A Tradition – Evolved

That's what the nieces and nephews called it - a tradition evolved.

My grandmother died in October. As Christmas approached, my sister-in-law and I chatted about a New Year's tradition that has been taking place since before I was born – New Year's oliebollens.

Oliebollen are Dutch deep-fried doughnuts that we dip in icing sugar.

As a child, every New Year's Eve, we would go to my grandparents' house and bring in the new year by eating oliebollen, skating on the pond and hanging out with my aunts, uncles and cousins.

When my grandfather died more than 10 years ago, the tradition changed and we celebrated New Year's day at my grandmother's house, eating oliebollen and clementines and chatting with my aunts, uncles and cousins.

Yesterday, the tradition changed again.

The nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews hosted a New Year's Day celebration at my brother and sister-in-law's house with oliebollen, clementines, munchies and soup.

There was sledding, snowball fights and snowman making in the rain.

There was talk about – mainly by me - how my grandmother should be have inducted into some sort of hall of fame because another tradition evolved this week. The tradition of making oliebollen on New Year's Eve day.

That fell to me and, while delicious, oliebollen is a lot of work and takes a lot of time.

But I can see why Grandma continued doing it after her children grew up. It's one Dutch tradition we actually do and I am happy we are continuing the tradition – evolved.

Happiness Is

It's Friday, which means two days happiness.


My husband, the guy on the left, made this playset (and the shed) for our guy. We still need a slide and various other rope devices. The sandbox is on the deck. We love it.


Now that there is heat, there are also water fights with big sister A.



After a water fight, there is a hose shower.


And if it rains on Saturday, there is always rubber boots and umbrellas and no pants.


E received this old Tonka jeep (complete with spare tire and a gas tank) at someone's garage sale.


My garden is the best in the spring. I have no idea what these pretty flowers are. I have no idea why this sentence is hyperlinked.


After five years of growing, our apple tree finally has blossoms. Hee, hee. I just realized I flipped this picture the wrong way. Notice the tree in the background.


Lilacs are my favourite. My husband cut these for me to put in my car on the drive to my parents'.


My guy is getting a hang of his balance bike.



Helping Daddy wash his Harley.


Riding a skateboard.


'Sleeping' on the wagon with my niece.

I hope you have a weekend filed with happiness.

Did You Just Call Me Mommy?

I was at my brother and sister-in-law’s house Friday visiting my niece and new nephew. I was chatting to S and L when I heard a voice say ‘Here, Lisa.’

I stopped in mid-sentence, looked down and saw my little guy reaching up to give me some of his cousin’s toys.

‘Did you just call me Lisa?'
Yes, he did.
‘My name is Mommy,’ I replied. He giggled and ran away.

On Sunday he was in the tub with Daddy when I heard ‘Leeessssa’ being bellowed from the bathroom.
I went in to see a giggling baby calling me by my name.

‘My name is Mommy.’
‘Lisa’
‘Mommy.’
‘Lisa.’
‘Mommy.’
‘Mommy?’
Yes.

Apparently he found calling me by my name quite funny.
I must admit. So did I.

Happy Thanksgiving

Canadians are celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend.

While the holiday falls on Monday, we have always had our turkey dinner Sunday.

As a child, it involved gathering leaves and chestnuts and creating baskets for our aunts, uncle and grandparents with the preserves mom made in the summer. It was a day to hang out with cousins, go for a walk through the trails behind my parents’ house and enjoy great food with a fantastic family.

Now it involves two turkey dinners (no, you can not have too much turkey).

Saturday, my stepdaughter comes home for the first time since we dropped her off at her college residence in September. Her boyfriend, my brother-in-law and his girlfriend will join her.

We will spend the day with our family, catching up on news, playing with my son and walking throughout the neighbourhood after dinner and before digging into dessert, which will include the apple caramel pie found at October farm’s blog.

Thank you again, October farm.

Sunday, we’ll make the drive to my parents’ house, where I will hang out with my cousins and aunts, enjoy great food and fantastic family.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Wordless Wednesday – Camping with My Family

The first week of August, my son, my mom, my sister-in-law, my niece and I went camping. It was fantastic.

Only One Person to Blame

I have a summer cold.

It started Monday morning with a new voice and today I have the accompanying running nose.

I didn’t bring my trusty Vaseline jar, which means I will be less shiny but more red and raw.

