Declan was being a bit rambunctious last night so I turned off his TV and pulled out some of our photo albums for him to look through with me. The original goal was to show him some of the sights for our upcoming trip to England and then I started actually looking at some of the pictures that we have and were able to keep safe from the flood.
It's funny to watch a 3 year old go through these keepsakes and not know what to do with them. He saw Andrea and I from almost 10 years ago when we got our first apartment and didn't understand that it was where we lived at the time. He saw Andrea's cousin Jacob as a baby and thought that he was Rhys because they actual do look alike. It was funny to see him recognize things that we were doing at the cottage with the kids before he came along as things that we do with him now. Seeing the Kincardine Pipe Band parade, making sand castles and going to the family reunion.
What shocked me were the pictures that I had totally forgot about. Pictures of Mike, Mike and I in Los Angeles after the infamous shaving cream fight (I don't think we ever did get all of the gel off the walls or the floor), and the pics of Saibal's wedding (which I attended after having a gig at a house party in the middle of nowhere on no sleep whatsoever). There are pictures of Andrea and me in Quebec City freezing our butts off but having a blast and also walking around rainy London with Victor (the day that we drunkenly decided to by a Louis Vuitton clutch!).
I showed Declan pics of me with my Grandmother and explained that we are going to go meet her in a month. He was slightly confused but honestly interested in who she was. I showed him my Grandfather's photo which is actually a picture of the last time that I saw him before he passed away. It was a wonderful meal with my family in England.
I was lucky enough to see my grandparents a handful of times over the years when they were able to visit us and was blessed with my Grandmother being able to come to out wedding. I am incredibly excited that she will be able to meet her first Canadian Great-Grandson and hope that maybe in a couple of years she will be able to meet her second one as well. I can't wait to have photos of those visits.
One of the funniest pictures was of me with blond hair. Declan had no idea who I was and didn't really believe it was me when I told him so.
It was interesting to see the pictures of our house from before we actually moved in. The reno work we did changed it dramatically for the better and I remembered all the help that our friends and family gave us to get it ready in such short order. Amazing when I think about it. We took possession of that house on December 1st, did the renovations for 2 weeks and then moved in on the 15th. We had our house warming party on the 17th which is madness! It was wonderful though.
I also realized that we are blessed to have so many photographs of our families. We have lots of Andrea's Grandmother at the cottage, lots of the Jacob, including the first time he stayed at our apartment (which ended up with me going to Andrea's parents at 3 in the morning because Jake had actually thrown up all over the place and we had no laundry facilities).
There is something marvelously simple about the photo album. I forgot how much I love opening them up. Something gets lost when you are just scrolling through the pictures on a computer monitor, you can't touch them, turn the pages, hear the binding on the spine crack. What I really found remarkable was that Declan sat there with me going through all of those pictures, asked the questions that he had about them and enjoyed the answers and the stories that I shared with them about them.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Snow Days!
The blast of winter that we got this week made me think back to when I was a kid. Winter was such an amazing time of the year for us. I lived in a townhouse complex which had a large parking lot that needed to be plowed during snowstorms. That plowing would inevitably create a massive pile of snow that we quickly turned into a rabbit warren of a snow fort!
This came with the obvious pleas from parents to be careful because we could be buried alive in the caves that we were building. They fell on deaf ears. We actually got to the point where we were reinforcing the walls and ceilings with small spray bottles of water. The frozen mist would strengthen the walls in our minds and render them safe. We spent hours digging in those snow piles until we were saturated and shivering but it was always worth it.
The other way we killed time in the winter was to go sledding. We lived across the street from a hill that was on the property of an old-folks home so it was dubbed Granny's Hill. No idea who first called it that but it stuck. The hill was large and steep and had a creek at he bottom of it. Many a time I watched friends end up in the creek soaking wet.
When the snow came down it was a given that the Hill would be climbed and ramps would be made. For the longest time we used Crazy Carpets and Flying Saucers to go down at unimaginable speeds. Hitting bumps and wiping out more often than not.
