What Santa Gives

The boys often ask me if Santa is real.  I tell them Santa is real and anybody can be a Santa.  While the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Christ, it is also a celebration of love in giving to others. Giving. Not so much receiving. And what comes with the material things that are given - no matter small or big - is the intangible gift of happiness.

Why I Watch the AMA

Drumming never looked this cool. Demons & Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

New songs to discover I now have on repeat. Story of My Life by One Direction

Dance Moves. Timber by Pitbull & Kesha

Visual Effects. Unconditionally by Katy Perry

And so I can PVR, and watch it over and over.

Dear Sushi,

You are turning 9 this month, but most times when I look at you, I still see that little baby that you once were. I still remember your first solids, first laugh, first swim, first steps… all your firsts. I never seemed to have missed any of it.

I was worried when you started talking late, but today you just wouldn’t stop. You can talk about anything from baseball statistics to U.S. Presidents, topics that bore kids. That’s why you love being with grown-ups who know what you’re talking about,

Even if it’s the first time you met them,

And even if you’re the only kid at the table.

You will read anything (that also bores me) - Time magazine and such.

You will read anywhere as long as there’s light - at a concert.

I was afraid you’ll be a nerd (like me), but not after I saw you shoot hoops,

And pitched a baseball at 32mph.

My favourite moments with you are when you are being silly with me,

Chatting in our hikes,

Sharing our birthday ice cream,

Sitting at the back row of the car, even if we both feel carsick, guessing if Roar or Royals made it to the Top20.

You thank me if I make sacrifices, and so you would always give me the best part, or the last piece, of anything. This is up on our wall at home because of you.

Your kind words surprise me, and your hugs for no reason. Oh, the privileges of being your Mom.

It makes me proud when I see you hold the door for the kids in your school. I trust that you will take care of Shoti with the same kindness.

Please don’t ever stop wanting to learn.

Keep on being helpful.

Go on with your reading - whether to a crowd

Or alone, and even until you wear glasses.

Don't be too serious.

Keep playing and enjoy being a kid!

I love you to pieces... to infinity... and beyond....

 XOXO, Mom

“The most terrifying day of your life is the day the first one is born…. Your life, as you know it... is gone, never to return. But they learn how to walk, and they learn how to talk and you want to be with them. And they turn out to be the most delightful people you will ever meet in your life.”
- Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola

Happy Halloween!

 

Since we have more family now here to celebrate Halloween with. I hosted a Halloween party. We have also opened our door to trick-or-treaters. This is our first in our new home.

 

 

 

Roar!

 

 

 

 

 

It's Hang Time!

Sashimi is so into superheroes this year. So for his birthday, we invited his school friends over and a special guest.

 

 

I got these balloons from the Dollar Store for $2 each.

I like how these balloons stand on its own. Instant party décor and went with the loot for the kids.

I didn't go big on decorations.  The paper plates and cups dressed up the table so easily. I only put out black and red fruits, gummies and chocolates.

Kids are hard to trick these days. They knew right away it isn't the real Spiderman.

Sashimi gets his Spidey cake as well.

Sushi is nowhere near the party. He thinks this is a children's party. What are you, Sushi?

 

I'll do anything for you, including get Spiderman to be in your party.

Happy Birthday, my little web slinger! Love you lots!

Dear Sashi,

This summer I had the privilege and pleasure of several days-out with you.  Much like me, you have always loved to ride the train, subway, bus, and streetcar.  I was able to fulfill your wishes with the help of my eager co-worker - thanks P! It was a joy ride. 

You were so easy.  You sat through 8 innings of baseball with Mom. I thought you wouldn’t even make it pass the 1^st. 

You could spend hours entertaining yourself - with mist,

Or with sand.

 

That’s why I didn’t mind giving up this daybed for your play area.

You are so full of energy.  You could climb this huge rock endlessly.

 

And do an imitation with your toys.

 

You would try anything and do every thing - from hammering

to batting.

You're afraid of nothing - deep water,

Even the police officer.

And most recently, you biked with Mom farther than you ever had, longer than I would expect from you.  You never gave up.  You blew me away.

These moments are my best with you, doing anything or nothing at all.

Love every minute of it. Please don't grow up too fast. 

Happy birthday, Sashi!  High 5!

XOXO,
Mom



Back to School

My dear babies,

Each year around this time I get butterflies in my stomach.  Another school year begins for you.  I would constantly remind myself that I’m not the one heading back to school.  It’s you, my two mini-me’s.  You are very much an extension of myself, and so I can’t help it. It’s challenging for Mom to release you each new school year, but I am confident that you will thrive well – socially and academically.  Enjoy school.  If you should come home with ripped pants and worn-out shoes from having way too much fun, that’s okay. In fact, that will make me very happy.

XOXO,
Mom

P.S. Daddy said good luck to me. I asked, what for.  He said he knows who's going to cry on the first day of school and it's neither of you. Dang!

What I've Been Up To

When I was fresh out of high school, I remember telling my Dad that I wanted to learn how to drive. He told me to learn how to bike first.  He bought me a bike and I learned how to bike so easily.  Biking seemed to be only a prerequisite to driving, so after my driving lessons I got a car and my bike never saw the light of day again.

Fast forward to present, I wanted to bike again.  I didn’t have a bike so I would only use my sister's when we visit.  It’s true they say, once you learn how to ride a bike you will never forget how to.  I decided to get my own bicycle.

I came across Mom vs the Boys, who made a review of the Everyday Traveller bike. By this, the good reviews on Canadian Tire, and my lack of bike knowledge, I was effortlessly swayed.  Five CT stores later, a thunderstorm and a pushy Mr. Hotpot, the baby's home.

Since then I’ve been biking after dinner most evenings whenever I could.  As long as there’s no restraint in weather, with our routine, and with my boys, I’m out!  With my bare bike, I'd ride with just my iTouch, my dependable ride companion.  My playlist keeps me going.  I would only make occasional stops for quick rest, snap photos. Nothing special, just to mark how far I’ve gone with biking, literally and otherwise.

I would meet this old couple on my bike rides, holding hands while strolling. I don't know them. But I love them already.  It's the unexpected and these little things that make me look forward to my next rides.