We were racing against sunset as we hiked up the rocky hill to get to the cliffs to jump into the bay. It was our first day camping at Killbear and we had just finished dinner. We had decided we would do cliff jumping the following day, but T was insistent, so the hubby andContinue reading “Leap of Faith”
Category Archives: Parenting
Our Budding Influencer
“Hi guys,” T says sweetly and excitedly to his phone, on video record mode, to his imaginary followers. He goes on to narrate what he’s doing, emulating the online influencers and livestreamers he enjoys watching, like Ethan Gamer. It appears we have a budding influencer. T started doing this at his grandparents’ cottage during ourContinue reading “Our Budding Influencer”
Catch and Release
Kids catching lobsters washed up on the beach gave me a good reminder about abundance of gratitude. On the second morning of our recent visit to T’s grandparents’ cottage, we went for a walk by the beach, an activity T enjoyed several times a day. We stumbled upon three boys carrying buckets and excitedly catchingContinue reading “Catch and Release”
All That We Leave Behind
In the end, it’s about memories and we hang onto photos and things that remind us of loved ones. In a year of losses, our family experienced another loss – Ma moved back to Philippines at the end of July. We knew for over a year this day was coming – it was delayed dueContinue reading “All That We Leave Behind”
Has To Be
How do you best explain the concepts of faith, God, heaven and angels to kids? During bedtime on Monday, T said in a panic that he wanted to live forever and was afraid of dying because “what if angels aren’t real?” Since his Auntie, my sister, passed away after last Christmas, T found great comfortContinue reading “Has To Be”
Rain or Shine
When things don’t go as planned, like pneumonia ambushing vacation, I look for the silver lining. We had a nice 10 days visiting T’s grandparents in New Brunswick, despite me being ill for most of it. On our third day, I started to feel nauseous, had shaking chills and developed a fever – which reachedContinue reading “Rain or Shine”
Before Sunset
Nature reminds us that often times there are good stuff yet to come near the end of our days. At the start of the final stretch of our drive to visit the hubby’s parents, we stopped to gas up near Edmunston, New Brunswick. We were treated to this awe-inspiring breathtaking sunset – pictured at top.Continue reading “Before Sunset”
The Odyssey
Off we go. Join us for live updates along our 16-hour drive to the East Coast of Canada. It’s our annual two-week summer roadtrip to visit T’s grandparents in New Brunswick. I love family roadtrips for many reasons – bonding, listening to music in the car, taking unplanned detours, delicious food stops, snacking on junkContinue reading “The Odyssey”
Croup Summer
Nothing like a nasty viral infection for poor T to tell us to slow down our summer. On Thursday, T started to complain of a sore throat. By Friday, the sore throat was unbearable. We did a COVID test and it was negative. T woke up twice at night, crying his throat was hurting. ByContinue reading “Croup Summer”
Wheels in Motion
When summers fly, slow down to soak it all in. During camp pickup on Tuesday, I told T I had a surprise. “We’re biking together tonight, because I got a bike too!” T’s face lit up with a smile and he shared the news with his camp teacher and friends excitedly. The hubby and IContinue reading “Wheels in Motion”
Return to Killarney
The hubby, T and I first visited Killarney, a beautiful and painting-like part of Ontario during our Northern Ontario roadtrip in Summer 2020 and it lifted our spirits during the pandemic. So it was wonderful to return, thanks to my Aunt who organized a getaway – and we packed a lot in from Friday afternoonContinue reading “Return to Killarney”
Lavender Haze
One of my favourite day trips was a pre pandemic weekend visit to the beautiful family-run Terre Bleu Lavender Farm when T was 4. I find the farm grounds very calming and enjoying lavender ice cream on a summer day is a treat. Lavender is known for its calming qualities. You may have seen thisContinue reading “Lavender Haze”
Embracing His Inner Dennis the Menace
Half a year after we shared his FASD diagnosis with T, it has clicked with him. On a recent morning, T wanted to play with one of our two cats, which is often a hit or miss event. T stayed gentle and our cat finally went up to T to smell his hand then letContinue reading “Embracing His Inner Dennis the Menace”
When Training Wheels Come Off
To kick off summer, T scored his first bloody busted upper lip after a biking accident. But let’s rewind a week to the morning of the same day T marched in the Pride parade for the first time – when the hubby took him out on his bike. The bike was a gift from hisContinue reading “When Training Wheels Come Off”
Tubing Down Elora Gorge
Rushing river leads to calm water. As a parent of a neurodiverse child, I wholeheartedly believe this. We celebrated Canada Day, and the start of the second half of the year, by tubing down Elora Gorge. It’s family tradition to kick off summer break with a weekend adventure. This year, we picked Elora, a charmingContinue reading “Tubing Down Elora Gorge”
Love Leads the Way
T marched in his first Pride parade and he did amazing! I’m part of my work’s Pride staff group and it was wonderful to march with colleagues, family and friends for the first time since the pandemic. It was important to march, because of increased attacks towards the 2SLGBTQ+ community. It is horrifying to seeContinue reading “Love Leads the Way”
Helpful Nutrition Tips for Raising Children with FASD
Garbage in, garbage out. How we nourish our body extends to our mind and spirit. With thanks to our parenting support group, the hubby and I attended a webinar with a nutritionist that works with individuals with FASD. Our 8.5 year old T is characteristically a picky eater – or as I learned through thisContinue reading “Helpful Nutrition Tips for Raising Children with FASD”
Padam Padam
Life begins at 40 – and what makes your heart beat with new purpose? Growing up, 40 seemed ancient and yet, I still feel like a kid in a candy store when I view and think about certain things in life. Being a dad keeps my mind young and ages my body in triple time.Continue reading “Padam Padam”
Flowers
On a beautiful Spring Sunday afternoon, T brought flowers for his Auntie. A few weeks prior, the memorial garden staff let me know her memorial plaque had been installed and with it, a vase for flowers. At 8.5 years old, T has experienced a lot of adversity and loss the past year. When I watchedContinue reading “Flowers”
Sprint to the Finish
Friday was Track and Field Day. T crushed and won his races, including the 1500m and 800m. Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, the hubby, T and I participated in the final session of the SNAP program, which we participated in to build skills to make better choices and co-regulate with T when moments getContinue reading “Sprint to the Finish”
My Life With T 