What are the urban legends we tell to keep people in line? On a recent Sunday grocery run with T, as I parked the car, he said, “There’s an owl on the roof.” I love that T notices things that we normally miss. There indeed was an owl on the roof of the supermarket, picturedContinue reading “The Scarecrow”
Category Archives: FASD
Hide and Seek
We’re wired for connection and time with people can be healing and open our minds. I was delighted to be invited back to The Heart of the Matter podcast to speak with Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson about finding community. Connecting with Wynne and Vicki is always a joy. Our chat reminded me about recentContinue reading “Hide and Seek”
Miss Americana, Taylor Swift
T and I celebrated the hubby’s birthday with a night out at Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Eras Tour show in Toronto. We had purchased the tickets, nosebleed seats, last Fall and were lucky to get them at face value. The hubby’s sister visited us for his birthday week and it was nice they got toContinue reading “Miss Americana, Taylor Swift”
Win as a Team
Watching our 9-year-old T enjoy soccer lessons reminds me of why we work as a team. T is halfway through his first round of lessons and it’s been a fun Sunday morning family routine. The hubby and I signed our soccer fan up for these free lessons offered at a City-run recreation centre to helpContinue reading “Win as a Team”
The Simple Life: Exploring Village Historique Acadien in New Brunswick
Less is more. Tight knit community connections. Want not, waste not. These were thoughts that came to mind when we stepped back in time during a visit to the Acadian Village in New Brunswick in August. Le Village Historique Acadien is an historical reconstruction that portrays the way of life of Acadians between 1770 and 1949.Continue reading “The Simple Life: Exploring Village Historique Acadien in New Brunswick”
Story of My Life
I made it home just in time for a special unexpected bedtime routine with T. With thanks to the hubby, I had a rare weeknight out to support colleagues at an event. As I texted the hubby on the subway ride home, he let me know it was a rougher night; T was very disregulatedContinue reading “Story of My Life”
Running for Life: “I’m Not a Quitter”
Thanksgiving is quieter and simpler this year. Two years ago, I hosted dinner for Ma and my sister; the latter had just moved in with us after receiving her terminal cancer diagnosis. Last year, Ma was at the Philippines for an extended visit and I don’t remember if we even did anything for Thanksgiving. SoContinue reading “Running for Life: “I’m Not a Quitter””
Sports as Social Medicine for Neurodiverse Kids
On the last Sunday morning of September, T woke up excited for his first soccer lesson. T loves soccer and his CYW suggested enrolling him into lessons. Sports is often therapeutic for neurodiverse kids, like T who has FASD and ADHD, to help burn off energy and to regulate their mood. I also see socialContinue reading “Sports as Social Medicine for Neurodiverse Kids”
Cooking for the Soul: The F*ck Off Cholesterol Edition
When my family doctor asked to meet about my bloodwork, I knew I had to start taking cholesterol meds. He let me know last summer that my cholesterol was high and we tried to lower it through changes to nutrition. I’m a fairly healthy person – eat, sleep and exercise mostly well – so I’mContinue reading “Cooking for the Soul: The F*ck Off Cholesterol Edition”
The Stories We Tell
Stories inform, inspire, and illuminate life’s complexities and contradictions. Earlier this week, our team at work participated together in a learning and reflection activity to pay respect to National Truth and Reconciliation Day, which is observed on September 30. We watched a short documentary that featured interviews with survivors of the residential school system. MyContinue reading “The Stories We Tell”
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: Riding Banff Gondola Up Sulphur Mountain
The big picture view always puts the small details into clear perspective. On Day 3 of our family trip to Banff in early July, we took the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. As it’s a popular spot, we reserved a timeslot ahead of time online to minimize the wait to board. As someone who getsContinue reading “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: Riding Banff Gondola Up Sulphur Mountain”
“Up My Butt!”
This is a wholesome and positive post, I promise. Two weeks into the new school year 4, T and our family are settling into more structured days. Some good news, T still has his Child and Youth Worker support for academic subjects. It is very rare for a 4th grader to have this support andContinue reading ““Up My Butt!””
Drumming Heartbeats for FASD Awareness Day
September 9 is International FASD Awareness Day. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder describes the impacts on the brain and body of someone exposed to alcohol in the womb. On Sunday, we participated in a community event at St James Park in downtown Toronto organized by Surrey Place, the wonderful organization that has supported T since heContinue reading “Drumming Heartbeats for FASD Awareness Day”
The Boy with the Big Outdoor Voice
“Oh my God, when is that baby going to stop crying,” our 9-year-old said loudly during our recent flight home from Banff. I was horrified and amused. The woman behind us burst out laughing. Such is the life with T, who is never shy to speak his mind, even and especially when things are bestContinue reading “The Boy with the Big Outdoor Voice”
Riding the Rollercoaster of Life
The build up often outlasts the thrill themselves, but boy, are they worth it sometimes. Our annual Labour Day weekend camping plans were thwarted by bad weather and we kept it local and chill instead. We took T to Canada’s Wonderland on Saturday, a beautiful day, our first visit in two years. Going in, weContinue reading “Riding the Rollercoaster of Life”
Visits to the Hospital
Parents want to protect children from hard realities of life but these moments can provide valuable lessons. T has faced a lot of heartbreak for a 9 year old, including Ma’s death this year and my sister’s death the prior year; the latter lived with us in the last few months of her battle withContinue reading “Visits to the Hospital”
The Tumbles and Polish of Sea Glass
Picking up treasures on pebbled shores reflected the journey through life’s imperfections. One highlight from our visit to T’s grandparents in New Brunswick was picking sea glass. Wonderopolis describes sea glass as pieces of glass smoothed over time by the tumbling of water, waves, and sand. As glass soak in salt water and get tossed againstContinue reading “The Tumbles and Polish of Sea Glass”
Swimming at Nigadoo Falls: An Off the Beaten Path Oasis in New Brunswick
Often times, the best activities are those known to the locals. At the top of T’s list to do during our annual summer visit to his grandparents in Beresford was to swim at Nigadoo Falls. It’s a beautiful, rocky and fresh water spot tucked in the woods, off the unassuming Rue du Moulin in Nigadoo,Continue reading “Swimming at Nigadoo Falls: An Off the Beaten Path Oasis in New Brunswick”
Wild Blueberries
We’re letting T run wild this summer, taking a more relaxed approach than previous years. Usually by the end of June, I would’ve lined up worksheets and books from his teacher, to work on with T over the summer. I did this to avoid summer learning slide, as I’m mindful of T’s FASD and ADHD.Continue reading “Wild Blueberries”
Hiking Takakkaw Falls and Canoeing Emerald Lake at Yoho National Park
We saved some of the best experiences for last during our family summer trip to Banff, Alberta. I intentionally kept our last day as a blank slate when planning the itinerary. At the advice of a local, we spent the day exploring Yoho National Park, located an hour drive from the town of Banff. OurContinue reading “Hiking Takakkaw Falls and Canoeing Emerald Lake at Yoho National Park”
My Life With T 