I've got all the answers

We've had some time off this past week. Canada Day falls on a Wednesday so both Shaune and I used some vacation time to take advantage of an extra long weekend. I have nothing remarkable to post about but here are some of my random observations about life since last Thursday:

• While at the emergency room today (we took Deaglan in for what we thought could be something troublesome but it ended up being nothing - thank God) I noticed that Triage is a bittersweet concept. On the one hand we were completely relieved that our case did not warrant being moved to the head of the line. I mean we tore out of the house in a disoriented panic and concluded from the reaction of the emergency staff that maybe the situation wasn't as dire as we'd thought. But then we had to sit and wait on a tiny cot for two hours trying to contain a boisterous 18 month-old who, although gave us enough of a scare earlier to drop what we were doing and get to the hospital, showed no signs of illness whatsoever and whose energy level seemed to multiply as soon as we entered the emergency room. I had to remind Shaune that it was a good thing that they were treating the most severe cases first and that we were blessed to be considered low priority.

• Vacations last longer when you aren't running around doing vacation type things. We didn't go anywhere or get anything major done. A few times we thought out loud about going to the beach (about an hour away) or to Ikea (about an hour and a half away) but then it would start raining or one of us would feel like taking a nap and we'd agree that we were fine just hanging around. It's been nice.

• I don't think it's right that toddler toy companies make profits. As far as I'm concerned whoever made my old wallet and our dust pan should be the ones raking in the fortunes. When I need to distract Deaglan and catch a few minutes break I just pull out our dust pan - it's one of those that has a long handle like a broom. He literally squeals with delight at the sight of it. Throw in my old wallet and a set of keys and I could run some errands and he wouldn't even know I was missing. Clearly I wouldn't leave him alone but it does make me wonder how well these million dollar toy companies really know their demographics. Imagine the money they could save in building materials. I could just see it - "we'll take these old boxes and empty toilet paper rolls and call it a "Building set" and charge $75.00".

Anyway, nothing spectacular to report - just some random and silly thoughts.

Not always black and white

Shaune will roll his eyes when he reads this post. But I think he should count his lucky stars that I'm only mildly interested in celebrity culture. I don't buy gossip magazines or try to emulate Hollywood starlets.

But sometimes I do pay attention. I don't mind catching an E True Hollywood Story here and there and I could probably tell you from a high level what's going on between Jon and Kate.

So when I heard today that Michael Jackson died I wasn't sure how to react. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I have always LOVED, LOVED, LOVED his music. It is brilliant, and fun, and some of the best dance music that ever existed. And back when he was the thing, I used to think he looked and sounded like the sweetest most gentle person.

And then I was sickened (and crushed) when all of the rumours and eventually charges came to light. Obviously only a very sick person could exploit and molest children.

When I heard the news today I called Shaune at work to tell him. He'd already heard. Are you sad he asked. I don't know I said. It's just weird. We didn't have anything to say after that. What can you say?

But I did hear a rumour that Johnny Depp left a waiter a $4000 tip. I didn't call Shaune to tell him that. He would have DEFINITELY rolled his eyes at that one.

Hey what can I say - it's not my fault that Johnny Depp gets dreamier and dreamier.

Love letter to a toddler

Dear Deaglan,

It isn’t because I had nothing to do on the eve of your 18 month birthday that I looked up the word “toddler” in the dictionary and found the meaning to be disproportionate to the event in real life. It said that a toddler is someone who toddles, a young child learning to walk. I think that this is equivalent to saying that water is wet – sorely lacking in the rich and finely wrought details that embody the idea.

If I was going to define toddler I would include particulars like the definitive way you’ve been letting us know when you are finished with a specific toy or food these days – and of course, like with all things there is room for refinement here – a screechy cry, and then vehement head shaking followed by throwing that particular item on the floor will not always be acceptable forms of expressing your censure. And just on a side note, your Dad spent a lot of time and effort making those chicken nuggets, meatballs and perogies you so easily brush off of your highchair without so much as a courtesy nibble. You have no idea the lengths to which he went to puree the vegetables he concealed within them. I, for one, thought they were delicious. I’m just saying – would it kill you to take one bite just to humour him??

And speaking of my opinion, I’m not sure that you are old enough to be graduating into the Toddler Room at daycare this week. I mean if we go back to the dictionary definition of this point in your life, how can they justify moving you to a class with one less educator if you are just learning to toddle???

On the other hand they just might know what they’re talking about because their cribs have high enough sides to prevent you from climbing out. This issue has recently come to our attention at home – something else missing from Webster’s scant definition of toddler-hood. You are now sleeping in a big boy bed because last week we noticed that you are a monkey-climber and can balance your entire little body on the ledge of the crib making it possible for you to break your little neck which panicked me to the point where my worst fears flashed before my eyes and I had to sit down just to catch my breath but not before I demanded that your Dad take down one of the sides that very minute.

