Share the Flame

I have some vivid memories of the 88 Calgary Olympics. Specifically when the Olympic Torch relay went in front of our store on 14th Street. I was 11 years old at the time and for some reason it really moved me. When I heard the Olympics were coming to Vancouver, I was SO excited. I wanted my kids to experience the Olympics like I had.

When the Torch ran through Calgary, we just had to go. We had a great time and I think the kids will always remember that day, although it probably won't mean as much to them as to me.

At the 88 opening ceremonies, a 12 year old girl named Robyn Perry lit the Olympic cauldron. When she returned to light the cauldron at Olympic Plaza, I started to get a little emotional as my childhood memories came flooding back. As the cauldron was being lit, I asked Michael, "isn't this awesome?" To which he replied "Dad, I want one of those glowing coke bottles."

We still have the coke bottle. Hopefully, he remembers it as more than the night he obtained a cheap marketing toy.

Christmas spirit

So for about a year we've been on a frugal living kick and the kids were doing fine until the onslaught of Christmas advertising and seeing beautifully wrapped packages come their way. Michael has figured out from friends that Christmas is a wonderful excuse to ask for gratuitous gifts and Leah is doing a good job following suit.

Upon examining our Christmas tree last night Gerry exclaimed that we have too many presents and maybe we should give them to some kids who will not be receiving any nice presents for Christmas.

Michael stopped to think of what Gerry suggested and all of the implications of him not getting his ps3. Leah on the other hand cheered and whole heartedly agreed with Gerry right away, but qualified her statement a bit to only keep her presents, and share everyone else's.

the end of busyness perhaps?

it feels like since last may we've been going going going; burying the thought of rest and relaxation deep in our heads, like a forgotten morsel of fine chocolate at the bottom of a purse waiting to be rediscovered, unwrapped and savoured. that chocolate's been bittersweet actually - i've finally spent more than one full day in a row at home if only because M has decided to become a grumpy little petri dish to house any willing and able virus wanting to stay awhile. things have literally come to a stand still with G being away for 9 days, the house already thoroughly cleaned with much thanks to a much needed visit from faraway friends, and A making her signature chicken pot pie for thanksgiving dinner tonight. i can't explain how liberating it is to not have to think about anyone's needs but mine own, selfish perhaps? welcome back rest, i've missed you.

nice, according to leah

Perfectly acceptable mealtime conversation.

L: Auntie E, I won't kill you.

An invitation to play checkers.

M: Leah, let's play checkers!

L: And I won't spit on you Michael!

M: Okay, uh...thanks.

Trying to change my mood to show some sign of happiness.

L: Mom? Are you happy I didn't hit?

car conversations

L: Today we went to church, Ca-oway and sweet and sour pork.

M: Leah, it's church, Calloway Park and...restaurant.

L: Ok, home, church, Ca-oway and westwant.

M: No Leah, first home, then church, then home, then Calloway Park, then restaurant and now we're going home. Say: home.

L: Home.

M: Next it starts with 'ch'

L: Uh, Ca-oway!

M: No Leah, church! Say church and home.

L: Church and home.

M: Yes.

L: Yes.

M: No Leah, don't say yes, after home its Calloway.

L: Ca-oway...and den...westwant...and den.....uh....home!

M: Yes, Leah did it!

L: Girls just wanna have fun, wanna have fun, when the working day is done girls just wanna have fun!!!

adventures with ee-mo

angie took the kids to one of her work functions - a hockey game that the bmo team was playing in and before that to watch the chicago blackhawks practice (this was during the regular season of course).  she was only interested in the practice but thought it would be nice to take the kids.  she gets to the saddledome late and the kids are still chilled from the walk from the parking lot, and they make their way down to the rink.  But the coach decided to make it a closed practice.  Angie was more disappointed than the kids, who had no clue what they were doing anyways.  They started to make their way out again but M had to pee so somehow they ended up in the flames change room (it was empty).  After M made his mark they did a little snooping before finally leaving.  G was so proud that his son shared the same space with his team.

wait do i have a phone???!!!

entry moved from the other site (which is now closed) from nov 2008

M: hi appa
G: hi michael, what are you doing? where's umma?
M: i'm playing lego batman wii. umma's in the shower. appa, can you go onto youtube and find the way to finish the level??
G: michael i have to work, we'll do it when i come home. 
M: appa, you can call me back on my phone, WAIT DO I HAVE A PHONE???!!!
G: michael i'll see you when i come home and we'll do it then, ok?
M: ok appa, call me back. bye.
G: bye

10 mins later:
M: uh appa, how come you didn't call me back yet? i'm waiting.
G: i have to work michael. where's umma?
M: she's still in the shower. can you just find out how to pass the level and call me back and tell me? just go on your computer and find out how.
G: michael i have to go, we'll do this later bye.
M: hmph

M harrassed G five times in a few hours. like father like son.