Dylan's "Cash for Life"

We have quit the Ford Modeling Agency and ceased all auditions/print work at this time so that Dylan can concentrate on school activities.

So, we were pleasantly surprised to receive a cheque in the mail for a commercial that Dylan had shot a year ago. It seems that whenever they re-air a commercial after a 6 month hiatus, they pay you again!

Ironically, Dylan's commercial is for the "Cash for Life" lottery, which hopefully will live up to it's name for Dylan's RESP.

Mum's Star Wars Creation

Dylan has become a Star Wars fanatic ever since we rented the movies over the Christmas holidays. He would like a Star Wars theme birthday party in April. When I looked at the cost of costumes and robes on the internet I said I would not allow all these expenses. Fortunately for Dylan, he has a grandma who sews! When mum saw his longing for a Jedi robe she quickly looked for appropriate patterns and material on the internet.

Today, a package arrived in the mail with Dylan's new Jedi robe which grandma made by hand! Wow!!! It looks amazing and Dylan was thrilled!
This got me thinking about the lost art of sewing. This is a skill which is dying with our generation. Most of my friends remember our moms at the sewing machine making their beautiful dresses. It was such a source of pride to be able to create your own special designs. I remember falling asleep everynight to the sound of my mom's sewing machine in the kitchen. Then suddenly, off-the-rack clothing became very reasonably priced and it was no longer cost effective to produce these time-consuming personal creations. I remember my mom comparing the cost of a dress at Eaton's with her own version and it just didn't make economic sense anymore.

Now, handmade items, made with love and care are treasures (not economic necessities). Dylan will treasure this. When he called grandma to thank her I was going to instruct him with what to say. However, he stopped me by saying, "Mommy, don't worry. I will just say what is in my heart." And he meant every word. Thanks mum!

May the Force be with You!

Easter Sunday

It was Easter Sunday and Dylan was dressed in his Sunday best clothes (thanks to mum and Talbots).
The Niemeyers came for lunch after church. It was nice to see the Edwin and Sharon, the newlywed couple again. Sharon is an excellent baker and whipped up these scrumptious cupcakes.

Overall we ate until we were stuffed.

Starting on the appetizers

Baby Nathan managed to stay awake and adorable despite missing his afternoon nap!

The Poor Man's Segway

We drove by a Film Set sale on Friday and decided to have a look. There were items from the children's movie ZOOM with Tim Allen (Dylan and I had seen it and did not care for it). Andrew came upon an electric scooter which was cracked, had a dead battery and a missing ignition keyhole/key. He was impressed with the disc brakes and thought "I can use this for parts for my recumbent". He was happy to discover that it cost only $25.

Upon some internet research he discovered that this type of vehicle used to be sold for $1100. Now, a similar model sells for $600.

At first the vehicle did not look like it could be revived. But after alot of tinkering and consultation with dad and Don, Andrew came up with a plan. Et voila! The Poor Man's Segway is born!

Press PLAY to see this puppy in action.

Of course the whole family had to take turns on it! Press PLAY to see Dylan's new mode of school transportation.

Scavenger Hunt

My sister's family came over for dinner on Good Friday. Although we would normally have an Easter Egg Hunt, I decided to have a Scavenger Hunt to include both adults and children. The group was divided into two teams: The Men vs. Moms with Children. Each group was given a list of neighbourhood items or activities which they needed to find. Each group had a digital camera to record their findings and offer the "proof". After the Hunt, we had a great time reviewing the photos and scoring their efforts.

These are some of the things they did:

Photo with a Starbucks Barista: 5 points

Photo with a Fireman: 5 Points

Photo of the Team With Something "Bad" for Them: 4 Points

Bad Boys Andrew and Malcolm Drinking Pop and Blowing Bubblegum

Photo of the Team Doing Something "Good": 5 Points

Dylan and Sarah Doing Something Good and "Eating" Their Vegetables

Malcolm Doing Something "Good" and Throwing Garbage in the Trash Can

Build a Snowman Complete with Eyes/Nose/Arms: 2 Points

Sarah and Dylan Build the World's Smallest Snowman

Team Pose with a Streetcar Driver: 4 Points

Andrew with the Streetcar Driver Who Insisted He take a Transfer as Evidence

The following photos could have been in the categories of either DOING SOMETHING BAD or SOMETHING TO REALLY MAKE ME LAUGH!

