Seb & Sophie

Upping the ante

2012-02-16T08:40:00.000-05:00

My sister is upping the ante for "good house guest". She cleaned out our fridge (both housekeeping and human vacuum of leftovers). Next she is going to get to work on cleaning Sophie's face!

School happenings

2012-02-15T09:29:00.001-05:00

Finally, I downloaded our photos of the last 10 days and saw that many had to do with goings-on at school.

End of one session of soccer; a birthday party for the class's bearded dragon...

Speaking of birthday parties, check out the gorgeous cake my sister was made by dear Kevin and Arthur.

Good food

2012-02-14T14:16:00.000-05:00

February - whether the weather is good or bad - calls for good food: cake, chocolate fondue, Israeli delights and drum roll... a family meal at the mouth-wateringly wonderful Banajara Indian restaurant (because it doesn't use ANY peanuts). Plus hopefully Ethiopian this Wednesday and cheese fondue before the month is out!

Happy corporate day of love

2012-02-14T13:06:00.004-05:00

True to form, the kids wanted to give out cards to their classmates (plus teachers, lunchroom monitor & crossing guard) today.

True to form their organised grandparents had bought them pre-made cards weeks before.

True to form, their parents wanted to them to distribute hand-made, non trade-marked cards.

So... we started the production line at oh, 8 pm, roped in my sister and her friend Jacqui, and all had a great 45 mins of fun.

Thanks clang-clang aunties for helping with a glorious day

2012-02-14T07:57:00.000-05:00

How to spend a glorious day with two kids?

a- Take a friend to see a play of Babar [and be so proud of all 3 kids for volunteering on stage (if one is shy neighbour), standing up and belting out an interesting question during the Q&A session (if one is brave Sophie) and ensuring that younger kids get to volunteer to go up on stage by sitting on your own hand (if you are maturing Seb)].

b- the get the front seat on the subway so you can pretend you are driving

c- have fresh scones with a neighbour and/or play in the new snow

d- head to the shops to buy yummy sausages (blueberry and maple for carnivores!) and delish tea (Hot Lips for Valentine's!)

e- and then cap it off with 2 1/2 hours at the bookshop carefully determining how to use their birthday gift cards from Aunties Syd & Deb.

War Horse

2012-02-13T13:43:00.000-05:00

As some of you might know, the former English children's laureate, Michael Murpurgo, wrote a fine book entitled War Horse. Last year, it was released as a movie - bit of dud, we parents thought. In between, however, it was adapted as a play. A marvelous play with incredible puppets as the horses (and a goose; let us not forget the goose). I had longed to see it, since it was a smash at the National Theatre in London.

So it was with great delight that we noticed it was coming here. In the fall, the father of Seb's classmate got a role with the crew and invited Seb to attend a rehearsal to see the puppets and props up close. But THEN, last week, we were invited to the final dress rehearsal!

Um, let's just say that the play is much more psychologically 'heavy' than the book. We were advised to stay only for the first act - which had one pretty intense scene. The horses were terrific and the staging was simple and yet sophisticated.

Go see it if you can.

Seize the moment

2012-02-12T22:13:00.001-05:00

I know, I am falling down on my blog duties. So here is a quick snap that we got of Sophie at her skiing lesson today. She continues to ski with a smile on her face. Come to think of it, so did her visiting auntie.

The trouble being 2nd in line

2012-02-06T15:52:00.002-05:00

Your parents frame everything within your elder sibling's experiences. This weekend was a case in point.

Seb was developing a cold on Friday night. Saturday, his nose had started to stream. He announced he had a pain in the gut. 30 mins later, it was a pain in the chest. It stopped him from eating and he cuddled on my lap. Not at all him. We checked his lung capacity and while it was in the "ok" range, it wasn't great. Somewhat perturbed but not alarmed, we gave him his asthma inhalers (first time in months - winter months too!). Didn't seem to help his lung capacity but it did help his spirits and he proceeded to finish his lunch and headed off to a birthday party (where his dad lingered just in case).

