CanaDad

Nutritious snacks

2012-02-13T19:56:00.000-05:00

A weekend of creativity in the kitchen. Some Valentine's Day baking

and some ants on a log

Let's go swimming . . .

2012-02-12T19:49:00.002-05:00

Earlier this week's trip to the pool:

And yesterday's:

It's good to be home, but vacation sure was nice!

Pizza Night

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Friday night was going to be the perfect kick off to a great weekend. We'd had a good a week. The wee man became an expert at getting his winter gear on and off, sometimes before running throughout the house in his winter boots. We'd stuck to our menu plan, eating some meals, on time and on budget. This was going to be a night of relaxation. After their screw up on New Year's weekend, we called in our free pizza from Pizza Aiolo.

Mommy ordered before she left work with the plan that it would arrive shortly after we got in from our commute home. The whole car ride we discussed the yummy pizza dinner that was awaiting us. When the delivery guy knocked on the front door, the little dude wasn't even shy and thanked the "pizza man".

Mommy was still a few minutes away but we settled in at the table to get started. Opening the box revealed this:

"Salad Pizza" according to the little guy. And his reaction?

I hadn't seen this big a meltdown in quite some time. Lego was destroyed, pizza thrown (notice the two missing slices in the first photo), tears fell and the cry was genuinely mournful.

Thankfully Mommy was able to stop at another pizza joint on the way home and grab a couple slices of cheese pizza. Crisis averted and parental lesson learned.

Bed time

2012-01-10T20:23:00.000-05:00

As the little man has aged, our bed time routines have become, for lack of a better word, routine. Sure he's still got us wrapped around his finger, but now we anticipate the extra trip to the potty, the extra glass of water and put a cap on the number of stories somewhere around 5 (although 5 dozen fits this rule). Usually after Mommy reads from this vast library, Daddy has to "sit two minutes". It's not quite the penalty box found in your standard hockey game, but pretty darn close. I sit on the end of his bed until the requisite time is up, although in toddler time two minutes often extends beyond a five minute major.

To cap off bedtime is his innumerable menagerie, beasts which co-exist in remarkable ways. A lion, some bears, a penguin, an alligator, a gorilla, a gruffalo. I'm pretty sure there's tiger and some dogs, an octopus, and a giraffe. And of course we can't forget the various forms of juvenile sheep.

Who can blame the little guy. If his animal friends keep him company (and better yet asleep) then where's the harm. I've only started taking a bit more notice as I'm repeatedly waking with one or two members of this personal zoo blocking my airway. He's taken to a nocturnal prowl that ends with him creeping into our bed with as much of the wild kingdom as he can cram in his surprisingly encompassing toddler grasp. And this week I've started to have a bigger problem with the recent additions to his nighttime cuddle buddies. Last night it was Francesco Bernoulli and this evening it is a mobile phone.

I don't mind the characters, but my ribs miss the forgiving lambs of nights past.

We be cookie eatin'

2012-01-06T18:36:00.001-05:00

Winter (Parenting) Breakdown

2012-01-03T22:44:00.001-05:00

Today Toronto got it's first real icy blast of winter. Turns out the Great White North isn't white this year and sometimes you'd be hard pressed to guess it North.

Prepping Ollie for daycare, the first real day back after the holiday season found us still in that holiday fog.

Winter coat. Check.
Toque. Check.
Winter boots. Check.
Mitts. Check.
Random toddler request to accompany us on the drive. Check.

With enough time to even warm up the car, we had it sorted.

At least until we got to school and I realized that the boots would be the footwear for the day. At least they slowed him down for his teachers.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T17:03:00.001-05:00

All the best in 2012!!!

Family Dinner at Ikea

2011-12-06T18:49:00.000-05:00

Next up - shopping!

The Voice from the Back Seat

2011-11-28T08:37:00.001-05:00

With the weather heading south, daylight dwindling and the holidays closing in we've put away the bikes and have become one more vehicle stuck in the gridlock. We've been driving to daycare and work for a couple of months now and despite the potholed roads, terrible traffic and general surliness of morning commuters the trip has unearthed some genuine gems.

From the back seat, a little voice pipes up: "Daddy, when you get a big job, then maybe we can park in the parking garage".

Still Mo'ing Along

2011-11-25T07:30:00.000-05:00

This month I donated my face to fight cancer. That's right. I'm growing a moustache for Movember and not just because it looks really cool. In Canada, all funds raised will go towards prostate cancer research. There's less than a week to go, so get your donations in.

For those particularly offended by my lip caterpillar, I'll even auction off the chance to shave it when we're done and dusted, 'cause right now the part of me that wants to keep it is growing . . .

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

2011-11-24T11:27:00.000-05:00

Clearly it's the holiday season. The stores unveiled their displays before back before we'd even carved our pumpkin. Canned music everywhere pipes out the Little Drummer Boy and Jingle Bells. Retailers are bombarding us with promises of savings for a deep dark black Friday.

Just in time too. Following some strict rationing, we've just finished up the last of the Hallowe'en candy. Now maybe we can actually get through dinner without negotiating each mouthful for a specified number of rockets.

At least we're on the correct side of the blackmail this time around.

He knows when you've been bad or good
so be good for goodness sake

And I've already got the Christmas lights up.

Fall adventures

2011-11-21T22:17:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Mommy!

2011-11-02T13:38:00.000-04:00

The wee man was pleased as punch this morning to wake his mom with presents and a nice handmade card. It was especially thrilling since the card had pumpkin stickers on it.

Happy Birthday, my love! Thanks for being the best mom/wife/partner I could wish for.

Love CanaDad (and O-L-L-I-E too)!

Incredible Costumes

2011-10-31T08:33:00.000-04:00

So a couple of years ago, when the wee man first arrived, we opted for a complete family costume. With the little guy bearing a striking resemblance to Jack-Jack (and his various attacks), we opted for the Incredibles. With a trip to the Fabricland, some long underwear and fabric dye, our costumes came together.

Mariah & Family

Cheesepeople

Seems we're in famous company. Maybe they'll come by tonight for some tricks or treats.

Spirits of the Season

2011-10-30T17:58:00.002-04:00

The spirits of the season, in time they are upon us,

ghouls and goblins with them, leak a greenish puss.

The grave stones creak and crumble,

as the ground shudders with a rumble.

The skeletons beneath, unhappy with their lot,

their arms thrust forth, steaming and to the touch quite hot.

The spiders having spun their webs in hopes of larger prey,

we are lucky if we pass them and survive another day.

Still no sighted sign of slithy toads,
though travel be unwise upon these very roads.

Ghastly cries of wailing banshees fill the evening air,
others move no longer, their oozing corpses line the stair.

Thick mists envelop us, venture forth we wouldn't dare,

for out there in darkness lies some other dank nightmare.

Gettin ready

2011-10-29T16:19:00.000-04:00

He already fully grasps the concept of treats. Tricks is also considered just another word for treats.

Face Grown

2011-10-28T13:45:00.001-04:00

I've taken the plunge. This year I've donated my upper lip in support of men's health. That's right kids, I'm doing Movember.

So please be generous, donate and watch my Mo grow.

The teenage years are starting early

2011-10-14T08:33:00.000-04:00

gooey goodness

2011-09-07T08:55:00.000-04:00

Having first shared in the ooey-gooey goodness of s'mores earlier this summer with his cousins, the wee man was emphatic when they were offered in Jasper. I'm not sure the portion size of this version (or the inclusion of ice cream) was ideal.

We were still peeling him off the walls two days later.

We all scream for ice cream

2011-09-02T17:12:00.000-04:00

Early morning at Pyramid lake

2011-08-31T14:02:00.001-04:00

Training him well

2011-08-25T08:03:00.001-04:00

Yesterday evening, as I was preparing dinner, cleaning up after the wee man's usual swath of destruction and generally trying to remain sane, the phone rang. A long distance ring. I expected one of his grandparents, an aunt or even a distant friend. Instead, in the midst of the roiling turmoil that stands in for our regular evenings as we try to get some food into the munchkin before we hit full meltdown, on the line was that special kind of evil - the telemarketer.

At that precise instant, the wee man issued an ear-splitting howling barking cacophony of such intensity that as the windows vibrated and the floor shook. Before I could say another word it was the telemarketer who wanted to get off the phone. And as I hung up, as suddenly as it had begun, the audible assault stopped dead. The wee man grinned.

And so did I.

The long way round.

2011-08-20T23:52:00.001-04:00

We need to do something about that hair

2011-08-19T09:58:00.001-04:00

More good times.

2011-08-17T19:55:00.000-04:00

1, 2, 3 . . . Ready or not!

2011-08-16T23:47:00.001-04:00

Freedom!

2011-08-16T21:46:00.000-04:00

Into the woods . . .

2011-08-15T14:25:00.000-04:00

Cottage morning coffee

2011-08-15T14:23:00.000-04:00

Mischief is about to commence

2011-08-12T17:21:00.000-04:00

Pardon the Interruption

2011-08-01T19:49:00.003-04:00

Summer's just been too nice to sit down in front of the computer and type out some text across the interwebs. So we've been phoning it in, literally, with a bunch of Hipstamatic shots from various summer adventures.

Again, the patio, a beer and the warm summer sun are beckoning, so I'll just leave with you some artwork that wee man did specifically for his Gia-Gia and Aunt GaGa.

It helps that we finally got a scanner/printer.

Class trip to the island!

2011-07-29T09:59:00.001-04:00

And so it goes

2011-07-20T18:02:00.001-04:00

Rather than eating his tasty meal, the wee man has announced he's "taking Elmo to Starbucks for dinner".

