My wife went to Europe and all I got was this awesome haul of loot
It is not easy to force one’s own mouth say “you go to Europe on holiday honey; I’ll look after the kids”. However, it seems the reward for doing so is great indeed. I suppose it didn’t hurt that North America celebrates Fathers Day the weekend of her return. In any case, I was on the receiving end of some powerful loving when my wife returned. For example…
A bottle of Lagavulin Distillers Edition. I don’t have scotch often, but when I do I prefer those of Islay island and would name Laphroaig is my baseline scotch. Lagavulin is where I go for something special, but this Distillers Edition rates as one of the two finest samples of Scotch to ever pass my lips. The other was a limited edition 18 year old Lagavulin (which I have never seen on sale anywhere) given to me as a gift by Matty Johnson. I am happy to sample other brands, but the gentlemen of Islay island, and at the Lagavulin distillery in particular, are very clearly honed in on my palette.
A new TV. It is important to understand that since arriving in Ottawa we have been using an old 20” CRT screen loaner TV from the High Commission. Said loaner is old and tiny, and just to make the point plain has a built in VHS player. I have made no secret of my intentions to buy a new TV that would see us through our return to Canberra and many years to follow. I did the research, figuring out the little technical questions why we wanted an LCD instead of plasma, and whether 120hrz is worth the price over 60hrz. More importantly, I figured out how to deal with the differing current (110 vs 220) and video signals (NTSC vs PAL) used in Canada and Australia. I did my research, and upon her return Jane gave me the green light to buy. Enter the Samsung LN40C610. 40” of High Definition flat screen goodness. It is wonderful. We jumped over an entire technology (plasma), so it’s a bit like having an AM radio for years and then being given a new iPod touch. In the fullness of time I will add home theatre speakers (including an iPod dock) bluray player and rocketpants, but for now I am rapt with the simple increase in size and definition (and working remote).
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Next stop, Harvard.
Last Wednesday was ‘graduation’ for Thomas and Lillian from the Betty Hyde Nursery School. At the end of every school year, the three teachers randomly distribute the names of the children that won't be returning to the school in September and write a brief speech. These speeches are then read out during a family fun day held at a nearby park. It is all very emotional for the teachers, so they don’t discuss which children they got and every year at least one tears up while reading or listening to a speech. Below are the speeches for Thomas and Lillian.
Thomas – You’re the kind of guy who knows what he wants out of life. When we first met you, you seemed a little unsure of us – such a shy and serious young fellow. Now we know you were just taking in your new surroundings before diving in to enjoy them. Once you decided Betty Hyde was a pretty good place to be we got to know the real you. You were more than happy to share all kinds of fun and fascinating facts about your hometown in Australia with us. No matter what the topic though (sharks, dinosaurs, space travel), you can be counted upon to offer an interesting observation or two.
In January, when your sister, Lillian, started coming to school with you we got to see firsthand what a great big brother you are. You made sure she was safe on the climber and helped get her used to all the routines of the morning. At circle time there was always a spot for her to sit right beside you. She wasn’t the only one who wanted to be there either. How many times did we hear one of your friends say, “But I wanted to sit next to Thomas?” I guess that goes to show what a neat friend you are. We’ll all miss you, but we know the friends you make at your new school will feel just as lucky to know you ads we do.
Lillian – “Imp” or “rascal” I think might be the best way to sum up this wonderfully charming little 2 year old. “Pixie” and “Sprite” also come to mind! Lillian started to come to school when she turned 2 – joining her older brother Tom – and from the moment she walked into Betty Hyde she has made the school her own. Supposedly a toddler, but never once wanting to be considered one – Lillian is not afraid of anyone or anything. The more challenging and grown up an activity might seem the more determined Lillian is to be in there participating. Lillian isn’t afraid to muck it up with the best of them …the more ooey and gooey as activity, the better! Lillian stays for lunch every day with all the children that are at least 2 years older and foot taller than she is and yet she endures. Lillian commands respect from these older children and does not put up with any guff.
Lillian often has her teachers rolling their eyes and/or rolling in the aisles with laughter. You gotta love her – you can’t help yourself. There is no such thing as the terrible two in Lillian’s life – its all good. So look out Fern Hill – here she comes!
Fern Hill is the school to which both Thomas and Lillian are moving come September. Fern Hill is offering a non-academic summer program, which we will send the kids to a couple days a week. It will help to preserve my sanity and ease their transition to the new school before full time school resumes in September.
Thomas – You’re the kind of guy who knows what he wants out of life. When we first met you, you seemed a little unsure of us – such a shy and serious young fellow. Now we know you were just taking in your new surroundings before diving in to enjoy them. Once you decided Betty Hyde was a pretty good place to be we got to know the real you. You were more than happy to share all kinds of fun and fascinating facts about your hometown in Australia with us. No matter what the topic though (sharks, dinosaurs, space travel), you can be counted upon to offer an interesting observation or two.
In January, when your sister, Lillian, started coming to school with you we got to see firsthand what a great big brother you are. You made sure she was safe on the climber and helped get her used to all the routines of the morning. At circle time there was always a spot for her to sit right beside you. She wasn’t the only one who wanted to be there either. How many times did we hear one of your friends say, “But I wanted to sit next to Thomas?” I guess that goes to show what a neat friend you are. We’ll all miss you, but we know the friends you make at your new school will feel just as lucky to know you ads we do.
Lillian – “Imp” or “rascal” I think might be the best way to sum up this wonderfully charming little 2 year old. “Pixie” and “Sprite” also come to mind! Lillian started to come to school when she turned 2 – joining her older brother Tom – and from the moment she walked into Betty Hyde she has made the school her own. Supposedly a toddler, but never once wanting to be considered one – Lillian is not afraid of anyone or anything. The more challenging and grown up an activity might seem the more determined Lillian is to be in there participating. Lillian isn’t afraid to muck it up with the best of them …the more ooey and gooey as activity, the better! Lillian stays for lunch every day with all the children that are at least 2 years older and foot taller than she is and yet she endures. Lillian commands respect from these older children and does not put up with any guff.
Lillian often has her teachers rolling their eyes and/or rolling in the aisles with laughter. You gotta love her – you can’t help yourself. There is no such thing as the terrible two in Lillian’s life – its all good. So look out Fern Hill – here she comes!
Fern Hill is the school to which both Thomas and Lillian are moving come September. Fern Hill is offering a non-academic summer program, which we will send the kids to a couple days a week. It will help to preserve my sanity and ease their transition to the new school before full time school resumes in September.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
EARTHQUAKE!!
Well, it was more like '...earthquake? Really?'
LINKY
I was home with the kids when it happened. Initially I though there was a big truck on our street, but then the noise got even louder and there was same minor shaking. Thomas didn't like the noise, so he got a hug. Lillian slept through the entire thing. Jane copped the worst of it because they evacuated the building she was in as a precaution. Despite the epicentre being just 61 kilometres north of Ottawa, everybody is fine.
If anything the event has reminded me that I am well behind in my blogging. Barring further acts of natural sabotage, I'll try to catch up with a couple more entries over the weekend.
LINKY
I was home with the kids when it happened. Initially I though there was a big truck on our street, but then the noise got even louder and there was same minor shaking. Thomas didn't like the noise, so he got a hug. Lillian slept through the entire thing. Jane copped the worst of it because they evacuated the building she was in as a precaution. Despite the epicentre being just 61 kilometres north of Ottawa, everybody is fine.
If anything the event has reminded me that I am well behind in my blogging. Barring further acts of natural sabotage, I'll try to catch up with a couple more entries over the weekend.
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