Then one day the GT Snowracer came into our lives. A sled WITH A STEERING WHEEL!! We would tow them up the hill and have races to see who could be the fastest. We were daredevils (and maybe a bit insane). Luckily our parents never came to Granny's Hill with us. It was generally the province of kids and teenagers. Our parents never new that we had side hills called Suicide (aptly named because of the incredibly steep slope, and chain-link fence at the end) and Roller Coaster (lots of bumps and dips).
As we got older the hill also became the place for us to learn the delicate art of BEERBOGGANING. Get a 2-4 and take it to the top, have a beer or two and go down the hill. Climb back up and repeat. Luckily the snow kept the beer cold.
Once in a while we would get some stick from the old folks in the home that didn't want us to have any fun but all they would do was yell from the windows. We were never actually told we couldn't be there.
I drove by a couple of weeks ago and noticed that some new developments had occurred on the hill. They have actually reduced the slope with infill from some construction in the neighbourhood, but there were still kids there having a blast. When the boys are a bit older I would like to take them to Granny's Hill and show them what Tobogganing can be.
This came with the obvious pleas from parents to be careful because we could be buried alive in the caves that we were building. They fell on deaf ears. We actually got to the point where we were reinforcing the walls and ceilings with small spray bottles of water. The frozen mist would strengthen the walls in our minds and render them safe. We spent hours digging in those snow piles until we were saturated and shivering but it was always worth it.
The other way we killed time in the winter was to go sledding. We lived across the street from a hill that was on the property of an old-folks home so it was dubbed Granny's Hill. No idea who first called it that but it stuck. The hill was large and steep and had a creek at he bottom of it. Many a time I watched friends end up in the creek soaking wet.
When the snow came down it was a given that the Hill would be climbed and ramps would be made. For the longest time we used Crazy Carpets and Flying Saucers to go down at unimaginable speeds. Hitting bumps and wiping out more often than not.
Then one day the GT Snowracer came into our lives. A sled WITH A STEERING WHEEL!! We would tow them up the hill and have races to see who could be the fastest. We were daredevils (and maybe a bit insane). Luckily our parents never came to Granny's Hill with us. It was generally the province of kids and teenagers. Our parents never new that we had side hills called Suicide (aptly named because of the incredibly steep slope, and chain-link fence at the end) and Roller Coaster (lots of bumps and dips).
As we got older the hill also became the place for us to learn the delicate art of BEERBOGGANING. Get a 2-4 and take it to the top, have a beer or two and go down the hill. Climb back up and repeat. Luckily the snow kept the beer cold.
Once in a while we would get some stick from the old folks in the home that didn't want us to have any fun but all they would do was yell from the windows. We were never actually told we couldn't be there.
I drove by a couple of weeks ago and noticed that some new developments had occurred on the hill. They have actually reduced the slope with infill from some construction in the neighbourhood, but there were still kids there having a blast. When the boys are a bit older I would like to take them to Granny's Hill and show them what Tobogganing can be.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Family Movie Night
One of the coolest things about Declan being the age he is has to be that he now has the attention span to watch a movie with us. Since we have been home we have had a few nights now were we get Rhys to bet and have time to watch a kids movie like How to Train Your Dragon, Despicable Me or Monsters Inc. and it has been so much fun. I love watching his face when something funny happens and he gets it! It makes me laugh so hard.
I also have to say that How to Train Your Dragon was an amazing movie! A bit risque at points for younger kids with the language but altogether a really fun and entertaining movie. I think that Declan got scared maybe one or two times at things that happened a bit fast or loud for him but nothing too bad and he still was talking about it days later.
This is the best time because he wants to cuddle and relax as the day winds down and I watch as he lays on the couch with Andrea and just nuzzles into her. You can actually see his eyes slowly closing and hear the change as his breathing slows and deepens. I don't get those moments since I generally am the one that has to be wrestled with or tickled or climbed all over. I only get the relaxing cuddle when he is REALLY tired.
Anyway, I am sure that in the next year when Rhys joins us on these evenings I will get some snuggles with one of them. Or maybe they will just fight over who gets the prime spot with Mommy. Oh well, at least I will have my couch to myself!
I also have to say that How to Train Your Dragon was an amazing movie! A bit risque at points for younger kids with the language but altogether a really fun and entertaining movie. I think that Declan got scared maybe one or two times at things that happened a bit fast or loud for him but nothing too bad and he still was talking about it days later.