Coming back to the 2nd child syndrome. Sunday dawns and Sophie is fine. We are heading skiing. After breakfast, Sophie announces that she is a bit tired. 30 minutes later she announces her throat hurts. She sneezes a couple of times. I deduce that she might have the cold too. We are still heading skiing though. 5 minutes later, she announces her tummy feels funny. I ask if she wants a drink of water. She looks glum but accepts. She heads to my room to cuddle up in bed. At the doorway she turns, panic in her eyes, hand to her mouth and promptly vomits all over the corridor - three times. Guess she didn't have Seb's cold after all.

At least, we weren't in the car on the way to the trails!

(She was as right as rain afterwards, even though she and I stayed home just in case.)

This winter that isn't

2012-01-30T15:10:00.003-05:00

My love snapped the kids playing in the mud puddle this weekend at the park - sorry for the horizontal flip.

Because despite my blog posts of skating and skiing, we have actually had almost no snow in Toronto. I think it has stuck through a night only once so far. Dry and / or mild spells mean little or nothing to shovel. So, sorry Maritimers and Montrealers, but we are more like Vancouverites this year. And as for the Brits who log in, some of your winters (especially northern ones) are worse than than this.

The Grove Community School's Open House

2012-01-26T11:51:00.003-05:00

The Open House is tonight. In attendance will be:

Sophie - to co-lead a tour of the school with her mum
Sebastian - to co-present about French at the Grove with his mum
S&S's dad to welcome people and hand out registration forms
S&S's mum - to do the tour and presentation
S&S's visiting auntie - to check out what all the fuss is about

Our school is lovely, tidy and clean and above all colourful - check out the new mural that a dad did with a few of the students.

Arrgh, me maties

2012-01-25T14:00:00.001-05:00

Woke up one morning and there were pirates in our house. Could have been worse, could have been monsters. On 2nd thought, I have woken up to those too.

A family that skis together (year 3)

2012-01-23T10:39:00.000-05:00

Everybody dance now.

2012-01-22T20:37:00.001-05:00

Family dance nights. That's where the action is and when we show off our moves.

Soph on skates

2012-01-21T21:52:00.003-05:00

Another weekend, another birthday party. This time it was Nuan's and it started with a skate in Trinity Bellwoods park. The perfect winter party according to her dad.

Then, it was home to pick up the soup-making mum and off to join Seb at the home of a friend from his old school. There, the two families collaborated on a hectic supper; while the kids played (magic, lego and wii), we had a chance to get to know the parents better - lovely family. Their older daughter (10) is so sweet with Sophie who came home with the most garish nailpolish ever!

Looking forward to skiing tomorrow en famille.

January is for...

2012-01-20T13:39:00.000-05:00

snowflakes and snowberries and snowmen and snowshoeing. Well, you get the point.

Just wishing for some fresh snow to greet my sister next week.

Seb's first candle

2012-01-16T16:27:00.001-05:00

The snowman candle has been a big hit and our son is very responsible to neither leave the room while it burns nor flail around near it. But our attempts to enforce the "this is a SITTING room" are still in vain, sigh.

In chilly Montreal

2012-01-15T07:16:00.000-05:00

We spent 3 days in Montreal over the holidays. We drove both ways in the daytime, so we had lots of time to appreciate Jeannette Winterson's Tanglewreck on cd. It is awesome! And then, War Horse on the way back.

The main aim was to see Grandma of course and then secondarily, to see the new Tintin movie in French. Hopefully, we showed my mum a lovely time, and provided quite a spread (bringing up quiche and cheeses and German cookies and homemade mincemeat pies - with lids). Tintin in 3D was so worthwhile. And we got to see our wonderful ex-Hamilton crew too.

Our sitting room over the recent holidays

2012-01-14T20:29:00.000-05:00

With the candles lit, the vintage game of Buccaneers spread out awaiting players, and Sarah's cozy blanket. Join us some time!

What we wore today

2012-01-14T19:11:00.003-05:00

Sophie's Auntie Sarah gave her a lovely smocked purple top last year. Funny thing was that I had a similar one. Today we finally wore them on the same day.

