He ran and ran for Terry

Canada has a hero. His name is Terry Fox. All children learn about him in one way or another. He had cancer as a kid and had to have his leg amputated. He then set off to run across Canada to raise awareness and money for a cure.

He started on the East Coast with little attention but people started to take notice of this young man with so much courage, hope, determination and a lovely smile. He never finshed his journey as the cancer returned and killed him so very young.

Every September, Canadians run to remember him, to raise funds for research into cancer and because we all need a role model or a hero in our hearts. Mr M had chosen the 2010 goal of running a 10 km as fast as he did when 30. He chose the Montreal Terry Fox run as his race. He hadn't trained much, so his speed didn't become the issue - just squeezing it in became the goal.

On the day, Seb decided he wanted to run 1 or 1.5 kms, even though he was wearing sandals. So we registered him. He did the warm-up aerobics and then he was off. He ran with his dad for the first few 100 metres and then alone. He passed the first kilometre and then the next one. No need to stop. He wasn't tired. He ran a 3rd and then tripped getting out of the way of others, fell and skinned his knee. All alone he picked himself up, checked it out and then thought of Terry. On he went. Kilometre 4 and 5 sailed past in a walk/run combo. At the finish line, he was beaming.

I have a new hero in my heart.

Some lovely moments with Uncle M

My dad's youngest brother came to visit us in Toronto last week. Just a few days and not the greatest weather but we managed to show him around a bit and introduce him to Ethiopian cusine.

The kids even put on a dance performance for him.

yet another wonderful Word on the Street

The weather was fab. We met interesting wordsmiths and bibliophiles. We heard some read her tale. We got a great deal on kids' theatre tix, had our face painted (at least one of us did) and tried on a mask (at least the other one of us did). We bumped into friends and brought home an impressive number of books for the limited time that we attended. The only problem was the short time we were there...

Was it really only yesterday????....

Have you hugged a pumpkin today?

Give it a try. Might make you smile.

You know you have a 6 year old child when

this is what you pull out of his trouser pockets before the laundry.

Take them out to...

As a way to ease out of summer and into the school year, Seb's dad took him and a friend to a ball game on Sunday. Jays even won.

Just me and my sib (part 4)

Sharing a towel - even though there were two.



(P.S. We do feed him and we monitor that his sister doesn't steal it)

Everyone needs (part 3)

marching bands and flamenco dancers to perform outside of your house one fabulous night every summer.

Explanations are not (yet) a forte

Seb: Do you know what hand - eye coordination is?
Friend: No
Seb: It's when the hand and the eye are coordinated.
Friend: Oh.
Seb: Like in tennis. Do you understand?
Friend: Um, yeah.
Seb: So tell me.
Friend: Well, not really.

Fleeting...

check this out to see what I mean:
http://wedgley.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-fast-they-grow.html

Just me and my sib (part 3)

Messin' about.

Ah, (chilly) life at the cabin

It was cold this past Labour Day weekend and rainy too. Not the greatest weather for traipsing up to an off the grid cabin of friends. But they are great friends - all 4 of them and the rustic nature of the house and its lovely setting were such a draw. We played a new Harry Potter board game (Clue with a few new rules), read lots, watched the kids enjoy each other and the outdoor pursuits (fishing anyone? canoe rides in between the rain drops? some footie or a race up the road?), wiggled our teeth (well, at least one of us did), were mesmorised by one child reading to another (each in their turn it seemed); you get the picture.

Can't find Seb or Soph in the 64 pack

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About 2 years ago, my sister gave us all a large pack of 'skin tone' crayons which is pretty awesome. Anyone want to come over and colour together?

The closing days of Grandparent camp

We are expecting to get the 'G' camp 2010 photos in 9 days when we are all in Montreal. So til then, enjoy shots of the last few days of Grandparent camp when Mama Bear gatecrashed all the fun.






Sophie (yes, the 3 year old) took the lovely snap of me.
If you squint, you can make out Sophie ringing the Market bell for the first time.






Stay off the roads around Baxters' Corner; they let the young ones drive there (and I spent all that time and money actually getting a licence). Sophie peels out of the garage, throwing her brother off the back of the pickup!



Adults catch up over coffee or a stronger drink; kids roll in grass and catch up huddled under swim towels.

The kids got to have ice cream, marshmallows AND a fire on the last night. And we all enjoyed the warm (and really low) lake.

And she is off!

People have asked how we - as the parents - are doing about our youngest heading off to school (opted for the Grove Community school - Seb's Plan B from last year).

But really, she has been in daycare every morning for the past year and is so happy to be with other children for a portion of every day. We think her new teacher is just lovely and are so pleased for Sophie that she will have this wonderful place, teacher and community to learn with for the next 2 years. And it is her school, Sebby. French will come later and differently to her brother but it sure is nice to walk just 5 blocks, hang out in the schoolyard chatting with like-minded parents.

(Just for the record, she does not eat lunch there and she is in "JK" not Grade 5! and I am trying to bury that hand-me down pink jacket...).

Sophie preps for school days

Several times over the past few days, Sophie has wanted to prepare for school - her "way up high" school (on the third floor). I have been fine with that as it eases her through what will be a transition, though likely an easy one.

I have also used it as an exercise to promote "Mum chooses clothes" and my new campaign to "keep your pony-tails in alllllll morning to prove that you have patience which proves you are big which proves you can go to kindergarten". Like my logic?

More on the actual school entry later today!

La rentree - part 1

Bit of a bump back into the academic orbit. But here he is on day one of Grade 2. Sophie starts tomorrow!!!

Just me and my sib (part 2)

Having a laugh.

Just me and my sibling (part 1)

Active as ever on our block - street hockey, biking - it's amazing what you can do on one city block with no driveways and reasonably little traffic.

Venice Beach here she comes!

She hasn't met a wading pool that she doesn't like! The girl just strips off and jumps in - bathing suit optional.