Happy St. Patrick's Day, Grandma
Published March 17, 2010 @ 11:16 in Family

I was always very close to my grandmother. I remember a pre-teen version of myself timidly approaching the elderly woman behind the counter of the Irish Store and asking if she had a print of the Doors of Dublin. My younger brother Ryan was there too and our plan was to buy this print and have it framed for our Grandmother who spoke often about the old country. She spoke with such fondness of Dublin and Gaelic sayings and Irish legends and we knew she'd love the Doors of Dublin on the wall of her Gilford, Ontario home.

For many, St. Patrick's Day has become an excuse to party and drink to excess. For me, it's a reason to remember good times with my Grandma. We were told she wouldn't be with us by Thanksgiving Day 2009, but she's still with us today. Grandma, may the Lord keep you in His hand and never close His fist too tight.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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Michelle's Girls
Published March 6, 2010 @ 15:31 in Family

A year and a half ago, I posted Michelle's Fields of dolls. She's changed things up, and now has a row of her girls she tucks in each night.

Here she is, taking care of her girls.

And here they are, all tucked in and ready for bed.

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Family Portraits in Toronto - Light Monkey Photography
Published March 1, 2010 @ 21:05 in Family

My wife wanted family portraits done while the kids were still young and cute. If you want stale, uninspired, soul-less family portraits done, you can go to Wal*Mart or Sears. If you want cool, fun, amazing family portraits done by a couple of Toronto professionals who get it and work around your schedule and with your unique requests, you want Mark and Terri from Light Monkey Photography.

They made it so easy, had several great ideas and patiently captured shots that I believe captured our essence. It wasn't at all painful, in fact, it was fun. These are some of my favourites...

If you live in the GTA and want to chat with Mark and Terry about how they can help you capture the perfect family portrait, write info@lightmonkey.ca or call 647-342-3603. Tell 'em Mike sent ya for a special deal!

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One Championship Down, One To Go...
Published February 28, 2010 @ 12:37 in Family

I awoke this morning with an eerily calm feeling. When I woke up James, I told him about my feeling. I just felt good about the day ahead... as if good things were going to happen.

James was playing for the Swansea Hockey Association Novice Division Championship of the world. Before the game, the ISP dressing room was a mad house. The jams were pumping, the speeches were flowing and everyone was sugaring up with Timbits. James, as displayed in this pre-game video I took, shared my eerie calmness.

ISP won the hard fought game 3-1 and the party began. First, in the great tradition started by the 1980s Edmonton Oilers, there was the team photo on the ice with the trophy.

James loves being a champion, and was pleased his mom, sister and grandmother made it out for his big moment.

In the dressing room, it was a scene of sweet relief and celebration. Queen's We Are The Champions bellowed from a boombox, the trophy was passed around, pucks were signed, beer (of the root variety) was guzzled and Coach Gerry was presented with a #4 Bobby Orr jersey. He had to leave the room to cry.

If you were to ask me which game I wanted more, this one or the one at 3pm today, I'd have to go with this one. There's nothing more awesome than watching 7 and 8 year old kids play hard all season and win it all, and I know my son will never forget this feeling. They're playing for pride and a trophy, and today they're true champions.

Still, my eerie calm remains. I sense we'll go 2-for-2 today. I've got a feeling...

Congrats, James... ISP are SHA Novice Division champs!

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My Daughter's Learn To Play Hockey Progress
Published February 20, 2010 @ 14:56 in Family

Back in November, my daughter didn't know how to skate let alone play hockey. When she hit the ice, she'd attempt to stay on her feet by taking little steps. That's not skating, that's walking on ice.

We enrolled in the Swansea Hockey Association's Learn To Play Hockey program. I say "we" because a parent can accompany the child on the ice in this program. This was my third year in a row skating at Rennie Park each Saturday morning, having participated in the program the last two years with my son who has since graduated to House League.

For one hour every Saturday, my daughter not only worked on her skating, but learnt the fundamentals of hockey; everything from receiving a pass and skating backwards, to stick handling and crossovers. Three months in and the improvement is extraordinary. Here's video of her skating this morning in warmups.

I absolutely love this rink at Rennie Park, home to the largest outdoor hockey league in the world. The only downside to playing outdoors is that the seasons are a little shorter, so my son's team played their final regular season game today and my daughter and I only have one more week of Learn To Play Hockey.

I hate to see these Learn To Play Hockey seasons end because nothing's better than skating alongside your child while he or she learns this fabulous sport. Luckily, I get one more year of this before being permanently relegated to the sidelines.

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The Youngest Now Has Email
Published February 14, 2010 @ 10:40 in Family, Technology

My youngest child just got her first email account. She now knows how to login to her Gmail account and send emails and gchats to her parents, brother, grandmother and uncles.

My oldest child got his first account when he was five, and it really helped him learn to type, spell and successfully navigate web apps. Today, it was Michelle's turn to enter the digital fray. We fleshed out her contacts (the only people she's allowed to email are those I bless in her contacts), gave her a cool profile picture, changed her Gmail theme to "tea party" and taught her how to compose emails and send instant messages.

Nothing's cooler than getting an email from your 5-year old daughter, even when it's just a heart icon. Especially when it's just a heart icon.

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A New Baby Arrives
Published January 26, 2010 @ 15:44 in Family

Congrats to my brother Steve and his wife Vanessa on the birth of their first child. Nathaniel James Boon arrived at 12:41 this afternoon.

The inspiration for his name is obvious to me.

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Happy Birthday, Son
Published January 20, 2010 @ 08:55 in Family

My boy turns 8 today. I can't believe I'm the proud parent of an 8 year old. That sounds awfully old to me.

It's been an awesome eight years. James has taught me far more than I could ever teach him.

Happy 8th birthday, James! Daddy loves you very much.

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Squeakquel Sacrifice
Published January 17, 2010 @ 11:29 in Family

My son's birthday party is this afternoon, and he's asked that he and his friends see Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.

I sat him down and tried to talk him out of it. I showed him the 21% fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes, I explained to him the several other options at his disposal and I recommended a couple of alternative films that he might prefer.

He wants the Squeakquel, so he's getting the Squeakquel. Pray for me.

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Married 14 Years Today
Published January 15, 2010 @ 07:48 in Family

Today is my 14th wedding anniversary. I honestly love my marriage (and wife) more and more with each passing year.

My wedding was unusual. I shared the story six years ago.

We both had classes that chilly Toronto afternoon, but we had an appointment we couldn't miss. Ten days earlier, while chatting on the phone with my twenty year old girlfriend of less than eight months, the topic of marriage came up. "We should just do it now", one of us suggested. The next morning we met at Ossington Station and got our marriage license at New City Hall for $53. The next stop was Old City Hall where we booked a time with the Justice of the Peace to get hitched. The cost was another $53 and the next available time was 2:00pm on January 15th. We took it and never looked back.

I'm a very lucky SOB. Happy Anniversary, sweets.

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