Now we are trying to persuade the fellas to wear simultaneously their similar striped shirts; surprise, surprise, they are purple too!

First ski of the year

2012-01-13T18:33:00.001-05:00

Here then is a bit about that first ski of the season. The kids headed off with their dad, while I made some soup (which I had promised to a French Club raffle winner), did some prep for my work week and hosted our friend Lorraine from Vancouver. Seems like it was slightly icy conditions but fun. And they got to hear the first few chapters of Auntie Roberta reading Winter Holiday.

3/4s of us head out tomorrow as Sophie has a birthday party of a close classmate instead.

Lac aux castors

2012-01-08T11:54:00.005-05:00

Not many snaps from Montreal but perhaps a few to come. In a an effort to be more timely, here is one of the kids all suited up for an outdoor skate in a short but heavy snowfall. As I type, they are off with their pop to the first ski lesson of the seasons - I swear all of them bounced out of bed giddy with excitement

(I am trying to build evidence that the wii has not yet corrupted us)

Glam it up, sugah!

2012-01-07T13:33:00.000-05:00

(We will be in the glamourous capital of Canada when this post pops up)

Yup, about twice a year, I dig out the goop from the makeup drawer and voila:

Ladies and gentlemen, the wii is in the house

2012-01-06T11:25:00.007-05:00

(Remember, we have fled the province - our reputation in tatters...)

We debated this one long and hard. Almost as long and hard as the which school? saga. And then we crashed into the 21st century. We opted for the wii because we want to believe that it is more social. We want it to bring friends into the house to have some fun - we had three kids over so far and all were amused. We want to believe that the 'agreements' will be respected - but nothing is perfect.

But dancing together can be fun and we will ALWAYS have family dance night.

The only problem is, we now need a rec room (it's in our bedroom) and a 21st century tv!

Our New Year's gifts

2012-01-05T11:51:00.000-05:00

(We will be in Montreal sharing out the bounty when this post pops up)

As is our tradition, we opened gifts of the immediate family - and a few extra - on New Year's Day. You have seen my lovely quilt (please come and sleep under it soon, y'all - but on 2nd thought, not all at once).

However, there were many other gems:

+ purple (and pink) and sparkle-hearted Converse (ok, they were self-bought and made my partner sigh that he never would have picked them; it's like my hair - I keep him guessing)!

+ loads of novels for the kids (including some new series, the next 2 installments of The Magic Thief, HC Anderson's Illustrated Fables, and Seb's first adapted Shakespeare)

+ lovely t-shirts from Babush in Ethiopia - and a special holiday letter which Seb read all by himself

+ funky boots for my main man

+ snow-boots for the next in line

+ bright red wool ski socks for the kids - not home knit...

+ regal purple wool scarf for me

+ tons of lovely art supplies for Sophie (plastecine, thumb print art kit)

+ several new games (one seems to be about a favourite topic: cheese)

+ a wonderful paint-your-own pottery platter that the children made their dad (CBC, Dad, Ski, Tennis painted on it)

+ a magnificent professional pottery bowl (do come and dine from it soon!)

+something that we dare not admit publicly...

Where did you go, Lego?

2012-01-04T21:27:00.001-05:00

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/should-lego-be-gender-free-or-just-less-complicated/

As all of you no doubt know, my kids love Playmobil. And it's better than the Polly Pockets, Barbies, Cars (TM) of the world for a variety of reasons, but it's still not the same as unfettered play materials (crayons, building blocks, etc). It is a scene that is laid out and the kids often settle to play within that framework.

Lego isn't like that, right? It's just colourful blocks to create whatever you want. For me, it was architectural structures and floor plans.

However, over the past couple of years I have noticed two things: 1. the gender coding through colour (pink blocks for girls - Yup, you read that right) and 2. sets for making specific - often trademarked - items: Star Wars, Harry Potter, beauty parlours (yup, you read that right too), etc.

Seb got a trademarked dragon set for Christmas - which he loved assembling and then put on the shelf (though there is an extenuating circumstance). While Soph got an odd box jumble of 2nd hand blue, green, red, white, black and transparent blocks for New Year's. Can't wait to see what she creates and how it interfaces with the dragon!

