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My thoughts on the G20
Published June 28, 2010 @ 11:29 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 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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Cool Kids
Published June 23, 2010 @ 12:19 in Amazing Kids

Son Two graduates from SK today. Yes, there is such a thing.

I've been thinking about him a lot lately, as he struggles though missing so much school in order to participate in an intensive speech therapy program with the Speech and Stuttering Institute (who are AMAZING!)

Life for Son Two, in his mind anyway, isn't easy. He can't quite compete with his older brother (hello! two years older) and with school being inconsistent, doesn't seem to have made really close buddies yet.

But this is my assessment of my kids... and I won't be upset if they prove me wrong!

Son One - Life is easy for him. He is smart, cute, personable and athletic. Every wants to be his friend, and he bobs though life without too many concerns. He doesn't realize that things come easy to him, but isn't cocky or mean so will always be well liked. At home, we consider him our toughest kid, but he has been called, "every teacher's dream!" Yes - actually quote.

Daughter - She is sunny, affectionate, smart and athletic. She has blond hair and blue eyes, and talks with this funny sort of voice that always has strangers comment with, "I love her voice!" (except for the Dr. who asked how long she has been hoarse... sort of a pack-a-day smokers voice in a 4 year old). I'd love for her to be a dancer... but she won't. At home she is demanding and bossy, but gets away with stuff because she is so damn cute. Yes, I know that it isn't fair, but I don't make the rules and that is the way the world works!

Son Two - Our middle child. He has been our easiest since the moment his born, but for some reason other adults can find him, "grumpy" and "non-compliant." This kid is BRILLIANT! And athletic and good-looking and funny. But he is going to be my "cool" kid.

I am not sure how Husband and I had a "cool" kid. Neither of us is, nor ever has been, "cool." (NOTE: I had to point out to Husband when I met him that he didn't date in high school because he was in the band and wore track pants every day.) But thanks to Son Two, we now know the meaning of "cool" and it is not caring... You don't care what you look like, you don't care what anyone thinks - about you or anything else. You can't fake that kind of cool. You can't try to dress "cool." You are either "cool" or you aren't.

I look at my kids and I am in awe. They are amazing little people. I keep expecting to see myself in them, or my husband, but they are just who they are. And I've already realized that I can change them. Husband and I are doing our best to instill our values onto our children, but at the end of the day they will become what they want to be, with our love and support... Amazing, isn't it?

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Cool Teachers
Published June 23, 2010 @ 11:55 in

There are some teachers at my kids school that are so amazing. My boys have both been really lucky at this point not to ever really get a bad teacher (I know it will happen - fingers crossed that it doesn't happen for Son One next year as he prepares for EQAO.)

But there is one teacher at the school who my kids have never had, but I would love to be 4 for just a year so that I could go back and be in her JK class. Actually, how pathetic would it be to ask her to be my friend just so I could hang out with her sometimes? There are actually quite a few teachers in the school, and a librarian, who I would LOVE to have drinks with... is that wrong?

I know that as the school year winds up, some parents are thrilled to see their teachers go. They don't want to give them a thank-you gift for, "just doing their job. They are already paid, aren't they?"

But every year I am please to give something to the teachers, some small token to say, "thank you!" Most of ours seem to go above and beyond, and though they are well paid and get great holidays and benefits, I can't imagine doing their jobs.

THANK YOU TEACHERS! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

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Mama Bear and her cubs
Published June 22, 2010 @ 14:02 in Being Mommy

There is something primal about being a mother. I am feeling that urge to growl and bat someone's head off with a mighty swipe of my paw. Mother bear - I relate completely to acting aggressively to protect my young cubs.

Of course this is all just fantasy. In the real world we don't get to deal with people who are mean or insult our children like that. But it would be nice, wouldn't it?

Yesterday someone insulted my first born - flesh of my body, bone of my bone, etc. I have vicious visions of tearing them limb from limb and loading them into the wood chipper, a la Fargo. But that isn't going to happen. Instead, and I quote my actually response, "I need to go to my purse now." Seriously!

The problem is that there are people in this world. Ignorant, rude, mean, vocal people who are somehow completely lacking in social graces, and mistakenly believe that their "brutally honest" opinions are somehow facts. Didn't anyone ever tell them if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all? Are these the bullies from our childhood is their immature adult forms?

