Yeah! Girls afternoon. There is also great shopping. And LOTS OF DEER! So far, the deer are daughter's favourite. Did I mention we walked down the mountain? No need - thighs sore for days. Ears are sore, too, from Son One whining all of the way down. Son Two was awesome.

Day Four:
Kids are tired. Doing so much is exhausting. I am out of books that I want to read, and now have to rely on the last minute book that I threw into my bad in case I ran out of books (either that of the few English options from La Presse). Also, running low on diet coke. Yes, I know that they sell Diet Coke in Quebec! I am just not sure if it will taste the same...

Day Five:
OK. So far, no mention of food. Poutine - the best - pulled pork! Seriously. But there are 20 different kinds to try (unfortunately some kind of listeria problem means that the Montreal Smoked Meat Poutine is not available). Then the beaver tails - favourite is the maple butter. Also, there is the maple syrup taffy on snow (year-round, how "cool" is that?) and the mountain something chocolate store. Still waiting on the frozen bananas with milk chocolate and almonds. They are always out of stock.

Day Six:
Husband went golfing. I took the kids to the beach, and then McDonalds. Hey - I can't cook every night.

Tomorrow - Family Luge Race Day, and trying to use up our activity passes before we leave the mountain for the capital. Yes, Ottawa is our next stop.

I definitely recommend Mont Tremblant as a great summer vacation spot for the family. The price isn't bad, and neither was the drive from Toronto. The kids are practicing from French, nightly entertainment, and so much to do we definitely won't be getting it all done in a week.

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Are Vacations worth it?
Published July 20, 2010 @ 08:31 by Tania in Kids Activities

Vacation with kids can be a challenge, and so much extra work! Before Kids, Husband and I went away a lot, and far off, exotic destinations (OK, maybe not too exotic). Now, we plan, plan, and plan some more.

It seems like there is so much to do just to get away - days of laundry to ensure that everyone has the clothes that they want to take away; planning routes and stops; booking hotels far in advance to ensure that we have enough room, and there is a pool...

When I was a kid, my sisters and I used to climb into the station wagon (yes, wood-paneled!) and go on crazy long driving trips - before on-board DVDs (ok, actually before VHS if you must know). We argued over music, who got stuck on the hump, and who was in charge of getting snacks from the cooler for our parents up front. But did we have fun? Always. Like the time we went south and left the crayons to melt in the car. Or sleeping in the back of the station wagon while our parents drove through the night to get to Florida in one day (before seat belt laws). And getting there was really just half the fun.

As a parent, I know that all of the work and money of family vacation is far outweighed by the benefits of taking a vacation today.

What are some of the benefits of family vacations?

• The kids aren't getting any younger - they grow up so fast! Seriously - soon they won't want to go away with you.


• Vacations are adventure - great seeing and experiencing new things together! See something new - and the kids may even learn something while having fun.


• Get to relax together - things move a little more slowly... no schedules, fewer rules...


• Everyone is in play mode on vacations - kids get to see us on their level, playing and having fun from morning until night.


• Away from home - away from the stress, the schedules, and the daily grind. We all need to get away from it all.


• Quality AND Quantity time - Yes, together, 24 hours a day, 7 days...


• Finally, you are creating a family history. Stories that they can tell their children... a shared history is a glue that holds the family together.

Here are some suggestions for planning family vacations:

• Ensure that your location is family friendly. Kids won't have fun if they are including in something that is obviously intended for adults.


• Pool. Always a pool. Indoors all year round. Outdoors if warm enough in summer.


• Food options. Don't plan on eating out three meals a day. Kids know what they like, and you will get tired of the $10 kids meal that doesn't get eaten. Bring a cooler. Find a grocery store, and sandwich it. PB &J is always an option. Include cereals for breakfast and PRESTO - only dinner is hot.


• Know your family. Are you the museum kind? Do you sail? Camp? Love the beach? Just want to sit around a pool? Plan the bulk of the vacation and for what you know your family will love, and then add a dash of something new.


• Kids move slowly, and tire easily. DON'T OVER PLAN! They need breaks, rest-stops, and regularly scheduled meals to keep them in good spirits.


• Consider going with friends or family. People the kids already know, who have kids the same age. The more the merrier! And the kids start to entertain themselves.


• Bring games. Plan for the rainy day with family games that you never seem to have time to play at home. Great for evenings after dinner (especially if you make every vacation a vacation from TV as well)

We've taken the kids on planes, cars, and boats. Children travel well, and introducing them to travel at young age help make them ready for adventure and flexible. Family vacations are some of the best family time...

Don't forget the camera!