Loooong legs

2012-01-04T10:03:00.001-05:00

Not the best snap of our lass but check out how grown-up she is getting!

An interlude to all this bright, happy, festive stuff

2012-01-03T23:16:00.003-05:00

It's late. Sophie is asleep, but on the top bunk, Seb is restless and reading. He had a bath and then bed but still after 40 minutes, he is not switched off. He knows enough to ask me to lie with him, so I do. He asks if I will read to him, but the rule is lights out and a cuddle.

He starts to rattle off all sorts of information about books he has been reading. After a few minutes, I ask him to tell me how his body feels. "Not tired" he says, as I feel it buzz away next to me.

I ask him what would help him wind down. "Counting sheep" he says. "Except there will be blood and guts because I don't like sheep. So they get stuck on barbed wire".

Being a parent of an 8 year old boy with a vivid and to be honest folks, violent imaginative, I try to take this in stride and suggest that there might be better things to count before sleep, such as ummm, how many cupcakes could an 8 year old bake, decorate and eat.

He is asleep within 4 minutes and I am left sleepless and fretting.

New Year's PJs!!!

2012-01-03T18:37:00.001-05:00

Every year, Auntie Dorothy and Nana Lorraine give our kids new pjs for the holidays. So to ensure that both are thanked in equal measure, I wisely decided that the kids should have a bath and then open Nana'a package on Christmas Eve, but wait until New Year's Eve to bathe and open the 2nd parcel (I assure you that they do bathe about twice in between!).

But that way, they are wearing Nana's when she arrives on Christmas morning (http://wedgley.blogspot.com/2011/12/now-back-tracking.html ) and Auntie Dorothy's for our family New Year's gift opening. And both get in the photos for posterity!

As you can imagine, there is by year 4 (?) of this tradition quite a collection of excellent pyjamas, especially for Sophie who inherits her brother's. Her favourite had been the Nutcracker/double decker/Christmas present pair from 2009 (?) but I think she will love both new pairs all year long: bright Sophie-wisdom owls

and an appliqued puppy dog top (never knew that bright yellow looked so grand on her) , plaid bottoms and a coordinating 'stuffie' (as little stuffed animals are currently called).

A giving heart

2012-01-03T15:30:00.003-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEQVxbPNqRI&feature=share

This could be Sophie - a slightly more articulate version (in both senses) but they share a heart.

Nutcracker night

2012-01-03T10:05:00.000-05:00

I figured 5 and 8 were great ages to finally see a live performance of the Nutcracker, so we gave Nana Lorraine a ticket to attend her first full-length ballet - and we would accompany her. Last Thursday, her son and I got up and out early so we could join the line-up for 'rush tickets'. 2 1/2 hours later, we had 4 tickets and had learned loads from the other queuers who did this on a regular basis.

The previous night, the kids had watched our dvd of the New York City ballet's Nutcracker and Sophie had also prepared for the show by assembling a cardboard stage version that Nana gave them.

The evening itself was magical. We were in a mini-box right by the stage and were completely sucked in by the costumes, music, magic, and dance. In the Nutcracker, there is always plenty happening on stage and so many child and character dancers too. The National Ballet uses czarist Russia as its lens and so there were dancing bears, and a wonderful dancing horse, plus gorgeous folk costumes and Faberge egg - in which dances the Sugar Plum Fairy!

We rounded off the evening by seeing the Christmas windows at the Hudson's Bay shop and then having super out with Daddy.

A magical night to remember!

Gorgeous things (part 1)

2012-01-03T08:40:00.001-05:00

The quilt I commissioned by the Mekong women's collective and made from Sapa fabric arrived from VietNam!!! (and that girl is pretty gorgeous too)

Another year over, and a new one just begun...

2012-01-02T15:30:00.006-05:00

After opening yet more wonderful gifts and eating yet another yummy brunch, my love and I hosted our 15th New Year's Open House. I should add that it really felt like Seb hosted it too, as several of his friends came. Only Sophie missed out on hosting duties but she still had a great time with over 2 dozen people crowding in.

