Kyran stayed here, Evann went there, Leah's arms were everywhere

Kyran's whirlwind tour into Toronto packed a heck of a lot of people and fun into 72 hours:
Reading at Harbourfront

If you look closely, you should be able to see Stuart McLean in the audience - really!

After the reading, nine of us headed a few blocks over to a condo I had "borrowed" for the evening.  Driving rain swept away our umbrellas and within minutes we were soaked.

We dried ourselves off as best we could and spent the next few hours drinking wine, laughing and sharing stories about our lives.  

The next day, Kyran was escorted around town for some interviews.  I had my own special day that afternoon at the Elgin Winter Garden Theatre where I joined my Vancouver Olympic Ontario House team to receive the highest award given within the Ontario Public Service - the Amethyst Award.

I had to pass on joining the team for dinner to race to pick up Kyran and meet some of the family at home (that was Plan C...). It was great to have Kyran to ourselves for a few hours.

 (Aunt Joyce - one of those books is yours, but somehow it has disappeared.  You will get it soon, I promise!)

Later that evening, Carson had a few friends over.  It was fun to see the expressions on their faces when they saw the books, the author picture on the dust cover and made the connection with the woman sitting next to them...

In a blink of an eye, she was headed back home. I was thrilled the next morning to see her book quoted in an article (about Target) on the front page of National Post.  A feature article about her and the book will be published in the Post any day now.  

Life returned to whatever passes for normal around here these days.  Then yesterday I saw that one of our favourite GLEE characters was in town - and was available to meet and greet the first 300 people who bought his CD at the Eaton Center store.  Within minutes I got confirmation that Evann and Carson would love to have that opportunity.   On my lunch break I went down to the record store (are they still called that?) and bought some CD's.  

The girls made it downtown - with only a bit of teenage angst and time-mismanagement - and got in line to meet Mr. Schuester aka Matthew Morrison.

Ev said that he was really sweet.  When it was her turn to meet him, he stuck out his hand and said, "Hi, I'm Matt".

After that excitement, we made our way to Queen Street for sushi and shopping.

And tonight, out at Leah's basketball tournament. This was the third tournament of the season but the first time Leah was off the injured list and on the court.  The girls made it into the finals - again.  I only arrived in time for the last game, but what a game to watch.  The girls won 19-7.  Leah and her friend Chantel scored most of the points.  About halfway through the game, Leah got 4 successive baskets - all within in few minutes.  I had my new crappy camera with me and could not get a good action shot.

Or maybe she is just too fast

The crowd of parents had a good laugh watching Leah press the other team - she was a giant wall. A happy giant wall.

So proud! So glad Carson and Andrew were there too.

We celebrated with some ice cream.

A few more busy days ahead.

It's here!!!

I want to run up and down the street shouting "It's here, it's here! It's finally here!"

Instead I will:

show you my copy,

this picture of Ev who grabbed the book out of the carton as soon as I ripped it open,

and quickly log off, get ready for bed and crack open 

COUSIN KYRAN'S BOOK!!!

Uh oh, I think that I am going to cry...

Family Day

Family Day weekend began on Friday with Leah participating in a hockey tournament.  This time it was in Oakville.  Once again, the team made it to the finals.  This time though, despite a hard fought contest, the team finished with silver medals.

Monday was Leah's first day "off" and she spent it with cousin Avry.  Dwayne and Janice had dropped into Adam and Yvonne's.  I brought over a dozen donuts - thinking that at least some of Dwayne and Janice's kids would be there to enjoy them.  No Holliday/Boose kids but somehow the donuts disappeared without them...

Once again, baby Sydney managed to contain her excitement, keeping her eyes closed most of the time we were there.  Dwayne and Janice tried, but just couldn't get that baby to wake up.

My oh my, that Sydney is a cutie

Ev and I left Leah with her cousins and headed home.  On the way, we decided that we were ready for Ev's first driving lesson.  We searched our neighbourhood for a vacant (and plowed) parking lot, switched seats and with goofy grins plastered to our faces...kept the car in park while Ev got familiar with the location of the gas and break pedals.  Then it was time for the real thing.  A few circles around the parking lot and then out into the street.  Slowly Ev drove the 10 or so blocks home.  For her first time, she did really well.  (When I tucked in Leah that night, I told her about Ev's first driving lesson.  "How was she taking corners? Really wide or too tight?" Leah asked. "Uh, both." I replied, wondering how the heck she thinks of these things.)

The older girls hung around the house most of the day and Andrew joined us for dinner - thank you Irma for the stuffed pasta shells and sauce that you made and froze for us before you left for Florida.

Adam, Avry and Leah showed up after dinner for a splash in the hot tub.  They had been taking advantage of lots of free Family Day activities at the local rec centre.  The plan was to go for a swim after their skating session, but they found that the pool had a long waiting line.  Plan B worked out perfectly.  We were still sitting around the kitchen table after dinner.  Rob, Andrew and Ev were showing each other their favourite games on their phones and iPad.