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This week in summer - our first broken bone
Published July 16, 2010 @ 15:36 by Tania in Amazing Kids

Yes, it is hot and humid out. This week we booked NOTHING. I have a baby blanket I have been knitting the past few weeks, and I really want to get it finished by this weekend. Unfortunately, with the kids sitting about and bored, they have been asking for knitting lessons.

You know the old adage, 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.' Well, I am a doer, not a teacher. I don't know who is more frustrated with the knitting lessons - me, or the kids. Daughter doesn't have a shot. Sons One and Two both can sort of getting it, with Son One the self-proclaimed "awesome knitter". How did my sons even turn knitting into a competitive sport?

Son One has his first broken bone, and he is really excited about it. Seriously.

This is what awesome parents Husband and I are.

Two weeks ago, Son One took a hockey stick to the face. Right above the eye (nice slap-shot - cuz) and it split right on the brow line. Amidst the blood and tears, Husband decided to run out to the drug store for steri-strips (Note: typical Canadians, we go to the drug store, the grocery store, the beer store, and the liquor store... )

Yes, we should have gone to the ER to have it glued. But who wants to go to the ER at 8 pm on a Friday night? Besides, "chicks dig scars" as a helpful male relative pointed out.

Black eye for a week, and then the strip came off (with a little help). It actually looks pretty good!

Fast-forward to this Monday morning. Sons playing soccer ball in the house (NOTE: Last time they played soccer ball in the basement was the ER trip where Son Two got the staples in his scalp. Note to Sons - NO MORE SOCCER IN THE HOUSE!) Son Two kicks the ball, hits his brother's right hand pinky finger, and jams it.

Swollen, bruised, Son One in tears. Husband, "He's fine." Hockey game that night - yes, he played. Husband, "suck it up! You're fine." Finally, Wednesday morning I could take the tears and complaining no more, and off we went to the Dr. Half an hour later, after x-rays, confirmation that it was fractured. "When did this happen?" the kindly Doc asked. Um... calling CAS on us? Why couldn't Husband have brought him in?

Diagnosis - fractured finger. Dr concerned as it is his dominate hand. Keep pinky taped to ring finger for two weeks, and no sports for two weeks. Wednesday night (after Dr Appointment) soccer game - Son One scored the winning goal. Last night, hockey. What does that mean, exactly, "no sports for two weeks?"

This is a minor fracture, and it is lined up to heal well. This is our first official broken bone as a family (Husband had broken both arms growing up). Son One is a little excited - only because it isn't too bad and he doesn't know the discomfort of a case in this crazy summer heat.

This is the end of the second week of the kids summer vacation. What joys will next week hold?

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My Kids know God
Published July 13, 2010 @ 09:48 by Tania in Amazing Kids, Being Mommy

My children are Catholic. I know, I know... I should whisper it or something. Maybe apologize. Hide the bibles and crosses when company comes over. But I won't.

Eight years ago, Husband and I discussed Baptizing Son One, and decided to, much to the disbelief of many of my friends.

Husband and I come from an interfaith marriage. Yes, some people comment that we look so alike we could be brother and sister (YUCK!) but we come from different faiths. Husband, raised on a farm outside of Toronto, is United. Actually, I think that he is the first United person I had ever met in my life.

I grew up with Catholics and Protestants. Really, may as well have been in Ireland. (Except that many of my Catholic friends were in fact Ukrainian Catholic...) I was raised mostly Ukrainian Catholic, with Roman Catholicism thrown in during my teenage years. I attempted to turn Wiccan in university, to find a goddess-based faith comfortable with my feminism, but learned that my Catholicism was more a part of my foundation than I realized.

For the record, Ukrainian Catholic Priest can marry and have families. I think the loophole is something like they have to be married first and then called to the priesthood. This is one of the best-kept secrets at the Vatican. I still have Roman Catholic friends who swear this is not so.

All of my children were Baptized Ukrainian Catholic, where they follow the Eastern Rites and are Confirmed with their Baptisms. The boys attend Catholic school, and Daughter will be starting there in September.

To be Catholic in this time and place means that you have to defend your faith whenever it comes up. Yes, the church has some evil secrets that are now out in the open. Yes, it sucks to be a woman in the Catholic Church. Yes, the Church's views of abortion, birth control and other issues are more than a little backward. Plus I believe the argument that more wars are fought over religion than anything else.

Yet I am choosing to raise my children with faith. Why? Because I like the comforts of having a belief system in place, and I want my children to grow up with that. I feel relaxed and at home when I enter a church, with the rituals and images. My children may learn about God, but more importantly they learning about the golden rule (treat everyone as you would like to be treated), virtues, and yes, sin.

