Dance Dance Revolution!

It is 0700h and we are lying in our bed when we begin to hear a THUMP THUMP THUMP reverberating throughout the house. Is it a construction on a weekend? Could it be an irate racoon on the roof? The whole house is shaking when it becomes apparent that it is a rhythmic THUMP. Ah yes...it is Dylan's new Wii game called Dance Dance Revolution. All those years of creative dance classes are coming back to haunt me as Dylan embraces this new interactive game. Press PLAY.

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.

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

School Trip

I accompanied Dylan's class to a textile museum. We travelled by streetcar to a downtown location (managing 22 children on transit is like herding cats).

Once we were at the museum we were treated to a tour of various textiles from around the world. At the end, the children could sit at a loom and weave a piece of cloth.

The Tooth Fairy Cometh!

Dylan's teeth are dropping like flies. He has lost four teeth already. And, God bless his innocence, he still believes in the tooth fairy. He was very intrigued to fine a loonie under his pillow after he lost his first tooth. It came in a special "tooth fairy box" with a small note from his fairy named "Silver". Dylan remarked that he was more interested in gaining new knowledge about the tooth fairy rather than receiving money. So, with his next tooth, a correpondance began between him and Silver. Notes were exchanged and he learned all sorts of information (such as why his tooth box has a bar code and a "made in China" mark). Everything was explained to his satisfaction. I think he was challenged on this beliefs in class the next day (he came home wanting further explanations) but after some discussion he was more than happy to hang on to his dream about tooth fairies (and his childhood innocence) a little longer.

Reading

Tonight Dylan and I were laying on the bed reading our respective books. I am so grateful that he has developed a vorvacious appetite for reading. I remember what pleasure and comfort I have had over the years from my books and I am glad to bestow this gift upon him.

My greatest memory of Dylan, which I will take to my deathbed, is of our late night storytelling in the dark. This was probably a bad habit which I encouraged, but every night when he was a toddler he would wake up around 2:00pm. Together he and I would snuggle alone on the couch in the darkness and I would tell him stories. By the light of the outdoor streetlamp I could watch his eyes widen in wonder as I recalled the stories of Robin Hood and King Arthur and Superman etc...When he was older I would tell about Oma and Grandma the brave during the war and what it must have been like living with bombs exploding around you. I truly looked forward to these nighttime adventures and I know Dylan did too. Now, when he tells me stories I hear the such intonation and expression in his speech and you can see that he is visualizing the characters, plot, scenery as he orates his story.

Great readers are the result of great coaches. So thank you to all of you who took the time to make a difference in his life.

I have pulled out some photos of my boy picture gazing and reading through the ages as a reminder to myself of these happy times.