The man of the house out-did himself in the kitchen: 2 types of truffles, almond and cranberry biscotti, lemon-pomegranate cheesecake, 2 types of quiches, our annual addictive cheese & artichoke, AND mince pies for my Mum! All I made was Morroccan carrot salad - and set the table.

2011 was rather tumultuous at times; here's to a more calm year of renewal.

The science behind the (kiddie) fiction

2011-12-31T18:01:00.003-05:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/opinion/sunday/scientific-answers-to-the-mysteries-of-childrens-literature.html?_r=3&src=tp

There's loads more what that comes from.

Our extra special year end present

2011-12-31T17:52:00.003-05:00

A visit from the one and only C-A-R-R-I-E!!

And then we kidnapped her, so she could come and belt out the tunes at the sing-a-long Sound of Music. It was so much fun. We got a swag bag of things to wave at various moments: cards, an invitation to the Captain & Baroness' party, edelweiss, swatch of curtain fabric; plus cues to shout out certain things when various people/items (i.e. Nazis, mountains, Baroness, Maria, nuns, horses, etc) appeared on screen. And then all sorts of witty one-liners from the audience.

Next singalong show is Grease in February! For some reasons, the family is not so keen to join me...

Tis the season for fire safety lessons

2011-12-31T13:02:00.001-05:00

Learning to respect fire and matches is an element of our holiday season. Just look at those lovely candles I bought with Grandma's Christmas cheque.

What was your best children's book read in 2011?

2011-12-30T14:08:00.003-05:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2011/dec/28/2011-year-in-childrens-books

We read the first Harry Potter, Swallows and Amazons, Swallowdale, Steps Across the Water, Mrs Pepperpot stories, Knuffle Bunny Free, The Magic Thief, Minnow on the Say, War Horse, Kensuke's Kingdom, Why the Whales Came, Lemony Snicket, and so many more!

The children were part of wonderful book club; I should really blog about that in February when it is in full swing again.

And I have joined a nascent all women's group - Litter - and have an invite to another!

Bare sidewalks

2011-12-30T09:24:00.000-05:00

We have had a mild winter. Thus far, only one night when snow/slush/ice lay on the ground. So the kids have been free to free-wheel (even with no coats at times)!

The school's winter concert

2011-12-29T13:28:00.001-05:00

We managed to cover solstice, Hannukah, Kwanza, general winter and Christmas at the school concert this year. Seb's class sung a Kwanza song, while Sophie did a Christmas medley. Unfortunately, we got no great photos (both are 3rd from left).

However, it was so hot inside that everyone was encouraged to wear short sleeves and then Principal even turned off the heat in the whole building at 6 a.m.! All of which prompted Sophie to unbutton her shirt dress to her navel while on stage....

Let the happy holidays continue!!

2011-12-28T16:23:00.001-05:00

Our annual Crawley Christmas shot at Old Mill inn. First Christmas photo with one child standing on the floor. My, aren't they growing!

Oh, what a Christmas Day!

2011-12-27T20:58:00.000-05:00

Full of good things:

- a visit from Santa
- prezzies
- food
- family
- fun...

Now back-tracking

2011-12-27T09:45:00.001-05:00

First, it was Christmas Eve when we:
* mount the heritage tinsel tree,

* chose our ornaments for the Christmas ring - always leaving two spots for Gramps & Nana to fill on Christmas Day,

* recite the week before Christmas poem for the very last time,

* our new tradition - get the first of the season's pyjamas

* and have a few hijinks!

Boxing Day Bonanza

2011-12-26T20:21:00.001-05:00

My love spent his work day at a shopping mall but bought nothing. Meanwhile the rest of us were at home cooking up a feast and/or heading to the movies to the latest Muppet caper.

Christmas Day - first of many

2011-12-26T11:30:00.002-05:00

Sophie rode the TTC to Old Mill with her dad. The main meal was delish as always and now George is making the Boxing Day feast!

Tintin the movie opens today in North America!