Bad Boys Andrew and Malcolm

Really Bad Boys Don and Andrew

The climax of the evening was a relaxing Easter dinner.

Last Ski Day

We had our last ski day. Here we are posing at the end of the day....if you look closely you will see our two friends, Jack and Christine, acting like a couple of goofballs, in the background.

We had fun going over some jumps (press PLAY).

And here is Dylan attempting the half-pipe with skis. Press PLAY.

Spring Break

Dylan had a March (Spring) Break from school for one week. He and I considered packing our bags and heading to various destinations but after much deliberation we decided to visit the all-inclusive, all expense-paid, fine dining, very hospitable resort known as the Grandparent's House in Ottawa (Timeshare Thomas).

We set out on our roadtrip (after a quick stop to Starbucks Coffee) during the beginning of a blinding snow/freezing rain storm. We managed to crawl along the highway for 100km when we abandoned the plans (temporarily) and checked into a hotel with two pools.

Venti Bold for the Trip

The next day we arrived in Ottawa only to discover a record total snowfall of almost 100cm! The snowbanks along the street were twice the size of Dylan. Immediately, we went tobogganing.

Mum giving Dylan a push

The following day saw more sunshine and while Dylan and I went downhill skiing, Mum and Dad went cross country skiing for several hours.

Mum and Dad with Crosscountry skis

The View From our Chairlift

This is a video of our ski day at Camp Fortune. After an entire day of glorious sunshine and great conditions, Dylan has a small wipeout.....and I just happened to capture it on video (press the PLAY button)

After a day of skiing we all enjoyed dinner at a restaurant.

The next day brought more sunshine and we visited a SUGAR SHACK (a maple syrup producing farm). This was a very interesting experience as we learned how the Maple trees are tapped for the sap (approximately 40 litres per tree) which is then boiled down to about 1 litre. Unfortunately, the season was still too cold for the sap to start flowing yet. However we were treated to a lovely sleigh ride in the forest and scavanger hunts on the trails.

Mum and Dylan on a Two-Horse Open Sleigh Eventually Dylan and I had to leave Timeshare Thomas and head home. We stopped to see my sister and celebrate Don's birthday at a restaurant/entertainment emporium.

Sandra, Don, Malcolm, Sarah and Dylan

Dylan and Cousin Sarah with their Earnings

Track 3 Sit Ski

Andrew has been volunteering with Track 3 Ski Association for 11 years. This year he was partnered with a student in a "Sit Ski". A Sit Ski is like a chair on shaped skis. The student can carve a turn by leaning sideways. An instructor follows with a safety tether just to make sure the student doesn't become out of control. Two instuctors are needed to lift the device onto the chairlift. I have to applaud Andrew for all his hard work this year. The lessons were physically grueling and involved a tremendous amount of lifting.

Andrew's student, Hayden, has cerebral palsy and used a wheelchair when he wasn't skiing. He needed to be lifted from the bus to the chair, from the chair to the ski, to the bathroom etc....all day long.

However, Hayden LOVES skiing and is a cheerful and talkative child. Here is a VIDEO of our two sit skiers in action! (Press PLAY).

Of course our program also has its jovial moments. Here is Andrew on our "crazy hat day" when he strapped a Starbucks cup to his helmet.

Book Club 2nd Year Anniversary

My Book Club ladies on our second year anniversary.

I had already published last's year's list of books read. The following were our books for 2007:

The Memory Keeper's Daughter, Kim Edwards

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Lisa Lee

Suite Francaise, Irene Nemirovsky

Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook, Matt Dunn

Blindness, Jose Saramago

The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

The End of East, Jen Sookfong Lee

Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert

A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini

Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides