a peek inside the fishbowl

I like interviewing my children.

Awhile back we were all in the car and I asked Sarah to give me a list of things of which she was afraid. I wanted to jot it down before it got lost forever.

Sarah said she is afraid of:

• needles
• the dark
• the dentist
• eels in the toilet
• black widow spiders
• monsters
• strangers

Sarah said she is not afraid of:

• Papa [that’s her grandfather]
• tarantulas
• scorpions
• clowns
• eagles
• Halloween
• driving
• heights & flying
• tree climbing

So there it is. :)

First, some photos from our little hike yesterday:

Is it Family Day where you are?

There was a time when every Sunday was “family day” here in Ontario. Anyone remember that? The only thing that was open in our neck of the woods was our local library. 

Some parents are upset that stores and museums are closed today. Some are wondering how we can possibly keep kids out of school AND CLOSE THE STORES AND MUSEUMS.  

Some people are upset that it’s called Family Day because some people don’t have families. Yes, that’s true. But I politely suggest those people should just ignore the name of this particular statuatory holiday and take a Sharpie and (a) blot out the name of this holiday on their calendars and (b) call it something else like “Reading Day” or “Spend Time with The Dog Day” or “Best Friend Day” or “Clean Out My Closet Day.”

Some people are upset they aren’t getting the day off. And rightly so.

Family Day is a great idea. (In fact, I personally wouldn’t be upset if someone decided to revert back to no shopping on Sundays.) There are a hundred things people can do which don’t involve shopping or museums or anything else.

• bake cookies
• go for a long walk
• visit with friends
• play board games (Monopoly here we come!) or do a puzzle
• host a movie marathon and eat tons of popcorn
• read
• write a book (Emma and I are working on one!)
• go for a drive
• go toboganning or skating
• call your mother ;)

I know many of you are coming up with your own things to do with your families today – whether or not you are celebrating Family Day where you are.

I think I got a a few weird looks on the night I gave blood. I walked in, talked to the nurse, talked to another nurse, and about five minutes later walked right out again. I turned some heads in the waiting room.

After all my talk about donating blood for Valentine’s Day there I was, walking out. Rejected! I was pretty disappointed. Apparently my iron is too low. The nurse told me I was healthy but below their minimum. And then she proceeded to hand me a brochure about healthy eating.  I felt like telling her I’d just had a dinner of lean chicken, leaf lettuce, and a chickpea salad … but I didn’t. Hey body, what gives?

–

Yesterday was a busy PD day. Mark took the day off (yay!) so we started our day with a big breakfast at Baker Street in Westboro. It was delish, as usual.

Later that morning the girls and I went to check out the scene at Dovercourt. They were hosting some (free!) heart-healthy activities for families as part of a fundraiser for the Heart & Stroke foundation. We ended up staying for almost two hours because it was so much fun.

They had hula hoops to try (I must get myself an adult-size hoop) as well as skipping ropes (double love!) as well as this crazy plastic “skating” mat. You put on some slippery booties and do this side-to-side gliding action as if you’re speed skating. I loved it! (Just realized it’s called a Slide Board Balance Trainer. I would have LEGS OF STEEL if I used that thing everyday.)

A Citizen photographer showed up at one point, so check the paper today or tomorrow. :)

–

Last night we had friends over for dinner. I made pizza for the kids. Their part of the party was a “pre-sleepover,” basically, a sleepover without the sleeping. They ate first, and then, clad in their pj’s, watched Toy Story 2 on the foldout with bowls of popcorn. 

The grownups drank wine and ordered dinner from Mekong. During intermission I served cake (Boston Cream with fruit on top) which, for reasons I could not understand, was actually a little frozen in the middle. Oh well. The kids had fun and so did the grownups. The evening wrapped up around 8:45 p.m. I love doing the casual dinner thing! We need to do it more often. It’s so easy. 

Today is going to be low key. I am thinking about going to the library. Tonight we’re having our special dinner from Thyme & Again. (Note to self: check out Red Apron. Thanks for your comments!)

And that’s it!

Hope you’re having a great weekend where you are!