At least it's not McDonald's

Fun time in the Distillery District

2011-07-15T08:33:00.000-04:00

Focus

2011-06-24T22:11:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T18:38:00.000-04:00

Fun at the Toronto beaches rib fest!!!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Game 7

2011-06-15T08:41:00.000-04:00

Tonight's what it's all about. One game, winner take all. Lord Stanley's summer residence is about to be determined.

The wee man will in bed before the puck drops but let's hope he witnesses some victory parades down Jasper Ave, through The Forks and maybe even up Yonge Street after tonight wraps up on Robson street.

Go Canucks!

Don't Feed the Animals (on purpose anyway)

2011-06-13T21:11:00.000-04:00

Over the past couple of weeks the wet weather has receded and we are finally basking in the warm sunshine of summer. Take one part sunshine, add a patio set gifted by a generous neighbour and all of a sudden we have an extension on our house: a new dinning room! Mealtime has been permanently shifted to the back deck (remember to ask me in November how it's going).

Aside from the obvious benefits of Canadian summer (see any one of a hundred beer commercials for specifics) taking our tea outside is tremendous for one simple reason. Evenings spent on our hands and knees scraping, wiping and chipping away at foodstuffs have vanished. Prying molten cheese from the gaps in the hardwood is no more. "Flow on!" I say to the rivers, lakes and pools of water, juice and milk. Quickly cementing mashed potatoes, individual grains of quinoa and sticky smears of peanut butter? Enjoy young squirrels, raccoons and neighbourhood possum. Your clean-up services are greatly appreciated.

Now I can enjoy a beer, have a conversation with my wife and let the wee man experiment in his food laboratory to his heart's content. Summer. Let's hope it's endless.

Mr. Uppity

2011-06-11T09:15:00.001-04:00

In true toddler form this fine Saturday morning.

Ride For Heart

2011-06-06T08:25:00.010-04:00

At the starting line

Yesterday Mum-mum, Dada and Ollie joined 13,000 other riders participating in the 2011 Ride For Heart . 25kms up and down the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway traffic-free and in support of a great cause. It was a lot fun riding on highways that normally fly by and the weather was gorgeous.

All told The Ride almost reached its fundraising goal of $3.9 million. You can still help get to that amount as fundraising remains open until June 12th with funds going to leading-edge research to extend lives, by improving existing treatments and developing new ones as well as meeting emerging challenges - such as childhood obesity, women's risk and a rapidly aging population.

Pit Stop at the halfway point

Raising over a thousand dollars meant we were designated VIPs (Very Important Philanthropists) - note our fancy riding jerseys. Unfortunately they didn't come in quite the right size for the wee man, but he really dug the free Becel sweatbands. I think he may take his everywhere from now on (congrats markerters!).

The little man's ride

We had a blast, even if the little man expressed his displeasure with a portion of the ride in fine toddler fashion. It was a public service really, inspiring the riders near us to pedal just that little bit faster. Dada hauled the ~~little~~ not-so-little-anymore man the whole way, although Mum-mum offered to share the load (but that would be a lot like asking for directions). The downhills were great, but Dada definitely felt some of those uphills. Let's just say that this week's commute will be a breeze.

Mum-mum

We had so much fun and raised a good amount for this great cause that next year we might have to do the 50km or even go for the 75km. Maybe the little guy can do some of the work himself too. I wouldn't mind taking a nice rest in his luxury cabin. Or maybe I just need a fancier bike to make it that much easier (one has to blame the tools, no?).

The CN Tower from the Gardiner

Once again, A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this worthy cause.

You were with us for every kilometer of the route.

On the DVP

We made it!

2011-06-05T12:08:00.000-04:00

We completed the Ride For Heart! High five at the finish line.

A Little Quiet Time

2011-05-29T20:41:00.001-04:00

There's a hole in my bucket. . .

2011-05-26T13:54:00.001-04:00

Fun with Zippers

2011-05-25T23:40:00.000-04:00

I spend a great deal of my time trying to encourage learning and development in the wee man. So I'm not sure why his learning and development continue to surprise me so. Case in point - this evening his manual dexterity reached new heights. Now I knew he was pretty good at getting into Mumum's purse, but I had always assumed that was because she often left it wide open and in easy to reach places.

Turns out his little fingers have learned how to manipulate those confounded YKKs, as I discovered as I cooked dinner tonight. Distracted and struggling with a protein in the oven, vegetables on the boil (and maybe a bit of internetting) I failed to notice when the little guy helped himself to a pre-meal snack from our bulk bag of rice. Yes, a burlap sack normally sealed by a zipper, one filled with small, dry grains of rice.

I mean I know I have to lock the doors and the cabinets, but do I need luggage locks now for everything else?

Fun at the park for Victoria Day

2011-05-23T20:52:00.001-04:00

Date night rapture and all

2011-05-21T21:53:00.001-04:00

Muffin Monster

2011-05-14T09:57:00.001-04:00

Early morning parking

2011-05-08T07:23:00.001-04:00

To give Mummum a sleepin for Mother's Day!

What is a Playstation?