I joined Adam, Avry and Leah in the hot tub. Avry was in heaven, swimming back and forth between us.  Once out, Carson dried and styled Avry's hair - I don't know who had more fun...

That evening was a perfect end to a very stressful and hectic week.  Hooray for Family Day!

What happens in the Falls, stays in the Falls

High-roller Aunt Mary treated me to a get-away in Niagara Falls this week.  We graciously let Brent be our chauffeur and join in on the fun.


I was battling the end of a head cold but managed to persevere and enjoy a crazy big buffet and a fabulous live show - Human Nature - 4 scrawny white guys from Australia who performed all the Motown hits and moves to perfection.  As for the gambling, I just couldn't bring myself to sit in front of a slot machine and feed it my hard earned $.  While Mary made her way around the casino trying her luck, Brent and I were happy to sit at the bar and play Blackjack.  At least that took a bit of skill.  Of course it was just on a machine, not at a table with real cards and a real dealer and real big stakes.  And of course, I probably managed to lose just as much $ as if I was playing the slot machines.


We were there less than 24 hours, but it was a much needed break from reality.  Casinos are fascinating places.  I could just stroll around all day being entertained by people watching.  As for what stayed in the Falls...somehow I managed to leave my phone charger and reading glasses behind.  Thankfully the hotel found my charger and is shipping it to me.  And today I will be heading out to pick up another 3-pack of reading glasses...

I know I've said it many times before, but I sure am grateful for my wonderful family.  Thanks Mary and Brent.

A Non-Ficton Story...to be continued

We are tackling a big job at the house - decluttering.  Some stuff is easy to part with.  Other found items are treasures.  Everyone has kept the complaining to a minimum and have been rewarded by the discovery of some blasts from the past.

Leah's reactions to the pix below were:

1. Indignant
"Am I eating dirt? You let me eat dirt?"

2. Embarrassing
"Oh I remember that party. Everyone was drunk."
(OK - it was me who was embarrassed.)

My heart melted when I found this:

I keep as many of the kids notes as possible.  Evann is the most prolific.  I thought it was because she shared my love of writing, and the need to reflect and make sense of the world.  I remember putting pen to paper to express my disgust with my mean cousin Cindy.  I was 7 or so and had to let my aunt and uncle know that "I hate Cindy because she won't let me play with her Spirograph".  About 20 years later, Aunt Pat showed me that note and I was immediately transported to their living room, fuming as I watched Cindy make beautiful designs with the magical little plastic wheel. And not letting me have a turn!

This note transported Ev too - she got indignant all over again!

(Click on it to make it bigger to read)

I'm now thinking that she is writing to set the record straight.  Oh, the trials and tribulations of being the perfect sister (and middle child)!

Rink rat Christmas

It has been unseasonably mild yesterday and today.  This has put a damper on the skating fun we have been enjoying lately.

We've been on three different rinks the past two weeks - starting at Dwayne and Janice's.

They have a natural rink out on the corn field.  So in addition to exchanging gifts, filling up on a yummy brunch and taking lots of fun family pix, the kids and uncles had a great time playing hockey for an hour or so. The rest of us enjoyed our wine and watched them through the windows.

Some family pix from that day:

Back in the city, Rob, Leah and Carson built and leveled a form, laid plastic and flooded most of our backyard.  The result, a cool little skating rink that up until the warm weather hit yesterday, has seen lots of action. 

Carson and her boyfriend were out with Leah one night for almost 2 hours. Another night she had some friends over for a skate. We weren't surprised to learn that one of Carson's many Christmas gifts from her boyfriend was a pair of hockey skates:

Uncle Adam and Avry have been on the ice as have cousins Liam and Brandon.

On Boxing Day we met a dozen or so cousins in Hamilton at a rink by the Bay.  Shelley and John braved the bitter cold to stand and cheer on their kids who have had little opportunity to skate.  

That was a beautiful rink, but man it was COLD!

Thankfully mom had hot chocolate waiting for us. We spent a few hours getting caught up with the cousins (and switching the tv channels from the world jr. hockey game and NFL football).  

We caught up with most of the gang again the next day at Aunt Pat's. I love watching Leah and Jake connect so easily after being apart for so long. This cousin thing is magical.

I was able to spend a few hours in Toronto yesterday with friends and tonight will be with friends and family.  Not a bad way to spend the last day of what I think will be known as "That Year".  

Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. Bring it on.

Cottage fun!

The kids have been having a great time at the cottage this summer - the rain doesn't seem to bother them as much as it does me. And when I'm not happy, Rob isn't happy. Thankfully, the kids manage to enjoy themselves despite me.
A few pix until I can figure out how to install Flickr on my site.