My sweet 7-year old has written a letter for Santa. It's ready to hand-deliver to the big guy next Sunday at the parade.
I cracked open the envelope to see what she wants. Protip for kids: Even though you're writing Santa, let your parents see it before you seal the envelope.
I think I've got part of it... she wants a bed for her two dolls, pajamas, some video game for her DS and a bug friend of some kind. Can anyone help me translate?
My mom's aunt, Bernadette Whelan, passed away earlier this week. I remember visiting her home in Acton as a child and being overwhelmed by her two giant St. Bernard dogs. I was back in Acton yesterday for her funeral, and this entry is about my great aunt Bernie and her absolute commitment and devotion to the Parish of St. Joseph in Acton, Ontario.
Bernadette was a Torontonian, living with her mother in the big smoke when she made her first trip to Acton to help Rev. Vincent J. Morgan at St. Joseph's in the early 1950s. She was only supposed to stay in Acton to housekeep for Fr. Morgan for two weeks, but she ended up spending 60 years. The housekeeper she was filling in for got engaged and Bernadette was offered the position at St. Joseph's.
Bernadette was paid $25 a month and essentially managed all aspects of the parish. She lived in Fr. Morgan's Acton home across the street from the church, and was left that house in his will when he passed away in 1977. Just yesterday, I visited Fr. Morgan's grave site in Guelph's Catholic cemetery.
St. Joseph's parish priests came and went, but Aunt Bernie was a constant. She devoted her life to the church, working tirelessly for little, caring for all.
My son plays for the Blue Jays in the High Park tee-ball league. They won their quarter-final game on Friday, their semi-final game on Saturday and split the first two games of their best-of-three final series against the Mariners on Sunday.
Game three took place last night, and it was ridiculously close. It ended in a tie, as you'll see in this excellent Tee-Ball Tuesday coverage by Kathryn Humphries and the gang at City-TV.
Because game three ended in a tie, game four was played tonight. If you're keeping track, that's six games in five nights for these kids. I'm exhausted just watching.
Alas, it wasn't to be. James and his Jays lost a close one but ended up with the world's largest second place trophy.
Six years ago today, the baby of the family was born. She's certainly no baby today. She's far more mature and organized than me already, full of interesting insight and impressive observations.
They really do grow up too quickly. Here's my Michelle at about six months of age.
And here she is this summer.
Happy 6th Birthday, Michie Mee! Now stop growing up so damn fast. Love, Daddy
I have a question for the ladies out there, and those who have daughters. When did you get yours or your daughter's ears pierced?
I know lots of people who get their daughter's ears pierced when they're mere months old. My daughter turns six next week, and she decided she wanted her ears pierced. This afternoon, that's exactly what we did.
I just got back from taking my daughter to her last Beavers meeting of the year. It's actually her last Beavers meeting ever. After being a trail blazer for a year, my daughter has decided there are just too many boys in Beavers and she'd rather join Sparks next year.
I don't know what a Spark is, exactly, but I understand it doesn't leave any room for daddy. Since my son left Scouts Canada after two years for indoor soccer, my daughter was my last connection to the annual camping trip I love so much. After three great years, I'm done.
It's the end of an era, I'm now officially Beaverless.
What an amazing weekend. The weather simply couldn't have been better and we had an absolute blast.
I got a lot of sun, a few mosquito bites, enjoyed outdoor movies, three campfires, plenty of sports and activities and great meals. It really was the perfect weekend.
Here are some photos from our trip. I'll catch up on what I missed later, I've got a tee-ball game to attend...
I've got a son and a daughter. My son, who's the oldest of the two, loves playing baseball and hockey and doing "guy things". He likes to do this stuff with his dad, so I spend a lot of time with him at baseball diamonds, at hockey rinks and messing around.
Although I try to get my daughter to do similar things with me, she far prefers her dance class and playing with her friends. For whatever reason, I don't seem to score these gigs, either because I'm working or busy with James' many activities. I don't often get extended periods of quality father - daughter time.
That's changing tomorrow. For the first time ever, my daughter and I are going on a camping trip together. We're pitching a tent and enjoying a couple of nights under the stars, just the two of us.
I have a great mother. I love her very much and I want to wish her a very happy Mother's Day.
My two angels have a great mother. They love her very much and I want to wish her a very happy Mother's Day. The only thing better than having a great mom is knowing your kids have a great mom.
My mom has a mother she loves very much and I want to wish her a happy Mother's Day. My nephews each have a mother they love very much (even if one doesn't know it yet) and I want to wish them both a very happy Mother's Day. Hell, if you're a mother, Happy Mother's Day!
Here's some sweet CanCon that says it all:
I've got money in my pockets,
I like the colour of my hair.
I've got a friend who loves me,
Got a house, I've got a car.
I've got a good mother,
and her voice is what keeps me here.
My sweet 7-year old has written a letter for Santa. It's ready to hand-deliver to the big guy next Sunday at the parade.
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Tonight I was lucky enough to watch the Chiefs defeat the Bisons at High Park to win the championship.
My mom's aunt, Bernadette Whelan, passed away earlier this week. I remember visiting her home in Acton as a child and being overwhelmed by her two giant St. Bernard dogs. I was back in Acton yesterday for her funeral, and this entry is about my great aunt Bernie and her absolute commitment and devotion to the Parish of St. Joseph in Acton, Ontario.
Six years ago today, the baby of the family 
I have a question for the ladies out there, and those who have daughters. When did you get yours or your daughter's ears pierced?
I just got back from taking my daughter to her last Beavers meeting of the year. It's actually her last Beavers meeting ever. After being 
What an amazing weekend. The weather simply couldn't have been better and we had an absolute blast.
I have a great mother. I love her very much and I want to wish her a very happy Mother's Day.