Weekend in snowy Thunder Bay

We're leaving for the airport in a few hours. Will report back early next week.

Apples Falling Close to the Tree

I suppose it won't be surprising that my children are blessed with extraordinary athletic talent. Around here we think it's a little crass to brag, but seriously, check out the hand-eye coordination on my two 22-monthers!!!

And in other sporting news, I'm still hobbling around like an 80 year-old after the combo of Sunday soccer and a Monday morning leg-destroying run with Kate. So, with my athletic career apparently on the downward trajectory it's time to put all the pressure on the kids to fulfill my unrequited dreams.

The Week of Chris

If Seinfeld's Costanza had the Summer of George, then I'm having the Week of Chris. Babysitters for 2-3 hours on three separate days, so I got in 3 long runs, plenty of downtime and even fixed two kitchen appliances that have been broken for at least 6-12 months (oven door handle and dishwasher door spring mechanism). Won at poker on Tuesday night, helping to pay for said babysitters. We're having dinner at Scott and Julia's tonight. I'm going to London for a round of golf on Saturday. Returning home in time for first soccer game of the season on Sunday. I'm telling you, this stay-at-home dad thing is tough.

Here's Molly wearing her new-to-us jacket, commemorating the end of a sad season for the emotionally-fragile Habs.

And here's a video from Kate of the kids learning to wash their own hands at the sink.

Love Those Boots

Not sure if this counts as a six-word phrase, but when we said, "Come on guys, let's go get our shoes on", Molly replied "Maya shoes off, Maya BOOTS on". She would sleep in those boots if she had a choice in the matter.

Summer's Here...

...but that doesn't mean we've finished raking last autumn's leaves yet.

The kids watched half of the 1st period of the Habs loss with us last night. Then this morning, Jacob pointed at the black screen of the tv and said "where da hockey go?". I hope I'm not saying the same thing about Montreal's season next week.

We're also getting into the summer sports. So here's Jacob's 1st ever attempt at t-ball. My mother likes to say that it took me 50 swings to make contact when I played t-ball at age 6 (my memory is wildly divergent on this, as I recall making the all-star team, but whatever), so I think he's ahead of his genes.

And here's Molly. She may have a slight edge in the raw talent department.

Splashing and Easter Eggs

We haven't had a repeat potty performance yet, but toilet interest remains high. I went running to the bathroom this morning, beckoned by the sound of splashing. It was Jacob reaching into the toilet, up to his shoulder, then bringing his hand out, and rubbing it in Molly's hair. She didn't seem to mind.

Here are the kids decorating Easter eggs, along with the final products.

Tales From the Potty

I promise there will be no photos, gory descriptions, or unduly proud gushing, but...

Jacob peed in the potty for the first time yesterday evening.

No Swings and Slides Today

We spent the snowy afternoon playing indoors with Nicholas at Scott & Julia's place. The kids are getting closer in age all the time, so playing together gets more and more feasible. Molly did flatten Nicholas with one tackle, but I believe it was well-meaning.

SNOW!!

Did I really play tennis yesterday?
Today 15cm of snow has fallen, and it's still coming down!!!
Here's proof:


I forgot my favourite 3-word phrase in yesterday's post. At the end of our flight from Vancouver, as we're taxiing along the runway, Jacob kept repeating "all done plane, all done plane" while giving me a very serious look and nodding his head vigorously.

Grammy's photos

We visited Ben in T.O. today and played the first tennis of the "summer". Score one for the older and wiser brother.

Here are some photos courtesy of my mom, who visited with us for most of the week, helping us readjust to life back home. Amongst other things, she helped with some spring cleaning in the yard and ever since she left, the kids look out their window at the garden and say "no grammy, no grammy". Which is a huge compliment since it has replaced "no truck, no truck".

For those who haven't seen the twins for awhile, our latest big thing is three-word phrases. Such as Molly saying, "Jacob boots on" when she disapproves of his choice of footwear. Jacob saying "Baba, over there" when I'm looking for the cheese. "No, no, no" although some sticklers may not count that one.

Jacob's latest passion is a book on trucks that I got from the library. He woke up too early from a nap a couple of days ago and I heard his feet trotting to the stairs. I met him on the landing, where he was clutching the book and saying "truck book, truck book". I took him back to bed, where he embraced the book, said "truck book" one last time and fell back to sleep. When was the last time you felt that powerfully about a work of literature?

- Jacob in the foam pit at gymnastics

- Still learning to jump, and anyone who has seen my "hops" will hold out little hope for these two

- rocking each other on the see-saw

- Chow time, or as Jacob calls his pasta, "more patty, more patty".

- Molly walking in the rain. She would sleep in her new boots if she had her druthers.

- Slide season has begun

- Helping grammy with the leaves

Videos from Vancouver

Molly playing peekaboo in the hotel room


Deer runs away, causing a great deal of upset. See how the expert dad solves the problem.

Back On-line

We had a great trip to Vancouver. Flights were uneventful (a very good thing). We hit all the sights (aquarium, Granville Island, Museum of Anthropology, Stanley Park, The Drive, Gambier, etc.) and ate at most of our old favourites (Marcello's, Banana Leaf, Deux Soleils, JJ Bean, etc.). I remember all the stuff I miss about being in a city, in particular Vancouver (food, coffee, action, diversity). And I remember all the things I don't miss (dreary, rainy weather every day and the traffic).

- Jacob with a mad crush on Alison

- the window seat at Gambier

- taking advantage of a clear moment to capture the view from our place

- Kate and the kids in the misty, moisty woods

- On the dock at West Bay

- Enjoying yogurts on the deck

- Where did the deer go??

- Me and my gang

- Molly goes in for the kiss