There is only one person to blame for this summer misery – my little guy who grabbed my head on Saturday and pulled me in for multiple full-mouth kisses.

This cold is so worth it.

Vacation Time
It’s vacation time. I can see my vacation on the horizon and it’s calling my name – ‘Lisa, come spend two weeks just playing with your son.’

I am ready vacation. Bring on the sun and bring on two weeks of happiness.

I am expecting, bloggy friends, that I will not be writing nearly as often, particularly during the second week when I am RVing with my parents and brother and family, but know that all is well and I will be one happy mom.

What? Are We In the Fifth Grade?

We were at the beach recently. Despite the cold water temperature, the beach, a grass area, was packed with people enjoying the heat and the beginning of the outdoor season.

My enjoyment, however, was peppered with frustration. There was a family beside me who was talking amongst themselves but at a level loud enough I could hear every word.

And every other word was the F word.

I peaked over and surprisingly, the people were old enough to know better. There were a couple of non-swearing teenagers, but the rest were in their 40s to 70s, using the F word like my son would say ‘again.’

Why?

Why is there a need to swear so much? Do people think it’s cool? Are they trying to impress their friends? Are they trying to return to their youth?

By swearing too much, the words lose meaning.

When people who talk like normal, civilized people issue a swear word, the word actually means something, it has impact.

When people use a swear word several times in one sentence, it upsets me. I get angry and frustrated. I am no longer in the fifth grade. Do we need to talk like that?

Friday Bits

No response yet
I emailed Air Canada my blog posting and other than a form email saying they received it and I don’t have to write again, I have not yet heard a response.

However, I also haven’t heard the commercial that tells me Air Canada only cares about those who travel first class on the radio again.

Apparently, Air Canada speaks the truth in that commercial as noted by Alex from Ma What’s For dinner, who said she did feel like a star. It does makes me feel better that someone is being treated fairly and kindly by an airline.


Payback’s a…
Cosmo the kitten found a new play-toy – my son’s feet as he bounces them as he nurses. Payback likely wasn’t that great. My son scooped up Cosmo as he was eating and I have a fantastic picture of baby holding dangling kitty. Too cute.

Family dance party at work
My coworker started singing ‘Everyone dance now,’ and that phrase is now stuck in my head, running over and over as I don’t know any other words.

Self-promotion
I don’t usually tie my work life into my personal one, but I wrote an article on sustainable fishing and I am quite proud of it: http://tinyurl.com/22o7q43

I think everyone should read it and learn how you can help save our oceans from overfishing.

Self-promotion 2:
My second article, which I think will also be fantastic although not as depressing, has been delayed for going on two weeks now. My second source is a busy woman and keeps cancelling. She ensures me it will be today so that article should be up soon and I will offer more self-promotion.

Good-day Friday
I stayed late Tuesday, which means I can leave early Friday to start what will be a great weekend.

My cousins and brother and family are coming over Sunday so it will be a party at the Day house. Three kids under five, crazy girls (boys, except baby, will be out of the house) and a kitten. Can it get better than that?

Happy weekend everyone.

Happiness Is…

• Little boy giggles.
• Little boy ‘sad’ face.
• Little boy hugs.
• Little boy talk.
• Little girls’ games.
• Little girls’ conversations.
• Peanut butter and honey sandwiches.
• Lilacs.
• Weekends.
• Baked goods.
• Laughter.
• Heated seats.
• Family fun.
• Sunshine with heat.
• Puddle jumping.
• Baby animals.
• Nature.
• Lakeside views.
• Painted bedrooms.

Happy Thursday Thoughts

I didn’t want my first posting since Friday to be one of bitterness and panic, so I thought I would instead focus on Happy Thursday Thoughts.

• Good news week.
There was happy news from both sides of the family this weekend. As it’s not my business to share, that is all I can say. I know that’s not very nice but you can trust me – it’s happy news.

• Spring is here.
It seemed like it happened overnight. One day there were buds on the trees and the next, the trees were offering a full canopy of leaves. I have decided spring, pre-bugs, is my favourite time of year.

• Secure employment.
There was a story on the radio this morning about how people are doing the jobs of two or three because so many people have been laid off. I am lucky that I have an enjoyable job that is fairly secure.