And so Deaglan it isn’t that I’m frustrated with all of these recent changes that just happen to coincide with this first rite-of-passage (which hasn’t been properly defined by Webster’s Dictionary if you ask me), the one they say is when a child first learns to leave the safety and comfort of his primary caregivers. It’s just that I’m watching you grow taller, stronger, smarter, braver, definitely and heartbreakingly cuter and my worry (and this is most likely just first-time-mother anxiety in me) is this. That you may someday outgrow me.

Love Mom

Grab the Kleenex

4 years:

My Daddy can do anything!

7 years:

My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot.

8 years:

My father does not know quite everything.

12 years:

Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either.

14 years:

Oh, Father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned.

21 years:

Oh, that man-he is out of date!

25 years:

He knows a little bit about it, but not much.

30 years:

I must find out what Dad thinks about it.

35 years:

Before we decide, we will get Dad's idea first.

50 years:

What would Dad have thought about that?

60 years:

My Dad knew literally everything!

65 years:

I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more.

Author Unknown

Has anyone seen my integrity?

Well I did it. I crossed the line from being idealistic mom to do-whatever-it-takes-to-get-the-job-done mom. I mixed Deaglan's antibiotics with vanilla ice cream to get him to take it.

And I don't feel as sinister as I thought I might.

After wearing most of the dose to work this morning - penecillin and violet sheer don't go as well as you might think - I brainstormed all day, a plan to pull the wool over my own child's eyes.

Go ahead. Throw your stones. Tell me that the properties of the antibiotics become ineffective when mixed with sugar (okay please do tell me if you think this could be true - I'm not as fearless as I'm trying to seem right now), judge me harshly if you must. I can take it.

Lovefest

Kelly at My voice, My view awarded me the Premios Dardo (top dart) award. We've become good friends even though we've never met face-to-face. She's one of those people that always makes me feel good and I just know that if we lived in the same city we would be inseparable. Her poetry is often raw and vulnerable because she writes about her life, her loves and her dreams. I'm so happy we're friends Kelly - thanks for the recognition!

Gerri at Peace and Love also mentioned me recently when she received this award from her friend. Gerrie's messages are positive and lovely. I'm not surprised she received this award because I feel inspired and encouraged by her too. And we share a love for our boys. Her son Noah is delightful!

AND believe it or not I was also mentioned by Christy in her blog A Lil' Welsh Rarebit. This award says "Your blog is as deer to me as cupcakes" and it is as much fun as Christy herself. She is a fairly new mom (to the adorable Ms. Foo) like me (Gerri and Kelly are veterans compared to us) and has a lighthearted view of life and it's always a kick to see what she's up to.

Thanks to all three of you. I love reading your blogs and always feel comforted knowing that although distance separates us, our hearts are the same.

FINALLY, I also wanted to tell you about this great gift I received in the mail from my hilarious friend Rachel mother of four at A Reservation for Six. She had a "Pay it forward" giveaway and I was chosen as one of the receivers. Several weeks later I went to the post office and a package with a sweet card was waiting for me. Rachel packed up these heavenly scented candles and candle holder and shipped it all the way to little ole me in a neighbouring country!

So I thought that instead of passing these awards on and holding a pay it forward contest I would honour you four women by making a donation to one of my favourite charities. It's called Fill the Cup! through the World Food Program. It feeds hungry children in third world countries. The beauty of this program is that it doesn't require a commitment - although the option is there if you want. For as little as $15.00 U.S. you can help feed 10 starving children for a week! I hope you don't mind Rachel that I changed it up a bit.

I never imagined I'd make so many terrific friends through blogging!!

No chance in hell

A year ago in Winnipeg a seven year old girl showed up for school with magic marker tattoos of a swastika and the well known white supremacist symbol 14/88 drawn on her body. The number 14 refers to a maxim containing 14 words "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children" while 88 represents the letters HH (the eighth letter in the alphabet) meaning Heil Hitler.

According to the news story, a teacher tried to scrub the marker off and sent the child home where her mother re-drew the symbols and sent her back to school.

Child and Family Services were sent to the family's apartment where they found neo-Nazi symbols and flags. The children were taken in custody and placed with extended family.

According to the Winnipeg Free Press the seven year old girl spoke matter-of-factly to a social worker about Adolph Hitler, white supremacy and the god-given right for whites to kill blacks.

This case is back in the news this month because the trial has been ongoing. The stepfather claims that the seizure of his children violates his freedom of conscience, belief and religion.

Some of the arguments being thrown around are:

• Are we deciding that one set of taught beliefs is more offensive than another? Where is the line drawn - what about devout Christians, or Muslims or Jews?
• Is this child abuse - since the children were well fed, clothed, had a relatively strong circle of family support?
• Does the state have the right to protect children from their parents' beliefs?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.