Canada Reads - Preschool Edition

CBC Radio recently wrapped up the All Star Edition. When I get time to read again, I'll weigh in on whether Heather O'Neill's Lullabies for Little Criminals was the best choice.

Until then, I'll have to stick with the short list at our house.
The Night Pirates by Peter Harris and Deborah Allwright
I Know a Rhino by Charles Fuge
Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months by Maurice Sendak
Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Me Time

When you have two kids, a husband and full-time job, you have to work a little harder (ok, a lot harder) to find “me” time. Before children, I could spend an afternoon cuddled up with the Globe crossword or strolling around Kensington Market sampling new Goudas, sipping a latte. Today, it’s more like grabbing a cheese stick and then glancing at the flyers in the loo.

This month, I’ve found some me time. PL & I took the first time filmmakers course at NIFCO. A couple of weeks ago we shot the script on film. It’s a 5-minute piece called “Last Supper” loosely based on a true story about the last family dinner we had with PL’s aunt before she died of cancer (I know, not exactly hilarious material). Right now, we’re editing. Felt great to see people act out my script and of course be behind the camera.

If I Had a Hammer

I'd hammer in the morning
I'd hammer in the evening
All over this land
I'd hammer out danger
I'd hammer out a warning
I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land

Today, I signed up to build a house. Cabot Habitat for Humanity is having an Women Build (Aug 12-26). We're going to build a duplex for 2 deserving families in Mount Pearl. What better way to teach Ben & FG about "sharing" and "taking turns" than volunteering? My first time volunteering since they were born. Not sure where I'm getting the time, but I'm finding it!

I've signed up for plastering, drywall, landscaping -- wherever they can put me.
Can't wait for my pink hard hat!

Kissimmee Retreat

Florida is not my first choice for a vacation. But when you're buried in snow and its minus something foolish, spending a week in tacky Kissimmee sounds fantastic. And gawd love PL's parents for organizing the 2nd Annual Bisaillon Summit. The kids literally hopped for 7 days. No mittens, no hats, no heavy boots. Just swimsuits and sunscreen. My best toddler/preschooler tip -- skip Disneyworld and spend the day at Downtown Disney. It's free plus all the store have plenty of interactive things for the kids. Our guys loved the make-your-own Mr. Potato head Bar. And of course the big kids loved the Lego Store. Not sure who did more hopping that afternoon, PL or Ben!