2011-12-21T10:08:00.001-05:00

And this is one family that can't wait to see it. We posed with the promo figurines and last month, the kids went to see a "Toronto imagines Tintin" art exhibit.

A piano missing some keys

2011-12-20T11:04:00.001-05:00

Two of Seb's teeth fell out a day apart. Add in - or subtract out - the 2 others he had already lost and not yet filled and you have, as one friend said, a piano missing some keys.

He sure does spend a lot of time now with his fingers in his mouth exploring the new landscape.

Tis the season to sing

2011-12-19T21:31:00.000-05:00

If ever there is a season to sing (though I hope not and in fact, tried to make 2011 my year to SING!; only partially achieved it...), then we are in its midst.

Seb's monthly, super-low-key community choir had its mini concert on Wednesday and the school concert is on Monday, complete with Seb's Kwanza piece, Sophie's traditional tunes (with a twist) and my French Club singing Au Clair de la Lune - at least some of them quietly...

How we spent our professional development day

2011-12-19T10:11:00.000-05:00

A week ago Friday was a no-school day and M had taken the day off. Since we needed some family time, we planned a lovely day of activities: brunch a new neighbourhood restaurant, library time, a seasonal blockbuster - with a visit to the hot dog stand and a soupy supper and some book time.

Another awesome read

2011-12-18T09:39:00.001-05:00

After the family raced through the Magic Thief in days - well, nights actually (Books 2 & 3 will be under the proverbial tree), and Seb tore through a new football/soccer novel D&P sent him in ONE night!, we have hit upon yet another fantastic tale The Invention of Hug Cabret which kept us in bed till almost noon yesterday!

Baking the days away

2011-12-17T21:13:00.000-05:00

Last weekend was a baking weekend. We did some gingerbread house decorating at a classmate's house - along with about 15 other kids!

Then I was up very early on Sunday, so I baked cinnamon buns and made cheese bureks, which Sophie helped with. First time in oh, 15 years but still yum, yum, yummy.

Sophie would like to thank Eddie and Dorothy

2011-12-17T14:16:00.008-05:00

On January 1st, each member of our family states an aspiration for the year to come. This year, Seb wanted to join a soccer team. me to sing more, M to be more organised and Sophie... to make a meal.

Auntie Dorothy's lovely gift of Eddie's Kitchen (by the ever wonderful Sarah Garland) had inspired our youngest to prepare a meal for others.

And so last night, we gathered with friends and neighbours to partake of that very important rite of pasage.

She and I had shared the task (60:40) and spent much of the afternoon readying the table:
Green Salad with tomatoes and peppers
3 loaves of fresh bread - plaited, balled and thin like a snake
Pasta with homemade pesto
Baked apples and ice cream!

It was a wonderful accomplishment. I hope I am invited to many, many more.

Good Attitude Award

2011-12-17T13:02:00.001-05:00

When Seb moved to his new school, he lucked into a wonderful teacher. A teacher with vision and compassion - not flawless but still such a find. Unfortunately, in early November, he went on extended sick leave and might - only might - come back in late March. Sigh. Another adjustment. The substitute teacher has done her best and may now be awarded the long term job, in which case we will invest in her presence.

However, all to say that we were intrigued - and then busting with pride - to find out that Sebastian had been awarded one of her 2 weekly Good Attitude awards for his class last week. He got it for speaking up against 2 classmates who were being offensive toward girls - on the national day of mourning on violence against women too.

A beaming parenting moment and I won't share the other kind...

A letter we received from Seb's interim teacher

2011-12-16T22:26:00.002-05:00

Hi,

I just wanted to let you know that Sebastian handed me an envelope that is adressed to the North Pole to a certain portly man in a red suit that he wanted to make sure I mailed for him...

Last week I overheard him saying that he would know if Santa is real or not because he would get the letter mailed without getting his parents involved because then only Santa would know the things he wants for Christmas. Hehehe.

If you'd like to get your hands on the letter, or would like me to email you the list let me know... :)

Who's a happy lass?

2011-12-12T12:10:00.001-05:00

For those who need a boost today.