2011-05-04T15:51:00.001-04:00

Snip, snip

2011-05-01T09:36:00.001-04:00

The rats had overtaken the house, at least there was evidence of them. Around corners, darting behind doors, creeping up stairs we'd catch glimpses of their ginger tails. Two years of growth had not only resulted in the one hair statement Mummum had sworn never to endorse, but the wee man was also well on his way to a minor league hockey career. There was no denying the mullet. So after more than two years, and much humming and hawing, he was going to get his first haircut.

He seemed to enjoy the process, although I'm sure the life size Thomas that served as his chair, copious toys and bubble blowing, all played a part. Now that the first is one over, I may well just slap a bowl on his head and trim away. I haven't actually counted, but I'd be happy to wager that at his salon of choice the going rate was close to a dollar hair.

Hockey Night in Canada

2011-04-27T23:17:00.000-04:00

Flushed with the Canucks overtime victory last night, I stopped by Canadian Tire today and picked up the little man's first hockey stick. While not much, the small piece of plastic with a red blade was a big hit this evening.

Unfortunately the Habs couldn't keep the magic alive in their game seven tonight. It was risky business, not least of which was it taking mummum more than 90 minutes to get him down, so if I woke him with a well timed expletive hurled at the tv, I was going to have to deal with the consequences. I figured that if it came to it, he would just have to sit down and watch the game. Now imagine if the Oilers were actually in the playoffs. I don't think I'd even be letting him go to bed.

Date Night - Berber Styles

2011-04-25T12:31:00.000-04:00

On Saturday night, Mommy and Daddy did the unthinkable and escaped the bedtime de-routine for a night on the town. We love you lil guy but sometimes we need to have a little adult fun. Cocktails and eats at the Berber lounge brought back great memories from our honeymoon in Morocco. Maybe one day when everyone sleeps well in their own beds, we'll pack up the whole fam and take a trip through Africa - visiting the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara along the way.

Baby Lamb

2011-04-22T10:28:00.001-04:00

Good Friday

2011-04-22T10:18:00.001-04:00

A chilly good Friday at the farm

2011-04-22T10:15:00.001-04:00

Life as a big boy in a big boy bed

2011-04-20T16:15:00.001-04:00

Burling down, down the white water

2011-04-16T23:33:00.000-04:00

Following last week's crib ejection and the subsequent transfer to a big boy bed, we've had the recent pleasure of being awoken in the morning by the gentle pad of little footsteps in the hall. It's quite sweet, the initial rustle, the quiet hesitation, followed by the rush of quickening steps. The idyllic and innocence of the scene is suddenly broken by a demand for milk, no sleep any more and a quick glance at the clock which is regretted more often than not.

This morning, it was my turn to greet the owner of these little feet and greet the day with the little man. Let's be honest, this morning I was going to just phone it in. You want to watch videos kid? Be my guest. Isn't that why we have all of this technology? But then I remembered similar mornings (and similar times of day) from my childhood. And even though I can't remember what that zany Screech was up to, or if Optimus really did defeat Megatron and the Decepticons, I still have a piece of Canadiana firmly imprinted on my consciousness.

A quick search of YouTube revealed that this generation will not be robbed of this National Film Board masterpiece. So if you are in need of something wholesome to entertain as that coffee percolates, fancy a crash course in Canadian heritage, or you just need to go back in time, enjoy the Log Driver's Waltz:

Puddle Stomping

2011-04-16T19:05:00.000-04:00

Is it really bed time?

2011-04-14T19:08:00.001-04:00

Of birthdays, polar bears and head injuries

2011-04-12T06:57:00.002-04:00

It's Tuesday, and I'm not sure we're totally recovered from last week.

It all started off fairly well. The weather was improving and we were looking forward to the little man's birthday on the weekend.

Then on Tuesday evening, things started to go south, and not towards the sun, sand and surf. I threw out my neck. I blame cleaning the house, although I suspect the struggling, wriggling 32+ pounds of toddler that I hoist daily may have had something to do with it. He had also upped his resistance to bedtime.

On Wednesday evening, his bedtime rebellion escalated, or rather it elevated. At least he elevated. In fact he elevated far enough to launch himself out of the crib. Sitting under his room, the house shook as the inevitable attraction of gravity brought him back to earth. Head first.

A quick ride in an ambulance later, we found ourselves enjoying the hospitality of the Toronto East General Hospital emergency room, for five hours. The wee man actually enjoyed his hospital stay (particularly the stool races with the other toddler boy inmates), and while it wasn't the way we planned on spending the evening, both mum-mum and dada were relieved when we were discharged with a diagnosis of no more than a bump on the head. Said bump had shrunk dramatically from it's initial tennis-ball proportions to a more manageable goose-egg.

With family arriving on Thursday and Friday, we managed to get the preparations for his party sorted and on Saturday morning we trundled off to the zoo. Mum-mum's party idea was a big hit and tons of his little friends came out to enjoy sandwiches, cupcakes and the polar bear feeding.

Congratulations on turning two, wee man. Let's not hurry to three.