• Mother’s Day.
It’s Mother’s Day Sunday. I am thankful I have such a strong, caring mom. She means the world to me. For the second year, I am also being celebrated. My little guy brings joy to me every single day.

• Family.
I have a loving family who brings me happiness and joy.

• Thursday.
Only one more day to go and then it’s two days of hanging out with my little guy and my family. Bring on the weekend.

• Sun and warmth.
The day can’t be bad when the sun is shining and there is heat within its rays.

Thankful Friday

It’s Friday. I had things to write about yesterday but as I was off with a sick baby Tuesday and Wednesday, I was so busy I didn’t have time to write.
So I thought, seeing as I am so thankful it’s Friday, I would list the other things I am thankful for today.

Fridays
Fridays mean a relaxing day at the office where I can get some writing and planning done for the following week.
Fridays also only one day before I am home full time with my little guy.

Fun assignments
Next week I am going to Marble Slab Creamery in downtown Toronto. I am going to create my own ice cream flavour, which will be available at the store for the month of May. In June, I will find out how many people enjoyed the flavour of ice cream I created. I also get to interview the owner of the creamery to learn all about ice cream. How exciting and fun is that?

Weekends
We get to sleep in. My little guy and I have to get up at around 5 a.m. Monday to Friday. On the weekend, he gets to sleep in to what would likely be his normal wakeup time of about 7:30 a.m.
Weekends also mean there is no real rushing in the morning. We play in bed, we don’t rush out of our pajamas, we play outside, we play inside, we read, we colour, we have fun.

Sunshine
It’s supposed to be in the double digits and sunny this weekend. Bring on spring.

Friends and family
We are off to visit an old friend and then have a sleepover at my parents. It might mean pancakes with real maple syrup in the morning and a long, hot shower while the baby plays with Nana and Popa.

Kindness
My boss did a nice thing for me. I received a thank you letter for an article I wrote about pottery and another that offered thanks to freelancer, Maria Tzavaras, who wrote a piece about heritage trees. I received word that Maria and I won best online series for a three-part series we did at Christmas. I ‘met’ a woman who made my day when I apparently made her’s.

It’s been a good week, sick baby or not.

Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas.

I hope your day is white, fun-filled and sounded by the people you love.

Lisa

The Time is Near

I was unplugging the Christmas tree lights the other night and realized I haven’t spent nearly enough time just enjoying the sparkle.

We put our tree up the first weekend of December. I water the tree twice a day, my son and I play beside it (and we pull him back as he goes to eat the lights or pull the balls off) but somehow the days of December have flown by without me simply sitting by the tree and enjoying the view.

I love Christmas. I don’t love how the holiday comes – and then leaves – so quickly. It’s Dec. 22. I have only watched three Christmas movies and listened to my CDs on my IPod a dozen or so times. I have done some baking, but not enough. I have done some wrapping, but love to do more.

There needs to be more time to simply enjoy the lead up to Christmas and then more time to enjoy it after the one day.

I think everyone should be off four days after Christmas so there is time to look at the tree, enjoy your gifts, visit with family and friends and feel the peace of the season.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Hand-me-Down Some Clothing

My sister-in-law showed up for Thanksgiving Sunday in a new-to-her top. She received it from her 75-year-old coworker, D, who has fabulous tastes, and shops at Le Chateau, The Gap and other trendy stores. Good for D. And great for LC, whose wardrobe always has new pieces in it.

My question is why can’t I have a D?

My stepdaughter would say it’s because I am a giant. (I am sure she means that lovingly but as she also called me tone deaf and told me I had a large rump I could be mistaken.)

AD is right somewhat, however. My legs are on the long side, but I do have a petit-sized top half.

Unfortunately, as blog readers will know, I don’t have a chest, which means no hand-me-downs, or even borrowing, from her, which is sad because there is no shortage of clothing to chose from.

The lack of a chest also means no hand-me-downs from my sister-in-law, my brother-in-law’s girlfriend or anyone else I know.

Maybe one day I will have my own D or maybe I will become so fashion savvy and have lots of money, that I will be D. You just never know.

We Are Off to See the Days ....

We are off to see my husband’s family, who lives outside of Napanee.