Unfortunately, we, the 80-95% rest of the population (also referred to as "normal people") have to deal daily with these rude jerks who talk but don't listen.

Were they raised by wolves?

See, in the wild that mama bear would kick that wolf's A$$ for raising her cubs with such ill manners. GROWL!

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HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Published June 20, 2010 @ 08:23 in Loving Daddy

Happy Father's Day! To my Husband, the #1 Dad! You are amazing, the best father in the world, and we love you very much.

Unfortunately, as you are usually the guy behind the camera, it was hard to find a great picture of you.

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Dance Recitals
Published June 18, 2010 @ 12:37 in Kids Activities

Nope, I didn't get to do a dance recital for my adult ballet class. I know that the tickets would have sold out, but I guess we aren't good enough for the show.

Daughter, on the other hand, gets TWO dance recitals.

The first was last week during her Sunday class. She wore her pick ballet outfit and dancer around in the studio during her last class to the delight of the allowed TWO guests per dancer.

Here is her picture from that recital (NOTE: with my laptop I am turing into a computer genius! I can automatically upload these photos from iphoto... clever?)

Notice the grace? And almost all of the girls are up in the air at the same time. WOW!

Tomorrow is her other class recital, and this one is "CATS" and they are dancing on a stage in a high school auditorium along with other young classes from her dance school. Last night was the dress rehearsal, and the dancers are expected to wear FULL make-up. Here is Daughter in her make-up, and in her costume.

She is supposed to be a cat, or "Tigger". We've decided to nix the dots and go with whiskers on her checks for the dance, and attach a tail. Should be fun!

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I am a website genius...
Published June 18, 2010 @ 12:25 in

As many of your know, I have been playing hockey this past year. Yes, I know I am not great, but I am doing my best and still learning.

I have also been one of the main organizers of our women's hockey group since the beginning. So I decided this week to create a website for the group.

I am not a complete computer idiot, however I have my webmaster to thank for the development and maintenance of this blog (if you enjoy it, give him a hand!) But not being about to employ his services for our not-for-profit women's hockey, I turned on my computer and started surfing a few days ago. My goals were to:

1. Buy a domain name


2. Create a website

Somewhere along the line I also ended up purchasing an annual webhost package. I hope I don't have "SUCKER" written on my IP for that one.

I tried two different "free" design a site websites before I found one that was actually simple to use. Now, the templates were pretty standard, and there are things that I want to change but need to play more, but check it out!

Toronto Hockey Moms

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Four-Year-Old Fairy Tale
Published June 17, 2010 @ 08:58 in Amazing Kids

We read books before bed, but then when the lights are out, we tell stories and sign songs. We lay in bed beside the kids until they fall asleep. Yes, sometimes a pain in the butt, however we know that it won't last forever and soon we will be kicked out and miss those moments.

Last night I told Daughter the story of Cinderella. Then I explained that I was too tired (fighting a damn cold) and couldn't talk to sing anymore. So Daughter told me a story. Here it is, as close to her version as possible (thus all of the, "and then...)

Once upon a time Sarah and Isabella lived in a Kingdom far, far away. The king came and brought them shoes. They tried them on and they fit. And then the king asked Isabella to marry him. She said no because she didn't want to marry the king. Then she peed on the prince. The prince drank it and died. He died because he was an old prince. And then a monster came. And then they found a magic sword and cut the head off of the monster and killed him. And then the princesses went home to their kingdom to see their mommies because they missed them. The End.

Isn't that a lovely fairy tale? So much better than that silly original version! Do you think Disney may want to buy it for their next big animated adventure?

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BP Oil Spill
Published June 14, 2010 @ 09:47 in Amazing Kids

I watch the news when I can. Unfortunately, we are often not home at 6 pm, and I am usually fast asleep by 11, so I don't get to watch the news that often. This, of course, means that I can seem a little ignorant of what is going on the world.

I don't shield my children from the news. I am a strong believer in that they will only understand as much as is age-appropriate for them to absorb. That being said, the news focuses so much on all of the trouble everywhere in the world, and that can be overwhelming for them to understand and compartmentalize. (WOW! A 17 letter word! Am I a genius today or what?)

The BP Oil Spill is one of those devastating news items that not only won't go away, but that severe and tragic consequences thus falling into a category of "hard stuff to talk about with your kids." But as a mother who is a firm believer of discussing it all, it has come up.