Birthday boy!

2011-04-09T08:56:00.001-04:00

On the way to the zoo.

A HUGE Thank you!

2011-04-06T19:26:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all your support, we made! We were voted one of the Top 25 Daddy Blogs on Circle of Moms.

There will be a profile of us in the near future and we'll be sure to share all the details, but for right now, thank you again for your tremendous support and extra special thanks to all those who went the extra mile!

Yay!

Nick, Cris, and Ollie!

Why you should vote for CanaDad

2011-04-04T22:24:00.003-04:00

He's my Dada!
Vote Now!

Dada Ollie

2011-04-02T21:53:00.001-04:00

Canadian Kid

2011-04-02T13:51:00.001-04:00

Any More Ebola?

2011-04-01T08:22:00.006-04:00

I have to admit that I'm blown away by the little guy and the recent explosion in his communication skills. Words and phrases are pouring out of his little mouth like a ruptured Toronto watermain.. He still repeats a lot, as this week's "Come on, man!", "I can't see!" and "You can't catch me, copper!" demonstrate, but often there is purpose behind his utterances.

It's a lot easier to ~~let him wail~~ appropriately manage his expectations, when you know the reason behind the meltdown. Where things have gotten stickier are with his ultimatums. When he takes a stand on an issue, his opposition tends to spread like contagion to any and all following pronouncements. So a relatively manageable and benign protest to going out the back door (preferring of course the front) quickly grows to encompass a refusal to sit while eating, the rejection of the food on offer and a repudiation of his home (wanting instead to reside at his Aunty Leela's).

Each of these snowballing denials is then underscored by his version of "never again". With each mounting objection he adds the tag line "any more". There is no reasoning with "any more". It has been ordained and it simply must be.

I'll be happy when we never see any more of "any more".

In the Crapper

2011-03-31T08:17:00.002-04:00

At least that is where we'd like things to be. We are preparing for the next great learning adventure: potty training.

We're almost ready to go. We've purchased multiple sets of underwear. We have a few potties strategically located throughout the house. And real life adult demonstrations are frequent.

The wee man is almost ready too. He loves his new y-fronts and he can't wait to pull off the diaper. Now if we can just convince him to actually sit on the potty/toilet instead of the carpet, the step or the middle of the floor.

Teenager in Training

2011-03-25T14:04:00.001-04:00

Battle of the Bike Helmet

2011-03-23T20:24:00.000-04:00

Last summer we got the little man into cycling. At that time, at just over a year, he wasn't flying through stages on a road bike, nor was on a fat tire crossing the spine of the continent. He was alternating between the trailer and the seat on the back of our bikes. And he loved it.

This Spring, with the weather getting steadily nicer, mumum had a chance to bike the little guy into work on Friday. Turns out he has a fat head. Well at least his relatively new helmet no longer fit. It didn't matter. He was over his red fireman helmet. Now he wanted "blue one". So we headed out to find him a nice new helmet. Hopefully one that fits for more than one season.

In the store, his first crush was on a nice lime green one. Sensible, stylish, practical - what wasn't to love. At least for two and a half minutes.

Next was a brilliant blue model. A bit flashier sure, but a bit on the adult side for him.

Finally he selected an edgy little grey number adorned with green flames and silver stars. At least we're only choosing bike helmets.

Now that we've bought it and got it home, he has yet to put it on his head. At least with the blizzard today it'll be a while before we're pulling out the velos.

Democracy in Action

2011-03-23T12:15:00.001-04:00

Yesterday the federal government unveiled Budget 2011. After months of speculation, raised voices and wagers placed, the pundits were about to learn who had won their election date speculation pool. As the Government defends it's record, quietly sweeps scandals aside and plans for the future while the opposition parties ready their motions, rally their troops and put the finishing touches on their campaigns, it's time to get ready for democracy in action.

Of course for democracy to really work, we need to vote. So why not get some practice! Over at Circle of Moms, a critical question is being asked. What are the Top 25 Daddy Blogs? So don't delay. Head on over and cast your ballot.

And we won't mind if you vote for us!

A trip to the Farm

2011-03-20T22:37:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, with the appearance of sunshine, if not actual Spring, we made a trip to Riverdale Farm to see the animals! The pigs, sheep and goats were the highlight although he appreciated the ducks and chickens too.

He left me a present

2011-03-15T22:39:00.001-04:00

Where he knew I'd find it!

Collaborating

2011-03-15T16:54:00.000-04:00

The alternate title of this post is "Surrendering".

Can you can see where this going?

This past weekend was great. The wee man's Grandpa Cheese was in town. There was much playing and reading and napping and building. Very little food got airborne. Most bodily produced waste products were deposited in the appropriate receptacles. Sleep was undisturbed well past 5am.

Things are going well, so maybe the wee man was feeling unwell, or maybe the 'rents are becoming more practiced, or maybe we've come to some sort of understanding, a settlement, a negotiated agreement.

