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”
Tag Archives: gratitude
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”
The Quiet Beauty of Banff’s Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
Turquoise and emerald water, majestic snow-capped mountains and carpet of evergreens. A trip to Banff’s must-see lakes did not disappoint and there was an unexpected bear sighting too! Our visit to both lakes on the fifth day of our week-long trip worked to our advantage, as the weather was great. As we learned through ourContinue reading “The Quiet Beauty of Banff’s Lake Louise and Moraine Lake”
Cycling the Legacy Trail and to Johnston Canyon in Banff
A 25 km bike ride in Western Canada provided an unforgettable scenic experience for my family. On the fourth day of our week-long visit to Banff in Alberta, I planned a full-day outing around T’s love for biking; it was just last summer that our 9-year-old took off his training wheels. There are numerous bikeContinue reading “Cycling the Legacy Trail and to Johnston Canyon in Banff”
Family Summer Visit to Beautiful Banff in Alberta
We kicked off T’s summer with a week-long visit to Banff, a town within Banff National Park in Alberta. Our Canada Day departure got off to a slow start with a 2-hour mechanical delay, while we were already seated on the plane. “Is the plane going to crash?” T asked loudly and I reminded himContinue reading “Family Summer Visit to Beautiful Banff in Alberta”
Born This Way
We kicked off T’s summer by marching in Canada’s largest Pride parade and championed freedom to information. I have a leadership role on my work’s Pride employee group and was part of the team that organized our march. For the second year, we chose the theme of intellectual freedom and reused signs from last year,Continue reading “Born This Way”
Goal Posts
Grade 3 is in the history books and we’re kicking summer off with soccer. T has recently developed a love for soccer. Thanks to his CYW, he had his own soccer ball and played soccer at recess with a group of boys. There were bumps along the way, as T gets upset when he doesn’tContinue reading “Goal Posts”
Using Medication for a Child with FASD
The cereal box T created for his media literacy class is called “Growing Stronger.” I like that they teach Grade 3 students media literary, as well as nutrition, in a hands on way. Just as diet influences health of kids with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, our parenting journey has demonstrated that medication can be anContinue reading “Using Medication for a Child with FASD”
Boomerang
On special days when stars align, the energy we send out come flying back at us. T recently completed the EQAO standardized Grade 3 test earlier this month. T’s school was so supportive. He had his CYW’s support to complete the test, as he gets distracted on the computer. On the first day of theContinue reading “Boomerang”
The Joy in the Meander
Slow down, take the detours, be open to the unexpected, stay present, soak in the moment. We all end up at a finish line, so what’s the rush? It’s a valuable lesson I’ve learned as T’s parent. Our family recently helped celebrate the 18th birthday of a friend’s son. It seemed like yesterday that heContinue reading “The Joy in the Meander”
Step with the Best Foot Forward
A painful truth about being a parent of a child with FASD is the world often sees them at their worst. A parent shared this, between tears, during a recent weekly virtual FASD caregivers group and I wanted to hug her because I felt her heartache. I then thought about Mothers Day lunch with familyContinue reading “Step with the Best Foot Forward”
Postcards from the Edge
The first text message simply and sweetly said, “I love you.” I was en route on my early hour-long commute to work and it was a welcomed surprise. On in-office days, I often leave before T is up and when I do see him before I leave, I get sweet long hugs, which energize meContinue reading “Postcards from the Edge”
Keep the Faith
In 2015, the hubby and I finished our South America trip at Rio de Janeiro. It was our last solo trip before T unexpectedly came into our lives. I revisited this special city last night when Madonna completed her Celebration Tour on Copacabana Beach to a record 2 million people. We watched her show inContinue reading “Keep the Faith”
Family is Forever
Eight years ago today, we got a call from Children’s Aid Society. We were matched with a child! It was a Thursday evening and the hubby and I were shocked, because it had been seven years since we had started the adoption journey. We had given up hope we would be parents. They shared T’sContinue reading “Family is Forever”
Sinking Ships, Rising Hearts
The heart does go on and on. T’s latest obsession is the Titanic, quite the step up from Paw Patrol! This was likely inspired from YouTube, as he spends lots of time watching videos about the Titanic and other famous shipwrecks. He loves to draw pictures and pretend play with great imagination about the doomedContinue reading “Sinking Ships, Rising Hearts”
Open to Feedback
Being able to receive and apply feedback, as hard as it can be to hear sometimes, is key to growth. In February, halfway past the Grade 3 school year, the hubby and I had our teacher conference with T’s teacher, CYW and the school’s special education coordinator. We discussed T’s areas for improvement: reading, writingContinue reading “Open to Feedback”
Angels in the Infield
During school lunch a few weeks ago, T proclaimed to his class he was refunding his parents. His CYW recounted to us with amusement, via text message, that T ranted out loud that he had told Daddy (the hubby) many times that he didn’t want meatballs for lunch and still got them. Due to thisContinue reading “Angels in the Infield”
The Darkest Dark
We remind our little guy that he is stronger and braver than the monsters in his head. During a recent Sunday morning, around 1:30, I was woken up by the hubby having a fit. T had turned on all the lights in the house, downstairs included, and was up playing with his toys – becauseContinue reading “The Darkest Dark”
Life is a Gift
Live and love as if it’s your first and last day on Earth. Our caring, curious, funny and not-so-little guy turned 9 this weekend. How is that possible?! The past year brought adventures and hard losses and through it all, he steps forward with his fun-seeking, resilient and endlessly energetic spirit. Our consecutive hard lossesContinue reading “Life is a Gift”
A Thousand Words
Sometimes, a picture sums up life’s depth of emotions better than words ever could. Yesterday, we had lunch with family to celebrate Ma and my aunt’s birthdays. Ma’s absence was noticeable. Afterwards, my uncle, recently returned from the Philippines, gave me Ma’s urn. It was a strange feeling holding it in my hands. The logicalContinue reading “A Thousand Words”
My Life With T 