This is the best time because he wants to cuddle and relax as the day winds down and I watch as he lays on the couch with Andrea and just nuzzles into her. You can actually see his eyes slowly closing and hear the change as his breathing slows and deepens. I don't get those moments since I generally am the one that has to be wrestled with or tickled or climbed all over. I only get the relaxing cuddle when he is REALLY tired.
Anyway, I am sure that in the next year when Rhys joins us on these evenings I will get some snuggles with one of them. Or maybe they will just fight over who gets the prime spot with Mommy. Oh well, at least I will have my couch to myself!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Sickies
I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. So far Rhys, Declan, Andrea and Andrea's parents have all been hit with the flu. I am just waiting for my turn and believe me I am not looking forward to it! This years flu virus is brutal! It hits you like a truck and puts you on your arse for a day and keeps you feeling like rubbish for a couple more. It's incredibly how quick it hits.
Luckily Rhys and Declan bounced back pretty quickly and I hope that after a day of resting Andrea is feeling a bit better as well. I guess it's lucky that they cancelled my surgery after all. If they didn't who would be taking care of people at the sick house?
The best part is that they cancelled my surgery because the hospital was filled with too many people who are sick. They couldn't find a bed for me and have to cancel surgeries because people with the flu are overloading their system. Insane!
I got a call from the surgeons office yesterday and they want to rebook for about a month from now but they still can't guarantee that the surgery will happen. I am going to hold off until about March in the hopes that all the Sickies are done being sick and hopefully at that point I will be able to get a private room to rest in for a day or two!
Luckily Rhys and Declan bounced back pretty quickly and I hope that after a day of resting Andrea is feeling a bit better as well. I guess it's lucky that they cancelled my surgery after all. If they didn't who would be taking care of people at the sick house?
The best part is that they cancelled my surgery because the hospital was filled with too many people who are sick. They couldn't find a bed for me and have to cancel surgeries because people with the flu are overloading their system. Insane!
I got a call from the surgeons office yesterday and they want to rebook for about a month from now but they still can't guarantee that the surgery will happen. I am going to hold off until about March in the hopes that all the Sickies are done being sick and hopefully at that point I will be able to get a private room to rest in for a day or two!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Adjusting
Two days in and I realize that the biggest adjustment to being back at home is getting used to Rhys being mobile. When we left he was still just walking along walls and couldn't really pull himself up on his own. Now he is pretty much running and into EVERYTHING! It is going to take a while to figure out what he can get into and start Rhys-proofing everything.
It feels good to be home. To sit on my couch and watch my TV and sleep in my own bed. I am not sure if Declan is having a hard time adjusting because he keeps coming to our room at 3:00am and crawling into bed with us. Other than that he seems to be pretty happy to back at home with his own toys.
My favorite part at the moment is our heated bathroom floor. There is nothing better than getting out of the shower and stepping on a warm bathmat. I love it.
I get my big test tomorrow in fatherhood. Andrea is leaving for Vancouver for 4 days so I am going to be a single dad for a bit. I am terrified but excited at the same time. I have never had the boys for so long on my own and I am unsure as to how everyone is going to handle it. Pizza party here we come!
I am sure that we will survive and I will develop a new appreciation for single parents everywhere. If no one hears from me in a couple of days however, please send help.
It feels good to be home. To sit on my couch and watch my TV and sleep in my own bed. I am not sure if Declan is having a hard time adjusting because he keeps coming to our room at 3:00am and crawling into bed with us. Other than that he seems to be pretty happy to back at home with his own toys.
My favorite part at the moment is our heated bathroom floor. There is nothing better than getting out of the shower and stepping on a warm bathmat. I love it.
I get my big test tomorrow in fatherhood. Andrea is leaving for Vancouver for 4 days so I am going to be a single dad for a bit. I am terrified but excited at the same time. I have never had the boys for so long on my own and I am unsure as to how everyone is going to handle it. Pizza party here we come!
I am sure that we will survive and I will develop a new appreciation for single parents everywhere. If no one hears from me in a couple of days however, please send help.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Out with the old...