Religion, to me, is about the myths and stories that provide life lessons, values, and a foundation to why the world works the way it does, and our place in the world. At Catholic school I learned about the Bible as Myth, and compared our myths to those of other backgrounds finding more similarities than differences.

Son One has attended Catholic School for the past four years, and so far my only complaint is that I find the school a little too academic.

But we are Canadian, and Hell is dead. Didn't you know? In our country is OK to bash Catholics, but not any other religion, though Canadians are still mostly Catholic. And though we may not be attending our churches with the same zeal of the Americans, we still believe. In Ontario, we still have a government funded Catholic School System that parallels the public. And while those of us living in Toronto sometimes question this amongst our city of many faiths, we have to remember that we are less than 10% of the country here. A country where our last census found over 45% Catholic, and our Prime Minister who attends mass every Sunday but doesn't praise God in his work.

I love being Canadian. But I am also Catholic, and I want my children to grow up knowing Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. That is my choice. And if you don't like it, too bad.

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Summer Vacation
Published July 11, 2010 @ 09:42 by Tania in Amazing Kids

Week one of summer vacation is officially over. This week the kids were in soccer camp. What a hot, yucky week to be running around a field for hours.

Yes, I am one of those people who complain about the crazy heat. I am also one of those people who complain when it is colder than minus 10 with the windchill. Here are my perimeters - I am OK from -10 thought 30 degrees Celsius. That is a 40 degree spread. Isn't that enough?

This is the weird thing about Toronto. We had friends visit from Dubai who said that our 35 degrees is harder to deal with than their 45 degrees. We've also had cousins from up north say that our minus 12 is worse than their minus 30. Really?

So there really is something about our weather in Toronto that makes the cold feel colder and the hot feel yuckier. It isn't just me complaining!

And a big thank you to Toronto Hydro. We had not one, but TWO power outages this week lasting for over 4 hours each.

The kids are great. This week they are not in camp so that I can sleep in without rushing around to make snacks and lunches. This doesn't mean that I get to relax. There is still soccer, hockey and lacrosse.

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My thoughts on the G20
Published June 28, 2010 @ 11:29 by Tania in

First off, media coverage sucked. Especially Cable Pulse 24, or whatever that station is called. When I watch hours, yet hear not a single mention of the actual G20 Summit or see a single protester even mentioning issues, it is not successful coverage. Add to that they aired cell calls from people in the crowds claiming not to be protesters but just observers - give me a break! I finally shut it off when they interviewed people coming out the detention using the "f" word... not news.

I was not stupid enough to head downtown to "experience" what was going on. Really people? Are you kidding me?

Those terrorists who made it their plan to use this weekend as an opportunity to vandalize - shame on you!

I think that the security forces acted with amazing restraint. For the record, each and every one of those police officers would rather not have been there for the protests, and they were all falling their orders and their extensive training.

Should Torontonians and visitors be able to walk around the city any time any where? Yes, except when we have leaders from almost 40 countries around the world and a bunch of bandits aggressively trying to promote mayhem and anarchy, attacking businesses and police officers. Then any sane person can stay home and avoid the crap for 24 hours, can't they?

Thank goodness the G20 is over. Thank you to all of those police officers, from forces across Canada, who gave up their weekend to come to our city and deal with the a$$holes.

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Drop, Cover, and HOLD ON!
Published June 23, 2010 @ 17:42 by Tania in Around the House

So... did you feel the earth move this afternoon?

I was sitting in my kitchen, on the phone, when my chair started to vibrate. At first I thought my A/C was on too strong. Then the table and chandelier started shaking. My second thought was who or what the heck is jumping around upstairs. Finally I realized that we were having an earthquake!

We don't get many earth quakes in Toronto. Isn't it sort of exciting? I remember two others in my life. But this one seemed pretty good to me, and seemed to last more than just a second or two.

I called Husband, but he was driving and didn't feel anything (we have such bumpy roads in Toronto). Then I called my mother. She wanted to know if I knew what to do in a earth quake... um.... hmmm... no idea!

Growing up in Toronto, we are not trained in proper safety for earth quakes, floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes. Yes, of course anything could happen, but once every 12, 20, or 100 years doesn't really seem like something we need to prepare for.

But just in case, I looked it up (for next time.) Don't you love the internet? Check out what you need to know - the
seven steps to earth quake preparedness.

The short answer? Drop, cover, and hold on. Drop to the floor, cover yourself with a strong piece of furniture, like a table, and hold on until the shaking stops.

So... I guess my interrupting the woman I was speaking with on the phone and shouting, "HOLY COW! Can you feel that earth quake? OMG! We never get these!" wasn't the appropriate response...

Next time I'll know!

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