This is what I know about the BP Oil Spill:

1. It was caused by an explosion on April 20th


2. 11 people where killed in the explosion


3. The explosion was on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico


4. The spill has reached shore


5. BP hasn't been able to cap it yet - may unsuccessful attempts


6. Environmental devastation


7. Many birds, turtles and dolphins already turning up dead


8. Major financial impact for BP and its shareholders (pensioners in Britain)


9. Obama taking heat because had just announced more off-shore drilling before the accident

There are probably about a million things going on for every one thing that I know about, but I am not CNN. I think that my kids are too young to understand the impact, just as I was likely to young to comprehend the impact of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (OK, so I was an immature 14).

Dave McGinn from The Globe and Mail called me on Friday to ask how I was handling the conversations with my kids. Thank you, Dave, for not making me sound like a bumbling idiot.

Check out Dave McGinn's article in today's Globe and Mail, Mommy is the oil spill going to kill that bird?

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Genius Mom Plans Birthdays
Published June 12, 2010 @ 09:07 in

Today is about a genius mom that I know... Not going to name names (nope - it isn't me, nor I am related to her). This mom had the best plan ever for birthday's, and I am so excited for her.

I have NO IDEA when her kids' birthdays are. She has two boys, 8 and 5, and I suspect that they are summer birthdays. However, she picked a weekend in June (this weekend) and made it her birthday weekend.

She has the older boy party on the Saturday, and the younger boy party on the Sunday. AND - NEITHER BIRTHDAY PARTY IS AT HER HOME! This mom picked out two different venues, age appropriate, and booked them at least 2 months in advance to plan her birthday weekend.

Each child gets a birthday - day all about them. They get fun and presents with their friends. Venues limit the party numbers, often helping impose guidelines of whom to invite. There is no pre-party clean-up, no set-up, and no post-party clean-up. Plus, I have to say that booking venue parties actually is about the same price, if not cheaper, than the home party version.

The lessons that all of us moms can learn from this genius-mom? Simplify. And Plan.

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Daughter wants to date
Published June 11, 2010 @ 10:14 in Amazing Kids

There is something funny about driving around in the minivan. It is like the kids forget you are there, and have the funniest conversations.

With Son One and his friends, I have to remind myself to bite my tongue and let them say whatever they want (Yes - I say "HEY!" when they use bad language.) The other day I had Son Two and Daughter in the back. This was their conversation.

Daughter: You want to go on a date? (Yes, she just asked her brother for a date.)
Son Two: Huh? (As Daughter is just like her mom, so Son Two is just like his dad.)
Daughter: We could go on a date!
Son Two: And do what?
Daughter: (pause... thinking) We could jump on the bed, or jump on a trampoline... (NOTE: Maybe I should take Husband on a date where we get to jump on a trampoline - sort of sounds like it would be a lot of fun!)
Son Two: We don't have a trampoline.
Daughter: Yes we do.
Son Two: It is mine. I got if for my birthday.
Daughter: I WANT A TRAMPOLINE!
Son Two: IT IS MINE!
Daughter: NO! I WANT IT!
Son Two: IT IS MY TRAMPOLINE AND I WILL NEVER LET YOU JUMP ON IT!
Daughter: AAAAHHHHHH!
Me: HEY!

The good news is that I didn't have to lay down the law and explain that no one will be dating until they are 16... Daughter doesn't want to date her brother anymore.

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Kortright Field Trip
Published June 11, 2010 @ 09:44 in School

Yesterday I got to go on Son One's grade two field trip. I forgot the advil, but fortunately another mom on the bus was well prepared.

Don't you miss those yellow school bus riding days? Oh wait. Not really. The seats are still uncomfortable vinyl and the windows that may or may not open. Something new that I noticed - a "Body Fluid Clean-up" kit at the front of the bus beside the first aid kit. Great. I was glad there was no call to use it.

We visited the Kortright Centre for Conservation. I had been there before with the kids for the maple syrup sugaring off. They also had huskies and dog sleds. It is great, and just minutes out of the city.

My son's grade two class has been learning animal classifications in their science program, and that was the focus of the field trip. I have to be honest - though always an animal lover, I just yesterday learned the difference between reptiles and amphibians. I mistakenly believed that amphibians were a class of reptiles. (Note: If you don't know, look it up yourself! Geesh! You want me to give you all of the answers?)