I really considered just putting together a note today on how awful the last year was. You know what, screw it, not gonna do that. It was a tough year for us but all in all I know that there are people who have had it much worse. I have to try and just be positive about it.
In the last year, Rhys learned how to walk and beat up his older brother. He has developed all kinds of hilarious expressions and his smile is infectious. Declan took amazing strides in his potty training and has become a remarkable young man. He is polite (though needs to be reminded at times) and is incredibly sensitive for a 3 year old. He charms people as soon as he enters a room which is wonderful to see.
Andrea and I have both weathered a storm that seemed to rage for a good portion of the year and I am convinced that we will come out of it stronger than before. Maybe a bit battered but all in all better.
I look forward and see changes for all of us on the horizon. The big one will be that Declan begins real school this autumn which should be traumatic for all involved. He has been at his current daycare since he was 11 months old and they have grown as attached to him as he has to the staff there. Rhys has come around to the whole idea of being in "school" after a slightly rocky start. Both of our boys enjoy their time there.
I hope that all of my friends have had a safe and happy holiday season. I am sorry that I was unable to see as many of you as I would have liked and hope that we are able to remedy that situation come this year.
In the last year, Rhys learned how to walk and beat up his older brother. He has developed all kinds of hilarious expressions and his smile is infectious. Declan took amazing strides in his potty training and has become a remarkable young man. He is polite (though needs to be reminded at times) and is incredibly sensitive for a 3 year old. He charms people as soon as he enters a room which is wonderful to see.
Andrea and I have both weathered a storm that seemed to rage for a good portion of the year and I am convinced that we will come out of it stronger than before. Maybe a bit battered but all in all better.
I look forward and see changes for all of us on the horizon. The big one will be that Declan begins real school this autumn which should be traumatic for all involved. He has been at his current daycare since he was 11 months old and they have grown as attached to him as he has to the staff there. Rhys has come around to the whole idea of being in "school" after a slightly rocky start. Both of our boys enjoy their time there.
I hope that all of my friends have had a safe and happy holiday season. I am sorry that I was unable to see as many of you as I would have liked and hope that we are able to remedy that situation come this year.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Am I the only one who thinks that kids toys are a bit too secure in their packaging? Declan and Rhys were both the incredibly lucky recipients of overly indulgent family members this year. Since they are the only nephews on our side they are definitely a little spoiled with toys. The fun part is getting these toys out of the boxes and in playing condition.
I don't remember it being this difficult in the past to get a truck out of the packaging. Now you have to pull it out of the box, take off all of the garbage ties and then make sure that any accessories are also untied. It doesn't seem that difficult but I swear it is awful!
I am convinced that the toy companies have a sadist who's entire job is to devise evil ways to secure toys in their boxes. This year I actually encountered the toy that is screwed into it's box! Ridiculous! I didn't realize that I would need a tool box to get Lightning McQueen out of the plastic!
It is all worth it in the end once you see the kids faces and watch the way they hit each other with the toys. The way their eyes sparkle with tears, the way their screams pierce the Christmas morning quiet. Ahhh there is nothing like it.
Kidding aside, Christmas morning was fun. Declan was excited about every present that he received (even the clothes). Due to his lack of a vocabulary, Rhys only managed "Wow!" every 5 minutes or so. It was exactly what we wanted for the boys on Christmas morning.
I don't remember it being this difficult in the past to get a truck out of the packaging. Now you have to pull it out of the box, take off all of the garbage ties and then make sure that any accessories are also untied. It doesn't seem that difficult but I swear it is awful!
I am convinced that the toy companies have a sadist who's entire job is to devise evil ways to secure toys in their boxes. This year I actually encountered the toy that is screwed into it's box! Ridiculous! I didn't realize that I would need a tool box to get Lightning McQueen out of the plastic!
It is all worth it in the end once you see the kids faces and watch the way they hit each other with the toys. The way their eyes sparkle with tears, the way their screams pierce the Christmas morning quiet. Ahhh there is nothing like it.
Kidding aside, Christmas morning was fun. Declan was excited about every present that he received (even the clothes). Due to his lack of a vocabulary, Rhys only managed "Wow!" every 5 minutes or so. It was exactly what we wanted for the boys on Christmas morning.
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