It’s finally here! SUMMER! And it arrives with a blaze in Toronto, reaching temperatures of 41°C with the humidity this afternoon. Hands up if you’d rather be running through a backyard sprinkler today!
I’m putting up my “Out of Office” for the day, whipping up some homemade popsicles for the kiddos and fruity sangria for the adults. Wishing you all a wonderful start to the work week, and to summer!
Family
Wayback Playback: 2010 Edition
This morning, searching through my blog for a recipe (Mangia Meatballs!) and trolling in the archives for a makeup review, I randomly stumbled on a post that I published on October 26, 2010 entitled, “Life is Good.” The post was short and sweet:
“It’s 8:23 PM. I’m getting the boys ready for bed… Life is Good.
Disclaimer: They don’t actually sleep together. Ryder would eat Reid. But they do enjoy snuggling in Ryder’s truck-inspired bed, and Ryder enjoys wearing his truck-themed pajamas. I love my boys, I am thankful for my many blessings, and Life is Good.”
Ugh! This simple post and picture made me weepy to the extreme! First, because they DO sleep together now, and have shared the same double bed for over two years. Second, because just this past weekend, my husband and I were shopping for two twin beds. At almost 6 and 8 years old, it’s time to give them their own spaces (although they still want to share a room, which we’re fine with). …
Making the Most of #EverySecond.
They’re competitive and loud and rarely respond unless I scream. They’re argumentative and ornery and way too sensitive about the silliest things (He’s looking at me, mom! He’s LOOKING at me!). They push my buttons, push for a later bedtime and always push each other.
Yet, they’re the heart of my home. They breathe so much life, excitement and vigor into my day. And when I catch them sitting together – because they just can’t stand to be apart – I remember that beyond the spats and bickering, they truly are the very best of friends. I am truly blessed to share every second of my day with them. …
The MOMent that Lasted Weeks
It’s good to be my boys.
Other than having a seriously awesome mom (yours truly), they seem to have birthday celebrations that span multiple weeks. This year, they had three parties! Honestly, their cups runneth over.
Now before you think they’re completely spoiled (they are, but not completely), there’s good reason they were afforded a few celebrations. First, Ryder had a chance to celebrate his seventh birthday at Walt Disney World, as we were there for the Social Media Moms Celebration. Of course, we couldn’t celebrate Ryder’s birthday at the most magical place on earth without including Reid, whose birthday is a mere 11 days later. So, they were both treated to a memorable birthday, Disney-style.
Upon returning home, they wanted separate parties with school friends, so we had a small shindig with a few neighbourhood buddies. And finally, my family was dying to celebrate with the boys, so we hosted a small barbecue a few weeks later.
Contractually, this is my last post for the Nikon MOMents program. Those who have been following along know that for the last year, I’ve been capturing my most special moments with family, friends and often, a good beach. However, even though this is my last “official” post, you’ll always see my Nikon MOMents, because it’s my go-to DSLR for ALL my blog posts. After all, how else could I capture delicious MOMents like this?
Looking back, I can absolutely see how my photography skills – including my eye for taking the right photograph – have improved with each successive occasion. From a summer retreat in Muskoka to Christmas dinner with my family, I’ve had the opportunity to capture high quality memories that were made possible while using the Nikon D3300, creating stunning 24.2-megapixel photos and 1080p Full HD videos with tack-sharp details, vibrant colors and softly blurred backgrounds. …
Things We Don’t Do
Scrolling through my iPhone, I came across a picture of my husband and I, taken at the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland Resort, last August. In the photo we posed casually; the epitome of summer vacay mode, enjoying the hot Cali climate.
To the detached observer, the picture is unremarkable. Two thirty-somethings, a sunny local, a side embrace. To us, it’s a little more meaningful.
It was, in fact, the first photo we’d taken together since 2009.
Apparently, there are things we don’t do.
However, generalizing this way is grossly incorrect. It’s true; we don’t take photos together. But maybe it’s just a symptom of a much greater problem, and I should really be describing it as such:
We don’t make time to get in the picture.
We don’t make date night a priority.
We don’t put enough value on capturing our own memories.
We don’t emphasize our uniqueness as a couple.
We don’t insist on acknowledging that our roles as husband and wife are just as important as our roles as father and mother. …
Holiday Memories, and Moments.
One of the best things in life is when you can connect a moment to a memory. Like, the smell of coconuts and thoughts of your favourite beach vacation. Or, biting into the sweetest strawberry in the dead of winter, making you long for lazy summer days. The sounds of children giggling at the same jokes you laughed at as a child.
The moments and memories you bring together over and over again because it’s food for the soul.
Yesterday, I picked up my new glasses, which happened to be a Christmas gift from my husband (they cost him an arm and a leg, but I’m worth it). Do you love them as much as I do? It’s my first foray in handmade frames… and these happen to be handmade in Paris by Caroline Abram. Worth. every. penny. I wear glasses 90% of the time, so it’s nice to feel fabulous!