I am quite excited about our upcoming road trip except I am dreading the car ride. Our baby is not a car child. I figure it could be one, or more, of several reasons:

1. Payback
I have been told numerous times that I was a terrible car baby myself. I once screamed from my grandfather’s cottage in Bracebridge to my parents’ house, at least a three-hour ride. My dad had to sing Rock a Bye Baby over and over to settle me.
Singing helps for a bit but then it doesn’t, and my husband says my voice certainly doesn’t help him. Perhaps I am a tad tone deaf.

2. Car sickness
My mom now thinks it was likely car sickness that had me screaming for hours in the car, an affliction I still suffer. As I got older, the only thing that helped was listening to music with headphones, sitting in the front seat and the ultimate car-sickness cure - driving. As our son won’t taking the wheel for about 16 years, we’ll have to find another solution.

3. Loneliness or boredom
Our son is used to having someone’s attention or at least the ability to move around for his own entertainment. Despite how comfortable the car seat looks to me, perhaps it’s the feeling of being trapped he doesn’t like or ...

4. Instant gratification
... Or perhaps he is not used getting what he wants when he wants it.
I would imagine his hate of the car could be any of these things or perhaps he is hungry, wet, cold, hot, scared, confused, tired, not tired, blinded by the sun, uncomfortable or any other thing a baby feels and can’t tell us.

Wish us luck.

Catchy New Songs For You

While camping last week, my niece taught me some new songs.

Bumblebee song
I am squishing up my baby bumblebee
Won’t my Mommy be so proud of me?
I am squishing up my baby bumblebee.
Eww. Yuck. It’s all over me.

This one is courtesy of Franklin:
All’s I want,
Is a brother or a sister,
Then I will be as happy as can be.
All’s I want
Is a brother or a sister,
Then we’ll be a happy family.

She also sang me a song about Mr. Sun, but I could never remember the words so I looked it up online:

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,
Mister Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,
Mister Golden Sun,
Hiding behind a tree...

These little children
Are asking you
To please come out
So we can play with you

Oh Mister Sun, Sun,
Mister Golden Sun,Please shine down on...
Please shine down on...
Please shine down on me!

My niece also taught me a song about jelly beans, a tummy ache and not eating the green ones, but I can’t seem to find that song online. She also sang Dora the Explorer songs, but luckily those songs did not get stuck in my head.

Fun Times at Provincial Park

I’m back.
My son and I had a wonderful time camping with my parents, sister-in-law and niece at Sibbald Point Provincial Park.
It rained - torrentially at many times - most of the week, giving us only a couple of days sunshine and warmth. But we made the best of it.

We walked, swam, walked, threw rocks in the water, walked, climbed, watched Dora (she is really annoying), walked, played at the park, walked, coloured, played games, walked, sang, had campfires, ate, walked, watched Franklin, cooked smores (SK, I am really developing a taste for these things. I had the best one Saturday night) and walked. My niece and I played in the rain, with me encouraging puddle jumping (now she can point out and enjoy the best puddles herself).

We saw a mother deer and her fawn, complete with spots, twice, and had a raccoon play in the woods behind our campsite. Otherwise, we didn’t see much in the way of wildlife.
We did, however, had many experiences with pigs.
We were disgusted about the amount of litter we found on the trails, left behind on campsites, at the beach and in the woods.
Note to the many weekend, first-time and city campers who go to Sibbald Park because it’s close to Toronto and not in the middle of nowhere:
* Park staff are not there to clean up after you. If you want maid service, go to a hotel. We saw one man ordering a park worker to clean up the litter in his campsite. While you do expect your site to be clean, if there is litter to be had, pick it up yourself.
* There is no curb-side garbage pick up at provincial parks. While it’s lovely that you have bagged your garbage, if you leave it at the edge of the campsite, raccoons, skunks and other wildlife will get into it.
* The only thing you should take out of the park are pictures. Leave the wildflowers, the berries, the driftwood where you found it.
* If you take it in, you should be taking it out. Plastic bags do not belong in the water, bottles do not belong on the trails and cookie wrappers shouldn’t be on the road. Aren’t people teaching their children not to litter?
* Radio-free zones are just that. Keep the music off.
* If you aren’t in a radio-free zone, your music shouldn’t be so loud I can hear it at my campsite. If you want to party, stay home.
* Don’t cut through my campsite even if it is quicker.
* The beach is not an ashtray.
* You are camping, expect wildlife.
* And just a question. Why patio lanterns and Christmas lights? When you go camping, wouldn’t you rather see the stars than create light pollution?