2011-12-09T10:24:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was pyjama day at school. Sophie wore those fab astronaut jammies that Auntie Dorothy has posted to Seb 3 or 4 years ago. They are still going strong and coupled with the fleece dressing gown Nana bought her, she was cozy, colourful lass.

When she got home, she sought out my old and holey ZoZo monkey - which my Grandma had made me.

Something from Mum
Something that was brother's
And something of her very own.

Luck lass.

The acrobat

2011-12-08T19:02:00.000-05:00

Upside down,
boy,
you turn you

An Ethiopian welcome

2011-12-08T13:42:00.009-05:00

I just spent 11 days in Ethiopia (and 2 days traveling...); it was a great trip as I managed to train practitioners and not just remote managers, plus in Addis Ababa, I spent loads of time with the ever-wonderful Katy & Babush and kids. Ate well - never sick which seems a record for me on recent trips.

I managed to be there for Hannah's 3rd birthday party and enjoy all the work that Babush has put into their garden. (Check out their coffee bush, the chicken hut, the kickball and play house that B made)

Such a good job that we cheekily have asked him to come to France next spring to work with M on our courtgarden. And being him, he is considering it!

Birthday Party # 2

2011-12-07T09:36:00.001-05:00

The very next day (were we crazy!!) we hosted 6 of Seb's friends for the eclectic mix of Star Wars, Ethiopian food and more tattoing.

The nifty thing about the tatoos was that you put them on and then you apply your own colour. Seb's Grove crew were happy to start using the pens in um, creative ways. So we ended up with a very colourful bunch of classmates on Monday morning!

Showing Star Wars made for a very quiet party. We 4 adults drifted around the house looking for something to do because we had made the front room a children's den with blankies and pillows, popcorn and drinks, while they watched Star Wars -the new hope projected on to a big sheet. Cool.

We headed down the road to Addis Ababa restaurant where the lovely owners not only opened early for us but made a big table on the dias for the birthday boy. The one non-Grover didn't even try the food but everyone else jumped in and most kids enjoyed it. They got a tour of the kitchen, played the usual finger games with the staff, ate carrot cake, and applied the coloured pens galore!

Birthday Party #1

2011-12-06T11:31:00.001-05:00

Not a lot of detail to this one but I wanted to tip the hat to everyone who helped make Sophie's party a success. She invited 8 friends to Seussical the musical and then despite the TTC conspiring against them, they traipsed back as a happy clan to our house for tatoos and cupcakes! To be honest, not much Little Grey Rabbit happened.

But Sophie - in her bright birthday top from me - enjoyed every minute of it.

Grandmotherly duties

2011-12-05T16:14:00.000-05:00

The things that Grandmothers do for/with us.

Happy Birthday Nana/Mom/Lorraine!

2011-12-05T11:47:00.004-05:00

Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with us. We are so very fortunate!

In between all the birthdays

2011-12-02T09:19:00.001-05:00

we headed up the 401 to see the latest transfers to Montreal and Grandma, who took us to some of her favourite places.

Birthday # 2

2011-12-01T15:19:00.001-05:00

5 years old. Yup high 5!

Sophie had a great day with a visit from Gramps and Nana, and head out to dinner with them to co-celebrate their wedding anniversary. One person out-dressed us all...

She received some lovely cards and presents (an aquarium and soon a fish, a refurbished bike)

But not just any cards. Oh no. Check out what Carrie hand-crafted.

And of course, the day started with the breakfast of ... um... well... sigh.. birthday children - fresh carrot, lime and ginger juice and Fruit Loops (ask my sister in law).

Birthday # 1

2011-11-30T14:57:00.001-05:00

Not sure why darth vader made an appearance on Seb's birthday. I thought he was being confined to Hallowe'en and the birthday party. But we did finally watch the original Star Wars movie that night.

the cake? It was a special request of chocolate with coffee icing.

his big gift? a bright blue bike with gears and brakes. His Gramps is jealous because he didn't get one of those until he was 12 or so.

all round buddies

2011-11-29T12:53:00.000-05:00

Now here is a great pal! He reads, he plays games, he is happy to head to a Tintin exhibit with you, he even likes the odd bit of fancy pants dressing (think of that top hat on opening night of Billy Elliott).

