Long Weekend in Collingwood

We spent the long weekend in Collingwood with Mum and Dad. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate. We had a steady stream of rain, hail and cold breezes. However we still were able to make the most of our situation by going on hikes and taking advantage of the indoor/outdoor pools.

The highlight of the trip was a visit to the Collingwood Scenic Caves. Can you spot the "Indian Chief's profile" in the rock formation below??

Dylan was able to squeeze through the cave called "Fat Man's Misery". (He was the only one in our group).
Snow does not melt in the bottom of the caves until November. Mum and Dylan took advantage of this and had a snowball fight.

Another hike took us to the top of Blue Mountain (Dylan's ski hill). The gondola was operating for the mountain bikers and we were given a free ride down the hill (you only pay for the ride up!)

In the village, Dylan enjoyed a game of "checkers" with another boy.

Mum and Dylan enjoyed the momentary sunshine by indulging in a box of onion rings.

Another Bicycle!

Every year we attend the Police Community Picnic in the park beside our house. Every year Dylan wins the bicycle in the raffle draw! Dylan remarked, "Daddy likes to build them and I like to bring him the parts!"

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.

Past and Present

Some things never change. I was reviewing our photo album of Dylan's first year of life with us and I found this picture.

Daddy with Dylan (1 week old)

Nine years later and some things never change....these boys enjoy their sleep!

Daddy with Dylan (9 years and 1 week old)

Andrew's Environmental Footprint Reduction

Andrew has been riding his recument trike to work every day ever since his office moved downtown. Recently he was stopped on the street by a television crew for CityTV who were doing a story on alternative modes of transportation (in light of the recent gas price hike). They interviewed Andrew for a half hour. But, as with all sound bites, his story was whittled down to less than a minute. Press PLAY.

Yet Another Science Centre Sleepover

This is our third sleepover at the Ontario Science Centre. Obviously we think this is a good program! This time we went with Sam and Jarrett and Jarrett's mom, Karen. Once again we enjoyed ourselves immensely. I give Karen and Jarrett credit...they had just returned from England one day prior to our sleepover.

The theme this time was "Forensic Science". One of the exhibits was to fingerprint each other and compare the samples with typical identifiers.

Dylan enjoyed "conjuring" up a mini tornado.

The boys still had plenty of energy the next morning....

Happy 9th Birthday Dylan!

Dylan turned 9 years old on Sunday April 13th. He asked for a "Star Wars" theme birthday party. I anticipate that Dylan will soon be too old for a creative birthday party (some of his older friends already roll their eyes when they hear about some of costume dressup). So, I decided to go "all out" for one last bash.

The invitations were typed in the STAR WARS movie format and then they were burned at the edges (as if they came through a battle). The invitations were wrapped around a foam sword (light sabre) with the following instuctions......

When the children arrived, they were all issued a JEDI uniform. This was a tunic (cut out of material provided by mum) as well as a hairbraid (all Jedi Apprentices have one).

Part of their Jedi training was a scavenger hunt and the boys were put into two teams. These are some of the photos from their scavenger hunt.

MIMIC A STATUE

PUMP GAS FOR A STRANGER

JEDIS DOING SOMETHING "BAD" (the graffitti already existed)

JEDIS DOING SOMETHING TO MAKE THE MASTER LAUGH

After the scavenger hunt we had a STAR WARS TRIVIA Contest. This was followed by a blindfold taste test (unfortunately one Jedi vomited after tasting sauerkraut)...oops!

Most of the presents were Star Wars themed which was great for Dylan.

Birthday Parties Through the Ages

I have always enjoyed creating birthday parties for Dylan. I was reflecting on how the parties have changed over the course of his development. Here is a chronological photographic display of his special day.

Age 2, (2001) FAMILY PARTY

Age 3, Preschool (2002) DRESS UP AND VARIOUS PLAY STATIONS

Age 4, (Preschool) 2003 SUPER HERO PARTY

Age 5, 2004 (J.K) MEDIEVAL NIGHT PARTY

Age 6, 2005 (S.K.) PIRATE PARTY

Age 7, 2006 (Grade 1) SPORTS PARTY

Age 8, 2007 (Grade 2) LEGO BIONICLE PARTY

Age 9, 2008 (Grade3) STAR WARS PARTY

Ball Hockey Tournament

Dylan has chosen ball hockey as one of his most favourite sports. So, he was thrilled to learn that he and his two friends would play in an all-day tournament. Unfortunately their team lost every single game (massacred 10 - 0). As the day continued, tears of frustration began to flow. Indeed, at one point I had to go over to give both Dylan and his friend a pep talk on the bench as I could see, even with their helmet masks on, tears streaming down their faces.

BEFORE Photo of the team pumped to start the tournament.

AFTER Photo of the team without a single smile among them.

Easter Seals Telethon

We have been attending the annual Easter Seals Telethon for years as a guest of our friend Kelly Peckham. Kelly has been writing and producing the telethon for over a decade. We were pleased to arrive in time to hear the cast of "We Will Rock You" musical theatre.

We Will Rock You Cast
Dylan hamming it up with children and hosts

At the end of the telethon, all the remaining children, along with Dylan, got up on stage for a 40 second national goodbye and thank you to the Canadian audience (too bad we had just come from soccer and looked like a bum). Press PLAY to see the ending.

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.