Right. The literature of negotiation celebrates collaborating as a great negotiating mode. My negotiating prof insists on the importance of creating the frame and building trust. Gurus laud the win-win. None of that is happening here.

I'm sure a lot of this newfound harmony lies in my simple capitulation to his demands. Ok, so not all of his demands (I still get a way in when I change his diaper and when he goes to bed), but he's the master of what he eats and when. He controls which door we use to exit the house. He determines the route of our commute. How long will bath time be? Go ask him. Which chair will I be allowed to sit in at dinner? Will I even get to sit during dinner?

I get to be the kid again and do some things just because somebody said so. And I'm kind of loving the freedom.

Poop

2011-03-11T14:12:00.000-05:00

It's Friday. Thankfully the end of this week.

Tough to begin with, sure. Then on Wednesday night I was struck down with a case of food poisoning that left me confined to bed (and bathroom). It was time for the wee man to unleash some of his toddler-ness on his Mumum. And did he ever.

So, Thursday morning, with the wee man sounding the alarm at 4:30 am, instead of calling frantically battling the the City of Toronto Recreation registration system, there was Mumum cleaning a steaming pile from the deep pile of our shag area rug.

And the potty training hasn't even officially begun.

The Puppetmaster

2011-03-08T17:24:00.002-05:00

If only this post were about Jim Henson. These days I do feel like a muppet.

The little man turns 23 months old tomorrow. In the past I've coo-ed and laughed at how he was hitting those "terrible twos" a wee bit early. Well I confess. I mis-judged things. I mis-calculated just a bit. I was flat out wrong. Previous "outbursts", "defiance" and "tantrums" were not the real thing.

While "no" remains a common refrain, it's now being complemented, augmented and supplemented. Among this morning's choice phrases were:

"no liking it"
"not that way"
"not that one"
and a devilish cackle that your senses are better off not experiencing.

In addition to his blatant defiance and oral arguements against, the wee man has taken to pre-empting my feeble attempts at discipline. Last week's tomato sauce was a turning point, one where, despite having two parents with almost 60 years more total experience than him, his lead is widening.

This morning's play: as I scoop him up to head downstairs his fist starts thumping repeatedly against my face. My glasses hit the floor as he gleefully chirps "No hitting! No hitting!". So much for explaining the transgression. We move to Phase Two as I deliver my warning outlining the consequences of continuing the behaviour, which is met by the second fist springing to action. Phase 3 follows quickly as I follow-through on said consequences, only he's beaten me to it. As I lower him to the floor he lurches for the corner laughing hysterically while quipping "timeout! timeout! Corner, corner, corner!". As I approach and drop to his level, keeping my voice low and in control to explain (Phase Four), he fires off "sorrysorrysorrysorrysorry" turns on his heel and sprints down the hall. I would relate what happened next, but by this point I was more of a puddle on the floor than a parent.

Score: WeeMan 4 - Dada 0.

I know he's learning from my mistakes, but am I? Although the past four days have been something alright, with the above just the annecdotal evidence of a growing trend, I'm not willing to venture that we've hit the real thing yet. All I can do is pick myself up and dust myself off.

There is more coming.

You Lookin' at me?

2011-03-06T21:08:00.001-05:00

Out, Damned Spot!

2011-03-04T15:41:00.002-05:00

Of late, the wee man has really been growing up. He can communicate effectively, sometimes in sentence form. He's started peeing in the toilet (at school anyway). And he can use a fork, spoon and knife (the plastic kind they still let you take on airplanes) getting most of the grub to its intended destination.

Last night Mum-mum had to work late, so it was a mini-boys night in but eveything was going swimmingly. We'd made it home sans tantrum and he was excited for dinner (it helps when you feed him something he likes). So some salmon baked in lemon and voila! gone in 30 seconds. Sure some asparagus got up close and personal with the hardwood, but the boy was eating well without too much collateral damage. So when he presented his demands for more, I settled on the Gnocchi. With tomato sauce. No problem. This was going to be one for the books. We'd show Mum-mum that we can get through a nutritious, well-balanced dinner without having the dining room look like the racoons had gotten into the trash.

A minute later, I stood blinking the burning pasta sauce from my eye, trying to flush the red goo from my nostril, while noticing that my dress shirt and pants would take top prize at a la tomatina after party. The white walls and door behind me looked like Pollock's Seven Red Paintings.

I was furious. We had just finished discussing this very issue. In depth. He had agreed to hand over the bowl cleanly as he declared the gnocchi beneath him. I caught the glint, the flash, the quiver in his eye, but too late.

As I struggled to gain my composure, I promised the little ***(insert expletive here)*** a lengthy timeout. We were going to do a whole two minutes! Oh yes! Not just one minute any more, boyo! And it wasn't just going to be pushed back from the table. It was going to be full two minutes in the corner! Before I could implement this harsh but wholly justified sentence, I had to remove the scarlet sauce that was oozing between his fingers and dripping from his chin (why did we buy a white couch when we knew a child was on the way?).