It was a nice day, and we had two different hikes through the wooded conservation area. The kids were too noisy to actually see a lot of wildlife, though we saw a swan couple with their five little cygnets (yes, I did know what baby swans were called before yesterday.) We also had a marsh expedition where the kids all received a sieve and got to "fish" for living organisms. It was actually pretty cool - the invisible midge larvae and the tadpoles with legs. But there were too many leeches for my liking. Lots and lots of leeches. Apparently, according to Mrs. B (our Kortright guide) too many leeches is a sign of pollution. Something else I learned!

I love being at home, and being able to go on field trips like this with my kids. It helps me get to know their teachers, their classmates, and their behaviour! At some point my kids won't want me around. But yesterday, Son One actually wanted to hold my hand and walk with me through the woods, even with all of this friends watching. We shared his lunch box, a seat on the school bus, and I learned about amphibians. What more could you want?

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Facebook - Are you Addicted?
Published June 9, 2010 @ 19:05 in Being Mommy

Do you know how many Facebook friends you have? I have no clue. It is like asking me what my odometer reads... still no clue! Are you supposed to know how many friends you have? I think people who count their Facebook friends are shallow misers. But enough about you, we're talking about me and my Facebook experience, right?

I like Facebook, but am not addicted. I like hearing little bits about the lives of people I know, without actually having to see and talk to them. It is sort of like running into an old friend at the supermarket. You spend 3 minutes catching up before your ice cream melts. PERFECT! See you around. No need for coffee plans.

If you have more than 500 friends on Facebook, that is too many. You can't possible care about that many people. And if you don't care about them, why do you want them as your friend? Heck - I think if you have more than 200 you are pushing the boundaries. Pare down. Unfriend that kid from your second grade class who picked his nose and ate it. Add that guy that you used to work with whom everyone secretly hated. Unfriend your mother-in-law while you are at it (JUST KIDDING!)

I have unfriended people. Yes, I admit it. Does that make me evil? There are certain types of people who I don't love being friends with. Go ahead - see if you are in one of the categories:

1. People who tell you EVERYTHING about themselves, every minute of the day. Really, I would be following you on Twitter if I wanted to know that your grilled chicken sandwich and diet pepsi were worth only a 6 out of 10. Get a life!
2. People I didn't like when I knew them. If I didn't talk to you when I knew you, why would I friend you on facebook? Note: this makes up about 20% of my current friends, but I am too polite to ditch them.
3. People who don't have anything to do with their Facebook accounts. They sign up, add a few friends, and then never check them again. Just unjoin - you won't be missed.
4. People who are constantly streaming videos and linking to articles. Sure, once in a while is OK, but not daily. Trust me, we don't all share your opinion on everything.

Look, I like to go to Facebook and find out that you had a baby, or a really bad day. I like hearing the odd opinion on Glee, and anything that will make me laugh. I also like using it to keep in touch with friends whose emails I can't find, or plan big family parties.

I wish that I was one of those people who was good and wishing all of their friends a "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" on their wall on their birthday, but since I don't need a computer daily for work, I just don't have the free time to be that friendly and thoughtful.

Are you addicted to Facebook? Really? Why?

If you have more than 200 friends, you may be an addict.
If you check you Facebook from your cell phone, you may be an addict.
If you check Facebook without being dressed, you may be an addict.
If you play Facebook games, you may be an addict.
If you troll for friends once a week or more, you may be an addict.
If you have ever published what you just ate, and wasn't a warning because you ended up in the ER, you may be an addict.
If you only talk to your friends on Facebook, but don't actually see them anymore, you may be an addict.

If you are a Facebook addict, shut off the damn computer and get outside. There are weeds than need pulled.

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New Laptop
Published June 9, 2010 @ 12:08 in Being Mommy

Hello! This is my first official entry from my brand new MacBook Pro (bought it myself - not an apple ad!) It came with a free itouch, that the kids are now fighting over.

Now I can write and let you know that my kids are annoying me while hiding in my bedroom with a laptop. Doesn't that sound like fun? In fact, it comes with a light-up keyboard so I could even be hiding in my closet when they get really torturous.

Lately it has been a huge pain to get on the computer. As soon as I would sit down and turn it on, I'd have another set of hands on the mouse and at the keyboard (namely Daughter) telling me that they just want to type their name.