As I put them on, I thought about this past holiday season, and how it always seems to fly by. Do you feel the same way? I feel like there is such a momentous build up lasting all of December (or, according to retail stores, 10 seconds after Remembrance Day ends) and then poof! December 25th happens, and it’s gone.
One of the best things about being a Nikon MOMents blogger is the reminder to capture those moments, which of course, helps to preserve the memories. And so yesterday, as I had a chance to enjoy my Christmas gift for the very first time, I once again thought about the holidays, and the food, family and love that made it special. Today, I’d love to share some of those moments with you. …
It’s Time to Have “The Talk”.
My boys are only about a month shy of their 4th and 6th birthdays, so I’m a little surprised that it’s already time to have “the talk”.
Truthfully, I assumed I had at least a few more years. My sons are barely out of the toddler stages! I had convinced myself that the the dreaded conversation would take place sometime in the distant future, so I did little to prepare myself – I gave it little thought and importance. Let the parents of tweens worry about it, I thought, I’m still PVR’ing Disney Junior shows!
But it happened. It happened and I was caught off-guard; silently cursing the acceleration of childhood. And it happened at the most inopportune moment; I was flustered, disorganized and trying to accomplish about a thousand things at once, and there stood Ryder, hovering in my doorway. I could tell he wanted to ask me something, and I turned to him, my face dripping with annoyance and expectation. “What is it?” I snapped.
If I had known this would be the pivotal moment, the moment I had both feared and dreaded would come eventually (but not now!), I would have been better prepared. I would have had all my key points of love, nurturing and most of all, quiet authority and instruction, ready to dole out with calm, maternal intelligence. I would have called out to my husband, who, as the man of the family, would’ve been able to delve from his own experience.
Yet my perfect vision of “the talk” crumbled at my feet when out of mouth of my sweet, young and naive son, the dreaded words flowed: “Can we get a dog?” Unprepared, I blurted out an unintelligent, garbled response that only the most practiced ears would understand and interpret as no f*cking way.
So, my friends, the hour is upon us and it’s time to have the “No Dogs Talk”. As an aside, I blame my best friend for the premature timing of the discussion, as she recently acquired the most adorable puppy I’ve laid eyes on and I’ve been showing the boys his photos. So I suppose I’ve had a hand in this debacle after all, and now it’s time to set the record straight. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stand firm – and that troubles me. In fact, my husband is fairly convinced I’ll eventually give in. But for the time being, I will only take care of two babies, dammit.
Do you have pets? Were you convinced by your children – or, as a child, did you convince your parents?
Ryder, The Four-Year-Old Face Bomber
If there’s one thing I sorely need in 2013, it’s a camera with a faster shutter speed. Because really, it only takes 1/8 of a second for Ryder to face bomb our pictures, and apparently I’m not taking pictures fast enough.
Case in point: pictures from our recent family vacation to Walt Disney World. Sifting through the lot, I shuddered at the sheer amount of photos Ryder managed to face bomb. I swear it’s a skill; I’ll say, “Smile!” and I’m expecting to see something like this –
But then, the moment my finger hovers over the trigger for a second shot, THIS happens –
For lack of imagination, we call it “Ryder’s Ugly Face”. And boy oh boy, does he pull out that ugly face often. As soon as the picture is taken and I see the final result on the camera’s LED screen, I normally shriek and threaten Ryder within an inch of his life to stop ruining the family photos. He’s repentant for about 45 seconds… allowing me to snap an album-worthy shot or two. And then… BOOM! He drops another face bomb. For the love of God….
Happy Birthday Husband!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Halloween is over, and Christmas preparations are in full swing!
(Not really, but I love eliciting upward eye rolls.)
And… it’s my husband’s birthday! For those of y’all counting, he’s officially waaay closer to 40 than 30, you know. Yup, I’m married to an old man.
I recently realized that I spend a lot of time gushing about how wonderful my boys are, but I rarely pay tribute to my husband. He’s just about the most affectionate person I’ve ever met (which is actually kind of stressful, being that I’m a non-PDA-please-don’t-touch-me-before-washing-your-hands kind of person), is smart, kind and funny, and he actually works two jobs – his day job, and his daycare job, taking care of the kids early morning and late night as I blog.
Here are some pictures of the man I love on our recent Royal Caribbean cruise (yes, Ryder IS a carbon copy of him):
…February 2, 2011
For my boys:
One day, you will fight over whose turn it is on the Xbox (or whatever futuristic game station is relevant).
You will argue over who “needs” to borrow dad’s car immediately.
You will poke fun at each other, keeping the insults just above the belt until someone gets really peeved and will go there. (Though he will apologize later because it’s the right thing to do.)
Someday, you will borrow each other’s clothes.
However, well before that happens, you will put a stop to me dressing you both in matchy-matchy outfits.
You will accuse me of favouring one over the other, and believe it until you’re 35.
You will scream “He’s hitting me!” exactly 4,348 times over the course of the next 10 years.
One day, you will be embarrassed to be related to one another. (Thankfully, it will pass quickly.)
You will hide toys, steal crayons and take the last treat for yourself.
You will be an honest and enthusiastic snitch – pointing out your brother’s shortcomings and faults.