Washing his hands and face quickly in the bathroom sink I was still promising the mother of all time outs. This was going to be one for the ages. We were going to put the universe back in it's rightful order, an order with Dadda firmly planted on top. Just as the correct, ordained and righteous order of things was about to return and for all time, he contorted slightly in my arms, looked right into my burning eyes, and simply said "potty?"

So as I helped him find his reading material, position the potty just so, and climb aboard there I was smiling, encouraging and celebrating his acheivements.

Big news from daycare

2011-03-01T19:21:00.000-05:00

Seafood

2011-03-01T10:37:00.003-05:00

As regular readers will know, the little guy loves his books. He reads them in the morning, demands them during dinner, secrets them away at daycare and even sleeps with them. While he loves all his books, he has his favourites, but this week his focus has turned to stories from the deep. This shift to underwater tales is coinciding with an explosion in his vocabulary.

So next time you meet the wee man, don't be surprised when he starts discussing whales, sharks, dolphins, anemones, jellyfish, squid, starfish and optagots. Especially the optagots.

He shoots, he scores

2011-02-24T09:46:00.001-05:00

After a day playing street hockey, the kid is obsessed. Maybe the Oilers will be decent by the time he can follow the league - that gives them 10 years to get it together.

Afternoon refuel

2011-02-19T15:15:00.000-05:00

Out for coffee and hot chocolate at Te Aro.

1,2,4!

2011-02-17T12:16:00.005-05:00

How many eyes do you have? How many feet?

The answer may surprise you, at least if you ask the wee man. In recent days he has taken to counting everything. Feet and eyes are the usual suspects, but various animals, bits of food and raindrops also are noted and counted. The only place this really breaks down is if the item being counted is present in anything other than a pair. Counting, it seems, follows an irreversible logic. If there is one, then there must be two, and if we're going to keep on going then the next integer is 4 followed by 6 which is quickly succeeded by 9.

Those are the wee mans numbers - 1, 2, 4 ,6, 9. They've also become our lottery numbers, but we don't think they'll land us lost in Hawai'i.

But how good is your counting? Let's put it to the test. Just click on the cool litlle button on the upper left (or the one below) and see how much you can donate to a great cause. This year, mummum, dadda and the little guy are all hopping aboard bicycles to Ride for Heart! Of course the wee man wont be pedalling himself, but now Dadda has the toddler on top of his extra holiday weight haul along the course.

See you at the finish line!

Why?

2011-02-13T16:55:00.001-05:00

The toddler spanish inquisition has begun. Why IS the sky blue? Go ask your dad is only going to last for so long. Is he too young to google it?
Sigh, Mommy tired. But amused all the same.

Sent from my iPhone

Ready for Maia's party!

2011-02-12T09:08:00.001-05:00

Happy 2nd Birthday Maia!
Love,
Oliver

We're torn

2011-02-11T17:36:00.000-05:00

At the moment one of the wee man's favourites books is the ABC of Monsters. Now being one of his favourite books is a big deal. He loves books. And he has a ton of them. Everyday we're reading something new off the bookshelf (usually not before bed since the routine has somehow switched to a Thomas video before bed, but that's a whole other post). He reads all the time at daycare and he carries at least a couple of books around in his pack (yes, since our trip he likes to drag his new monkey backpack everywhere). So to love one above the others says something about its quality, or alternatively his tastes.

This is where I'm torn. The ABC of Monsters is from my childhood. It belongsed to my sister, although how she acquired it, I have no idea. Originally published in 1976, Kate must of gotten hers in the early 1980s. As we grew up it got buried in the basement amongst the other kids books. On a visit home last year I discovered it, dusted it off and brought it back for the little man.

Written by Deborah Niland, it's the very cute tail of a little girl who goes to a monster party and sees them "annoying apes", "bothering bees", "cuddling cats" . . . "and zig-zagging all the way home". The illustrations are both hilarious and engaging and it won the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award 1977. The little man has his own actions and sound effects for every letter of the alphabet, especially the predictable "kissing kings", but also the "gobbling grannies" and "ogling ogres".

This is where I'm torn. The book is great and the little man loves it. He loves it too much. It's more than 30 years old and it's not holding up very well to his love. While all the pages are currently attached, they cannot remain so for much longer. So do I save it and only share it in small doses, hopefully prolonging it's life or do I keep at this rip-roaring pace? Less pleasure for longer or more for shorter? What about any potential sibilings, shouldn't they get to share in this treasure?

I think there are a couple used copies floating around the internet, but they seem a bit pricy for which they will surely suffer the same fate.

Some part of me still thinks he's too young to learn the cruelties of this harsh world.

Just desserts

2011-02-09T18:59:00.002-05:00

So here I was basking in our recent trip down south to the beaches of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Well I think LeBron might have something to say about Karma.