So this is MOMMY'S LAPTOP. Except that the kids just want to try it. We'll see how this all works out. But for now, I am thrilled.

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Gardening
Published June 4, 2010 @ 17:16 in Around the House

Who likes to garden? I mean, really, come on! You get dirty and sweaty in the sun. And then their are the prickly weeds and the weird and scary looking bugs. Yep, certainly not a fan.

However, this week something possessed me to try gardening. Blame it on the kids who saw all of the colourful petunias right near the check-out (complete impulse purchase).

$200 later I had a hoe, some annuals, some perennials, a couple of fruit and vegetable plants, some grass seed and 3 bags of soil. And I was ready to go.

Did you know that gardening is really hard work? I swear that the old lady next door (87 and still keeps a perfect lawn and garden) was amazed that after 10 years of living here I have finally taken an interest in the garden. In fact, she was so amazed that she stood at the fence pointing out weeds to me while I worked.

Husband is the lawn and garden guy. This was sort of by default as he grew up on a farm, and therefore had more experience making things grow and dealing with dirt. I, on the other hand, assumed that I had a bit of a green thumb growing up, only to face the reality of throwing out plant after plant that turned brown or yellow or dried out under my care.

Monday and Tuesday this week I started the gardening. First, I had to hoe all of the grass out of the garden. You see, Husband likes to throw the clippings onto the garden when he cuts the grass. I don't know why. So grass started growing between the plants in the garden until it took over. Then Husband tried to claim that it was "decorative grass." Nope.

I lay the plants out around the garden in the front and back and got to work. Really, I had to guess where in the garden was "half-sun" and "full-sun" but fingers crossed it will all work out.

Son Two was the biggest help, and I am hoping that he has inherited his father's green thumb and under his influence the garden will prosper. Plus, with all of the rain the past few days, these new plants may just have a fighting chance.

Or it may just be a big waste of $200...

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More children?
Published June 3, 2010 @ 09:38 in Amazing Kids

Yesterday, while riding home from Son Two's speech therapy session on the subway, he loudly and clearly announced, "You can't have any more children."

Yes, for a child who has been in speech therapy for 4 years, somehow he is clear as day when he announces personal things about me on the subway. The woman across from us looked up, her eyes meeting mine, and she smiled. Yes, she was laughing on the inside, but was she laughing with me or at me?

The child in me wanted to scream, "YES I CAN! I can have as many kids as I want to, and you can't tell me what to do! You are not the boss of me!"

However, as a middle aged adult, I instead leaned over and quietly asked Son Two, "Why do you say that, honey?"

"Because we are 8, 6 and 4 and if you had wanted another baby it should have come two years ago."

Aha! The math genius cracked my baby-making code... I had my children when I was 27, 29 and 31... and 33 has come and gone. He is too right, if I had wanted to keep my perfectly balanced child spacing, I would have already had child number 4 years ago.

Alas, on the subway I just smiled and threw my arm around his shoulder pulling him close. "Honey, we have three brilliant, healthy, funny and wonderful kids, and we are the luckiest parents in the world."

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Waking up with Daughter
Published June 3, 2010 @ 08:06 in Amazing Kids

This morning I turned 36. Yes, GASP! I am middle aged. There, I admitted it, now let's move on and never talk about it again.

Today started with a lazy cuddle in bed, with my Daughter. She woke up, and yelled from her bedroom, then padded over on the cutest bare-feet ever to jump into bed between us for a morning snuggle.

Except, though Daughter was in a snugly mood, all she did was yell at her father, "DADDY! PUT A SHIRT ON!"

For some reason the sight of Daddy without a shirt on really upsets Daughter. And instead of getting into an explanation on why it is OK for Daddy to go topless, and why Mommy could as well but chooses not to, etc, etc, etc - I chose to just giggle while watching Husband try to cuddle his Daughter who refused to have anything to do with him until he, "PUT HIS SHIRT ON!"

For my birthday, I asked Daughter to head downstairs and make me a cup of coffee.

"NO! I am too little!" she answered.

"Really? I thought you were big!" I said.

"Nope. She is little," said Daddy.

"Actually, she is perfect!" I said, cuddling my little muppet.

"NO! I AM NOT PERFECT! I AM FOUR!"

I came downstairs and made my own coffee. I guess this is how one welcome's middle age, right? Happy birthday to me.

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