And, when asked to borrow 5 bucks, you may opt to keep it for yourself.
Someday, you may take each other for granted.
You will intend to call, but the days will stretch into weeks.
You will be busy with your own family and your own priorities.
Maybe, you just won’t feel a connection to each other.
You will forget about your best friend.
And, on that day, I will forward this link – and these impromptu pictures that I took on a cold winter afternoon in February 2011.
Yes, you were in matchy-matchy outfits.
Yes, you were very young.
But you only had eyes for each other.
Unadulterated affection written all over your faces.
You took care of each other in way that makes my heart explode.
Boys, meet your first true love: your brother.
…The Happiest Place on Earth?
So, Ryder has a *slight* addiction to cars.
He plays with them. He takes them to bed at night. He makes highly annoying noises; emulating the roar of an engine, the impact of a collision, and – my personal ticket to hell – the screeching sound of brakes.
Oh, happy day.
At last count, he has over 100 toy cars – a smörgåsbord of Hot Wheels, die cast models, mini Kinder Surprise cars and even a ride-on Fisher-Price Cadillac Escalade (or the “Escalegg” as he refers to it). I don’t even know how he amassed such a collection; most of the cars conveniently disappeared during my massive decluttering session, only to reappear a few days later.
However, if there’s one car that Ryder treasures above all; one car he plays with EVERY single day – it’s his die cast red MINI Cooper. Fashioned to look exactly like my own, it was gifted to him by his Uncle Adam after a trip to San Francisco, and he’s been hooked ever since. At first, he referred to it as “Mommy’s Car”, but now he correctly (lovingly?) addresses the toy as “Red MINI Cooper”.
(Not to be confused with “Blue MINI Cooper”, the car he’s been asking for, and “Green MINI Cooper”, the car he wants mommy to buy. Oh, and “Silver MINI Cooper” which is just on another level. Of course.)
So today, on a day when soccer practice was a little scary, and his little brother was a little annoying, Ryder was feeling particularly low. And after it was apparent that not even Popsicles and pretzels could pull him out of his sour mood, I decided to take him and Reid on a little road trip.
“Where are we going, Mommy?” he asked.
“It’s a surprise,” I replied.
Ten minutes later, we rounded the corner and the MINI Oakville dealership came into view.
“Ta-da!” I exclaimed. “We came to visit MINI Coopers at their home!”
Okay, so you know how parents record their child’s reaction when they are told they’re going to Disney? I wish I had recorded Ryder’s reaction as we pulled into the parking lot. His eyes nearly bugged out of his head.
“MOMMY!” he yelled. “We’re visiting the MINI Coopers? In their home? I’m so happy! I love you MINI Coopers! I’m here to see you!“…
The Apple, The Tree, and The OCD
File this under: I can’t believe I’m writing this and you probably won’t believe me anyways.
But what the hey, here goes.
I have a touch of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). I say “a touch” because for the most part, my obsessions (anxiety) and compulsions (rituals) don’t interfere with my daily activities or hinder my life in a significant way. Yes, I believe in “safe” numbers and have been known to scrub my hands a little too often… with a little too much soap. However, if I had to sum it up in 10 words or less, I’d say I’m a quasi-germophobe with low levels of paranoia and repetition.
And here’s a fact that likely borders on too much information but you’ll understand the relevancy later: I have NEVER used a public restroom for #2.
Noooo way. No way no way no way. My OCD will just not allow it, dammit.
Before you think, “Really? Never? How is that possible?” You should know that I’m the most regular person on the planet, and when I’m not, let’s just say I can hold it. Because there’s absolutely freakin’ way I’d ever linger on public toilet for longer than say… 12 seconds or so.
Okay, enough about me. Just call me the tree.
Time for another fact. Ready for this? Deep breath.
I have NEVER changed a diaper in public. Never. I don’t even know why I own a diaper bag. It’s all for show. I’m a fraud. I have no idea what a Koala change station looks like. I don’t want to know.
Which brings me to my two apples, Ryder and Reid. They have never pooped in public, either. Ryder, at almost 4 years old, has never troubled me to change a stinky diaper unless it’s in the comfort of our home, and now that he’s toilet trained, won’t even think about using a public restroom. Reid, at almost two, has followed in his big brother’s footsteps – not once soiling his little diaper in the public eye. Most people would say I’m extremely fortunate, but I’m extremely worried… Could Ryder and Reid have inherited my OCD?
Now please don’t go thinking that I somehow pushed my own germaphobic tendencies on my boys. Babies do exactly three things: eat, sleep and poop. And if I could somehow wave a magic wand and train babies to only poop when it’s convenient for parents, I’d be the Jedi Master of diaper changes. And yet, my boys do exactly that.
Therefore I can only assume that since it’s not a trained behaviour, it’s an inherited one. Does Ryder think public restrooms are gross? Does Reid realize the social faux pas of popping your pants among strangers? Do they have an aversion to germs and germ-infested environments? It’s just SO WEIRD.
I would love if someone could please shed light on this little situation I call The Apple, The Tree and The OCD.