Grandma loves stripes (part 2)

2011-11-28T14:46:00.002-05:00

Our girl is digging her numbers at the moment. Counting by 10s, doing basic addition, etc. So here is a colourful and stripey numbers snap.

A Ukelele lesson with Uncle Trefor

2011-11-27T14:43:00.001-05:00

It's happening right now! I can almost hear the music from here.

And no surprise that one kid just wanted to strum away while the other patiently tried to focus on some instruction.

Globalisation is weird

2011-11-27T11:07:00.003-05:00

I just did some 'Black Friday" shopping on line from eastern Ethiopia. True it's not as sweltering here as I had expected, but it's still weird to skype the family to check on sizing for the new winter boots....

Seems like I can't upload photos from here (hence the delay in birthday snaps) but just picture a bright teal jacket and matching boots for a certain 5 year old.

And if you are coming to visit, we will have a new set of crisp sheets and a cozy fleece blanket to snuggle under.

Don't wake me if I am dreaming

2011-11-26T11:14:00.001-05:00

I wrote this the day after Sebastian's birthday. It turned out that I was dreaming. That reality shock sent me into a funk of blog withdrawal which some of you noted. But as a parent, you have to take the good and the bad, right? You dear reader/viewer/observer however can take only the good. So here is our happy scene...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Waking up to gratitude is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced. It was Seb's birthday yesterday. We hadn't done the wish list this year and once again, I started to feel anxious that we hadn't got him 'enough' stuff or the 'right' stuff and he would be disappointed. His party had been postponed and then his grandparents delayed their visit. I was not sure how this would all play out.

Saturday was a very busy day with him rushing around all afternoon and ended with a sleepover at Jack's. He had a wonderful and fairly calm day on his birthday and was thrilled and vocally appreciative about all his cards and presents. I was floored. But wait, it got better.

This morning, his dad and I awoke to the sound of a door creaking (it was a 'biological hour' later than usual because of Sunday's time change) and Seb slipping in. He proffered a card. I thought he had my birthday wrong. Finding my glasses, I see that it is addressed to his dad and me. He had worked on it in bed last night and again this morning (this boy needs LITTLE sleep). This is what it said:

"Thanks for my birthday and all the presents, Mum & Dad. Love Seb"

More books to hanker after...

2011-11-24T11:40:00.005-05:00

Here are some oh so serious topics that are handled in an oh so enjoyable way:

Time....
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/23/books/just-a-second-steve-jenkins-review.html?_r=1&hpw

And anyone seen the GG children's winner yet? Looks like a must-read (own?) too.
History......
http://www.tundrabooks.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780887765407

Hadn't seen this (http://www.bookcentre.ca/files/Great_Reads_Holidays_2011.pdf) before but if anyone is needing a recommendation and they are Canadian to boot!

Good thing we all got book certificates for our birthdays, though I fear that one will want to purchase the bland Geronimo Stilton series. Ah well, (sigh) there is always the library (that seems to be fighting off cuts to hours but not programming. Sigh again).

Careful what you wish for, indeed

2011-11-19T17:29:00.001-05:00

Unfortunately the tables got turned. Last week, my love said that he needed a day off. Take a sickie or put in for some time owed because he was feeling run down and overwhelmed by the domestic to-do list.

The next morning, a colleague hailed him at the streetcar stop and offered him a lift to work. Just 2 blocks from work, they were rear-ended at a stop sign. No damage to the car but both of them got jolted forward and back. Pretty darn quick my love was sore.

So it was been a trip to the doctor, plus heat pads; then a day of terrible pain, followed thankfully by slow healing.

That makes both of us the same year...

Be careful what you wish for...

2011-11-05T08:38:00.001-04:00

My love has long cautioned me to be careful what I wish for....

And now we have a Reader - with a capital R. When he is hooked, he reads anywhere, walks while he reads, goes to sleep late, lingers in bed