The little man's teething has kicked back in. This time it's the two-year molars. And now he's a toddler who can communicate, oh and tantrum too. With mom coming home late, cooking dinner from scratch may not have been the best idea. Juggling boiling pots, chopping ingredients while trying to manage a little man who was not about to be reasoned with, distracted, loved, bribed, or bought. A certain theme song springs to mind with a little narration: "your mission should you choose . . ."

At least he ate all the dinner when it was finally served. Doesn't change the fact that I'm missing the all-inclusive food cooked and cleaned up by somebody else. I need to invest in some earplugs.

Just trying to stay in the moment . . .

2011-02-08T18:58:00.000-05:00

Jealous yet?

Back from the Break

2011-02-08T18:40:00.000-05:00

Last week we found ourselves free of the depths of the Canadian winter, lying on a white sand beach, splashing in azure waters, shaded by magnificient palm trees. There was fresh cerveza steps away and a gorgeous kiddie pool complete with water-spewing snakes and crocodiles. We were on vacation. A nice big family vacation.

I'll be sure to post some pics here just in case you weren't jealous yet. Oh and the little guy was good as gold on the flights.

Baby, it's cold outside

2011-01-26T15:23:00.001-05:00

Language Lessons

2011-01-24T19:53:00.000-05:00

Oliver's language skills have been improving in leaps and bounds. We have been aware for some time that he understands far more than he can communicate. He's become quite the little parrot too and usually can grasp the meaning of the snippet he spits back.

So it was worrying today when he asked for a fork. Now the word he uttered began with an "f" but it sounded more like "truck" than "fork". Of course when I asked if meant fork he agreed readily. I'm taking him at his word since I don't recall any poor drivers in the moments before his speech.

Then in the bath he was talking to his frog. Again, another word beginning with "f", but this one too sounded more like "truck" than a little green amphibian. I'm convinced that's what he said though. Definitely "frog".

We'll see tomorrow what he calls the frost.

Snow weekend in collingwood

2011-01-22T10:51:00.001-05:00

Maia and Ollie! Lots of hugs and fun.

Readying for Winter

2011-01-09T16:27:00.001-05:00

This weekend we were surprised by the arrival of real winter. The snow had been holding out on us a bit, but with this dump it was time to make tracks.

The little man decided to appropriate some daddy's winter wear for his own purposes.

Return of Routine

2011-01-06T08:02:00.000-05:00

We are well into the first week of January of the new year. Yes, shocker to you too. So now we are finally getting back into a routine. October and November were a bit hectic with travel, December saw the holidays come and go, along with lots of family and January is back to daycare for the wee man and the office for mom and dad. So we should just pick things up right where they were before, correct?

Well now we have snowsuits. It's true that the snow seems to keep disappearing (I'm blaming global warming), but it's still pretty chilly out. So every morning we do the snowsuit dance. Come on parents, you can do it with me now.

Lay the snowsuit out, stick the right leg in and try to stop the wailing;
Stick the left leg in, watch the right leg escape and try to stop swearing;
Stuff the right arm in, followed by the left and try to get the toque on;
Now flip them upside down and try for the winter boots.

After the abominable snowman wrestling, I usually feel like I need a shower to recover from my end of the workout. then it's time for round two.

Pick the snowman up, twirl him all around and cram him in his seat;
Slide the arms through, find the buckle underneath and tighten those straps;
oh you get the idea. So summer weather, when do you come back?

Thomas rules!

2011-01-03T15:09:00.000-05:00

Are you checking his speed Top Gear? So fast he's blurry!

I'm ready for winter

2011-01-03T15:07:00.001-05:00

So where did all the snow go?

Science Centre Adventures

2010-12-29T10:39:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

A very monkey Christmas!

2010-12-28T12:22:00.000-05:00

Holiday Fun!

2010-12-14T16:34:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that we're ten days away from Christmas. The weather has decided to cooperate dumping a nice white blanket across Toronto and Southern Ontario (although definitely scary to be trapped in your car for more than 24 hours and require rescue by the military). And the lights are up, so what if the eavesthroughs didn't quite get cleaned.

We got our tree on the weekend - cut down by yours truly - and our house is decorated. Most gift purchasing has been accomplished, even if it required all of my and my wife's combined interneting skills. Let's hoping that key package can make its way here from Kitchener . . .

I'm definitely excited for the holidays, but what has been truly astounding is seeing the little man get so excited. This time around will be his second Christmas and he's in full holiday mode. What he loved most about the last one was eating the wrapping paper. I ~~think~~ hope we've progressed. I'm still not sure he gets it, but he loves the lights, the decorations and the carols. Maybe not during his daycare ~~Christmas~~ Holiday Concert (he balled after the first song), but he is pointing and thrilled by everything Christmassy. He recognises pictures of Santa, declaring "Ho Ho Ho!" every time he seems the chubby old St. Nick's likeness. Where did he learn that?

He loves the snow too, although it's sometimes confusing for us parents since his word for "snow" sounds an awful like his very authoritative "no".

Our Christmas Tree!

2010-12-12T11:15:00.001-05:00

Excited for Christmas!

2010-12-11T16:39:00.001-05:00