A while back I posted some videos of the boys singing the archaeopteryx song from the show Big Green Rabbit. Folks from the show contacted me, and asked if the boys would like a package of goodies from Charlie, the Big Green Rabbit—no strings attached. Well, the package has arrived and has given us all a much needed boost. This week has been a trying one; we’ve all got colds, Jim broke his wrist, and the weather has turned to bitter winter (forecast was for a –42C windchill this morning!) with a good dump of snow. The boys are thrilled...

On Friday Gareth had another of his drama classes at the nearby Arts Centre, and he is simply thriving. This is his first successful go at an unparented class. Last year at this time I put both boys into an unparented yoga class, thinking that having his older brother in the room would help ease Gareth’s transition to classes sans Mom or Dad. Nope! He just wasn’t ready. This time around he is in class with his friend Daniel, and is having a wonderful time—not a single issue. What a difference a year makes! After class Daniel and his...

OK, so I missed the date by several weeks. But I saw this idea on another blog, and knew it was something I wanted to do with our kids to capture ‘snapshots’ of them as they moved through their childhoods. Here’s the questions I asked both boys: What is your favourite: cereal? fruit? vegetable? drink? toy? TV show/movie? game? book? restaurant? holiday? animal? What do you love about each person in your family? What do you have fun doing with each person in your family? Where would you like to go on vacation this year? ...

It’s been a slow, quiet, and somewhat tough day today—Gareth is sick, as am I. Was sitting here feeling sorry for myself—having to deal with a sick child when sick myself (no ‘sick days’ with this job!), clutter everywhere, laundry needing washing and folding, no idea what to do about the dreaded what’s-for-dinner question—when I turned around and realized how much I have to be grateful for. Here’s what I saw: Yep—clutter, laundry, stains on the carpet (don’t let toddlers eat Oreos anywhere but at the dining table—or bathtub!), a cheap futon for a couch, remains...

Jim took the boys skating at Westside recreation centre this afternoon. Last winter Jim and Daegan did a half-dozen or so skating classes, but this was Gareth’s first time on skates. Westside is a lovely facility, with different ice areas and fire pits to warm up. And in between the areas are lots of benches and rest areas. I didn’t go along (craving alone time to do such exciting things as fold laundry and take the dog for a walk in the bitter cold), but here’s the story as the boys and Jim told me. They got there, and...